Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-22
The Old StOnewall Brigade.

lThe following appeared in the Iuustrat-
ed Neacs, Published in Richmond in Confed-
crate times, aud was written before the
opening of the campaign in the spring of
1868, and after the Stonewall Brigade had
seen service in two campaigns
"1He Old StonewaU Brigade! What a
host of thoughts, memories and emotions
do these words excite! How like call to
the charge sounds che simple mention of
the famous bandl These veterans have
fought and bled and conquered on so many
battle fields, that memory grows weary al
most of recalling their glories. Gathering
around Jackson in the old days of Patter-
son in the Valley, when Stuart had but a
handful of cavalry to watch the whole bor-
der, ard Ashby, our dead hero, was SIM
pie captain,-they held in check an enemy
twenty times their number, and were
moulded by the hand Of their great leader
into that stern phalanx which 70 bayonet
could break, and Io odds intimidate. They
we.e boys and old nen, the humblest of
the sons of toll, a1d the flower of the land
but united, trained, and looking with
supreme confidence to their Commander.
'ALd then commenced their long career
of glory-their wonderful marches over
thousands Of miles-their incessant combsts
against odds that seemed overpowering
their contempt Of snow and rain, and Geld
and hunger, and want of rest. The soul of
their leader seemed to have entered into
every breast-and "Stonewall's Band" be
came the terror of the enemy. To meet
that enemy, was to conquer him, it might
almost be said,so obstinately did the eagles
of victory continue to perch upon the old
battie.fag. The laws Of the human body
seemed to have been reversed for these
men. They marched, and fought, and
| triumphed like war machines, which felt
no need of rest, or food, or sleep.
''In one day they marched from Harper's g
Ferry to Sssasburg, nearly fifty miles. On
the advance to Romney they walked-many
without sboes-over roads so slippery with
ice that men were falling and their guns
going off all along the coluulu--and at
night lay down, without blarksts, on the
snow, with no camp-fres and no food.
"At the first great battle of Manassas
they were nearly starved, but fought with
desperation. AT the last battle thers l
saw them by the road side, whore they haG
halted, and one Of my friends, brave
young officer Of the command, thanked me
for q biscuit
"The very rspIdity Of their marches sep
aratss them from all soldier cOmforts-of
|
tue weather; and any other troops but these
and their Southern comrades would long
since have mutinied aad demanded bread
and rest. But the shadow of dissffectior
never fitted over forehead in that com
mano. Whatever discomfort may be fsl
at times at the want of attention on th;
part of subordinate officers to their necessi
ties, the long rol' has only to be beaten
they have only to see the man in the OLE
faded uniform appear, and hunger, cold
fatigue arc forgotten. The Old Brigade il
ready--'Here!' is the answer to the rol
cali, all along the lins-and though the ey'
is dull from ygans of food and res5, the arm
is strong, and tho bayonet is sharp snt
bright Before those bayonets no foe shal
stsnd--to pass them, is to advance over tn
bodies of dead heroes, grssping the trust.
muskst, even in death.
The campaigns of the Valley; the grea
flank movement of the Chickahominy; tn
mastery advance upon Manassas in tn
rear of Pope these are the fadeless glorie
of the Old Brigade. Their path has beel
strewed all over with battles. IncreGibl
have been their marches; countless thei
combats-almost always against overpow
ering numbers. The scythe of death ha
mown down whole ranks of them; but th
Old Brigade still marches on, and fights an
cocquers. The war-wora yetsran5 sti
confront the foo, though the thinned rank
tell the tale of their glories and their losses
Many brave souls have poured out thei
blood and fallen; but they are oonquerora
and more than conGuerorE. in the world
great eye. Tho comrades of these heroe
: hold heir memories sacred, and have offel
j ed bloody sacrifices to their Names
/; Steady Close upp were the last WORD
echoed in the dying ears-aud thS aim {
these survivors was Cnly more steady, th
3 charge with the bayouet more deadly.
L "Ehosa survivors may be pardoned
4 they tell their children, when the war
ended, that they fought under jackson,
the 'Oid Stonewall Brigade They ma
be pardoned eveG if they boast of their ex
D pioits--their wonderful marcbes--theit Col
T slant and desperate combats-the skill an
I, nerve which snatched victory from tie jaw
e of defeat, and, even when they were reti
. ing before over Hhelming numbers. made
truly better that the foe had meier bee
Q born,' than meet their bayonet charge.
o s1n speaking of this veteran legiol
praise is vir.ue.' Their history is blazJr
;" cd all over with glory. They are 'hapr
!. names, beloved ohildren'--the favorites {
Q fame, if not of fortune. In their disgy ur
forms, lying stretched beneath the pines,
by the roadside, they are the mark of mar
eyes which aaa them not-the absorbir
thodght in the breast of beauty, and Il
q idols Of the popular heart. IN line befo
the enemy, with their eristlng bayonet
:, they are the terror OF the foe, and the Lii
8 guard OF their dear old mother, Virginia.
u "Ths heart that does not thrill at sig
y of the worn veterans, ia cold indeed. 7
u him who writes, they present q epectac
3. noble and heroic; and their old tatsere
8 ball-pierced flag is the sacred ensign of Ii
70 arty.
"Tbs hisvrs9 and al abort them
afaaais Is % ss, haye seen them goii