“Died the death of a hero in an effort to save others at Cottonwood Bar, June 28, 1871,” said Judge Priest; and he saluted, with his finger against his forehead.
One by one the old school-teacher called off the list of commissioned and noncommissioned officers. Squire Futrell, who had attained to the eminence of a second corporal's place, was the only one who answered for himself. For each of the others, including Lieutenant Garrett—he of the game leg and the plantation in Mississippi—somebody else answered, giving the manner and, if he remembered it, the date of that man's death. For, excepting Garrett, they were all dead.
The professor descended to the roster of enlisted men:
“Abner P. Ashbrook!”
“Died in Camp Chase as a prisoner of war.”
“G. W. Ayres!”
“Killed at Baker's Creek.”
“R. M. Bigger!”
“Moved to Missouri after the war, was elected state senator, and died in '89.”
“Reuben Brame!”