The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-13
sTONEwALL JACKSON.
NEW YORK STILL MAKES CLAIM.

spot Wnere Sb0neWail jackson Tell.
The brigade sought for was the Third Bri-
gade Second Division, Twelfth Corps, which
formed the extreme end of the line of that
corps and was composed of the Goth, 78th
102d, 18th and I49th n. Y, the right wing of
the 18th n. Y. being in air and resting on
slough, between which and the line of the
Eleventh Corps was a gap of about one-fourth
Of a mile To our right and beyond the slough
and thicket was rising ground, cleared, and
having the appearance of an old field.
At the time the Eleventh Corps was over
thrown an extended pieket-liue had been
thrown out to fill this vacant space, and was
one of the number on this line, and saw por-
tiOn Of the Eleventh Corps when it gave way.
The COnfederates sprang out upon them, as they
were scattered among their campfres with
their guns stacked. The most of them fed
without arms, and we on this extended picket
line took TO our heels and made for our battle
line, on reaching which we found the 18th N. I.
thrown out at rght-angles with the l02d, all
lying on their faces. Over this angle the
fugitiyes rushed, with their pursuers after
them. However to their credit be it said,
many of those who had arms fell in with the
18th and fought bravely in repelling the on
coming foe, upon whom we opened a rapid fire.
About this time some artillery, supported by
cavalry, broke through the thicket to the right
Of the I02d y. Y. and opened terrific fire,
before which the enemy fled back to cover and
the firing gradually subsidized, but not until
darkness covered the whole field. strong
skirmish-line was then advanced in front of
the angle formed by the 18th n. Y, which ex
tended along the line and crossed an old wagon
track or wood road skirting the old field beyond
the slough.
Everything remained ominously silent until
about 10 o'clock, as near as / am able to judge,
when we of the picket-line distinctly heard
the yidets of the Confederate line halt someone,
nnI a few mo Oft MAINLY rd tkp
tread of horses on the road in our front /
ordered those IN my immediate presence not to
fire, as the approaching horsemen were prOba-
bly, some of our artillery officers who had blum
dered out there in the darkness at this mo-
meut. However, q running fire swept up from
my left along the pCket-line; the batteries
and battle-line opened also, and a wild tornado
of shot, shell and canister swept over and
around US. The cleared ground was condsider-
ably higher than where we lay, and the road
ran around the side of this slope. The flashes
of the guns liz up this whole slope with a ftful
glare as bright as midday, and we of the picket
line distinctly saw not more than 100 yards
away some horses and group of men hurrying
to the rear, apparently assisting some one.
The Confederate line also set up a scatter
ing fire, but both lines remained quiet after
about 20 minutes much TO our relief; for had
the ground where we lay been few feet higher
not one of US could have survived the
plunging fire Of our own line. During the re-
mainder Of the night number Of the enemy
searching for water along the slough, came upon
our line and were taken in. Among them was
a Boosting, garrulous Lieutenant, who came up
to US inquiring for Co. e, Sth Va. As near as
l now Tecollect, these prisoners informed me
that Jackson had been killed out there in our
front; others said he was only wounded and
thata Colonel who was with him was killed. The
officer, however, told me that he was killed by
his own men. pointed out to him III the gray
dawn OF the morning that the fire OF his own
line could not reach him on that road to which
he REPLIED
Well, if he warn't killed by US, III be -
If you fellows shall have the satisfaction of
Claiming that you did it."
This man, being an officer, was sent on to
headquarters where herepeated the same story,
that Jackson had the night before being fired
upon by his own men and killed and which
became the current topic Of the day throughout
the army. Other persons taken on the follow
ing day reported him as wounded only. From
the very nature Of the ground he could not
have been reached by the Confederate arms, as
their FIRE was at rght-oblique to our line, and
the slope Of the ground placed him below the
range of their guns. Again, it was well known
tact that the Confederate authorities and news
papers invariably reduced their losses and
enormously exaggerated both the numbers and
losses Of their opponents; and there is scarcely
a veteran among US now who ever mingled
with Confederate prisoners and who was q
prisoner among the COnfederates but has heard
time and again from them, in perfect sincerity,
that not only Jackson, but Stuart, Johnston
and every other of their fallen Generals had
been killed by their OWE men, and it became a
standing remark with some organizations when
ever battle was imminent, that we were going
TO give the rebs another chance to kill some
more of their own officers
Upon the night in question some pickets or
skirmishers in the uniform of Zouaves and
also that Of New Jersey, were posted away to our
right, and were IN position TO note the occur
renee l have detailed. OF the regiment (75th
\. Y. occupying the place directly in front of
the group of men have mentioned, doubtless
there are few, If any, survivors OF those who
were present then. On the following day its
whole line was enGladed by the Confederate
artillery, and its losses were very heavy At
ter the Gettysburg campaign il followed the
destinies Of the White Star to the West, and
left continuous trail in the graves of mem
bers from Wauhachie Glen to KenesaW, and
was annlhilated III front Of Atlanta, its few sur
vlvors becoming thereafter identified with its
companion regiment, the 102d N Y. Yet
there may be some survivors among the I" Red
Pants or Of the Jersey Blues" who can call
TO mind something of this occurrence; and /
may also add there will be score or more Of
others who saw the battle from afar of, or
were not there at all, who will no doubt contra
dict every fact above set forth.-M L. OLM-
STEAD, Past Department Commander, Depart
ment Of Oregon, Baker City, Ore.