The Athens banner. (Athens, Ga.) 1902-1923, April 26, 1912, Image 11

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Newspaper Page TextiJHLi r *mm v. THE, BANNER. FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 26, 1(12. PAGE ELEVEN ORIGIN OF THE U. C. V, ORGANIZATIONS The Story of How the Organization of the Survivors of the Confederate Army Began.—The Beginnings of Cobb-DeLony Camp.—Sketch of General T. R. R. Cobb of Athens. Sketch of Col. Wm. G. DeLony. THE BEGINING OF THE U. C. V. THE ORIGIN OF THE UNITED CON FEDERATE VETERANS. Ill response to * call issued by Joint .ommitt.es representing the As sociations of the Army of Northern Virginia, the Army ot Tennessee, and the Cun federate Veteran Cavalry, a convention or delegates front other Confederate associations was held at New Orleans, June 10, 18811. The pur pose of the convention, as stated in the call, was to form a confederation of associations, benevolent, historical and social in character, that would • are for needy and disabled Confed erate veterans and asslat the widows and orphans of fallen comrades. The convention met In pursuance ot the call with delegates from te l associations in attendance. With the view- of effecting a permanent organ ization, a committee on organization and resolutions Wits appointed to draft a constitution and by-law*. Thla committee reported after several hours’ labor, submitting a constitu tion which was read, article by ar ticle and adopted as a whole. Ar ticle 1. is declaratory of tbe objects ot the organization and reads as fol lows: "The objects and purposes of this organization will bo strictly social, literary, historical and benevolent. It will endeavor to unite in a general federation all associations of Confed erate veterans, soldiers and sailors, now in existence or hereafter to be formed; to gather authentic data for an impartial history of tbe War be tween the States; to preserve relics or mementoes of the game; to cher ish the ties of friendship that should exist among men who have shared common dangers, common sufferings and privations: to care for the dis abled and extend a helping hand to the needyj to. protect tbe widows and Che orphans, and to make and pre serve a record of the aervices of every member, and, as far aa petal Me, of those of our comrades who have preceded us in eternity.” The other articles of the constitu tion related to officera and their du ties and to the management of the organization. Upon the adoption of the instrument and tbe election of oflicers, the ccfcventlon effected per manent organization, and the “Unit ed Confederate Veteran Association" ontered into organized and perma nent existence. General John I!. Gor don was tbe unanimous choice for t’ommander-la-Chlef, and this gallant ur,d distinguished soldier was select ed ennually to succeed himself a* long as he lived. Maior General Geo. Moorman, of Charleston, S. C., was chosen Adjutant General and Chief of Staff. The first reunion was held at Chat tanooga. Tenn., July 3, 1890. There were 18 camps reproaented by dele gates. As we rush to the bloody fray! "lis Gordon’si Our reliance! Fearless as on the day When he hurled his grand defiance In that charge of the 12th of May, boys. That charge ot tile 12th of May! W-ho who can be a coward! What freemen fear to die When Gordon orders "forward!" And the red cross boats on high? dfollow big tones inspiring! On, on to the field! Away! And well see the foe retiring As they were on the 12th of May! boys, As they did on the 12th ot May. This is no time for sighing— Wliate’er our .'ate, may be Tis sweet to Link that .lying. We will leave our country tree! Though the storms of battle pelt her She’ll defy the tyrant’s sway. And our breasts shall be her shelter As they were on tbe 12th of Ms.v, boys. As they were on the !2t hot -May! THE ORIGIN OF THE COBB-DE- LONEY CAMP. It was m 1894 tha: the Veterans of Clarke county decided to organize a camp and become Identified with tbe United Confederate Veterans. This camp was named for two of the prom inent leader* from Athenar—Gen. T. It. It. Cobb and Col. Wm. G. Deloncy. Captain Jerry E. Hitch, so closely identified with Cobbs Legion during the war was chosen commandant. The camp number is 478. In 1904 tbe Crawford Chapter of Children of the Confederacy present ed -the ramp with a beautiful silk tlag. The grand-daughter of Gen. T. K. R. Cobb, Sally Hull, and the grand daughter of Col. Wm. G. Deioney, Rosa Deioney Hull, Ibeld tbe (lag staff while Mr. A. L. Hull made the speech of presentation. It was to-the members of the Cobb- Deioney Camp that the first South ern Crosses of Honor were presented. The offioers when first organized were: Jerry E. Rltch, Captain. Alexander S. Erwin. First Lieuten ant. S. Dalton Mitchell, Second Lieuten ant. Ohaa. W. Reynold*. Third Lieuten ant. George H. Palmer, Adjutant. Rev. C. W. lane. Chaplain. TRIBUTE TO GENERAL JOHN B. GORDON. “The Man of the 12th of May." (By Hon. Robert