Coward - or Hero - or Both?

[SWMODave]

​

Courtesy "In Camp and Battle with the Washington Artillery of New Orleans"

During the day (21st) Gen. D. R. Jones moved his command across Bull Run at McLean's ford - in conformity to the original orders of Gen. Beauregard, - and advanced along the road towards Centreville, but soon encountered a heavy force of infantry and artillery strongly posted behind an abatis of felled trees. He was met by a furious fire of infantry and artillery at short range, and withdrew his troops to his former position. While doing so, one of Capt. Miller's 6-pounders got fast against a tree, and there was some little delay in moving it on.

An irate staff-officer rode up, and began finding fault with the men at the piece. This annoyed the sergeant, and he called out, "Who are you, anyhow?" To which the officer replied, "I am Capt. A. Coward, of Gen. Jones's staff. Who are you?" "I am Sergt. A. Hero, of the Washington Artillery."

The singularity of names and meeting put all hands in a good-humor.

Photo's courtesy

Capt Asbury Coward - (left)

Sgt Andrew Hero Jr - (right)

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

View attachment 180077
​

Courtesy "In Camp and Battle with the Washington Artillery of New Orleans"

During the day (21st) Gen. D. R. Jones moved his command across Bull Run at McLean's ford - in conformity to the original orders of Gen. Beauregard, - and advanced along the road towards Centreville, but soon encountered a heavy force of infantry and artillery strongly posted behind an abatis of felled trees. He was met by a furious fire of infantry and artillery at short range, and withdrew his troops to his former position. While doing so, one of Capt. Miller's 6-pounders got fast against a tree, and there was some little delay in moving it on.

An irate staff-officer rode up, and began finding fault with the men at the piece. This annoyed the sergeant, and he called out, "Who are you, anyhow?" To which the officer replied, "I am Capt. A. Coward, of Gen. Jones's staff. Who are you?" "I am Sergt. A. Hero, of the Washington Artillery."

The singularity of names and meeting put all hands in a good-humor.

Photo's courtesy

Capt Asbury Coward - (left)

Sgt Andrew Hero Jr - (right)

Post-War photo of Captain (later Colonel) Asbury Coward of the 5th SC Infantry.

Fifth South Carolina Infantry


Report of Col. M. Jenkins, Fifth South Carolina Infantry.

HDQRS. FIFTH REG'T SOUTH CAROLINA VOLS.,
McLean's Ford, July 22, 1861.
SIR: I beg leave to make the following brief report of the occurrences of
yesterday as they relate to my regiment:

When I had thrown my regiment in the position indicated by your orders,
and found that the enemy had discovered our approach, I formed
front under the brow of a hill. The enemy opening upon us a heavy fire of
grape and shell. I advance quickly over very difficult ground. While
gallantry charging in fine order our friends in the rear poured in upon me
heavy fires of musketry, cutting us up sadly. This compelled a halt, which
I made upon gaining the brow of the hill upon which the enemy was
stationed. Here, under a terrific fire of shell I reformed and dressed my
lines, and reloaded such guns as had been fired. Expecting the reserve to
form to the rear to my support, I made every preparation to renew my
charge upon the batteries, when I discovered that I was isolated in the
presence of the enemy's guns, cavalry, and tree of four regiments of
infantry.

Doubtful whether to advance unsupported against such great odds of position
and men, I sent to you three times for orders, and retained my position amid
the bursting of shell threats of attack for threequarters of an four. Throwing
to the front Capt. Seabrook's company as sharpshooters, and finding a
large force threatening to charge, I withdrew them and placed Company A
(captain Goss) and Company B (Capt. Jackson) in advance, in a skirt of
woods upon my right, with orders to open the enemy, which was promptly
executed and with effect, the artillerist leaving their guns and the troops
retiring to the wood immediately in their rear.

Not hearing from the brigade, and the enemy being impregnable to a small
body like mine, I decided unwillingly to withdraw, and leaving Companies
A and B to prevent a sudden attack, retired in order a short distance, when
I threw into position Company C (Capt. Seay) and Company H (Capt.
Bower), and called in the two Companies A and B, and, forming column,
slowly and in order left the ground.

