National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-20

he believed TO be demoralized by late I
hardships, he ordered him to go and not
return until he brought the enemy Mt his
heels. Not long after this, however,
there was sudden commotion among the
staff, hurried saddling and mounting
and the cavalcade dashed off toward the
bridge. They had not got half way to
the bridge before hero came the small
confederate battalion Of cavalry at full
tilt in flight up the main street of the
town with the federal cavalry in close
pursuit at their heels.
And here it may be said that jackson
was not with his staff in thoir hurried
flight. He was seen by Darlington, who
was busy getting his guns into position,
leave his headquarters on foot and delib-
erately to walk across the fields in the di-
rection Of the enemy and of the bridge,
and for the time being he was lost sight
Of by everyone on tho south sido Of the
river
Gen. Carroll, having gobbled up the
staff temporarily and driven off tho con-
federate cavalry. planted his guns to rake
the bridge. with his cavalry in support.
At this iuncturo, when Capt Darlington
had unlimbered two of his guns on the
hill above Kemper's house, Maj. Dabney,
of Jackson's staff. rode up in great excite
ment and stated that no was afraid that
jackson and all the rest of tho staff had
been captured, as they had ridden right
into the midst Of the enemy before being
aware of IL. Darlington requested tho
major to permit him to open upon the
onemy's guns and cavalry at the mouth
of the bridge, but Dabney ut first refused,
stating that he was afraid that Jackson
and staff were captives among the cavalry
hpt that,, n ~ n NM ula ND th
bridge. Finally Darlington was directed
to open fire, which he did with canister,
to which the enemy Immediately trained
their guns in reply. After several rounds
had been fred Capt. Pogue's Rockbridge
battery came galloping down to the north
end of the bridge. and q few discharges
caused the federal gunners to abandon
their guns and their cavalry to give back.
Just ut this point tho Sd Virginia regi-
ment of infantry (if am not mistaken),
headed by Jackson himself on foot, swept
over the bridge from the north side in a
swift charge, captured the federal guns,
fell upon the federal dismounted cavalry,
dispersed them, and recaptured tho staff of
jackson, which escaped in the confusion.
Now the query is where was jackson
from the time Of the first alarm up to the
time of the seizure of the bridge by the
enemy. l believe II is q mystery to the
public, If not to his own staff officers, to
this day. 1t can only be conjectured that
in tho melee he walked undetected
straight through the enemy's cavalry,
and crossed the bridge within the few
minutes that elapsed before they seized
upon tho bridge and planted their guns
to rake 1t. But at any rate the wonder
full GOODNESS and presence of mind of the
man were never moro grandly exhibited
than on this trying occasion.
What tremendous disaster IL would
have been to the cause Of the confederacy
had Jackson been captured and held OIL
that eventful June 8. 1t may briefly b
told that after pursuing Gen. Carroll fol
some distance Jackson recrossed tn,
bridge. and on the same day fell upon Ere
mont and Milroy at Cross Reyes and bea
them back. The same night he crosset
the bridge to the south side again ant
burnt it behind him The next morn
ing he went for Shields, who had in tn,
mean time come up, and almost smashed
him into smithereens, while Fremont ant
Milroy watched the fight from the op
posite side of the river, unable to ge
across to the assistance of their brothe,
general; and that fight ended the cam.
paign in the valley and killed the ana
conda, for within week, after some man
euverjng which caused Fremont to fal
back upon Strasburg, Jackson was oil
his way to hit McClellan's right flank anS
rear in the Seven Days battle.
MURRAY.