Falllgant. Savannah, Georgia.) (Line* written in January, i860, in commemoration of Gordon’s charge at "Bloody Angle" or "Horae Shoe," Spottsylvanla Court House, May 12, 1864. Hancock had taken the Con federate line, capturing General Ed Johnson and his division. General John B. Gordon led the charge in which the line* were recovered after a desperate struggle. Hancock ha-1 telegraphed to Grant as follow*: "I have whipped out Johnson and am pitching into Early.") When history tells her story. Of the noble hero band. Who have made the green field* gory Fbr the life of their native land. How grand will be the picture Of Georgia’* proud array. Ai they drove the boasting foeraan back On that glorious 12th of May, boys, That glorious 12th of May! (Chorus-1 Then hurrah! while we rally round The hero of that day. And a nation * grateful praise* crown The man of the 12th of May, boys. The man of the 12th of May. Whose mien is ever proudest When we hold the foe at hay. Whose war-cry cheers us loudest GEN. T. R. R. COBB; GALLANT LEADER. He Commanded Cobb’* Legion Which Made Fame for Valor on the Bloody Field* of Northern Vlr- glana Where the Georgian Gave Up Hit Life. General Cobb’* Career. General Thomas R. R. Coob died In the prime of life on the Held of battle. He had left a high station In ' professional life but little more than n year before, and had won undying fame as a statesman and soldier. In that brief period, "crowded with mo mentous event*, he had written the constitution of a new government and bad led a brigade against its enemies through a number of bloody battlei. In the midst of the terrible carnage of Fredericksburg, when his men had slain three times their number of the attacking force, he died glorious ly at the moment of hit greatest achievement. Birth and Early Llfa. Thomas Reade Rcoles fkjbh was horn at Cherry Hill, In Jcfferaon county, Georgia, on the 10th of April, 1823. He came of distinguished on ceatora. and hla grandfather, John Cobb, who came to this state from Virginia, repreaented Georgia in con gress from 1807 to 1812. Hla father, John A. Cobb, and b!a mother, Sarah Rootes. of Virginia, were married In tbe house of hi* maternal grandfath er. Thomas Reade Roote*. at Freder- teksburg. on Federal Hill, from which years afterward, a Federal battery Bent the aheli that ended his life- General Cobh was a precocious boy, but unlike most precocious youth*, continued to develop rapidly up to the meridian of life graduating v Ith first honor, and there Is a tradi tion to the effect that his examlatlonns showed a higher standard than had ever been attained at that institution, ilia college life was marked by pro priety and earnestness, and be never received a angle demerit during those years when the overflowing spirits of boisterous youth lead most young men to escapades and excess es. After graduation he threw himse’.f a. once into the study of the law and bent his energies and his magnificent powers of mind to the profession with an enthusiasm that c.'rrled hltn quick ly to eminence. General Cobb wus one of the earli est reporters of the supreme court, and many of the volumes of Georgia reports bear his name. There hla great talents and industry appear, and It was in that work, no doubt, tint he laid the foundations of his subsequent career as a lawyer. He vvas a profound student, and his his torical and philosophical work on the Institution of slavery boenme at once t, textbook and an authority’, ft has been pronounced tile most exhaustive hook ever written on the subject. He was a man of Hne physique and had a wonderful capacity for 'hard work. Hig activity was continuous, and this diligent application, with a profound and brilliant Intellect, fired by intenso earnestness and enthusi asm, made him almost irresistible in nny effort to which -he bent his ener gies. He was Interested In many great cases at the bar, and his prac tice soon extended all over Georgia and into other states. A notable cose iu which he wus enguged involved the Western North Carolina railroad, which was one of the-great enter prises of the South at that day. A Masterly Orator. General Cobb was a forceful speak er. He was a man of fine presence, and without florid rhetoric, his dis course was direct and bis argument close and powerful. Behind this was an earnestness that carried convic tion. His enthusiasm swept all be fore it, and his work In the campaign for seecsslon has been compared fey Alexander Stephens to the crusades of Peter the Hermit. He not only stumped the state, but wrote secea- atonal article* for almost every pub lication ot note In Georgia. On tl)« streets and in personal contact with the people fee constantly plied hla tal ents fo convince them that the tlm6 for secession bad come, and that ft was the only way. to preserve South ern Institutions. ;-He preached . tiro doctrine of states' rights with won derful power, and his efforts were successful. Ln the convention which adopted the secession ordinance he threw himself