The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-10-30

toward, Lee. All lines faced toware
Lee ; all men were looking for Lee
when three divisions Of Confederates
moving with soft steps took Hooker III
| the rear, and drove one brigade intoane
pell nell over another. until veteran sol
dicrs were without strength or presence
Of mind. That awful night wll6n
TIE WOUNDED WE'RE BEING DuRIEp ALIVE
in the woods, and the leaves just broad
ening into full life, report ran through
the reorsanized ranks that the greai
S,oncwall Jackson had been killed
Thousands believed it; but three of us
lying side by side in the new battle line
born after night came down. put nc
faith in the rumor. Why we did not
is what started to write about.
Stuarts cavalry had been following
up Hooker's army, but it was like raj
following in tho footsteps ofhorsea. Lee
was 50 far away and coming up SO slow
! ly that Hooker had time to throw up
light earthworks, seize the best ground,
fell trees to protect his fauks and make
ready to shatter and hurl back the ex-
pecicd attack. On that I'd day of May,
hi. soldiers, hidden in the woods or ly-
ing in the fields, washed their clothing,
wrote letters home, made comfortable
beds for themselves, and were not in
the least troubled about what another
week would bring forth. As deep
river suddenly bends to avoid bluff, so
did that great army Of Lees bend to
avoid the Wilderness. 1t split in two
to attacl; at given hour on both sides,
and joe Hooker sat in his tent and con-
graduated himself on his impreguable
position considered impregnabie By
him when two great highways ran along
the rear Of half Of his army. So uni
versal was the feeling Of security that
soon after noon three infantrymen star
ted out to -
BEG OF BUY FORAGE FOOD. e
Sigel's corps was on Hooker's8 west
flank, and commanded that day by
Howard. Part of this corps faced the
old turnpike and plank road. part faced
the other way. Most Of the men were
hidden in the woods and behind ridges,
and up the broad highway which should
have been first looked to Stuart was
pus hing his cavalrymen as skirmish-
ers. We three r.cn we're beyond Sigcls
corps, and on the point Of entering q
farm house from which everybody had
fed, when, less than riae"shot away,
VIC caught sight Of the Confederate
advance. The cavalry,ncn we're advan-
cling slowly, evidently expecting to find
a heavy guard at some point, but at The
time we imagined that less than rcgi-
ment Of Stuart's men were feeling along
up to pick up straggler', locate position,
etc. We, at least, did cot fear them,
and the proposition to enter the house
end secure d better view of the roads
speedily conveyed us to chamber
window. We could see but little more
from that post, bat wc did see, soon
after reaching it,
THAT SANE sToyEwALL JACKSON
ride from shelter olt upon the turnpike
in full view, attended by only three or
four officers. lie had come out there
to make observation. like cat before
she destroys the mouse, he was wooder'
Ing at what point he should strike to
disable lis victim soonest.
Grim minded and sou,-tcmpered was
the third man of us, and wars horrors
delighted him. When he had taken
his second look at the little party sitting
on their horses on the open road, a
wicked smile crossed his face. and nc
whispered:
"Iiy the hundred gods of the hea-
then but that chap on the left there is
old Stoncwsll Jackson, and I'm going to
drop him!"
Old Pete, our sour tempered COM
pa MON, had first class Minnie rifle
with HIM. Ho had carried it tor sever.
al months, in some way escaping the at
,ention Of the Inspector and always in
.omc way secured ammunition tor 1t.
| saw him in at least hall dozon IN
stances shoot down videttes or seirmlsh
ers who seemed to :he half a mile away,
ana he was known throughout tho regr
iment AS a dead-shot.
There was considerable firing around
u. from foragers, s,rasglcrs, and men
cleaning their guns, and a shot from tho
window might not attract particular at
ten,ion. Resting the heavy gun acrosS
the window sill, and having as steady
rest as hunter ever asked for, "Oid
Pete" was ready to keep his word.
IT SEEMED LIKE COLD BLooDED AssAs-
sINATIoN.
I could almost count tho buttons on
Jackgon's coat, and there seemed noes-
cane for him. l was Watching him
when the rifle cracked. He had@a
glass to bis eye, and the only movement
We could see was quick motion OF
the head, as il the bullet had cut close
to his car. The glass was not even
lowerd "Old Pete" sworc u terrible
long string OF oaths as he realized .is
failure, but in minute was ready
again. -
IL hope never to draw another breath
| if don't Kill him stone dcad!' ne NUT