Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-04-27

fronting the main position OF Inc enemy,
with its back toward its anxiously ex-
pected friends. The position was in
dependent but not defiant: not inviting
but not avoiding an engagement. Ha'-
ing been reinforced during the night
General Pope's policy was to attack at
once. The morning passed away, but
in the afternoon the assault was made
handsomely and iu great force, 1t fail
ed again. Three or four times the solid
columns of blue, gallantly led, came
charging against our lines with stagger-
ing violence and were thrown heavily
back. Each attack was weaker and
each repulse more difficult-the Federals
dispirited, the Contederates worn out.
The situation grew more critical, and,
next to Longstreei, the most desirable
thing was night. For the first time ia
my life | understood what was meant
by "Joshua's sun standing still upon
Gibeon." No one knows how loEg
sixty seconds are, nor what length OF
time can be crowded into ali hour, nor
what is meant. by 'leaden wings unless
he has been under the fire of battle and
compelled to stay there and hold on
with his teeth-so 10 speak-hour after
hour and minute after minute, waiting,
hoping, and praying for reintorcemen,s
which will not come. On that day the
sun would not go down; il stood still
high over the field of Manassas, blazing
aud motionless.
HILLS PERILoUs POSITION.
During the afternoon had occasion
to visit the line occupied by Gen. a. l..
Hill. The last two attacks had been
directed particularly against him, and the
last one had been barely repulsed. One
of his brigades was out OF ammunition,
and details from each regiment were out
on the field collecting cartridges from
the boxes OF the dead aud wounded
friend and foe His situation was a
desperate one, for his command was not
even afforded the protection OF the rail
way embankrnent. He requested me to
90 to General Jackson aud explain the
situation of his forces-worked down
aud out of ammunition-and 10 say that
if another attack was made he would do
the best he could, but could not hope
for q favorable result. These were
mighty words when spoken by man az
bold and tough as Jackson himself. l
found the general and delivered the
message. Hs was pale, serious aud
calm; appreciating the responsibility las
had taken and the peril of his situation.
His eyes were cast longiugly to the
rear; they seemed to look into the dis
tance, as if they would, like lodestones,
draw .Longstreet forward. All about
him seemed TO know the burden OF bis
thoughts and wishes, but he gave no
Inference to them. The message from
General Hill seemed to deepen the
shadow on the generals face, but he an.
swered promptly and sternly, "Tell him
if they attack him again, he can and
must beat them" As / started of he
followed. We soon met General Hill
coming to see General Jackson, aud he
repeated what he had said 10 me. They
both glanced at the sun-it was slowly
moving downward. Jackson then said
calmly: General, your men have done
nobly, / hope you will not be attacked
again; but if you are you will beat the
enemy back" As he spoke sharp fire
of skirmishers broke along Hills front,
"Here it comes," he said, and, as he
dashed away, Jackson called after him'
"Ill expect their repulse." The attack
was rapid and fierce, but coon over. "
few minutes we heard our well know q
veil. aud knew the work was done.
And then came staff officer, saying
the attack had been repulsed. ".Tell
him knew he would do it, said Jack
son, gently, with smile. This was the
spot where year ago before he had
won the name of "Stonewall;" on this
day the title was confirmed.
THE FIGHT or THE 30rH OF August.
Just as the last attack was made on
Hills Division Lopgstreets advance
(the headstrong Hood ia froni) march
ed with rapid aud steady stride upon
the field, and were quickly thrown iDtC
line on Jackson's extreme right Hood
always hot for battle, pushed forward
his skirmisbers and prepared to turr
loose his Texans upon the enemy. To;
line became engaged, but not severely
| believe General Lee at first intended
to assume the offensive from Long
streets front, but doubtless, at the sug
gestion Of the latter, as he says, the
commanding general abandoned the in
teDtion, and only ordered forced re-
connoissance. With this reconnaissance
the days fighting ended, and the sur
had gone down at last.
Saturday morning, August 80, wa,
clear and warm. The stiffness was a,
the repose of the thousand dead and
the resigned silence Of the thousand
doomed. The morning passed and moor
also, with nothing to disturb the peace
except an occasional picket shot and
the constant marching aud counter
marching Of the Federal infantry. Gen.
| Lee remained on the defensive, bat i'm.
, patiently, for he believed 10 offensive
strategy and bold tactics. Jackson
himself was not more aggressive thsr
Gen Lee. To-day General Jackson did
not believe the battle would be renew
ed, for be did not think General Pope
would hazard q general attack. Between
/ and 2 clock be was sitting on the
ground with bis back against a straw
stack, writing a note to General Lee, in
words like these: notwithstanding the