Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-18
a GENERALS DAY OF MISERY
Suffering from Wounds and a Snake
Gen. I.iney's Unhappy Experience in a
Small Battle.

1illey is now living at No. 10 West Twenty
second street, in this city, acting as tinan-
cial agent for the Centennial Organization
for the endowment of the Washington and
Lee University OF Virginia. A few even
ings ago, at the earnest solicitation OF
friends, he related his story Of strange adj
ventures on the battlefield.
"0n July 10, 1864" he said, ',just after
Gen. Early had returned from Washing
ton city. a portion OF his command was
formed across the main road leading from
BerryVille to Singers Gap in the Blue
Ridge to meet a demonstration of the
Federal forces from that direction. There
was much lively skirmishing, and we
expected to be engaged before night.
After we had bivouacked To the north Of
BerTyYille, an order came for us to
move toward Winchester, when the troops
had finished their supper. We march
ed all night, and it was after sunrise
when we bivouacked along the railway
track east Of Winchester. In the early
afternoon, Gen. Ramseur's division was
ordered to move promptly down the road
leading to Martinsburg, Johnson's bril-
Rade first, Lewis second aud Pegram's
lunder my command) third in column.
About three miles below the town, the
head Of the column came upon the Federal
forces under command OF Gen. Averill,
already in line of battle. with twelve
pieces of artillery massed in the centre
and supported by infantry, with cavalry
sn 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 brigade got in line. In the con-
fusion which followed, Lewis brigade
was swept back past mine in great dis
order. urged Lewis TO halt his brigade
on mine, but be said he could do nothing
with his men then. l 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 fOrhfcatiOns near Win
chester. In the meantime, shell
graZed my left thigh with the same effect
as if my body had been hit terrific blow
with club, and it panied me so severely
that ! could scarcely sit on my horse and
could not move my leg. | spoke to Col.
Board, the senior present, and instructed
him that in case l had to leave the battle
held, TO take command without further
orders. The Federal troops pressed for
ward, evidently thinking that they were
carving everything before them.
When within eighty yards, my
brigade rose and fired rapidly
centre. Their line was so long,
however, that their wings moved
forward until them resembled an arc of a
circle. l had ridden to the left Of my line
and while returning, my right arm was
shattered near the shoulder bv mimic
ball. With the two wounds received |
ought to have ridden from the field; but
ii was my first experience with wounds
and dismounted, expecting to walk out
fT0nnE a
and while my horse was galloping to the
rear, mimic ball went through nv al
ready injured thigh, severing tendon
and completely disabling me. l looked
around at Colonel Board, who was stand
ing few yards away, to place him in
command, when he was shot dead before
my eyes.
ut was a very hot afternoon. Weak
with the loss of blood, and feeling
deathly faintness coming on, lay down
IN the shade of a tree, exposed to The enc
my's fire. The balls struck the rocks and
trees. singing and ringing around so that
4 could not cling closely enough to the
ground nor make myself small enough.
i remember wondering at the time
whether there would be a chance for me
TO recover If | should receive any more
wounds, even il they should not prove
fatal at once. l felt as large as a man
looks who weighs 300 pounds. / wanted
10 give orders to have my brigade with
draw, but even from my solitary position
could see it move away in good order
under the cover of smoke caused by rapid
firing on both sides. The Federals FOL
lowed the retreat moving cautiously at
hrst, FOR they had been much shocked and
surprised by the fire from my men. AS
The Federal line passed over me, the Off
GERS urged their men forward, and l was
obliged to hear them say, We have them
started now and must keep them going.'
My arm began TO pain me frightmlly. and
looking up | found that one of the Union
soldiers was trying to get my feldglass
and my shattered arm was through the
strap and resting upon it.
"'Wait,' said, until can lift my arm
through
"'Be quick, them replied the soldier.
"NO doubt he tried to be careful in tax
ing on the glass; but he got it as quickly
as possibls and hurried TO his place in the
ranks, at the same time placing the prize
over his neck.
'sID few moments all was quiet around
me. lay there trying to realize that less
than an hour previously had been riding
at the head Of my brigade, mounted on a
good horse. Now my division had been
driven back. Between it and me were
the enemy. / was riddled with shot and
alone. The heat was oppressive. |
AtVhtN 1AOuAu AVI q NDOAGT spot. Near at
hand was a tree with sprouts growing
out around In a ledge OF rocks bedded
with leaves. Slowly | crawled around
and lay down in hollow OF the rock in
the shade. Here was a slight movement
Of the air, cool and refreshing. | thought
of snakes when got in. but had left nv
belt, sword and pistol where lay first. /
was just enjoying as much as / could the
cool breeze and bed OF leaves when /
pspied Federal straggler coming
through the woods. He saw my weapons.
stopped, then discovered me.
"Where are GU wOundedg' he asked .
81 told him as well as ! could
Have you any greenbaoksY he de-
manded.
"'None.'
al will see.'
"He kneeled down and began TO search
my pockets. / have since thought per
maps u was well that my weapons were
out OF reach. Weak as l was from the
loss or blood my Indignation made me for
get pain. He took my pocketbook. watch.
some letters, knife, which had been pre-
sented TO me in 1859, plain gold ring
which had worn tor many years, and
my nice new SLOUGH bat, leaving his old
battered hat behind as he departed.
A Few moments later another Federal
SOLDIER came up. He WAS an Irishman.
he did not want 10 rob me. lie inquired
nj about my injuries, and finding that /