The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-01-06
ON TIE

ON TIE
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
Rutherford's farm, near Winchester, Nir-
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.
''On the 18th of July, 1864, he said,
'.just after General Early had returned
from Washington 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 demon
s%tratiun of the Federal ferces from that
direction. There was much lively skir-
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
and it was after sunrise when we Div-
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 Martinsuurg, 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-
.centratcd fire Of Averill's twelve pieces
poured upon the battery and disabled it.
entirely. The Federal line then advanced
and struck DIR front before the left wing
of Lewis's brigade got in line. In the
confusion which followed, L.ewis's bri-
gade was swept back past mine in great
disorder. I urgel Lewis 10 halt his
brigade on mine, but be said he could do
nothing with his men then. I saw at a
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, a shell grazed my lett
thigh with the same effect as if my body
had been hit a terrific blow with a club.
and it panied me so severely that I could
scarcely sit on my horse and could 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 th;".;.~ that thc: were carry
Inc everything before ITEM. WEN
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 a circle.
/ had ridden to the left of my line. and
while returning. my right arm was shat
tered heal the shoulder by a mimic ball.
With the two wounds received | ought
to have ridden from the field: but it was
nv first experiment with wounds and l
~dismounted, expecting to walk out with
the troops. Just as l had done so and
while my horse was galloping to the rear,
a mimic ball went through my already
injured thigh, severing a tendon and
completely disabling me. l looked
around at Colonel Board, who was stand
ing o few yards away, to place him IN
command, when he was shot dead before
my eyes.
'tIt was q very hot afternoon. Weak
with the loss of blood. and feeling 6
deathly faintncss coming on, I lay dowr
in the shade of a tree. exposed to tht
enemy's fire. The balls struck the rocks
and trees, singing and ringing around Sc
that I could not cling closely enough tt
the ground nor make myself small
enough. I remember wondering at thu
time whether there would be a chance
for me to recover if I should receive an.
more wounds, even if they should no
prove fatal at once. I felt a.
large as a man looks who weigh
800 pounds. I wanted to give order
to have nv brigade withdraw, but ever
from nv solitary position l could see i
move away in good order under tn
cover of smoke caused by rapid firing Of
both sides. The Federals followed tn
retreat, moving cautiously at first, TO
they had been much shocked and sur
prised by the fire from my men. AS IN
Federal line passed over me, the officer
urged their men forward, and l wa
obliged to hear them say, We have then
started now and must keep them going
My arm began to pain me frightfully am
looking up I found that INT ofthe Unlo
soldiers was trying to get my feld.g'as
and my shattered arm was through tn
strap and resting upon it.
"sWait,' l said, until I can lift m
am through
"'Be quick, thea replied the sol
dier.