Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-06-08
"He FIT Uith StOneDdH Jackson"

He was at the Central Station yester
day. waiting to 60 to the County Insane
Asylum. There was wild look 10 HE
eyes. and now and then he muttered 10
himself. but one would sooner think him
the victim of poverty and hard luck than
a lunstic His garments were faded and
rent, the left arm was of at the elbow.
he had painful limp. and be was old and
gray. Suddenly pausing in his walk he
stood at attention" and exclaimed
Right dress 'front.'"
Some Of the men looked up and the old
man continued
al fit with Stonewall Jackson-that's
what ails me! ~
"Were you SOLDIER" asked one OF
the men who had carried musket Tor
three years.
The old man regarded him with look
Of pity and contempt. and loftily replied;
81 will show your'
He had his coat and vest of 10 mo.
ment. and pulling open his old woe!en
shirt, he pointed to terrible scar.
"Was struck there with bayonet -
said the old man.
He exposed his left thigh and there was
another terrible scar, showing where an
ounce ball had plowed its way and ex-
planning why he limped.
"Got that fghtin' with Stonewall Jack
son :" he said, his voice betraying pride.
He mutely pointed 10 his mained arm.
waited a full minute. and then whisper
ed:
"And got that under StOnewall Jack.
SOD, too"
He stood at attention" again. his eyes
fixed on the wall. His face was hard
and stern for q moment. but then It soft
ened and lighted up. He seemed to SEQ
picture OF the past on the blank wall.
and presently he was wearing the gray
again. He trembled with excitement "a
he wheeled around and exclaimed:
"Did fight with Stonewall Jackson
You bet did ~
Waiting moment he sat down and
continued
Member when we 'uns came down
on you 'uns in the Wilderness saw
him dozen times that day. and we uns
knew you 'uns would catch blazes. For
ward. forward-march. march. sill day
long, no rest, no rations. no let up. Old
Uncle Robert [Gen. Leel had sent Tor
Jackson. and Jackson was bound to be
thar on time. Along the roads. across the
fields. and ist at dark we struck ysu 'uns
struck like q tornado! Down along
the thickets-through the woods-across
the swamps. and you 'uns didn't see We
'uns coming!
"Great blazes" continued the old man
as he sprang up. "We charged right
down among you inns, doubled the line
up, and drove it. That's who Stonewal
Jackson was-that's how we fit it. igot
this ere hurt in the hip there, and while
was lying there you 'uns chawed this
arm of with grape shot Diep Lots o.
graybacks would have died. but wasn't l
under Jackson-old StonewalH We ut.
sir-we couldn't stop long enough TO
die!"
His eyes flashed, color came to his
face, and tor q moment be showed oil
the pride OF q veteran OF Waterloo.
Then bis true situation came back TO
him, and he sat down, excitement and
exultation all gone. and said:
81 haven't money enough to buy
crutch. and my head isn't exactly right.
I've surrendered to you 'uns, and you
'uns are going to take me somewhere.
I'm old and used up and wish I'd died
under Jacksonl"
The men waited awhile and then
questioned him, but be fixed his gaze on
the wall and would make no reply.
When the officer came to escort him TO
the depot he noticed the old mans lame
ness and asked:
"Shall we take car ?"
mo, sir, - was the prompt reply; "for-
ward guide right--'arch-I 6t with
c,onavau Jsckson ~ Detyoit Pre-, pr,ss