with all bis strength to carry the day for tbe Nlsbet resolution. It was a battle royal with Herscbel V. Johnson, Alexander H.’Stephens, Ben Hill and men of that stamp on one tide, and such men as Toombs, the Cobbs and Eugenlus Nlsbet on the ether. Nisbet'a resolution prevailed, and committee of seventeen was ap pointed to dmw up the accession or dinance. General Cobb was a mem ber of this committee. The organization of the Confeder ate government quickly followed, and he was one of the delegates from Georgia to the convention at Mont gomery. Howell Cobb presided, and Thomas R. R. Cobb was chairman ot the Judiciary committee, occupying In tbat convention the position which Thomas Jcffccaon did in the conven tion which produced the Declaration Of Independence. Mr. Cobb's great Intents, profound legal learnlpg, and thorough mastery of the iaauea of the great controversy, -marked him as tbe man for the important talk of draft ing the constltulon. The original. In hie handwriting, i* In the possession ot bis son-in-law, Mr, A. L. Hull, of Athena. When the Confederate government was organized. General Cobb went te the congress from Georgia, and was a leader in the legislation which shaped the government. While this wae going on, he turned hla energies to the pressing neceaalty for defend ing the government, which he had helped to create, and soon left con gress to enter the army. Before re signing fee had raised the composite body of troops known at Robb's Le sion. composed of six companies of Infantry, the Troup artillery and tev- body of troops known as Cobb's le gion hsd been merged In the regular army It was divided, the cavalrv going to Hampton's l-eglon. and the artillery to that arm of the service. General Cobb retained ills six com panies of Infantry, and several reg iments were added to form a brigade. He went out a colonel, but was soon made a brigadier-general. Hit First Battle. HI* first, fight was the battle of Williamsburg. Alterward he led his command in the battle of Seven P’m-s the seven days’ fighting around Rich- mond. and Malvern Hlllt. HI* la* 1 Patti* was at Fredericksburg or. the 13th of December. 1842. when Gener al Burnside, with an army of 12.Of-0 men, forced a passage across tre Ran- m&r': pahannosk, and attacked General Lees army of 60.(100 men, in two mrps. commanded oy lAmgstreel and Jackson. North of the river on Stafford Heights, overlooking p’rederlcksburg, v as the army of tho Potoniae. under Burnside, with 147 cannon, command ing the town nnd the fertile Helds to the South of It. A series of hills forming a kind of crescent overlook ed the town, nnd this level ground from the South and on these hills Longstreet’s corps awaited attack. East of that position, at Hamilton crossing, was Jackson's corps. Both corps were attacked and the euemy wns repulsed by both, but the most desperate fighting occurred at the foot ot Marye's Hill, where Cobb's brigade wus sthtioned behind a stone wall. Th .. was a heavy mis*, which hung over the Held till ten o’clock on the morning of the 13th, -but in the humid air the noise of priparatlou for battle ln the opposing hosts could be distinctly heard. When the cur tain of ntiat arose It disclosed tho muss of Federal soldiers. A Striking 8cene. The scene then disclosed la thus beautifully described by General Longstreet in the Century war pa pers: "Suddenly at 10 o'clock, as if the elements were taking a band in tha drama about tfl* be enacted, -the warmth or the sun brushed tbe mist away, and revealed the mighty pan orama in the valley below.” General Cobb waa struck by a frag ment of a shell which cut the femoral artery. His adjutant. John C. Ruther- lord, ran to trim and attempted to atop the flow of blood by tying his handkerchief around the limb. Gen eral Cobb waa growing faint, but coolly remarked, "Tie it tighter.” la a moment he became Insensible, and died soon afterward from the loss of blood. - A few days inter General Lee, Who had been a witness of tbe terrible conflict, wrote General Howell Cobb this letter: “Camp 'near Fredericksburg, "General Howell Cobb, General: “I beg leave- to express my deep sympathy In your great sorrow. Your noble and gallant brother has met «- soldier's death, and God grant this army and our country may never be called upon to mourn so great a sac rifice. "Of his merits, his lofty Intellect, hit accomplishment, his professional fame, and above all of his Christian character 1 need not speak to yon who knew him so intimately and well. But as a patriot und soldier, death has left a deep gap in the army which hla military genius and skill render it hard to Ml. ln the battle of Fred ericksburg he won Immortal fame for hlmaelf and hla brigade. Hour after hour fee held the position In front of our battalion while division after di vision of the enemy was hurled against him. Ho announced the de termination of hlmaelf and his men never to leave their post until the enemy waa beaten, nnd with unshak en courage nnd fortitude