The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-11-28
From Blackwood's Magazine for October.
MEMOIRS OF THE CONFEDERATE
WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
by HERDS Won BoRCKE,
sghief of Staff to General J. e. B. Stuart.
The Battle of NechanicsoiHe.

Thesreal Importance of the Pamunky expe-
dition, in giving General Lee perfect insight
into the positions of the army of Mcclellan, now
manifested itself in the most brilliant light AS
the Federal COMMANDMENT Chief had fortified
himself most strongly on his right wing, which
rested on the small village of Mechanicsville,
five miles northeast of Richmond, Gen jackson
had been ordered with his army from the valley
of the Shenandoah, mbering between twenty
FIVE and thirty thousand men, to fall upon the
enemy's right flank, and, turning it, to give
Lee the opportunity Tor general attack. Gen
Thomas Jonathan Jackson, known alike to friends
and foes as "Stonewall," from the steadness and
rocklike frmness Of front which his command
always presented to the enemy, had come up by
rapid marches, without the enemy knowledge,
TO execute this order. Gen Stuart's cavalry
command, and one division of infantry, were
sent to strengthen him, and this was the begin
ming Of 4he sanguinary and to successful seven
days fighting before Richmond.
During the night Of the Goth we arrived at
the camps of Jackson's famous soldiers, which
had been pitched near Ashland, station on the
Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, and
we're greeted by them with loud cheers After
a short period OF repose We were again IN the
saddle Gen Stuart had received directions
from Ger Jackson TO cover his left flank, and
go We marched with great caution, sending out
numerous patrols and accommodating -detach-
ments Our march was directed towards Me-
gainesville, where the enemy's right wing
rested, as have said, on strong Notifications.
With the exception of encounters with small
patrols, we little Of the enemy until five
o'clock in the afternoon, when Jackson's van
guard attacked them, and was engaged in
sharp skirmish. At the same time the dis
tant thunder of cannon was sounding over from
Mechaniesville, where Longstreet had attacked
the enemy in their strong position Jackson at
once brought up his troops with his usual celer-
ity Of movement, and towards six o'clock the
battle was at its height
Our cavalry was in reserve, and We had
reason to fear an attack On the left flank, Gen
Stuart dispatched me with small body of men
on a accommodating expedition, which was so
far successful that, after about half hour
ride, came upon a strong detachment OF the
enemy's cavalry, who instantly set to work to
chase u.s. We returned at hard gallop, the
enemy behind us in hot pursuit. Gen Stuart,
perceiving this, placed two pieces of horse arti-
lery in the road, which, as soon We had passed
them, greeted the enemy with grapeshot- This
created extreme confusion among our pursuers;
they left their dead and wounded behind them,
and took to immediate flight, followed by enc OF
our regiments
Meanwhile the battle was going on in our
favor; the enemy were driven from position
to another, and by ten O'clock at night were
retreating.
We encamped for the remainder of the night
upon the battle field, and rose with the earliest
beams Of the sun.
The Battle of Coal HarJor, or Gaines MIL
eth June, 1862.-1n the immediate neigh
horhood Of Coal Harbor, small collection of
houses some fifteen miles distant from Rich
zond, and ten or twelve miles east Of Mechan
icsville the enemy, to the number of sixty thou
sand men, had taken new position, strength
ened by natural as well as artificial Notifications
Jackson had with him in ALL including his re-
Inducements, about forty thousand men, every
one Of whom followed with enthusiasm and en-
tire confidence their beloved admired leader
Our cavalry force occupied its old position OF
the left flank Of our army, and during the fore
noon of the 9th had several encounters with
the cnemy's horse, all of which, as was usual at
that time, terminated in our favor
One Of these encounters, an affair Of few
minutes was with newly organized regiment
Of Federal Lancers. They stood three hundred
yards from US in line Of battle, and presented
with their giittering lances FROM the point of
which 6uttered red and white pennon, and
their fresh, well-fttng blue uniforms turned up
with yellow, fine martial appearance. One of
our regiments was Immediately ordered to attack
them; bat before our Virginia. horsemen got
Within fifty yards of their line, this magnificent
regiment which had doubtless excited the live
iiest admiration in the Northern cities on its
way TO the seat Of war, turned tail and fed in
disorder, strewing the whole line Of their retreat
With their picturesque, but inconvenient arms
Tho entire skirmish, if such il may be called
Rss over in less time than is required to record
it, and was highly ludicrous exhibition Of Les
Laaciers, danced to somewhat animated music
/ do not believe that out of the whole body OF
seven hundred men, more than twenty retained
their lances and their sudden and total discou,-
future furnished striking proof Of the fact that
this weapon, formidable cough in the hand OF
one accustomed to WELD it, is downright alb
surditY and ehcumbrance to the inc perienced
About two o'clock in the afternoon the battle
became general along the lines, and at three
o'clock ragged in its full fury. The fire Of mus
kerry rolled continuously and moro than one
hundred and fifty howitzers and Napoleon and
Parrot guns opened all around us, and united
in one internal ineessant roar-one desfening,
ringing reverberation.
Tho ground being not favorable for cavalry
Operations, We occupied place on the left wing
Of the line of battle, but were nearly all day
under fire of the enemys cannon. Gen Stuart,
accompanied by his staff and personal escort,
pressed forward with his two batteries of horse
artiery.which under the command of my gal.
liant friend John Pelham, soon did mast admir-
able execution. The enemy at once concentra-
/ ted the fire of five batteries on this point, and
every kind Of missile hurled heavily through
/ The smoky air, spreading death and destruction
an ell sides. L had many hot ride during the
/ afternoon through the tempest Of shot and she'll,