The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-02-12

since IL O'CLOCK having been led by zen.
Johnston in person to this position, where
They were Joined a little later by the 10th
Virginia, Colonel Strange, Of Cookies bri-
gade. The outbreak of these new troops,
where least expected, caused the Federals to
fall back in disgust and dismay, which gra-
dually extended TO their whole line.
I THE CENTRE.
Meantime, General Beauregard' showed a
stroke of genius by ordering a general ad-
vance of all troops within striking distance
of the foe; directing in person the effort to
thrus the enemy off from the Henry pla
teau. Beginning with Stonewall Jackson's
brigade, having at its right and left the re-
mainder Of Bees, of Bartow's, of Fishers,
and of Hampton's commands, with the 9Th
Virginia on the right, and the 49th and 10th
Virginia on the left, the line was urged on
ward by Beauregard himself. Most Of these
troops had suffered severely in the fighting
early in the day, and were without much or
ganization; but the individual spirit of the
men made them rush forward like a swarm
of school-boys, sweeping everything before
them. General Barnard +. Bee started to
lead the 4th Alabama, but became separated
from the bulk of the regiment, and was rid
ing forward with q single COMPANY when
| shot through the body, falling within a few
PAGES of the spot where he had previously
exclaimed to his broken troops Let as
resolrc to die right here, and zoe shall con-
quer." He lived long enough to learn of
| the utter rout and flight of the foe. Within
a stones throw Of the same spot fell the
Eth and sth Georgia. 7'7Aey hare killed me,
men but don't gre up the feHP' were his
dying words, almost identical with the
memorable utterance of Captain Lawrence,
Of the trigate Chesapeake, in 1914. Colonel
f. j. Thomas, of General Johnston's staff,
was also slain in this final charge.
But the patriotic blood of Fisher, Gar
dener, Jones, Bee, Barlow, Thomas, and
scores of no less gallant spirits in the ranks,
sprinkling the Henry plateau from end to
end, fell not in vain. The dense blue lines
which had rolled forward SO exultantly in the
morning were. rolled back, off the ridge,
Kershaw's and Cash. South Carolinians had
been joined by Wither's 18th Virginia and
Preston's 2Sth Virginia, of Cookies brigade !;
thus forming a complete line from right to
left everywhere pushing forward, captur-
ing guns and prisoners. Early, on the ex-
treme left, had gotten around where his
batteries could shell the road leading to Sud
| ley's Ford while Kemper's and other bat
teries in the centre were Smelling the road to
| Stone Bridge. This fire, falling among the
| s~tragglers and wounded, with which the
woods were filled, set them in flight, which
being witnessed by others spread the alarm.
In moments of great agitation terror becomes
sympathetic. The bravest of men may fly
from unseen danger, merely because their
| comrades do. 1t is said of the actor Gar
rick, that his simulated terror, as he stood
on the gloomy rampant watching the ghost,
was SO vivid that women tainted among the
audience and strong men grew nervous
thereat. In the same manner the sight of
soldiers scattering in all directions at break
neck speed, disseminates a panicky feeling
amid well-Organized troops.
1t is said the first symptoms of panic among
the Federals began in the centre about :
p. M, shortly after Ricketts, battery had beer
silenced. 1t will be remembered the New
York Fire Zouaves were on the Sudley road
guarding the flank. Capt. Welby Carter "a
young Virginian of good family, whom
knew with his own and Hoge's company O
cavalry, ambitious]y attempted to charge
down the road and slaughter the Rec
Breeches,' as the Zouaves were called. Ill
rode through their ranks and back again
cutting and slashing to right and left, bu,
was badly worsted, losing ~ men killed ant
many more wounded. 1t was a reckless
freak, yet in the end served an importan
purpose, as it gave rise to innumerable ru
morrs of the daredevil Black Horse Caval.
ryn who were expected to break out in .
new place at any moment, and resume then
savage pastime of whacking off heads
When the rout began the cry of "Blacl
Horse Cavalry coming was enough II
quicken the stampede into new life.
81 VICTORY
Doubled in on the right, pressed on th'
centre, and bombarded on the left, the Fede
raj masses rolled back along the only two
avenues of retreat, via the Sudley Ford an
the Stone Bridge and as the contagion o
r alarm spread among the troops, all coherenc.
of organization was lost in universal flight
t Companies, regiments and brigades melte,
> into a disordered mob, all facing rearward
, and bent upon being the first to reach safet.
across Bull Run. Many brave officers at
' tempted to check the rout, but were 1uickl
oarrind ,uarh v tho rushing tide. Nun.