he kept his promise. "May God give consolation to his afflicted family, and may the name and fame of the Christian statesman and soldier be cherished as a bright example and holy remembrance. "With great esteem, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE.” The two letter* given below will give touches of the love that a little Athens school girl had for Gen. T. II. R Cobb, as well ss show the high es teem In which he was held by Gen. It. E. Lee: Athens, Oa., June II. 1866. "Dear General Lee: "Please read ‘this letter through and don’t throw it away, although you don’t know who 1 am. 1 am nothing but a little girl, but I have got your photograph dressed In the dear old Confederate gray, and jot look so good and kind that I don't believe you would refuse wiiat 1 am going to ask you. I want you please to write your name on a piece of pa per. and If Its too much trouble, yon can get some oa© else to direct it to me. I would like It very much if you would write two or three words be sides, so I might say. I got a letter from General Lee. I don't want to trouble you, but If you knew how hap py it would make me. you would send It f know. I would lock It up In me box along with my little dead balu brother's hair, and a book Mr. Tom Cobb gave me, and a letter lie wrote ire once. He was general In your army, and he was killed. He used to pet me, and we all mlas him so And so I keep them put away. I oskeJ papa Just now how I must direct my loiter, and fee laughed at me and said, such a great and good nnd nice man as you. would not pay any atten tion to me, but l iiope you will for you don't know how bad I want It. Maybe you get a great many letters like this, but I don t believe any of them want It worse than 1 do, or would be ao thankful for It. 1 have got a piece of that old upple tree that everybody remembers so sadly, and The soldier who gare it to me said lie hud cried over i: like a child. I don’t want to write a long letter, but Just wanted to ask you to write me jour name, and to tell you how much I would prize It ami keep it as long ns I live. Maybe you don't think I'm a sure enough person, but I am, und papa wrote "Gardening for the South' and he Is editor of the Southern Cul tivator nor, so I'm a true little glr!, and please give mu your name. I send you paper, etc., ao you needn't be at any expense and direct as fol lows: "ANNIE H. WHITE, “Athens, Clarke County, Os.” "Iicxlngton, Va„ June 16, 1866. "My dear Mias Annie: "I have read and reread your let ter of 4he lltfe, and each time with Increased pleasure. I thank you most cordially for It, sn.1 though, as you correctly suppose, I receive many let- tera, there are but tew which have afforded me so much pleasure. “I sympathize with you sincerely at the loss of your baby brother; and most deeplji at the death of your good friend General Tom Cobb. 1 knew the latter well, and esteemed him highly. But the dead, I trust, are happier than the living. “Wishing you every lhappiness, and tbat a Merciful God may have you In Ills koeplng, I am very truly yours, "R ,B. LEE.” A GEORGIA HENRY OF NAVARRE. William Gaston Deioney, like Ilia great prototype, was of Huguenot an- cestitji. Ho waa born at St. Mary’s, Georgia, educated at tho State Uni versity, studied law, married and set tled hero In Athens. When tbe tocsin of war sounded In 18(1, he had established a lucra tive practice, snd was, also, n mem ber of the legislature. Hla personal popularity la Shown by tho tact that he waa the Brat man In Clarke ever elected to ropreaent the county l.t the General Assembly of the State, though connected with a political party then in the minority. Putting aside hia ambition, and leaving (bis young wife, ho began bis glorious military career aa captain of the Georgia Troopers, known aa Com pany C ln the cavalry roglment of Cobb's 1-egion. He waa menially and pbJWloelly a born cavalry leader, having a sym metric figure, a commanding mien, a handsome, Intellectual face, with a high massive rorehad and eagle eyes. The I-ogtoii went at once to Vir ginia, and their first service was on the peninsular below Yorkstown. Dur ing this first winter of the war, CapL Deioney won the devotion of hia men by looking after tbefr comfort, and always contending for their rights. His purse and hla golden heart were ever open to their needs. When one of his privates, Mr. Hilton, a rugged mountain boy, and a fine soldier, died of fever, ai hl« own expense he pro cured a metallic coffin from Rich mond and sent the body to tile father In Hall county. Georgia. Early In 1862 there wero many pro- motions, and Capt. Dolonoj' hod be come a Major and was with J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry corps. Lika this famous General he wna a "game” fighter and dared attempt anything, even though It seemed to others, lm- possible. "He fought but not for love of life; he struck but to defend: He stood for liberty and truth, and daunt’essty led on.” At Brandy Station, near Culpepper Court