Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/65

Rh yet when a volunteer ensign was called for, Jesse Barker offered his services.

The test came at Sharpsburg, Md. It became necessary to change the position of the regiment, then in action. Major George C. Cabell, of Danville, Va., commanding the regiment at that time, than whom no truer patriot or braver soldier ever drew a sword in defense of a country, gave the command, "Color and general guides post," which meant that the color sergeant should advance fifteen paces to the front of the regiment.

In the din and confusion of battle Barker did not hear the command and did not advance. Major Cabell, seeing his orders disregarded, and supposing Barker was hesitating about it, reprimanded him, called him a coward, and asked that same brave soldier take the flag and go forward with it. Barker heard that and told Major Cabell he was no coward and was ready then to make as much sacrifice for the cause as any soldier in the army, and, if ordered to do so, he would advance with his flag as far toward the enemy as any other soldier would do, and asked that the order be repeated. Major Cabell again gave his order. Barker quickly advanced the fifteen paces to the front and stood waving the flag he loved so well in the face of the enemy till he fell a corpse.

While Jesse Barker was poor in purse, he was rich in patriotic devotion. He was as true patriot, as fearless and intrepid a soldier as ever faced an enemy, and as proud of being a volunteer soldier in the Confederate ranks as if he had been commander-in-chief of the army.

So much for the rich man's war and the poor man's fight. Each of these soldiers did his duty to the death, rich and poor alike, learned and unlearned.

There is another instance of patriotic devotion and loyalty to the Southern cause, that of John M. Spencer, of Buckingham county, Va. Spencer was too young at the beginning of the hostilities to be enrolled as a soldier, but being very patriotic, he volunteered his services with the color guard of the Black Eagle Company for the battle of Seven Pines, Va. He passed through that baptism of fire and leaden hail unscathed, which