The Osceola times., 1877-11-03
AS, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1877.

saw him, in at least half dozen in
stances, shoot down videttes and skirm-
ishers who seemed 10 he half mile away
and he was known throughout the regi
ment as dead shot.
There was considerable firing around
us from feragers, straeglers, and men
cleaning their guns, and shot from the
window might not attract particular
attention. Resting the heavy gun across
the window sill, and having as steady
rest a. hunter ever asked for, "Old
Pete was ready to keep his word.
IT SEEMED LIKE CoLD-BLOoDED Assassin
ALTON.
| could almost count the buttons on
Jacksons coat, and there seemed ne
escape for him. | was watching him
when the rifle cracked. He had a field
glass to his eye, aud the only movement
we could zee was a quick motion OF the
head, "a il the bullet had cut close to his
ear. The glass was not even lowered.
"Old Pete" swore q terrible long string
of oaths as he realized his failure, but In
minute was ready again.
| hope never 10 draw another breath
IL don't kill him stone dead he NUT
tered, rs he knelt down. jackson did
not face us as before, yet was a good mark
even for musket. We watched him as
before, and this time the bullet must
have swept past his face, As he lodged
his face backward. The field glass went
down then, but he raised il In an instant
and went on with his survey.
Have i got TO he a fool, or have
grown blindp howled old Pete, as he
looked down upon his unharmed victim.
"Tll kill him this time or shoot myself
in this chamber"
1t was dangerous TO remain there
longer, as the cavalry had crept nearer,
and Jackson Saids seemed TO have got
the idea that a sharpshooter was posted
near by. Yet "Old Pete" would have
had third shot if the confederates 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 q
railroad over beyond the general. The
cavalry were then close upon us, and our
two muskels were lost in the hurried
flight from the house. Half an hour
after that jackson was driving our brig
AIDES and divisions as he willed.
"Pll measure off the same distance,
shoot off hand, and bet my life can hit
a soldiers cap nine times out OF ten J"
growled "Old Pete" a. he hurried for
ward, and suddenly overcome by indig-
nation and chagrin he battered his cher
ished gun against tree and destroyed it.
As if seeking personal revenge, Jack
sons lcgions passed right by us. The
nearest brigade Of Sigel's corps was picked
up and dashed to pieces as strong man
would lift and hurl a child. Running
along with the amazed and frightened
men, but bearing off toward our own
division, we picked up other muskets 10
replace our lost ones. Reaching knoll
from which we had another view of the
turnpike, we halted for last look over
the heads of the frightened, fleeing sol.
diers-over the ground strewn with arms
! and accOutrements-ovcr the blue smoke
just beginning to rise, we saw jackson
again.
He was far away, but ii was Jackson.
Curse him! but he has got a guard
lhl hUHtl, hOWitu Oiu Il cue no uC bhoph
his fist toward the turnpike.
No other man ever had a rife drawn
on him at such fair range and escaped
three cool, carefully aimed bullets. His
escape sent thrill of superstition through
each mind, and from chat hour TO this
moment, when the news OF Jackson's
death reached us, "Old Pete" never
spoke word. Soon a soldier, hurrying
along, shouted: Were all right.
Stonewall Jackson has been killed up the
road there!"
"Old Pete "leape1 up, whirled around
to face the bearer Of the news, and saw
agely shouted back:
you lie you lie you lie Stonewsll
Jackson can't be hurt by shell or killed
by bullet!"
BuT IT WAS SO.
Lying in the arms Of those who loved
him, so 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 wbite-faced dead looked up TO the
torn and shattered forest trees, while the
wounded crawled here and there In their
awful agony, while the living looked in
each others anxious faces and wondered
il another night would find any of us
there, the legions of Jackson were
strangely si'ent. Now and then came
the sudden boom of some great gun,
sounding like a deep groan OF despair
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 he whispered, Let us cross
over the river and rest under the shade
of the trees. "-Dst,on Free Press.