Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-03-02
The Ordeal of Battle.


But there was one part of the Com
federate line which did not share in
the tumulr and fierce resistance which
was everywhere else apparent. This
was the portion held by the division
of Maj. Gen. Cleburn. or, as the
Southern people knew hims .. Pat
Cleburn." It had been said of Cle-
burn that he was the only man in the
Confederate army who could absolute
Iy control his men and make them
hold their fire until he was ready for
it to be delivered.
On the day of this battle, when the
Federal advance began, it is stated
that he said to his troops that he would
shoot any man who would dare to fire
gun until he gave the word.
This was the explanation of the
ominous silence all along that portion
of the hreastworks held by its force.
Probably the effect of this can be best
shown by reproducing the words of
Federal colonel who was captured IN
this battle, and who described it ths
next day. Said he:
g 1t was the most severe ordeal
which my nervous system has ever
undergone. When we begsh the ada
vance we naturally expected that the
artillery would open upon us as SOON
as we got within range, and thatI
having swept forward until We were
in reach of the fire of the musketTy,
that would begin to open upon us also.
/ had been through so much of this
that 1 had ceased to fear it, and
always relied on the excitement of the
occasion carrying me forward. but
here we ran for some 200 yards or
more and there was not cannon shot.
Another hundred yards and still no
explosion of bombshell or anything of
the kind. Inow began to feel little
strange. Another 100 yards and still
no sign of life, and my nervousness
began to give place to desire to halt.
Another hundred yards and We were
certainly within range of musketry;
but still there was no sign of life in
the intrenchment in front of tisi
nothing to give cause for apprehen-
sion, apparently, except the waving
of the Confederate flag above the
works as a light wind blew. Now
over me began to come n feeling of
dread, feeling which 1 never felt
before, and which can scarcely dsa
scribe. i would have turned and
fed but for the fear of disgrace, which
was stronger than even the horrors of
death. But knew what was coming
and determined by my example to in
spire my men to brave it, no matter
how terrible it was. At length we
were within scarcely more than twenty
yards of the entertainments when
from all along the line protured forth
scores and hundreds of muskets. L
could see them as gave quick
glance down the whole front, and
those Immediately before me, par
ticularly, seemed slightly waving from
side. There was no doubt abont it /
knew that every holder of n musket
was picking out his man. This con-
tinued for but few moments, when
above all other sounds, distinct and
clear, l heard the command given
Now, men, fret Instantly from
along the entire line there seemed like
lightning fash to burst forth sheet
of flame and of smoke. was struck,
and fell senseless for an instant, but
when recovered myself and turned
to look there seemed to be scarcely
seven men of my entire regiment on
their feet. Then the fury of the COM
bat arose above other sight or sound.
The whole forest aud mountain
seemed to be on fire. There is no
army IN the world that could have
stood before it..
AS an evidence Of the correctness
of this description, it may be stated
that after the battle the Confederates
picked up in front of Cleburn's line
/ ,002 dead and wounded Federals.
Cincinnati Enquirer.