Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/21

 Address of Captain John Lamb. 9

the 3rd regiment, boys whom he loved so well, and every one of whom he could call by name.

THE WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN.

This campaign furnishes an interesting study, and these young men, fired with the military spirit, will do well to read carefully the reports of the same.

Wickham's brigade rendered most effective service in this cam- paign. Its losses, from the Rapidan to Petersburg, were simply fearful. They have been related around the camp fires of this camp, and our active, untiring and enthusiastic comrade, Thomas W. Sydnor, in presenting the portrait of the noble Wickham, gave many incidents that recalled vividly those dark and bloody days.

Wickham, who had been brigadier-general since September, 1863, was in charge of his own brigade. He was a member of the Confederate Congress at the same time that he was a general in the army.

This accounts for the fact that Colonel Munford is so often men- tioned as commanding the brigade.

The temptation is very great to stop here and tell of Todd's Tavern and JarralPs Mill and Mitchell's Shop and Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge and Haw's Shop and second Cold Harbor, where we neared the border land of independence, but I am reminded that the infantry needs rest. It was our business to see that they enjoyed in absolute security " Nature s sweet restorer," and to bear with Christian patience and fortitude their facetious jokes at our expense.

At the Trevillian fight Colonel Munford, with the 2d regiment, captured Custer's batteries with his headquarter' s wagon and his letters. I had in my possession Mrs. General Custer's letter to General Munford acknowledging the return of General Custer's cape and sash.

During the war with Spain I made application for a commission for General Munford. Had his letter authorizing me to see the Secretary of War and the President, and offer his services to the government, been received two weeks sooner than it was, I feel sure he would have been given a commission.

With his accustomed modesty, he neglected to ask for the en- dorsements he could so easily have obtained, and wrote me to offer his services, saying that no one knew him better than I did, and that he was satisfied to leave the matter with me. I mention this to