Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-06-19

lSTERvIEw VI CArIUEED FEDERAL OrTI
CIR WITH SroNEwALL JAcKsoy.-Capt. vii
kins, O! the staff Of Gen. \. 5. Williams
Commanding division Of the 18th nrmyIcorrs
who was wounded and taken prisoner IN th,
hattie Of Charlottesville, gives the following
incidents Of an interview with Stonowal
jackson
When captured. Capt Wilkins was plsccd in
charge Of guard, who took him short dis
( tance TO the rear, where he met Gen. Jackson
aud staf.-Jackson was sitting on his horse at
I the head Of the column, surrounded BY his staff.
He had peculiarly sad and gloomy expression
Of countcnsnce, as though he already saw pre-
monition Of his fate. II was but fifteen minutes
later that he wss MORALLY wounded As they
came into his presence the guard announced,
" a captured Yankee officer. Gen. Jackson
asked his name and rank. On being told, he fur
ther inquired what corps and commanders were
opposed in front. Capt Wilkins replied that as
sn othc1r he could not return a truthful answer
TO such questions. jackson then turnel to
tho guard and ordered them 70 search him He
then hsd in the breas, pocket Of his cost Hooker's
Confidential orders to corps commanders. giving
plan in par, of the campaign the couutersigns
Of the field for n week in advance. and the field
returns, giving the effective strength Of the 18th
corps on the preceding day. These were all cx-
ceeiingly Important papers.
Fortunately, before the guard coul carry the
orders INTO execution, terrific rsking frc was
opened on jackson ne column by twenty pieces Of
artillery, from an eminence on the plank ROAD
Our art llcry soon got the range with more pre-
cis0n, and the shell aud und shot ricochettc1
and ploughed through this dense mass ofthe enc
my with terrific effect As an instance Of the ter
Ti6c effect Of this fire. one ofthe guard was struck
by a solid shot just below the hips, sweeping of
both legs. One Of the shells struck csisson full
Of artillery ammunition, which, exploding. as
cended IL crater Of various coiored fame, and
showerci down on the heads Of the men below
a mass Of fragments Of shot and she'll The loss
inflicted by this fire must have been terrible.
placing considerably over one thousand men
hors In combat and effectually breaking up the
Contemplated attack Of the column
An officer Of Jackson staff subsequently, stat
ID that II was about flleen minutes after tins
that Gen. Jackson with hi staff advanced 10 tho
front 20 recounoitre our position, having accom-
pl shod which he returned by different path
towards his own men, who. mistaking their ap-
proach for a party NJ our cavalry, fired upon
him, killing aud Wounding four Of bic staff. snd
Eouu1Ing Jackson once IN the right arm, sul
twice m the left arm and hsni
While Captain Wilkins was being taken 60 the
rear h. devoted his attention 70 dlsposinE of the
important papers which he hsd on his person.
lie isred not take them from his pocket 10 ST.
tempt 60 tear them Up, hut continuously plscel
bis hand in hrs pocket and worked the papers
into a hall, and a. they were passing along, got
them into his bosom, and finally into the arm
1t under his arm, where he carried them al
that night. The next m,riins the guard halted
10 get their breakfasts. ami a soliier va, irving .
10 k'ndle IRE 20 make soma coffee which they
isl taken from cur men. Tho wood was damp
mi the fire refused 20 burn The soldier swore
st It until hrs patience c,ve out. when Capt VIII
,irs askei him II he would not ike some kind .
ngs. AMI haniei h.m the important papers.
The soldier took them. sni not dreaming q
heir importance used thsm fo Hnile the f-.