Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-06-23
An Incident of the War.

Inc June number OF the Century maya
zine contains an exceedingly interesting
account OF the Invasion of Maryland, .
from the pen of Gen. Longstreet. In read
ing his sketch of the battle of Sharpsburg,
and the scenes of that fierce fight, SC
graphically described by him, our memory
was recalled to an incident connected there
with that made deep impression upon our
heart and brain at the time, and which we
think worth perpetuating, if for no other
reason than to show the quick sensibilty
and tender consideration for the feelings of
his subordinates that filed the great heart
Of our Christian patriot and matchless
chieftain, Gen. Robert E. Lee.
1t will be remembered by all those who
participated in that memorable conflict
that after repeated repulses, Burnside's
command finally succeeded in forcing their
passage over the bridge that spanned the
stream, directly in front of our centre, and
ateoncs Msde d st4ong attack upon that
part of the line which formed our right
centre. By the sheer force of numbers, our
troops at that point were driven back in
some confusion through and beyond the
village of Sharpsburg. For short time
the situation was very critical one, and
the success of the day, as we'll as the safety
at this juncture, however, part of the
forces from Harper's Ferry, under COM
mand of Gen. A. P. Hill, reached the scene
of action, and striking the advancing COL
umns of Burnside upon their flank, quickly
wheeled them around, like gate swinging
upon it's hinges, and drove them back in
hot haste. By this time our men, who had
been driven back, had rallied and were re-
forming in line of battle in rear of the vii
lage alluded to above, when Gen. Lee made
his appearance, riding leisurely down from
our left wing. AS he came to halt, num-
Der of officers gathered around him, and af
ter the usual salutations, one of them Il
think it was Gen. Kemper, as we'll as my
memory serves me. asked him what che
thought of the day?" The reply came calm
ly and directly:
'.The behavior of our troops to-day has
been magnificent! We have fought this
battle with only $1,000 muskets. General
Jackson has repeatedly repulsed the enemy,
with great slaughter, at several points on
our left, with his artillery alone"
As he uttered this remark young Capt.
of artillery (whose name, we regret to say,
we did not know rode up and joined the
throng Just in time to hear the concluding
expression, and to catch the eye of Gen.
Lee. His battery had been supporting our
right centre, and his men had fought their
guns like fiends, but even prowess like
theirs could not stay the overwhelming
hosts that charged upon them. His face was
beardless and pale, but his delicate features
flushed with excitement aud his voice trem-
bled with mingled modification and pride
as he advanced and said:
MY men did all they could, General !
They stood by their guns even after the in
fantry had been driven past them. Two of
our pieces were disabled, and did not have
men enough left alive to bring off the 9TH
ers."
The noble old hero took in the situation
instantly. His reference to the successful
repulse of the enemy by the artillery on our
left had been heard by the young soldier in
front of him, and had been construed by
his gallant, yet sensitive, nature as re-
Election, perhaps, upon his failure to ac-
complish the same result. In an instant
change came over Gen. Lees fine face; ev-
cry line of it filed with tenderness aud his
action was even more eloquent than his
words. He moved bis horse nearer, and
raising his arm with commanders digni-
ty, he rested his hand for moment in al
most parental tenderness and pride upon
the youthful Captains shoulder, saying, in
a low but clear tone. as he did SO:
Il know you and your men have done
your whole duty to-day, as you have al
ways done in the past. Do not let the loss
of your guns worry you. We have cap
tured battery of six beautiful pieces to-
day and shall present them to you and
your brave boys as an evidence of my re-
spect for their valiant services"
The slender form of the young artillery
man trembled with emotions of gratitude;
a gleam of joy flashed over his face, but his
quivering lips could utter no word of
thanks. His heart was too full for speech.
He turned his horses head and galloped
quickly away to hide the tears of delight
that were already filling his eyes.
The gaze of his General followed the re-
treating form for few moments, and sat-
isfied smile played over his face as he, too,
refined up his charger aud quietly continued
his tour of inspection.
The incident was but a simple one, yet
it forever established one thing upon the
mind of the writer. He had always BE-
LIEvED Gen. Lee to be a GAEAT LEADER,
but after that he KNEW him to be GOOD
MAN. Wytherille Enterprise.