My observation, limited to a portion of the regiment, at times prevented my
noticing all who behaved well. I notice with pleasure, as coming under
immediate observation the coolness and good conduct of Lieut. Col. G. W.
H. Legg, in addition to the captains mentioned as performing special orders.
I was greatly placed with the coolness and conduct o f others. Capt. Giles,
Carpenter, and, in fine, all under my observation, obeyed with promptness
and kept good order in their ranks. Many lieutenants placed me by
self-possession and coolness, and wound no doubt have given signal proof
of gallantry and conduct had opportunity offered. My adjutant, Lieut. E. B.
Clinton, also greatly placed me by his conduct. I could notice a general
desire to do their duty, and specially marked as encouraging the men were
Privates Fernandez and Long, of Capt. Glenn's company. I also hear
Private Scaife, of Capt. Goss' company, highly spoken of as aiding his
company in its hour of trial.

I can only refer to the providence of a merciful God success, as the enemy
left the under so small and attacking; to His protection, our safety and
comparatively shall loss under so heavy a fire.

The enemy fired seventy-four shots at us, and my killed amounted only to
there and my wounded to twenty-three.

Most respectfully,

M. JENKINS,
Col.

Gen. D. R. JONES,
Brig.-Gen., Commanding Third Brigade.

P. S.--I should have that Company K, Capt. Walker, was deployed on my
right flank as skirmishers, and the road being unknown and the thicket dense
was separated from the regiment. Some few of
its members, having become separated from the company, with Sergeant
Blassingame, joined us.


Source: Official Records
CHAP. IX.] THE BULL RUN CAMPAIGN. PAGE 541-2
[Series I. Vol. 2. Serial No. 2.]

 

[Old_Glory]

I think Captain A. Coward is a name I would change if it were me.

 

[Equestriangirl93]

Wow very interesting.....

 

[AUG]

Asbury Coward later took command of the 5th South Carolina Infantry in Micah Jenkins' brigade and he was said to have been a very strict officer - both he and Jenkins graduates of the Citadel and founders of the Kings Mountain Military Academy in Yorkville, SC. But Coward was certainly no coward! After Jenkins' death at the Wilderness he grabbed the colors of the 5th South Carolina, rallied his men and personally led them in a charge over the flaming Federal works along the Brock Road. He was in the thick of many other battles as well and ended the war a very accomplished officer. I'm sure with a name like Coward he probably felt he had to prove himself.

 

[TheFinder]

I thoroughly enjoy that not only their last names are Coward and Hero, respectively, but that BOTH have the first initial A!

 

[Northern Light]

There are some names that are not the best to have if you become a soldier.

 

[JOHN42768]

Heck they should have shook hands and all gone home.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

There used to be a Dr at a local hospital. Tiny man and his last name was "Heavysides."

 

[AUG]

After Jenkins' death at the Wilderness he grabbed the colors of the 5th South Carolina, rallied his men and personally led them in a charge over the flaming Federal works along the Brock Road.

I should probably note that when I said "flaming works" I didn't intend any unnecessary hyperbole, but the log breastworks along the Brock Road at the Wilderness were literally on FIRE when Coward's men charged them!

Anyway, here's an excerpt from Reminiscences of a Private by Frank M. Mixson, recalling when Coward first took command of the 5th South Carolina in late 1862. Mixson was with the 1st South Carolina, but in the same brigade as the 5th.

It was here that Col. Coward took command of the Fifth South Carolina. I recollect how game he looked. He had the regiment formed for dress parade. He was dressed in a brand new suit, polished high top boots, shining spurs and bright sword. He did not weigh over one hundred and twenty pounds, but he looked game. He had the orders read appointing him colonel, and then he told the men that he was now their colonel and would be respected as such; he would not tell them to go only as he led them. When he got through his talk the Fifth knew they had a colonel, and after-events proved it, for from then on the Fifth was one of the best regiments in our brigade.​

 

[Rio Bravo]

Post-War photo of Captain (later Colonel) Asbury Coward of the 5th SC Infantry.

