Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1865-12-19
GHARLEsToWN VIRGINIA.. TUESDAY lJE0ENBER le l865 a.


men ecltO had done us this harm.
Jenkins, gallant fellow, was beyond all
earthly assistance, and it remained for us but
to grieve his loss. rLeltgstreet was lying by
tree at the side Of the road, the blood flow
ing with terribls fiipidity from his neck
Gen, Field the senior Division commander,
now assumed command, and kneeling by our
beloved Genefal acefted few words of. in
struction: The Senerai grew rapidly weak
err bur as c9tseseu sness gradually left him,
he stlli could summon up energy enough to
say IN deep and es'fnest tones: Press Men,
on, General sFIeki;; press MeD. on, lSir!"
Aslitter was obtained aid Gen. Longstreet
was carried slowlyto the rear; his hat con-
cealed his features and tha men anxiously
asked who was Tounded2 1t was known
too soon, and to honor their General, as they,
thought for the last time, the men gave a
prolonged and enthusiastic cheer. The Gem
eras heard them; he could not be deaf to
their voices, and it was tonchins sight as
he slowlys family, raised his hat, showing,
for moment, tlIatwell known face, now so
ghastly and pale: One incident particularly
struck me. When the General was hit,
private soldier took his horse; he had mount
ed him, and fully equipped with rife, blan-
ket and eanteen, WIS now riding behind the
litter. One of our coutlers told him 80 dis.
mount, and his reply was characteristic
no! Str-ree! Iook hyar, man! General
L01!ysfreet 900e me this hyu, Aor.e to mind,
and all hell cuM't git hi1i .Ji-oi, 6te ictMom
has $tysO." Nor Shall ever forget the sad
expression oil General Lees face, when he,
too, heard of our disaster; nor his gentle,
symPatbizing voice, as he said: 81 hope,
General, that you are not seriously hurt"
at the time that Longstreet was disabled,
combined movement had been commenced
which tho Enrlhrals cC,,Ij 4Hat, have
withstood but new pIans-and deliberations
became necessary, and from ten minutes past
twelve, the hour of the accident, nothing of
Importance was done-no advantage was
gained.
In coH;citHtSsi ii; 1 kill briefly state the cause
of the occurrence, the melancholy results Of
which l have described, and which COM
pletely justifes those who were its innocent
autli6fs. After the flank attack Mahone's
brigade was moved towards the Plank Road.
the intention bengt to halt the brigade along
the road and about twenty PAGES from it.
The l2th Virginia legi'hbnt, however, which
was on the right, crussed the road and adj
vanced about two huadred yards into the
woods beyond it; but SO soon as it was dis
covered that they had gone too far the regi-
lnent was faced abOut and marched towards
the road again. Those regiments which re-
mained alohg the Plank Road were. on the
alert and expecting the enemy-they ,canted
to see the blue coats: coming; then was
heard vocifcrous cheering, and they saw. a
lipe of battle tti5gifig 1s. if to attack them.
They knew nothing of the position of the
18th Virginia regiment, or of General Long
street. The 10th Virginia regiment com
Migenced men the fire., It was taken up along the
line, and it was this concentrated and general
fire which killed Jenkins and wounded Long-
street Ten men in the 18th Virginia were
killed, and the loss would have been far
greater but that the ensign of tile regiment;
with his customary stoical Disregard of dan
ger, ran with culors in hand ahead of his I
comihaud: and SO caused the frihg to cease
At the battle of Spottsylvania Court House
the gallant ensign of the Twelfth regiment
was mOrtully wounded. His career was too
short; yet he died covered With glory.
While he lived the coIotg Of the regiment
heTer trqi!ed in the dust; and could he but
have looked into the future it would have
consoled his proud spirit to know that those
colors which he had borne so fjtithrdlly aid
well were MevGr, iiever sirttHdercd!