Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-12
BR1sro1. Tenn. June IL. 1885.

BRISTOL. Tenn. June Is, 1885.
Dear General: IN answer to your
inquiry | have to say that late in the
afternoon Of June !, 1862. the head of
JackSon's army reached, by way Of the
Harrisonburg and Port Republic road,
the heights on the north side of the
Shenandoah river opposite Port Re-
public, and there went into camp. The
next morning Sunday at about s
O'Clock, while the Thirty-seventh
Virginia Infantry regiment, COM
manded by Colonel S. V. Fulker-
son, and of which was then adjutant,
was undergoing the usual Sunday morn
ing regimental inspection by Colonel
Fulkerson and myself. some artillery
shots were heard from below Port Re-
public and from the locality Of the
bridge across the Shenandoah at the
town. About this time Major II. {.
Wood, then acaptain Of one of the CON-
panies in said regiment, having started
to the town on business connected with
the command. came hurriedly back and
told Colonel kulkerSon the enemy had
tie bridge at which announcement
Colonel Fulkerson 1.-THE regiment being
in line gave the proper commands, and
led the regiment at double-quick
directly to the bridge, which could
not be seen from our camp.
On reaching the summit Immediately
overlooking the bridge we discovered
small force of the enemy with one
piece Of artillery (as now remember)
near the end of the bridge and on the OPP
posite or Port Republic side Of the
main or north branch Of the Shensn-
doah. As we passed through an inter-
yening field we were exposed to the
fire Of the enemy, and lost some two
or three of our yen. There was also
some firing Of small arms by both sides as
we pressed forward to the road, which
We reached, something near one hundred
yards from the bridge, and from which
point the road was in direct line with
the direction OF the bridge, and in full
range of the piece Of artillery at the
further end of the bridge. At or near
the above point on the road General
jackson, on horseback and alone,
came rapidly from the direction
Of the bridge to meet us. He
appeared to me that morning, as he
always did in battle and great emer-
gencies, every inch warrior of the
highest order. lie delivered his order
in his curt style to Colonel Fulkerson,
who, with myself, was at the head of
the column. to >. charge right Through,
Colonel charge right through"
have often thought Of this incident,
and do not think | can be mistaken
in the language used, notwith-
standing twenty-three years in
tervene. At this moment Jackson took
of his cap, waved it around his head,
wheeled ms horse. and rode rapidly to-
wards the bridge. We were in full
view Of the enemy's piece Of artillery at
the far end Of the bridge, which was
discharged at our column, but the charge
took effect in the side CT the bridge aud
did us no harm. We charged through,
captured the gun, some prisoners,
and few horses. About this time
firing began at Cross Keys. Jackson
disappeared and saw him no more.
That day we t ok position in Port Re-
public and remained there during the
day. Very truly, j. II. WOOD.
General J. N. I~boden, Bristol, Tenn.
General ImbOdep's reply has been
on hand for some time time.-Rs-
pateh.l