Fifth South Carolina Infantry


Report of Col. M. Jenkins, Fifth South Carolina Infantry.

HDQRS. FIFTH REG'T SOUTH CAROLINA VOLS.,
McLean's Ford, July 22, 1861.
SIR: I beg leave to make the following brief report of the occurrences of
yesterday as they relate to my regiment:

When I had thrown my regiment in the position indicated by your orders,
and found that the enemy had discovered our approach, I formed
front under the brow of a hill. The enemy opening upon us a heavy fire of
grape and shell. I advance quickly over very difficult ground. While
gallantry charging in fine order our friends in the rear poured in upon me
heavy fires of musketry, cutting us up sadly. This compelled a halt, which
I made upon gaining the brow of the hill upon which the enemy was
stationed. Here, under a terrific fire of shell I reformed and dressed my
lines, and reloaded such guns as had been fired. Expecting the reserve to
form to the rear to my support, I made every preparation to renew my
charge upon the batteries, when I discovered that I was isolated in the
presence of the enemy's guns, cavalry, and tree of four regiments of
infantry.

Doubtful whether to advance unsupported against such great odds of position
and men, I sent to you three times for orders, and retained my position amid
the bursting of shell threats of attack for threequarters of an four. Throwing
to the front Capt. Seabrook's company as sharpshooters, and finding a
large force threatening to charge, I withdrew them and placed Company A
(captain Goss) and Company B (Capt. Jackson) in advance, in a skirt of
woods upon my right, with orders to open the enemy, which was promptly
executed and with effect, the artillerist leaving their guns and the troops
retiring to the wood immediately in their rear.

Not hearing from the brigade, and the enemy being impregnable to a small
body like mine, I decided unwillingly to withdraw, and leaving Companies
A and B to prevent a sudden attack, retired in order a short distance, when
I threw into position Company C (Capt. Seay) and Company H (Capt.
Bower), and called in the two Companies A and B, and, forming column,
slowly and in order left the ground.

My observation, limited to a portion of the regiment, at times prevented my
noticing all who behaved well. I notice with pleasure, as coming under
immediate observation the coolness and good conduct of Lieut. Col. G. W.
H. Legg, in addition to the captains mentioned as performing special orders.
I was greatly placed with the coolness and conduct o f others. Capt. Giles,
Carpenter, and, in fine, all under my observation, obeyed with promptness
and kept good order in their ranks. Many lieutenants placed me by
self-possession and coolness, and wound no doubt have given signal proof
of gallantry and conduct had opportunity offered. My adjutant, Lieut. E. B.
Clinton, also greatly placed me by his conduct. I could notice a general
desire to do their duty, and specially marked as encouraging the men were
Privates Fernandez and Long, of Capt. Glenn's company. I also hear
Private Scaife, of Capt. Goss' company, highly spoken of as aiding his
company in its hour of trial.

I can only refer to the providence of a merciful God success, as the enemy
left the under so small and attacking; to His protection, our safety and
comparatively shall loss under so heavy a fire.

The enemy fired seventy-four shots at us, and my killed amounted only to
there and my wounded to twenty-three.

Most respectfully,

M. JENKINS,
Col.

Gen. D. R. JONES,
Brig.-Gen., Commanding Third Brigade.

P. S.--I should have that Company K, Capt. Walker, was deployed on my
right flank as skirmishers, and the road being unknown and the thicket dense
was separated from the regiment. Some few of
its members, having become separated from the company, with Sergeant
Blassingame, joined us.


Source: Official Records
CHAP. IX.] THE BULL RUN CAMPAIGN. PAGE 541-2
[Series I. Vol. 2. Serial No. 2.]

My Avatar, Capt. Joseph Banks Lyle, was in the 5th South Carolina Infantry, and Commanded Co C, Limestone Southern Rights Guards. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Williamsburg Rd, Va and won the Confederate Medal of Honor !