Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-10-04

was known throughout the regiment as q
dead shot.
There was considerable firing around us
from foragers, stragglers and men cleaning
their guns, and shet from the window might
not attract particular attention. Resting the
heavy gun across the window.sill, and having
as steady rest as hunter ever asked for, "Old
Pete" vas ready to keep his word. ...
IT SEEMED LIKE coLD-BLooDED ASSASSIN.
ALTON. ........,
could almost count the buttons on Jack.
sons coat, and there seemed no escape fol
him. I was watching him when the rifle
cracked. He had 6eld.glass to his eye, and
the only movement We could see was quick
motion of the head, as if the bullet had cut
close to his ear. The glass was not even low.
cred. "Old Pete" swore terrible long string
of oaths as he realized his failure, but in a
minute was ready again.
II hope never to draw another breath if
don't kill him stone dead!" he muttered as
he knelt down. Jackson did not face US as
before yet was good mark even for mus.
ket. We watched him as before, and this
time the bullet must have swept past bis face,
as he lodged his head backwards. The glass
was down then, but he raised it in an instant
and went on with his survey.
"Have got to be fool? or have 1 grown
blind?" howled "Old Pete," as he looked
down upon his unharmed victim. I'll kill
him this time, or shoot myself in this cham.
ber?"
1t was dangerous to remain there longer. as
the cavalry had crept nearer, and Jackson's
aides seemed to have got the idea that sharp.
shooter was posted near by. Yet "Old Pete
would have had third shot if the Confeder-
ates had been in the house.
THE TARGET WAS AS FAIR AS BEFORE.
He took more careful aim, and yet when he
fired he saw splinters fly from rail way over
beyond the general. The cavalry were then
close upon US, and our two muskets were lost
in the hurried flight from the house. Half
an hour after that, jackson was driving our
brigades and divisions as he willed.
"I'll measure off the same distance, shoot
off:hand, aid bet my life that can hit a sol.
dier's cap nine times out of ten!' growled
"Old Pete" as be hurried forward, and sud.
denly overcome by indignation and chagrin
he battered his cherished gun against tree
and destroyed it.
As if seeking personal revenge, Jackson's
legions passed right by us. The nearest bri.
gade of Sigel's corps was picked up and dash.
ed to pieces as strong man would lift and
hurl a child. Running along with amazed
and frightened men, but bearing of towards
our own division, We picked up other muskets
to replace our lost ones. Reaching knoll
from which VIC had another view of the turn.
pike, we halted for last look over the heads
of the frightened, fleeing soldiers-over the
ground strewn with arms and accoutrements-
over the blue smoke just beginning to rise,
WE SAW JACKSON AGAIN.
He was far away, but it was Jackson.
"Curse him hut he has got guardian
angel" howled Old Pete, ss he shook bis fist
toward the turnpike.
No other man ever had rifle drawn on
him at such fair range and escaped three cool,
carefully aimed bullets. His escape sent a
thrill of superstition through each mind, and
from that hour to the moment when the news
of Jackson's death reached US, "Old Pete'
never spoke word. 1t was puzzle that he
could not solve. As we lay in line, every
musket barrel still hot and every eye peering
through the darkness to catch sight of the
gray line coming on again, an aide came hur.
rying along and shouted out:
"We're all right, boys; Stonewall Jackson
has been killed up the road there"
"Old Pete leaped up, whirled around to
face the bearer of the news, and savagely
shouted back; -
"You liel you lie! you lie! Stonewall
Jackson can't be hurt by she'll or killed BY
bullet" ....,..
BUT 1T WAS so.
Living in the arms of those who loved him, 80
near US that the cries of our wounded must
have reached his ears, was the mortally
wounded general, whose skill and strength
had no match. While the white-faced dead
looked to the torn and shattered forest trees
while the wounded crawled here and there in
their awful agony-while the living looked
into each others anxious faces and wondered
if another night would find any of US there,
the legions of Jackson we're strangely silent.
Now and then came the sudden boom ofsome
great gun, sounding like deep groan of des'
pair but there was nothing more to break the
silence. While men rested in line of battle,
having the awful horrors of war on every
side, there was one who gave up his life as be
whispered, LET US cross over the river and
rest under the shade of the trees"