The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-01
The Hero and Gentlemen.

est in our Southern hero, as evinced by
frequent illusions to him, write to mar
rate an incident that shows peculiar
tiait in the man.
1t was the fall of the first year of the
war, during the long calm following the
fight of Manassas, and our army was en-
camped around Centreyille. Jackson
was brigadier at that time and l was in
the S cond Virginia, of his brigade. AT
that time the army was very destitute of
clothing. Nearly every one was depend
ent largely on their homes fer supply.
AS my own home was in Kentucky was
cut off from this resource and conse-
quently was probably the most ragged
man in the army.
1t had been raining for several days
aud when it rains in Virginia it means
mud. The whole country was a sea OF
mud, with baggage wagons ioundering
about, and troops perched on little
islands of fence rails or wading about III
vain attempt to find dry place.
was detailed on guard, and as luck
would have it the rain eliminated tnat
night in a violent gale that was about the
worst ever experienced. The tent pins
drew out of the soft ground at the first
blast, and in the rain and darkness the
s"ldiers could be heard crying out as they
held on to the Tapping canvas to avoid
losing 1t altogether, or vainly tried to Sc
cure their tents over their baggage.
From time to time fly went sailing by
like ghost in the night and added COZ
fusion on confusion as it tore through the
camp.
The guard had a terrible time going
their rounds, and it is fair to say that
each individual member stumbled and
fell into the mud at least half dozen
times. You will gather from this that
We were not handsome lot of men when
day broke and showed every tent fiat on
the ground. However, day light brought
sunshine and fair sky aud we consoled
ourselves with the fact that the whole
army had Jared that night nearly as bad
as the guard.
The guard house had been moved into
the church. AS went in from post some
of the men told me that the patrol had
brought in spy captured during the
night. He was young man in lieu
tenants uniform, and felt sorry for him
and spoke to him. He told me then it
was a mistake. lie belonged to the En-
gineer C,rps, and E,rly had sent him for
some maps. Riding along in the dark
his horse took the bank of the road. 1t
then slipped and fell; catching the lieu
tenant and causing him to faint. Shortly
after the patrol found him and arrested
him.
As the man was suffering | offered to
aid him if could be Of service, where.
upon he told me that if would take a
note to Gen. Smith he would be released
at once. Getting permission from Charley
| Stewart, who was lieutenant Of the guard,
| set off, but failed utterly in finding
where Gen. Smith had located his head
quarters.
There was nothing for it but to 60 to
Jackson's headquarters and find out. The
Generals tent mad shared the common
fate, aud he had moved with his staff into
house with long piazza 'troating the
road, and there found them enjoying
the bright morning sun.
Stepping inside the gate made the
general inquiry if any of them would tell
me where General Smiths quarters were.
The officers arrested their promenade
for an instant and gaze1 in surprise at
the presumption of such muddy and
ragged soldier and then went ON without
deigning me a single word in reply.
felt the blood mount to my face, but
determined to shame them into au an
swer and SO repeated my question.
The result was precisely the same. l
began to run rapid calculation in my
mind as to how much gold lace was re-
quired to change man into a puppy,
when | noticed that Gen. Jackson had
paused aud was contemplating the scene.
For IN 'ment his eye rested ON me and
then turned in astonishment on his staff
His staff did not observe it-they went
on talking aud strutting about, while l
waited patiently by the gate. Evidently
| was to get no answer whstever.
Suddenly the General stepped abruptly
forward. As he did go . sudden hush
tell on the group.
"Wliat did you wish to know, sirf" he
asked, in the kindest Of tones.
told him.
"lf you will come up here I can show
you more distinctly"
went up and he put his hand on my
shoulder and pointed t. II large flagstaff:
"You see that h.g-staiff very we'll;
that is where the First Virginia is. Gu
along by such and such road-psss such
and such brigades-be very careful not to
go wrong at this CROSSING" etc.
He went on with care in this manner
and made me repeat the direction over,
which l did with great confusion, for l
was young then, and the general Was very
kind SO as not to overwhelm me. never
thought our hero would ever even speak