The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-15

their guns, and q shot from the window
might not attract particular attention. Rest
ing the heavy gun across the windoW-slll,
and having as steady rest as hunter ever
asked for, "Old Pete I" was ready to keep
his word.
IT SEEMED LIKE C0LD-BI.OoDED ASSASSINATION.
] could almost count the buttons OH Jack.
sons coat, and there seemed no escape Tor
him. was watching him when the rifle
cracked. He had a iield-glass to his eye,
and the only movement we could see was
quick motion Of the head, as il the bullet
had cut close to his ear. The glass was not
even lowered. "Old Pete" swore terri.
BILE long string OF oaths as he realized bis
failure, but in minute was ready again.
81 hope to never draw another breath i
don't kill him stone-deadi" he muttered
as he knelt down. Jackson did not face US
as before, yet was good mark, even for
musket. We watched him as before, and
this time the bullet must have swept past
his face, as he lodged bis head backwards.
The glass was down then, but ne raised il
in an instant and went on with his survey:
"Have T got to be fool! or have
grown blindI" howled "Old Pete" as he
looked down upon his unharmed victim
"I'Il kill him this time or shoot myself in
this chamber" <-.' <..,yl ~ IS.
Itwas dangerous to remain there longer,
as the cavalry had crept nearer, ana jack
sons aids seemed to have got the idea that
a sharpshooter was posted near by. Yet
"Old Pete" would have had third shot il
the Coniederates had been in the house.
THE TARGET WAS AS FAIR AS BEFORE.
He took a more careful aim, and yet when
he fred we saw splinters fly from rail way
over beyond the General. The cavalry
were then close upon ,ls, and our two mus.
kets were lost in the hurried flight from the
house. Half an hour after that Jackson
was driving our brigades and divisions as
he willed.
"Pll measure off the same distance, off
hand, and bet my life that | can hit a sol.
dier's cap nine times out Of tcn!" growled
"Old Pete,'' as he hurried forward, and,
suddenly overcome by indignation and
chagrin, he battered his cherished gun
against tree and destroyed it. AS il seek
ing personal revenge, Jackson's legions
passed right by us. The nearest brigade OF
SigePs corps was picked up and dashed to
pieces as strong man would lift and hurl
a child. Running along with the amazed
and frightened man, but bearing off towards
our own division, we picked up other mus
kets to replace our lost ones. Reaching O
knoll from which we had another view oil
the turnpike, we halted for last look over
the heads OF the frightened. fleeing SOL
diers-oyer the ground streWn with arms
and accoutrements-oyer the blue smoke
Just beginning to rise. ~.-. '.-..
WE SAW JACKSON AGAIN.
He was far away, but it was Jackson.
Course him but he has got a guardian
angel,'' howled cold Pete" as he shook
his fist toward the turnpike. .... ...,
No other man ever yet had 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 news reached us ."Old Pete y
never spoke word. 1t was puzzle that
be could not solve. AS we lay in line, every
eye peering through the darkness to catch
sight OF the gray line coming on again, an
aid came hurrying along and shouted out
,"We're all right, boys. StoDewall Jack
son has been killed up theroad there!" H.
cold Pete". leaped up, whlrled around
to face the bearer OF the news, and savagely
shouted back: = ...,.: =
''You lie! you He! you lie! Stonewall
OuChSOH GILL Uc uult pS 5ACIi Va hi'iSN W
bulletsi" .~.A"'.;~ =: ,..'5ii - ~ ~
- .,..,. ~ BUT IT: WAS so. -.~.t :.
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
white-faced dead looked up to the torn and
shattered forest-trees-whilc the wounded
crawled here and there in their awful
agony-while the living looked into each
others anxious faces and wondered IL
another night would find any of us
there, the legions OF Jackson were strange
" silent. Now and then came the sudden
boom OF some great gun, sounding like a
deep groan of despair, but there was moth
ing more to break the silence. While men
rested in line of battle, having the awful
horrors OF war on every siGe, there was
one<Hho gave up his life as he whispered !:
" Let us cross over the river and rest under
the shade Of the trees"