Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-12-31
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.


a CONFEDERATE GENERALS SINGULAR
EXPERIENCE.
A singular experience of the war was
that of Brigadier General Robert D. Lilley,
of the Confederate forces at the battle of
Rutherferd's farm, near Winchester, Vir-
ginia. General Lilley is now living in
this city, acting as financial agent for the
centennial organization for the endow-
ment of the Washington and Lee univer-
sity of Virginia. A few evenings ago,
at the earnest solicitation of friends he
related his story of strange adventures
on the battlefield.
ssOn the 10Th of July, 1864, he said,
..just after General Early had returned
from Washington city, portion of his
command was formed across the main
road leading from Berryville to Sniggers
gap in the Blue Ridge to meet demon
stration of. the Federal ferces from that
direction There was much lively sxir-
mishing, and we expected to be en-
gagged before night. After we had biv-
ouacked to the north of Berryville an
order came for us to. move toward Win
chester, when the troops had finished
their supper. We marched all night
md it was after sunrise when we biv-
ouacked along the railway track east of
Winchester In the early afternoon
General Ramseur's division was ordered
to move promptly down the road leading
to Martinsburg, Johnson's brigade first,
Lewis second, and Pegram's (under my
command), third in column. About
three miles below the town, the head of
the column came upon the Federal forces
under command of General Averill, al
ready in line of battle, with twelve
pieces Of artillery massed in the center
and supported by infantry, with cavalry
on the TANKS waiting for us.
"When our battery opened fire and
while the troops were forming, the con-
centrated fire Of Averill's twelve pieces
poured upon the battery and disabled it
entirely. The Federal line then advanced
and struck our front before the left wing
Of Lewis's brigade got in line. In the
confusion which followed, Lewis's bri-
gade was swept back past mine in great
disorder. urged Lewis to halt his
brigade on mine, but be said he could do
nothing with his men then. I saw at
glance that the only chance was to hold
my brigade in position and check the
enemy until Lewis and johnson could
form in the Notifications near Winchester.
In the meantime, shell grazed my lett
thigh with the same effect as if my body
had been hit a terrific blow with club,
and it panied me so severely that could
scarcely sit on my horse and Icould not
move my leg. ] spoke to Colonel Board,
the senior present. and instructed him
that in case I had to leave the battlefield,
to take command without further orders.
The Federal troops pressed forward.
evidently thinking that they were carry
ing everything before them. When
within eighty yards, my brigade rose and
fred rapidly and effectively, checking
their centre. Their line was SO long;
however, that their wings moved forward
until they resembled an arc Of circle.
I had ridden to the left of my line. and
while returning, my right arm was shat
tered near the shoulder by mimic ball.
With the tive wounds received I ought
to have ridden from the field; but it was
my first experiment with wounds and I
dismounted, expecting to walk out with
the troops. Just as I had done so and
while my horse was galloping to the rear,
mimic ball went through my already
injured thigh, severing tendon and
completely disabling me. ] looked
around at Colonel Board, who was stand
ing a few yards away, to place him in
command, when he was shot dead before
my eyes.
It was a very hot afternoon. Weak
with the loss of blood, and feeling q
deathly faintness coming on, lay down
In the shade Of tree exposed to the
cnemy's fire. The balls struck the rocks
and trees, singing and ringing around so
that 1 could not cling closely enough to