Capture of a Federal officer by a boy.
But few of the readers of the
Dispatch know the fact that one of the first prisoners taken on the field of
Manassas was captured by
Geo. H. Burwell, a boy of 13 years, son of
Mr. N. Burwell, of
Clarke county, Va. It was on this wise: The boy ‘"had heard of wars and longed to follow in the train"’ of some bold leader to avenge his country's wrongs; but being too young to enter regularly into service, he accompanied his father, as an independent volunteer, to the plains of
Manassas, and with fowling piece in hand, held himself ready to bring down Northern vultures at sight.
About the commencement of the famous rout George saw a
Yankee Lieutenant making a retrograde movement, and, putting whip to his horse, made after him. ‘"
Kickapoo"’ (who was as keen to catch a Hessian as his young master) cleared the fence at a bound and soon showed the retreating officer that one pair of legs are of little avail against two pair; he stopped short and displayed a flag of truce, George then took possession of him, buckled his sword and pistols around his own waist, and marched him off to headquarters in ‘"double quick."’ When he was sent with other prisoners to
Richmond, George took leave of him and offered to return his pistols; but he declined, saying, ‘"You are a brave boy, and have treated me, like a gentleman: tell me your name, and when you go home send me your likeness."’ Our young soldier is now in camp — a member of
Captain Wm. N. Nelson's ‘"Rifles."’ We shall hear of him again on the field, where valor wins a glorious name by deeds of daring.
Such are
the boys of the
South.
How can such a people ever be conquered? O.
