“THE ROME RACES.”
I am indebted to Comrade A. B. Briscoe for a description of this
incident.
“General Harrison, our old colonel, was in command of the forces
composed of ours and Ashby’s brigade of mounted infantry and a battery
of four guns. For some reason, but contrary to all former usages,
our regiment was dismounted and placed near the battery, and Ashby’s
infantry kept mounted to protect the flanks and led horses. The fight
had barely commenced when it was realized from the immense bodies of
infantry in our front that it was a bad one. The battery was ordered
to the rear, but just as they were limbered the Yankee cavalry poured
in on our flanks and completely enveloped us. I did not give an order
to run nor did I hear an order of any kind, but I soon found myself
dodging through and among the Yankee cavalry, who were shouting to us
to surrender. We reached our horses, which were not over 150 yards in
the rear, mounted, and after a very hasty formation charged out through
the enemy, and although we made repeated rallies they ran us back
about five miles. Why the Yankees did not capture more of our men is a
mystery, as outside of the battery we lost very few prisoners. To give
an appropriate name to this battle we called it “Rome Races,” for such
it was.”
In this race the colors furled around the staff and in the oilcloth
were lost--not captured--as the subjoined letter shows:
“Dallas, Texas, May 18, 1898.
“Terry’s Texas Rangers Association, Austin, Texas.
“Gentlemen: I have been in Texas since 1890, and have frequently
endeavored to find some members of Terry’s Texas Rangers, and finally,
by accident, met with your comrade, H. W. Graber, and reported to
him the finding of your flag the day after our engagement with your
forces near Rome, Georgia. It happened in this way: I was directed
by the general commanding to take two companies and move through the
woods on the right of our line to a certain point where a country
road intersected the main river road then occupied by our brigade.
Just before coming into the main road I picked up a package or roll
of something, threw it over my saddle, and on my return to the main
command examined the same and found it to be the Terry’s Rangers’ flag
in its case. It seemed to have slipped off the staff and been lost
in that way. At the suggestion of your comrade--Graber--I have made
a request on the authorities of the State of Indiana, who have had
charge of it ever since, soon after its capture, and herewith enclose
you a letter from Chas. E. Wilson, military secretary at Indianapolis,
which seems to indicate there is no authority with the executive
department of the State to return the flag, as it is in absolute
control of the State Legislature, which is a matter of exceeding
regret to me, as I should like to have returned the flag to you in
time for your next reunion at Austin. I am furthermore able to assure
you that this flag was never displayed in the streets of Nashville, as
has been reported, but remained in possession of our regiment until
soon after it was found. We returned direct to Louisville, from which
point it was sent by express direct to the State of Indiana.
“In view of the existing unsettled condition of the country, I would
suggest we let the matter rest until our country is again pacified and
returned to its normal condition, when I will take pleasure in making
a further effort to return this flag, which was not captured, but
found, and I consider, therefore, property should be returned to its
owner.
“With kind regards and best wishes, hoping to have the pleasure of a
personal meeting with your association, I am, with great respect,
“Yours very truly,
“J. J. Wiler,
“Maj. Com. 17th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.”
This flag was returned to the survivors at Dallas in October, 1898.
Its loss was very mortifying to the Rangers, as it had been presented
shortly before by the ladies of middle Tennessee.
In justice to the knightly “Count” Jones, I must say that no one could
have taken the colors from him without taking his life.
In this action fell Wm. Nicholson of Company D and Lieutenant Batchelor
of Company C, and perhaps others, but I have no record of them.