Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-06-23

charge of the provost guard of Payne's bril-
gade, l felt some ons clasp me on the shoul-
der, saying: "Why, old fellow, am glad to
see you" l looked up and grasped Jemmy's
hand. Noticing the bars on my collar he
continued:
"Why, what is this Allow me to con-
graduate you; did not know of your pro-
motion 1 am glad you have gotten that COM
mission at last"
thanked him, and seeing his arm in a
sling, said
"But what is this Have you been
wounded ?"
90, it is nothing but a scratch. One of
the Yankees popped me yesterday evening at
the springs. I'm alr right now, however"
Just then the pain in his arm caused the
muscles around his mouth to contract, and l
saw that his wound was more serious than
he would admit.
'Where are you going said /. 'Come,
get down and rest awhile"
~ was pushing on to see Rosser. but aa
my horse is tired, I'll rest here under this
tree"
spread my gum cloth, telling him to lay
down, and he soon fell asleep. Poor fellow
little did think that was his last sleep on
earth. In few moments courier came
pidly by, and I asked him what was going
on? He replied that the enemy were in our
front. and were between us and High Bridge,
and that he was looking for Major Thomson.
awoke Jenny, and we rode together to
the front Noticing he was unusually silent,
I asked him what was the matter. He said
'' | was dreaming about home, and for the
first time since I've been in the army. L feel
as if something was going to happen
IEtried to cheer him up, and to dissuade
him from going into the action with his dis
abled arm. He spoke several times of his
mother and sisters, aud said he feared he
would never see them again. On overtaking
my command [ stopped, and he galloped off
I called to him to take care of himself, when
he replied:
Good bye, Bob; have sort of pre-
sentiment 1 may never see you again. If
the Yankees capture you-for times look
squally-give my love to all at home when
you get there"
Just then our brigade was ordered to the
front. and, on riding forward, I found that
Fitz Lee had gotten in rear of Gen. Reed,
of Ord's corps, who, in command Of the One
Hundred and Sixteenth Ono infantry, Fifty
fourth Pennsylvania and part of the Fourth
Massachusetts oavalry-in all, about eight
hundred and twenty-five men-had marched
)
to High Bridge to take possession. Finding
himself cut off from retreat on all three roads,
the Yankee General formed his men along
a woody bluff bordering on the Appomattox,
with his right wing resting near High Bridge.
Rosser's brigade, under Gen. Dearing, was
ordered to attack his right; Wickham his
centre, and Payne's brigade, under Colonel
Boston, of the Fifth, his lett-in all about
seven hundred and twenty-five men. Major
Thomson was put in command of the skirmish
line on our left. The men were all dis
mounted and formed as infantry, and moved
up to the attack, preceded by heavy skir-
mish line. The firing soon became general,
and the enemy, seeing that their situation
was desperate one, ordered his cavalry to
charge as a forlorn hope.
Colonel Boston was moving up on our right
with his mon, marching perpendicular to the
road, in which himself, staff and couriers-
in all, about sixteen mounted men-were
standing. The enemy's cavalry consisted of
a hundred picked mep, commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel and two Captains, and
drawing their sabres, they charged down the
road in gallant style. Their commander,
several yards in advance of his men, made
directly for Colonel Boston, who shot him
when he was within few PAGES, and, rising
in his stirrips, ordered his men to charge
Just as the words left his lips, bullet, fred
by an infantryman, struck him in the mouth,
and passing through his head, killed him
instantly. His men, enraged at his fall,
pushed on with a yell, and the slaughter of
the enemy was terrific. Those on the left
SOON raised the white flag, but it was not seen
on the right Dearing and Wickham's
brigade5 charged, and as soon as they found
hot hn ,lo 90 ,Iar
slackened their fire. But the gallant Thorn
son, who was at our extreme right, pressed
forward, not knowing what was going on in
the centre, waving his hat, and calling his
men to follow. AS soon as he saw the white
flag, he gave loud shout of victory. Poor
fellow, twas his last joyful yell two balls
fired by the enemy's skirmish line struck him,
one severing the main artery at the lower part
of the neck, and the other striking him in
the body. Each was fatal wound. Giving
one appalling scream, he fell dead, and it
seemed as if the last drop of his life blood
gushed forth. In another moment, all was
quiet. About six hundred Of the enemy had
surrendered; all the rest were killed or wound
ed. General Reed, and every officer above
the rank of Major, except one, was killed;
while, on our side. Thomson, Boston and
Major Knott, of the Twelfth, were killed,
and General Dearing moTtaIly wounded
They were carried to hill near by, and there
under large tree, helped to bury, side by
side: the Yankee General and poor Jenny.
Several of his artillerymen were standing by,
the big tears rolling down their cheeks, and
as Major Breathed moved away from the
mournfol spot. he exclaimed:
' Gentlemen, with ten thousand such men
as Jem Thomson and Reuben Boston, I could
whip the whole Yankee army. Braver, no.
bier men never lived ~
Yes
''Thcy did the work which shall glory shed
On the field OF life when the cannous lead.
They did the deed which shall live earth,
While courage and honor have any worth;
The Southern Cross they set in Eky,
With starry names tina: never die:
They bridged the bridge deaths CORY s'rearl
With a hridIe irlTrnLtaI In IA fer and heam.