Bartow's body has arrived, and lies in state at the Capitol.
Among the chief mourners was his young friend Barton, who loved him as a son
loves his father. From Lamar I learned some interesting particulars of the
battle. He said when Bartow's horse was killed, he, Lamar, was sent to another
part of the field for another, and also to order up certain regiments, Bartow
then being in command of a brigade. Lamar galloped through a hot cross-fire to
the regiments and delivered the order, but got no horse. He galloped back,
however, through the terrible fire, with the intention of giving his own horse
to Bartow, if none other could be had. On his return he encountered Col. Jones,
of the 4th Alabama, wounded, his arms being around the necks of two friends,
who were endeavoring to support him in a standing attitude. One of these called
to Lamar, and asked for his horse, hoping that Col. Jones might be able to ride
(his thigh-bone was terribly shattered), and thus get off the field. Lamar
paused, and promised as soon as he could report to Bartow he would return with
that or another horse. Col. Jones thanked him kindly, but cautioned him against
any neglect of Bartow's orders, saying he probably could not ride. Lamar
promised to return immediately; and putting spurs to his noble steed, started
off in a gallop. He had not gone fifty yards before his horse fell, throwing
him over his head. He saw that the noble animal had been pierced by as many as
eight balls, from a single volley. He paused a moment and turned away, when the
poor horse endeavored to rise and follow, but could not. He returned and patted
the groaning and tearful steed on his neck; and, while doing this, five more
balls struck him, and he died instantly. Lamar then proceeded on foot
through a storm of bullets, and, untouched, rejoined Bartow in time to witness
his fall.
Our prisons are filled with Yankees, and Brig.-Gen. Winder
has employment. There is a great pressure for passports to visit the
battle-field. At my suggestion, all physicians taking amputating instruments,
and relatives of the wounded and slain, have been permitted by the Secretary to
go thither.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 66-7
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