National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-16
a DAY OF MISERY.
Gen. Lllley's Unhappy Experience in n
Small Battle.

that OF Brig. Gen, Robert ID. Lii
ley, Of the confederate forces, at the bat
Tie Of Rutherford's Farm, near Winchester,
Va. Gen. Lilley is now living at No 10
West Twenty-second street, in this city
acting as financial agent for the Centennial
Organization for the endowment OF the
Washington and Lee Uniyersityof Virginia
A few evenings ago, at the earnest solicita-
tlon Of friends, he related his story of
strange adventures on the battle field
"On the 10th of July, 1S64,n he said,
''ju,t after Gen. Early had returned from
Washington city, 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 diminishing, and we ex-
pcCted to be engaged before night. After
we had bivouacked to the north Of Berry
Vile, an order came for us to move toward
Winchester when the troops had finished
their supper. We marched all night, aud
It was after sunrise when we biyouacked
along the railway track east Of Winchcs-
ter. In the early afternoon Gen. Ramseur's
division was ordered to move promptly
down the road leading to Martinsburg,
Johnson's brigade first, Lewis's second,
and Pegram's under my commandJ third
In column. About three miles below the
town the head Of the column came upon
the federal forces under command OF Gen.
Aycnil. already In line of battle, with
twelve pieces Of artillery massed IN the cen
ter aud supported by infantry, with cavalry
on the fauks waiting for u.
when our battery opened fire, and while
the troops were forming, the concentrated
fire 81 Avcrill's twelve pieces poured upon
the battery and disabled It entirely. The
federal line then advanced and struck our
front befo' the left wing of Lewls's brigade
got in line. In the confusion which fol-
lowed Lewis's brigade was swept back past
mine in great disorder. | urged Lewis to
halt his brigade on mine, but he said he
could do nothing with bis men then. | saw
at glance that theOnly chance was to hold
my brigade IN position and check the enemy
until Lewis and Johnston could form In the
Notifications near Winchester In the mean
time, n shell gra2cl my left thigh, with the
same effect as II my body had been hit a
terrible blow with club, and It panied me
80 severely that could scarcely sit on my
horse aud could not move my leg. spoke
to Col. Board. the senior present. and In
battle field to take command without
further orders. The federal troops pressed
forward, evidently thinking that they
were carrying everything before them.
When within eighty yards my brigade rose
ard fred rapidly ami effectively, checking
their center. Their line was so long, how
tver that their wings moved forward until
they rCsembied an arc 81 g circle. | had
ridden to the left Of my line, and while re-
turning my right arm was shattered near
the shoulder by n mimic ball. With the two
wounds received / ought to have ridden
from the field; but II was my first eXpe-
rcrCe with wounds, aud dismounted, eX-
pCciiug to walk out with the troops. Just
as had done so, and while my horse was
Calloping in the rear, a mimic ball went
through my already.injured thigh, seycring
tendon and completely disabling me. l
looked around at Col. Board, who was
standing few yards away, to place him In
command, when he was shot dead before
my eyes.
t.It was a very hot afternoon. Weak
with loss of blood, and feeling q deathly
faiutncss coming on, | lay down In the
shade Of tree, exposed to the enemy's
FIRE. The balls struck the rocks and trees,
singing and ringing around so that | could
not cling close enough to the ground nor
make myself small enough, | remember
wondering at the time whether there would
lie n chance for me to recover II | should
receive any more wounds, even If they
should not prove fatal at once. | felt as
large as a man looks who weighs 300
pounds. wanted to give orders TO have
nv brigade Withdraw, but even from my
L
in good order under the cover Of the smoke
caused by rapid firing on both sides. The
foderals followed the retreat, moving eau
tiou.ly at first, for they had been much
shocked and surprised by the fire from my
men. As the federal line passed over me,
the officers urged their men forward, and
was obliged to hear them say, we have
them started now, and must keep them
going My arm began to pain me fright
fully. and, looking up, found that one Of
ti:o Union soldiers was trying 10 get my
tiold.glGss. and my shattered arm was
through the strap and resting upon II.
Watt / said, until | can get my arm
through
'sBe quick them replied the soldier,
''No doubt he tried tOhe careful in taking
off the glass; but he got IL as quickly rs
possible and hurried to his place IN the
ranks, at the same time placing the prize
over his neck.
''1n few minutes 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 Q
good horse. Now my division had beer
driven back. Between It and me were the
The heat was oppressive. looked around
for cooler spot. Near at hand was tree
with sprouts growing out around in ledge
OF rocks bedded with leaves. Slowly
crawled around and lay down in the hol
low Of the rock IN the shade. Here was {
slight movement of the air, cool and refresh
ing. / though of snakes when l got in
but had left my belt, sword, and plsto
where lay first. | was Just enjoying, a
much as could, the cool breeze and be-
of leaves when / espied federal strag
gler coming through the woods. HI
saw my weapons, stopped, and discovered
me.
"'Where are you wounded he asked.
81 told him as well as | could.
"'Ilaye you any greenbacks' he de
manded.
None.
81 will see.'
"IIe kneeed down and began to search
my pockets. ] have since thought perhap!
II was well that my weapons were out o
reach. Weak as | was from the loss o.
blood, my indignation made me forget pain
tiers, knife which had been presented Il
me in 1852 plain gold ring, which | hat
worn for many years, and my new sloucl
hat, leaving his old battered hat behind q
he departed.
"a few moments later another fedora
soldier came up. lie was an Irishman. II
did not want 10 rob me. lie inquired al
about my injuries, and finding that / wa
suffering from thirst, went to spring three
A group of Ayerill's cavalry came up
They ranged about me In semi-circle Ont
inquired about my command, numbers, sc
Ia;oided giving any information that woulC
be Of any service to them. Then they be
gan 20 see how desperately | was wOunde
and bow much was suffering. They locke
at my bloody sleeve lying hy my side, say
my bleeding Leg, and then began cOnvers
ing with each other. While they were oc
Vupiol among themselves I heard some
thing moving In the dead leaves among tn
rocks above my head, tried 10 persuad
myself that It was ground mouse, bu
noticed that II approached with a sliliu
motion. II was snake, The rcptil
glided past my ears, up my temple an
across my forehead and stopped IN III
sprouts, It's tail hanging down near IN