The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-02-21


ANS brigade, confronting Hurlburts
left, which was behind the crest of Il
HILL with depression filled with
chaparral in its front The confeder-
ates held the parallel ridge in easy
musket-range and as heavy a fire as
! ever saw during the war;, says Gov
ernor Harris, was kept up on both I
sides for an hour or more, 1t was
necessary to cross the valley raked by
this deadly ambuscade and assaiI the
opposite ridge i'll order to drive the
enemy from his stronghold. When
General Johnston came up and saw
the situation, he said to his staff
They are offering stubborn sesisCcnce
here. ! shall have TO put the bayo-
net to them. 1t was the crisis OF the
conflict. The federal key was in
front. If his assault were successful,
their left would be completely turned,
and the victory won. He determined
to charge. He sent Governor Hauis,
OF his staff, to lead Tennessee rcgI-
ment; and, after brief conference
with Breckenridge. whom he loved
and admired, that officer, followed BY
his staff, appealed to the soldiers. As
he encouraged them with his fine
voice and manly bearing, General
Johnston rode out in front and slowly
down the line. His hat was oil. His
sword rested in its scabbard. in his
right hand he held little tin cup,
the memorial Of an incident that had
oct urred earlier in the day. Passing
through. a captured camp he had tax
en- this toy, saying, let this be my
share OF the spoi's to-day 1t was
this plaything which, holding it be-
tween two fingers, he employed more
effectively in his natural and simple
sesticulation than most men coulQ
have used a sword. His presence was
full OF inspiration. He sat on his
thoroughbred bay, Fire-eater, win
easy command. His voice Was per
suasive, encouraging and compelling,
His words were few he said: Men.
they are stubborn we must use the
bayonet. When he reached the cen
tre OF the lines he turned, i will lead
you! he cried, and moved toward the
enemy. The line was already thrill
ing and trembling with that lTcsista-
bic ardor, which in battle, decides the
day. With a mighty shout tho line
moved forward at a charge. a sheet
OF flame and Il mighty roar burst from
the federal stronghold. The conled-
crate line withered but there was not
an instants pause The crest was
gained. The enemy were put IL
flight,
General Johnston had passeo
through the ordeal seemingly unhurt
His horse was shotin four places; Lis
clothes we're pierced by missiles hlt
boot sole was cut and tron by min
ie but if he himself had received any
severe wound, he did not know it, A
tl,;e ,,,np,ayI HnvarNar ~ ,v,,is r,,l u, A.,
from the right. After few words
General Johnston sent him with al
order to Colonel Stratham, which har
ing delivered, returned, In the mean
time knotsand groups Of federal soldier
kLptup desuItoly fire as they retrca
upon their supports, and theirlaSt linC
now yielding, delivered yolley 'aile
volley as they sullonly retired. b
the chance Of war, minie-ball iron
one OF these did its fatal work As h
sat there, after his wound, Captai
Wickham says that Colonel O'Har'
of his staff, rode up and Gencr;
johnson said to him, we must 20 I
the left, where the firing is heaviest
and then gave him an order, whic
O'Hara rode off to obey, Govern,
Harris returned, and, finding hin
very pale, asked him, General, a
you wounded? He answered. in
very deliberate and emphaW tone
Yes, and, fear, seriously The,
were his last words. Harris an
Wickham led his horse back undC
cover of the hill, and lifted him fror
it, They searched at random for Il
wound, which had cut an artery
his leg, the blood flowing into h
boot. When his brother-in-law, Pre-
ton, lifted his head, and addressed hi
with passionate grief, he smiled lair
ly, but uttered no word, His life IA
idly ebbed away, and in a few m
ments he was dead.
His wound was not necessarily
tai General Johnston's own know
edge OF military surgery was adequa
for its control by an eXtemporiz
tourniquet, had he heen aware or j
gardful OF its nature. Dr. p. W, va
dell, his surgeon, had attended
person during most OF the mornin
but finding a large number of woun
ed men, including many federals,
one point, General Johnston order
Yandell to stop there, and establish
hnsniile. and Give them his serNic