National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-07-12

the nulh OF inc cOnIeuerAte IOrces WAS
thrown forward to Centreville whilo Long
streets brigade was advanced to Fairfax
Court House. This brigade was composed
of the LIST, 18th, 18th, and 18th Virginia
regiments, and at that time numbered
nearly 1000 men present for duty. As
every one knows, there has been good deal
of palaver and discussion as to the causes
which led to the failure Of the confederate
chieftains to advance immediately after
the battle, and good reas ons have been
given therefor.
1t is q mystery still why Con. Johnston
Kept his army inactive during the sum-
mer and autumn of 1861, when II was in
was afterward, and when he knew that
Gen. Mcclellan was engaged in the task
Of the reorganization Of his army, making
It every day more efficient, unless it had
been determined TO WACO defensive war
purely, no matter what might be the
good chances offered in an offensive
movement. At any rate, during the
period mentioned, all the blood shed by
the opposing armies might, to speak met
sphorically, have been put in pint
measure, except that spilled in an occa-
sional ''spat' between outposts.
1t was while stationed at Fairfax Court
House that Longstreet's troops first ex-
perienced in the rough that most harass-
Ing of all duties to the infantry soldier
picket duty In the immediate presence of
the enemy-having, as IL does, all the
more disagreeable features of skirmish-
ing without the excitement of actual
fighting, The pickets of this brigade
extended in Gordon from Annandale
away round to and beyond Munson's hill.
and at the latter point they were within
speaking distance of tho pickets Of the
opposing army. 1t was the fortune of the
regiment to which the writer belonged
9th virginia) to have charge of the
picket line in front of Munsons's hill.
At first two companies were sent down
to Falls Church, to remain on duty three
days, the reserve being stationed in the
village and the outposts thrown out down
the turnpike toward Washington. This
was before the regular Gordon of pickets
was established. But this state of things
did not long continue. There was an
apple and peach orchard at the base of
Munson's hill, the fruit of which at this
time was ripe enough for soldiers to eat
nobody else save school boys perhaps
would have touched it), which became, SO
to speak, bone of contention for the
opposing pickets, as it was between the
line. The consequence was that it became
a regular battle ground, and good many
on both sides in the struggle for possession
got pains In the stomach otherwise than
those caused by eating green apples.
This continued fusillade was of no good
% either army. What stimulated angry
feelings still further was the fact that q
South Carolinian named Farley, an indie
pendent scout, who afterward was cap
tain on Gen. J. L. B. Stuarts staff, with two
or three companions of that ilk, was in
the habit of crawling up to the federal
pickets by day and night, and either
shooting them down or capturing them,
preferably the former. In fact, this
picket dnty near Falls Church became
sort of legalized assassination on either
side, for 1t could be of no earthly use, as
above stated, to the objects of either of
the commanding generals.
Longstreet determined to put q stop to
It, and accordingly he marched from
Fairfa Court House one afternoon with
two regiments and q battery of tho Wash
ington artillery, took position in front of
Munson's hill, and after shelling the
pickets out Of the orchard, advanced his
infantry and took possession of the hill.
He then proceeded to establish regular
line Of pickets to the left, beyond Febry's
farm and to the right, in front Of and
beyond Mason's hill, which was occupied
by the federals. Orders were then issued
that the petty warfare which had been
going on should cease and that his men
should not fire upon the enemy's pickets
unless first assaulted.
Things quieted down after that, but the
Ia 1af o.. L.,
hat green apple orchard which was
lmost as destructive as If they had dosed
each individual apple with strychnine.
From Munson's hill the white dome of
the capitol lowered up grandly above the
forests. although the city itself was hidden
by the intervening hills. The tents of
the federal camps dotted tho open spaces
in front of us, and when grand reviews
took place the movements of the regi-
ments and the glitter of their bayonets
were plainly visible. We "rebs" en-
joyed the imposing spectacle great deal
more perhaps than our enemies, who
were thus being prepared to thrash us in
maneuvers under hot sun and over
rough ground.
Weeks passed uneventfully, although
the night picket duty was harassing. Our
commander, to accustom the men to
alertness of vigil led US to believe that
an advance of the enemy was expected
momentarily, and to stand or lie down in
q swamp for six hours on stretch far
away from the reserve, not able to see
the man posted on the right or left at fif-
teen yards distance, starting with nerves
oil on tension at the cracking of stick
under the feet of d prowling night amin al,
the rustling of leaves, or the sudden hoot-
inn <Nf pxxI- oil 10 NJ
experience to green troops. We got used
to 1t afterward.
The calm above spoken OF was one day
disturbed. however, by an unaccustomed
stir within the federal line in the
direction Of Mason's hill. 1t was ex-
pected that some movement was on foot
to drive back our picket line, for the day
before information had been received that
demonstrations were also being made
near townsville. A courier was sent to
Longstreet ct Fairfax Courthouse for
re-enforcements, and in the meantime
our force at Falls Church was kept under
arms. The re.enforcements arrived.
The next day an ambitious young staff
officer (his name is forgotten by the
writer) got permission to select fifty vol
unteers to make a stealthy dash at the
hill to ascertain, If possible, what was
going on over there. The dash was
made, and the dashers succeeded in driy-
ing in the pickets and reaching almost
the top of tho hill, whore they ascer-
tanned that it was being fortified with
breastworks, and was held in force.
Here they got into "a regular hornets
nest. 1t is forgotten now how many of
this bold fifty got back to their lines in
safety, but the number was considerably
less than that which started out on the
hazardous enterprise.
About this time captive balloon was
daily sent up in the direction from us of
the Chain bridge. 1t was a source of much
interest to all, many of us never having
seen q balloon before. 1t appeared to be
between two or three miles OFF and a half
mile high With field glass the aeronaut
and his companion was plainly visible,