Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-19

the battery Asw from hill to hill and picked ia positions
ike hawk. That after getting the range in the frst
two or three shots be did not believe that 1t missed the
eneuy's column in three hours firing afterwards. OF
course the favorable positions Of this battery gave ad
vanases but where did they learn that rapid evolution
AMP precision of aimS 1t Is wonderful"
few stories of the artillery Of the Army of the Po-
tomac and am done.
As an instance of the "edacstion with which Of
our officers catered the artillery service, take the lib
me to Illustrate the 'wopderfu" aptitude of our people
for that service.
Early last sprns nevl rejected Captain called at the
Virginia Ordnance Office with requisition for field
battery and equipments. In walking through the ord
nance stores soldier who accompanied the Captain,
pointing to case-shot asked (which end went into the
gun frsts" The Captain pointed to the fuse end But
the soldier not convinced expressed his doubt II the
Captain was correct "0f course" said the Captain,
"you must put ia the fuse end frs otherwise how could
IL catch from the explosion ~
"Good CD" mentally calculated the Chief Of Ord.
nance, "here am about to issue guns, ammunition and
equipments to man who does not knov whieh end
of the shot TO put in first"
And yet within three four months that officer fought
at the battle Of Manassas under Johnston. BE served
section OF two guns with such rapdiiy and effect that
the Yankee General (Schsnck,) who lay opposite him.
ordered up two guns to protect bis brigade from
the superior force and metal" Of battery, which he
insisted was mounted with "sa.d guns" Evidently be-
evng the battery to consist Of from four six pieces
he withdrew the whole brigade, which 'sufrins"
from the "hot aud heavy" FIRE Of shot and SHE'LL" still
Il - T.. II - L.
| in good Order" till the retreat
These two guns soon after ordered up into the
battle where they were joined by the other section Of
the battery, and fought till the end of the action.
But the second section Of this battery had also is
history. Ordered to follow Eyans In the gallant and
desperate attack which to bring on the action, the
arst gun broke down. the second was think, tho only
gun that crossed the turnpike that morning It was
stationed to the left of the wood, firing away, under its
Young Lieutenant, without orders and intent upon
its business and inexperienced in war, that not until
It's support had fallen back and its enemies were flank.
ing and firing on it. did these timber up and reoin
the artillery on the Henry Hill.
Tne first gun Of that section In running to It's position
broke gun axle, casson coupling and run two wheels
eff the gun.
deliberate mAn-rspairsi al those accidents, go. his gun
iaiO po,i,o" in the turnpike and fought until the eI-
envy was within 200 yards of his gun. He then saved
his gun, and reioinei his command.
On being asked afterwards how he managed to repair
such damages under the Disadvantages which surround
ed him, he smiled and said, at was not the first old
wagon that had broke down with him"
And yet the Captain of that command who has made
reputation Of which Generals might bs proud, could
not tell an inqulrng soldier four months before the bat
tie in which he gained such hoaors rhieh end of shot
TO pG. in 6rsti'
The words of General Johnston, gallant, accomplish.
ed and educated soldier, Virginan, who appreciates
his cDuntrymeu h,s induced write my fret line for
rrint within the year have veltured under this
ton TO ask public attention to the proposition stated
and 10 express opinions entertained since before the
commencement Of the war. l have made no profession
of rec iar Knowledge upon the arm Of the service to
which havs referred and have only alluded somewhat
in DEAL to invite the examination Of am disposed To
enter the artillery service Who may hesitate from mag
nary difficulties. There are no diffcldes in the way
that courage industry aud comnon sense cannot readily
master.
have addressed this letter to you, my dear sir, be-
cause you are vrgaial, familiar wish the facts which
[ have adducsd, and because you have always shown
fidelity to the honor and welfare Of your people IT. then
our litary authorities wish to Organize this great arm
of the servce-if they .ish to make eighty men and
sixty horsss do the effective destruction OF several hun.
bred mAu-f they wish to meet Mcclellan on his boast
ed ground aud sweep him from it. let them call on aud
saeovacs the Vrginians and Hill Southerners and they
ran soon have an invi1cble artillery Blu. let them be
careful in choosing their ofesrs-st them commi: bat
eries to none except Of courage sense, sobrety
and industry They fad plenty such applicants and
have only 10 discriminate If there be Others of dsreLt
| character.
Truly, your friend,
WV. N. BURwELL