Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-22
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CHE FIT WITH STONEWALL JACKSON.'


He was at the Central Station yesterday,
waiting to 60 to the County Insane Asylum.
There was wild look in his eyes, and now
and then he muttered to himself; but one would
sooner think him the victim of poverty and
hard luck than lunatic. Hisgarments were
faded and rent, the left arm was off at the el-
bow, he had painful limp, and he was old
and gray. Suddenly pausing in his walk, he
stood at attention" and exclaimed:
Fright dress-frontT
Some of the men looked up, and the old
man continued
II fit with Stonewall Jackson-that's what
ails me"
"Were you soldier2" asked one of the
men who had carried musket for three years.
The old man regarded him with look of
pity and contempt, and loftily replied:
II will show you p
He had his coat and vest off in moment,
and, pulling open bis old wooden shirt, 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 explaining why
he limped.
"Got that fghtin' with Stonewall Jackson p
he said, his voice betraying pride.
He mutely pointed to his manned arm,
waited full minute, and then whispered:
"I got that under Stonewall Jackson, too! !"
He stood at "attention" again, his eyes
fixed on the wall. His face was hard and
stern for moment, but then it softened and
lighted up He seemed to see a picture of
the past on the blank wall, and presently he
was wearing the gray again. He trembled
with excitement as be wheeled around and ex.
claimed:
"Did I fight with stonewall Jackson? You
bet did !"
Waiting moment he sat down and con-
tinued:
"Member when we'uns came down on you
'uns in the Wilderness saw him a dozen
times that day, and we'uns knew you'uns
would catch blazes. Forward, forward
march, march, all day long, no rest, no ra-
tions, no let up. Old uncle Robert General
Lee) had sent for Jackson, and Jackson was
bound to be thar in time. Along the road,
across the fields, and just at dark We struck
you 'uns-struck like a tornado! Down along
the thickets-through the woods-across the
swamps, and you'uns didn't see we'uns com.
ing!
"Great blazes p continued the old man, as
he sprang up. eve charged right down
among youuns, doubled the line up and drove
it. That's who Stonewall Jackson was-that
is how we fit. l got this ere hurt in the hip
there, and while I was lying there, you'un
chawed this arm off with grape-shot. Die ?
Lots O. gray backs would have died, but
wasn't under Jackson Stonewall? .? We
fit, sir-we couldn't stop long enough to die p
His eyes flashed, color came to his face, and
for moment he showed all the pride Of q
veteran of Waterloo Then his true situa-
tion came back to him, and he sat down, ex-
element and exultation all gone, and said:
81 havn't money enough to buy crutch,
and my head isn't exactly right. I've surren-
dered to you'uns, and you'uns are going to
take me somewhere I'm old and used up,
and 1 wish I'd died under jackson p
The men waited awhile and then questioned
him, but he fixed his gaze on the wall and
made no reply. When the officer came to
escort him to the depot he noticed the old
mans lameness and asked:
"Shall we take a carr"
mo, sir" was the prompt reply; "for-
ward-guide right -'arch-I fit with Stone
wall Jackson !"-Detroa Free Press.