Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-05-29
He Fit With stonewall Jackson.

He was a. the Central station yesterday,
waiting to 60 to the county insane asylum
There was q wild look in bis eyes, aud now
and then he muttered to himself: bot one
would sooner think him the victim OF poverty
and hard luck than lunatic. His garments
were faded and rent, the left arm was oil at
the elbow, he had a painful limb, ard he was
old and gray. Suddenly rising in his walk,
he stood at attention and exclaimed
Right dress--f 'front.'
Some of the men looked up and The old man
continued:
'Ift with Stonewall Jackson-thats what
ails me-
Were you a soldier ? asked one of the
men who had carried musket for three
years.
The old man regarded him with a look ol
pity and contempt, and loftily replied, will
show youl'
lie had his coat aud vest off in moment,
and. pulling open his wooden shirt, be pointed
to terrible scar
WAS struck there with bayOnet, said the
old man.
lie exposed his left thigh, and there was
another terrible scar, showing where an ounce
ball had ploughed its way, aud explaining
why he limpcd.
Got that fighting with stonewall Jackson
he said his voice betraying pride.
He mutely pointed to his manned 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 bard and stern for
a moment, but then il softened and lighted
up. He seemed to see picture Of The past
on the blank wall, aud presently he was wear
ing the gray again. He trembled with ex-
element as he wheeled around and exclaimed ::
Did fight with Stoncwall jackson? You
bet did !
Waiting a moment, he sat down and con-
tipued "member when VIC 'uns came down
on You 'uns in the Wilderness? Isaw him
dozen times that day, and we 'uns knew uns
would catch blazes. Forward, forward-tnarch,
march, all day long, no rest, no rations, no let
up. Old Uacle Robert General Lee) had
sent for Jackson. and jackson was bound to
be thar on time. Along the roads, across The
fields. and jist at dark we struck you 'uns--
struck like tornado. Down along the thick
ets-throush tie wocds-across the swamps,
and you 'uns didu'. see ne 'uns coming
Great blazesp continued The old man as
be sprang up. we charged right down
among you 'uns, doubled the line up, and
drove it. That's who Stonewall jackson was
that's how we ft got this ere hurt you
'uns chawed this arm off with grape shot
Die? Lots of graybacks would have died ;
but wasn't under Jsckson-old Stonewall?
We fit, sir we couldn't stop long enotsh to
die'
His eyes flashed, color came to his face, aud
for moment he showed all the pride OF a
vsteran Of Waterloo. Then his true situation
came back 10 him, and be sat down, excite
nent aud exulta,ion all gone and said
Il haven't money enough to buy a crutch,
and nv head isn't exactly right. I've sur
rendered TO you 'uus, and yoa 'uns are going
to take me somewhere. I'm cd aud used up,
and wish I'd died under Jackson
The men wai,ed awhile, and then question
ed him but be fixed bis gaze on the wall and
would make no reply. When the officer came
to escort him to the depot be noticed the old
mans lameness. and asked:
Shall we take car 2
No. sir" was the prompt reply; for
ward guide right, arch J 81 with stonewa'l
jackson" De'ToH ffee freSs'