Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-09-13
The Battle Of ChautilIy.
WHY IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF STEVENS

DEATn--HIs LAST WORDS
WAsH1NoroN, Sept. 5, 1S62-The same
hour that General Stevens was killed in
battle, a number of prominent gentlemen,
filling influential positions, were in consul
tation in this city and in other parts of the
country, with a view of having him assigned
to the command of the Army of Virginia.
Successive manifestations of incapacity du-
ring a year of war have caused thinking
men to cast about for a leader. These
gentlemen had fixed upon General Isaac |.
Stevens as the man. His splendid conduct
in the battles of Friday and Saturday had
Just directed attention to him it was re-
mcmbcrcd that in pure capacity lie had
always been first, having taken the honors
at West Point with scarcely an effort, and
though old political enemies, these men
resolved to ask that he be given leading
command While they were consulting he
led on his men and fell
The importance of the engagement on
Monday night, which lost to the country
Kcancy and Stevens has not been generally
understood. The truth is, it was not mere
episode made noteworthy by the death OF
two such leaders. but a crisis where nothing
but decision and sacrifice on the part of
those leaders availcd to prevent disaster.
The army was retrcating from Ccntrcville.
The battle was fought against rebel force
that had penetrated five miles nearer Wash
ington than our rear, and was moving to
strike upon the flank. General Stevens
Division, the advance of Rcno's corps, was
on the left of the road taken by the trains,
and intercepted the enemy. He saw that
the Rebels must be beaten back at once, or
during the night they would stampede the
wagons and probably so disconcert our
retreat that the last divisions would fall Il
prey to their main force. lie decided to
attack Immediately, at the saihc time sending
back for support.
Having made his dispositions, he led the
attack ON foot at the head Of the Seventy
ninth tllighlandcrs). Soon meeting with
cring fire and the Color Sergeant, Sandy
Campbell, II grizzcd old Scotchman, being
wounded they tatcrcd. One of the color
guard took up the flag. when the General
snatChcd it from him. The wounded High
lander at his feet cricd-"For. Gods sake
General, don't nm take the Colors they'll
shoot you if YOU do! The answer was
Give me the color, If they don't follow
now, they never will and he spraug
forward crying: I'VE are all lIighlandcrs-
follow, llghlandcrs Forward, my High
lndrr- :" The lIighlandcrs did follow their
Scottish chief, but while sweeping forward
ball struck him ON his right temple He
died instantly. An hour aitcrward, when
taken up, his hands were still clenchcd
around the flagstaff.
\ moment after srizing the colors, hi,
son, Captain Hazard Stevens fell wounded,
and cried to his father that he was hurt
With but Il glance back, that Roman father
said: Il can't attend to You now. Hazard.
Corpnrol Thompson, see to my boy
The language | have given as General
Stevens was taken down upon the field 10y
Il member of his staff He had often re
marked that if it were his fate to fall in
battle, he hoped he should he shot through
the temple and die instantly.-Cor " l..
Irihnul