Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-12-01


from Bull Run to Appomattox, as We cx-
perienccd that moment. Bullets cr pieces
Cf shell seemed 10 be striking everything
above ground, near where we stood in
line, and one 10y one our men fell dead or
wounded. \ small board fence in our
front disappeared in splinterS in less ;han
half IN hour. \ splinter frou this fence
struck me across the bridge of the nos;
and eyelids, and made the blood lly for 4
second or two. twas only n scratch, but
| thought at the time that half my head
was gone, and concluded 10 lie down aud
calmly await the approach of death. just
then niece of a she'll took or my right
coat tail. This fastened the movement
into horizontal position on the ground,
from which, did not stir, uutil darkness
put stop 10 the slaughter, cNccrt TO
crawl up few feet closer 10 thc hub OF
an old waSon-w heel, that had been stuck
in the ground probably tor wears. The
rains OF many seasons had washed the
earth down hill against the hub, and IL
afforded an excellent protection for my
wounded ~ head. Once, and only once,
die venture 10 look ont from this haven
of rest, and then 4 Southern gentleman
behind that memorable stone wall took
the cap oil my head with bullet from his
ride. God only knowS where that cap
went, for never looked for 1t again.
After this bullet lodged ii my hnap'
sack, which was exposed above the wheel
hub. The old Spolcs of the wheel were
all knocked out. Ia fact, the members OF
the opposition behind the wall shot oil
their guns ut everything within range
until they got tired, and the line ot
blue coats was so still that there seemed
to be no life ia il. Some few were crowd
cd behind brick house short distance
of. These were the only men who ap-
pcarcd to be alive, and towards the last
all their energies were apparently devoted
to keeping under cover OF thc house.
Just ut this time new danger APP
pearcd in our rear. a green regiment,
over whose backs we marched into tie
fight that morning, opened fire ON the
enemy, as they thought, but their range
was too low, and the bullets from their
guns were striking along our position
and finishing the work OF destruction.
Ny place of shelter and that behind the
house was open and exposed To this fusi-
ladc. One of the first bullets fred 10y this
regiment caught in the hollow ot my
right shoe aud tore oil the heel. This WAS
the only damage done me by these blum
dcring volleys, but many OF our men were
killed by the shots from behind. The
knowledge that fellow Is between two
fires is not pleasant, and for nearly three
lone miserable hours we waited for night
To relieve us from our awkward position.
! Ii was by this fire from our rear that our
/ gallant adjutant was damaged In the way
| | have mentioned.
"WhCn darkness came on the few wlo
had strength enough to move crawlcd
| down TO the city. a tall old veteran, who
! had followed General Scott through Mex
| leo and who was then member of my
company, was the only man in my immc
! diatc ncighborhOOd whom could rccog-
nizc rs belonging to the regiment of 2lS
men who faced the heights that morning.
We brought out the cOlors, and by rolling
and creeping succeeded in reaching shelter
under the brick walls Of the town. Nearly
/ two ald half years after, when Lees
! army stacked arms for tlr last time 1
asked him what was the hottest place he
WAS ever in, and he replied, without n
momont's hesitation, Fredericksburg
! That night while old Mike aud | were
preparing 10 have some supper, near the
corner Of Princess Auma and Caroline
streets, put my right hand in my havcr-
sack to get some crackers, AMI upon cx-
amining the handful brought out wc
found the bullet, which had caused the
f?s, tug at my side that morning. This
discovery led Mike TO remark: Better
have il in your hand than where you are
putting that hard tack and coffee
That is the story Of one days life in
the Army of the Potomac" added tho
veteran. "Tlic experience Is not cXclu-
siycly mine. Huudrc,ls can tell similar
story; and for that reason you arc not 10
Use my name. All you want is some more
light OH the events Of day that will never
be- cfIaccd from my memory IL I live 10
the age Of Mcthusclah. - WdsLiagioH
star.