Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-10-31
second look at the little party sitting on
their horses on the open road, wicked
smile crossed his face, and he whis-

- 5t3f 't ~ 9t --
''By the hundred gods of the heather!
but that chap on the left there is old
Stonewall Jakson, and I'm going TO
drop him !" xxx.
Old Pete, our sour-tempered COM
panion, had frst-class Minnie rifle
with him. lie had carried it for several
mouths, in some way escaping the at
tention Of the inspector and in some way
always securing ammunition for it. 1
saw him ia at least half dozen instances
shoot down yidettes or skirmishers who
seemed to be half mile away, and he
was known drought the regiment as a
dead-shot.
There was considerable firing around
US from foragers, stragglers, and men
cleaning their guns, aud shot 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 was ready to keep his
word. 50, ..,-,-- ..-
1T SEEMED LIKE .CoLD-BL0oDED AS
iy- sAsSINATIoN.
no l could almost count the buttons on
Jackson's coat, and there seemed no
escape for him. 1 was watching him
when the rife cracked. He had field
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
! lowered. odd Pete" swore terrible
long string Of oaths as he realized his
failure, but in. a miuute was ready
again. s.. ..
Il hope to never draw another breath
| if don't kill him stone-deadw he
muttered as he knelt down. Jackson
did not face us as before, yet was a
good mark. even fora musket. We
watched him as before, and this time
the bullet must have swept past his
face, as he lodged his head backwards.
The glass was down then, nut he raised
lit in an ina tant and went on with his
survey. az s'.ff'- $685. sE'
y ''Have L got to be fool, Or have I
grown blind - howled ''Old Pete" as
he looked down upon his unframed
victim. I'm kill him this time or
shoot myself in this chamber"
1t was dangerous to remain there
longer, as the cavalry had crept near,
iJackson5s aids seemed to have got the
idea that a sharpshooter was posted
near by. Yet Odd Pete" would have
had third shot if the Confederates
had been i'll the house.
THAT TARGET WAS AS FAIR AS BE-
FORE.
He took q more careful aim, and yet
when he fred we saw splinters fly from
a rail way over beyond the General
The cavalry We're then close upon US,
and our two muskets were lost in the
hurried fright from the house. Half an
hour after that Jackson was driving our
brigadvs ana divisions as he willed.
bs"I'u measure Of the same distance,
o4hand and bet my life that I can hit
soldiers. cap nine times out of ten n'
growled "Old Pete" as we shurried
forward, and. suddenly overcome by in
dignation and chagrin, he battered his
cherished gun against tree and de-
stroyed it. As if seeking personal
revenge, Jaekson's legions passed right
by US. The nearest brigade Of Sigel's
corps was picked up and dashed to
pieces as q strong man would lift
IA child. Running along with the
amazed and frightened men, but bearing
oftowards our division, We picked up
other muskets to replace our lost ones.
Reaching a knoll from which we had
another view of the turnpike, we halted
for last look over the heads Of the
frightened, fleeing soldiers-oyer the
ground strewn with arms and accoutre'
ments II over the blue smoke just be-
ginning to rise. ....-.....
Il- WE SAW JACKSON AGAIN.
he was far away, but it was Jackson.
|. Course HIM. but he has got a guar
dian angel" howled "Old Pete" as he
shook, his fist toward the turnpike.
No other man ever yet had a rifle
drawn on him at such a 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
,ayrc raanba1 re isOIJ pa+aS nay-nr