The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-29
THE SEVEN PINES FIGHT.
NOW GENERAL JOHNSTON WAS SHOT
AND CARRIED OFF.
Description Or the Scene by an Eye Witness
who Was One of the Generals Couriers-A
Hot Fight-Recovery of General Johnston's
Sword and Pistols.


Hot Fight-Recovery of General Johnston's
Sword and Pistols.
For Tho Times
FARMvILLE. Va. Mar. 2s.-Among the many
who will cherish the memory and mourn the
death of that grand old soldier and crieftain
General Joseph Z. Johnston. there will be
no one more sincere and loving than his old
courier and soldier. Drury l.. Armistead, Of
Prince Edward. who so CALAMITY rescued him
from the battlefield of Seven Pines. and to
whom the General was so attached, and upon
one occasion said: "Armistead IL one OF the
bravest and truest soldiers | ever saw" Your
correspondent has fortunately obtained the
following account from Mr.. Armistead of that
memorable day:
MEMORABLE DAY.
General Johnston Ehaving removed his
headquarters from q position on the hiver
road. 29th May, 1862, 10 position on the
Nine-Mlle road several miles east Of Rich
mond. and having decided TO attack McClel-
Ian after the heavy rain of the evening and
fore-part Of the night Of that day, called for
couriers 10 carry dispatches 10 his corps ana
division commanders The couriers detailed
declared themselves entirely unacqualnted
D
possibility Of finding the way anywhere on
such a terribly dark night | offered my
services. which were accepted General john
ston called me in his Office and gave me IN
structiOns pointing out on the map where !
would find Generals Whiting and smith, and
said. Deliver these dispatches TO Generals
Whiting and Smith and bring me their re-,
ceipts for them n soon as possible. II You tan
Won had better not show yourself to me
again
TERRIBLE NIGHT.
Immediately started to find General Whit
ing. II was the worst night | ever saw. The
rain pourrd down in sheets. the thunder
roared. and the lightning. though binding,
was my only guide through the dense dark
ness. / rode ut full gallop until in the dark
| ness | was suddenly knocked of Of my horse
! by "A blow upon the breast. Somewhat dazed,
Oh rising I found a long pole placed across
| the road on q fence on either side, nut tall
| enough for my horse 10 pass under though
| feeling hurt | remOunted and proceeded on
nv wav to find General Whiting. which did
/ after arousing good many Dutch sleepers 70
! direct me Aft0r delivering my dispatches "a
| General Whiting and taking his receipts Tor
them. | proceeded 10 find General Smith,
which | did with great difficulty. On my re,
turn 10 General JOhnstOn's headquarters
found General Writings camp-tres 1T and
| his meneal astir. | arrived at headquarters on
the morning Of the 3Oth Of May. some hours
before daybreak, and delivered the receipt.
for the dispatches, for which the General
thanked me.
THE BATTLE BEGINS.
The battle commenced on our right early in
| the day aud ragged with unmitgated fury
The left wing of our army was not moved TOR,
ward until later in the day, when II pushed
down the NIne-NIile road in the direction OF
York River railroad. encOuntering the enemy
guard pickets which we drove IN. captured
| their camp and good many stores. The
enemy seemed 10 be in full retreat Our lines
were pushed forward rapidly, General John
st0n and staff riding in front OF his llneoi pat
tie. just a. he reached the point Wnere ,n'
York River railroad crosses the Nlne-Mll'
road the enemy opened tremendous fire Will
musketry and artillery from body Of woods
ON orr front and left. General Johnston and
staff rode back about two hundred yards
t. an elevated position near small house
which he occupied until he was wounded Inc
fire of artillery and musketry IN our front was
then terrific. | being in "A few yards OF where
General Johnston sat onhi 3horse, dismounted
and stood with my horse before me. l mac
an oil cloth strapped on the front OF my sad
die directly in front Of my breast. The MN
ME balls were flying 50 very thick Thought
would stOOp a little behind my horse, When
rs | stopped a bullet tore through the on
cloth Just missing the top OF my head. II
was a powerful close shave. About this time
fresh troops going into battle stopped 70 load
! their muske:s near where | stood. and double
ouicked towards the enemy. When the line
moved forward after loading. there was m
old fellow who had not finished Loading. and
while thus standing, n shell struck the ground
| in a few feet Of him. but he cOOlly remarked
| b himself. you cannot do that again Our,
inc this time the battle was raging with great
fury all along the line
THE GENERAL WOUNDED.
Most Of General Johnston's staff having
! been sent of on duty except myself and Col
ond --. and the air seeming TO be alive with
whizzine bullets and bursting shells, Colone
- would move his head from side 20 side
as if trying 10 dodge them. General Johnst IL
turned toward him and smiling sad Col
| onel. there il no use of lodging; wnen YOU
hear them they have passed Just after say
| inc this a shell exploded Immediately IN M
front. striking the General from his hors,
severely wounded and unconscious. I'M
mediately sprang forward. catching HIM up II
! nv arms. carried him out Of the enemy hre
| Others coming TO my assistance We moved hin
! back about Il quarter of u mile, and laying
him down. hastily sent fora siretcher.
REVOLUTIONARY RELIC.
He then reclaimed consciousness, and tindinl
! that he had lost his sword and pistols sald
'The sword was the one worn by my iather II
| the old Revolutionary war ana Woulu no.
| lose il for ten thousand dollars; VIII hot soni'
one please 90 back and get II ana the plS.on
! for me-" and several Others and myself volun
teered. On returning 20 the battlefield We
| fouud our line had been considerably pressed
| hack and the spot where General Johnston
! fell IN be midway between the line Of battle
which was blazing in all its fury, with meI
! falling all around like leaves dashed througi
our line to the spot where the General mac