The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-10-14

as the cavalry had crept nearer, and Jack
sons aides seemed to have got the idea
that sharp shooter was poeted near by.
Yet I" Old Pete' would have had a third
shot if the Confederatee had been in the
house.
THE TARGET WAS AS FAIR AS BEFORE.
He took a more careful aim, and yet
when he fred he saw splinters fly from u
railway over beyond the General. The
cavalry were then close upon us, and our
two muskets were lost ia the hurried flight
from the house. Half 40 hour after that,
jackson was driving our brigades and d.
visfons as he wiiied.
"Ill measure eff the same distance,
shoot of hand, and bet my life that can
hit soldiers cap nine times out OF ten y
growled "Old Pete" as he hurried forw ard,
and suddenly overcome by indignation aud
chagrin he battered his cherished gun
aga nst tree and destroyed it.
as if seeking personal revenge, Jack
sons legioDs passed right by us TIE
nearest brigade of Sigel's corps WAS picked
up and dashed to pieces as strong man
would lift and trurff a child. Running along
with the amazed and frigh.ene men
but bearing off towards our own division,
we picked up other muskets to replace our
lost ones. Reaching knoll from which we
had another view of the turnpike, We halt
ed for @ last look over the heads of the
frightened, fleeing soldiers-over the
ground stTewn with arms and accoutre-
m ents-over the blue smoke just beginning
to rise
WE SAW JACKSON AGAIN.
He was far away, but it was Jackson.
!" Curse him but be has got a guardian
angel" howled Old Pete as he shook his
fist toward the turnpike.
No other mau ever had rifle drawn 90
him at such fair range and escape three
cool, carefully aimed bullets. His escape
sent thrill of superstition through each
mind, aud from that hour to this moment,
when the news of Jackson's death reached
us, "Old Pete" never spike a word. 1t was
puzzle. that he could not solve. AS We
lay in line, every musket barrel still het
and every eye peering through the dark
ness to catch sight of the gray line coming
on again, an aide came hurrying along
and shouted out:
We're all right, boys; Stonewall jack
son has been killed up the road there"
"Old Pete" leaped up, whirled around
to face the bearer OF the news, and saw
agely shouted back:
"You lie! you lie you lie Stonewall
jackson can't be hurt by she'll or killed by
bullet"
BUT 1T WAS SO.
Lying 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 up to the torn
and shattered orest-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 were strangely
silent. Now and then came the sudden
boom of como great gun, sounding like q
deep groan of despair, but there was
nothing more to break the silence. While
men rested in line of battle, having the
awful horror of war on every side, there
was one who gave up his life as he whis-
pered, "Let US cross over the river and
rest under the shade of the tress.