Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-06-05
He fit with StonewalI Jack
som.
lFrom the Detroit Free Press.]

FROM Ue Detf09t rTec fDFeSS-j
He was at the Central Station
yesterday waiting to 60 to the in
sane asylum of the county. There
was a wild look in his eyes, and
now and then he would mutter to
himself; but one would sooner
think him a victim of poverty and
hard luck than a lunatic. His gar
ments were faded and rent, the left
arm was Off at the elbow, he had
a painful limb, and he was old and
gray. Suddenly pausing in his
walk, he stood attention, 7" and
exclaimed.
Right dress -front!'
Some of the men locked up, and
the old man continued
Il fit with Stonewall Jackson
that's what ails me-
Were you soldier?' asked one
of the men who had carried mus
ket for three years.
The old man regarded him with
a look of pity and contempt, and
loftily replied, Il will show you!
He had his coat and vest off in
moment, and pulling open his
old wooden shirt, he pointed to a
terrible scar.
Was struck there with bayo-
net, said the old man.
He exposed his left thigh, and
there was another terrible scar,
showing where an ounce ball had
plonghed its way, and explaining
why he limped.
Got that fighting with Stone
wall Jackson = he said, his voice
betraying pride.
He mutually pointed to his in
jurcd arm, waited full minute,
and then whispered:
And got that under Stonewall
jackson, too =
He stood at attention again,
his eyes fixed on the wall. His
face was hard aud stern for q mo-
ment, but then il softened and
lightened up. He seemed to see a
picture Of the past on the blank
wall, and presently he was wear
ing the gray again. he trembled
with excitement as he. wheeled
around and exclaimed
And did | fight with Stonewall
Jackson? You bet / did =
Waiting a moment, he sat down
and continued:
Member we 'urs came down
on you 'uns in the Wilderness {? i
/ saw him a dozen times that day,
and we 'uns knew you 'uns would
catch blazes. Forward, forward
march, march all the day long, no
rest, no rations, no let-up. Old un-
Gle Robert General Lee had sent
for Jackson, and jackson he was
bound TO be thar on time. Along |
the roads, across the fields, and |
jist at dark we struck 'uns; struck |
like a tornado. Down along the |
thickets-through the woods, and
across the swamps, and you 'uns
didn't see us 'uns coming"
Great bazes = continued the old
man. as he sprang up. We charg-
ed right down among you 'uns,
doubled the line up, and drove it.
That's who Stonewall Jackson is
that's how we fit! / got this ere
hurt in the hip there, and while l
was lying there you 'uns chawed
this arm off with grape shot
Die ? Lots OF .glay-backs' would |
have died; but wasn't | under
Jackson -old Stonewall !? We fit,
sir; we couldn't stop long enough
TO die!'
His eyes flashed. color came to
his face, and for moment he ex-
hibited all the pride Of a veteran
of Waterloo. Then his true situa-
tion came back to him, and he sat
down, excitement and exultation
all gone, and said:
Il havnt money enough to blu ; !
d crutch, and my head isn't exact
ly right. I've surrendered to you |
'uns, and you 'uns are going to
take me somewhere. Pm old and |
used up, and wish I'd died I'M
der Jackson!'
The men waited awhile, land then |
questioned him; but he fixed his
gaze on the wall and would make
no reply. When the officer came
to escort him to the depot he mo-
ticed the old mans lameness, and
asked:
Shall we take car p
No, SIR was the prompt reply;
forward, guide right, 'arch ] fit
with Stonewall jackson