South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-09-09

creek and advanced In heavy force
ard ought to haye captured the lit
tie squad in their front with cas-,
IL they had attacked at once and IL
force.
Fortunately Gen. Pope had beer
led to believe that the whole O,
Jackson's corps was across tn,
river and immediately in his front
and the Confederate troops by pro
senting bold front, and Showing
themselves at as many points a.
possible kept up tho deception; and
the afternoon of Saturday was con.
sumed by the Federal com mandsl
in bringing up reinforcements, and
preparing for an advance in heavy
force on Sunday morning. All
Saturday and Saturday night thu
Confederate engineers were strain
ing every nerve to throw tempo
rary bridge across the river, and by
daylight Sunday morning it was
completed. just as the rising sur
began to gid the hill tops the i'm
perilled brigade crossed over to join
the rest of the corps, which occu,
pied the hills on the southern side
Of the river. They had not mo.
ment to spare, for the enemy fol.
lowed close on their rear, lining the
hills commanding the stream and
the low grounds on the south bank
with artillery and infantry.
AS the little brigade marched
across the plain in full view of both
armies, their friends rent the all
with cheers, and the enemy's artil-
lery opened fire on them. To this
fire the Confederate artillery replied
from the opposing heights. The
enemy's shell richochetted around
the retiring column and the Con-
federate missiles went screechlne
over their heads, but the brave
boys glad to get back safe to Dixie
and relieved from the fear of
Northern prisons, forgot their ex-
haustion and danger and as they
marched struck up the popular war
song: "Stonewall Jackson's Wav,"
aud all joined in the prophe tic
chorus:
let EN- bum Lat en- bum,
The way is ways clear,
And while they are oum ming
Well take them 10 the rear ~
When they reached the wooded
hills out of range of the enemy's
guns, as was supposed, they stack
ed arms and spreading their wet
blankets on the wet ground lay
down to rest and sleep after the So
we're strain of the last thirty six
hours.
AT this time the Rev. j. William
Jones, "a faithful and devoted chris
tian well known by reputation to
all southern people, was chaplain
OF the 18th Virginia regiment of
Early's brigade; always at the post
of duty, always ready to march, to
fight, to preach, or to minister to
the dying on the battle fold and in
hospital. AS soon as the hour for
morning services arrived, he step
ped into the midst Of the sleeping
congregation as they lay scattered
about on the ground, aud without
word drew forth his bible and
hymn book and began by lining out
a hymn and raising tune. A few
of his congregation awoke at the
sound and joined lazily in the song
of praise. The hymn sung he of.
fered mp a fervent prayer. and then
took his text, aud was proceeding
to preach an able and earnest ser.
mon, but before he had reached his
secondly, shot from one of the
enemy's guns across the river went
whizzing high over the heads of
preacher and congregation.
At the familiar sound some of
the recumbent figures raised on
their elbows, and listened but no
remarks were made,a and the preach
er continued his discourse.
Soon second. q third, and a
fourth rapidly followed in the path
of the first, each passing lower and
lower ,as the gunners got the range.
Still the speaker held his ground
and stuck to his text, while his
congregation became wide awake
to the situation. Presently q shot
better aimed fell into the midst of
the congregation, aud others ELL
around in most uncomfortable
but unfortunately no.
body was hurt.
Then the voice Of the faithful
was drowned by the voice
OF the Colonel of the regiment.
commanding Attention" and the
chaplain quietly closed his dis
course and took his place with the
staff. The men without hurry or
folded their blankets.
formed in line, and the regiment
moved back out of reach Of the ar
sillery fire, and again stacked arms
and lay down TO rest, and to the
Of the artillery duel slept
rs peacefully and soundly az babes.
In speaking to the veterans in
This audience, / desire to dwell mn
On two points. The first is the va
Ior and achievements Of the Con-
Iederate soldier. The second il
hat he was not rgbei or a traitor.
but loyal patriotic citizen.
The Confederate cause was lost;
II - r.. "a o~eIo --1Is = -