House, Gen. J. E. B. Stuart leading, there occurred, perhaps, the greatest dlstlnetlvc cavalry battle In ‘he experience of Cobh’* l«gion. Fierce nnd fast was the lighting until the enemy were In lull retreat. One of MaJ. Deioney'* comrades. Wiley C. Howard, who was in thla engagement, said of him: "He sat on his horee, Marlon, a line bay, grandly, end looked a very war- go,! flushed with the exuberance and exhillratlon of vlctorj’.” After Gettysburg, st a place called Hunterstown, MsJ. Deioney who was now n fjeutenant Colonel, bad a thrilling experience. While charging a body of the enemy's cavalry down a lane, his command passed a barn ln which was posted an ambuscade that dealt death and destruction upon- the Confederates. Col. Deioney, lead ing the charge on Marlon, the hone wus allot and fell upon him in such a way that fee bad great difficulty In extricating himself. Three Yankees seeing that he waa nil officer and It an almost helpless position, dashed upon hltn, shooting and cutting At hint from their horses. Col. Deioney with his Huguenot blood at the boil ing point, raised lilmuelf on ono knee, und fenced and parried their blows until two of his companions came to Ills assistance. Thoy killed ono ot Ills usHuiluats, and us Coi. Deioney rose to bis feet, his shimmering sword Inflicted wounds upon the oth ers us they escaped. A few daj* after this. Col. Deioney badly disabled and cut about tho head, waa In un.umbulauce near WII* llumaport with our wagon train, when an attack of tha euemy came near causing a general stampede. Col DC; loney, with bis bend all bandaged, or dered a horse, and quickly organis ing a small force of dismounted, qlck nnd disabled men who were along with the train, with sunk arms and ammunition as could be snatched up. led them against tbe attacking force. With his commanding presence, great courage and superb generalship h* made a determined and succesaful resistance until reinforcements ar rived, thug avoiding a train stampede and a great disaster to Lee's retreat. As a Confederate soldier Col. De- lonoy'a career waa brilliant. He waa a prominent actor In fifty different engagements, «(ud was three times wounded. His mortal wound was received In a skirmish at Jock's Sbop. Robinson river, near Culpepper Court House, In Beptember, 1868. 8o strong was the hold be had taken upon tbe affections of his eommsnd tbat Dr. H. 8. Brad ley and Corporal Reuben’ Nash, who went out- wltb him In the beginning when fee was only n Captain, preferr- sd to share the horrors of Imprison ment rather than leave blm alone on the field 1n the hands of tho enemy. Bo they remained with him, admin istering to hla wounds, and were <a* , ken prisoners with blm. But alas I tbe enemy soon separated blm from bis faithful friends. He was carried to ■ hospital In Washington City, and so neglected tbat gangrene set ln. He lingered nntll October 2nd, when his noble spirit passed awaq" maid strangers and enemies. A magnificent metallic coffin wss secretly left on the steps of the hos pital with a card attached, saying It was for the repialns of Col. William G. Deioney. iHls family tried tor years, hut In vain, to discover who furnished this casket. It was placed In a vault In Washington City. After tbe war, as soon as tt waa possible, hla body waa brought home and burled In tho cemetery by the mur- , muring waters of the Oconeo. Where Col. Deioney sleepi “Glory keeps eternal watch." TRIBUTE TO COL. WILLIAM G. DE- LONEY OF COBB'8 LEGION, BY WILEY C. HOWARD, ATLAN- TA, GEORGIA Golden-hearted, brave, brainy De ioney, how bis men loved him, and bow he stood by them, contending always for their rights and looking after their comforts, when others would treat them Indifferently! HI* heart and his purse were ever open to their needs. He has been justly called the Henry of Navarre of our cavalry, s real hero above the most e tmvngant descriptive power* of tho gifted novelist writing Action. He deserved a Brigadier General's ccmmisslon, but never sought not->- rtety or promotion. I admired his character so much that I gave up a first lieutenancy ln an Infantry com pany at Ameriru* snd begged * pri vate'* place In hi* eompany. He took me, though the rank* of his company wero already lull, and I am proud to have been considered worthy to tide and fight with him. He died In prison from a gun shot wound In the leg, received In battle at Jack's 8bop on the Robinson river, refusing to al low amputation, even though gan grene had aet in. If in this sketch f may teem to give him undue prominence. It la because I know he deserved It nnd on account of my great admiration of his char acter and the foot that he waa my original Captain, and 1 saw and knew more nf him and bis deeds of daring and devotion than of others. His Il lustrious career gave tS« command more fame and reputation than anr (Continued on page 23.)

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The Athens banner. (Athens, Ga.) 1902-1923, April 26, 1912, Image 11