Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-10-29
= Story OF Antietam.

1eIuallS GlIllJIctl W bc COuSiuSISu liiS
greatest of ex-Confederate veterans,
Gen. James Longstreet has figured per-
sonally in many thrilling scenes. One
of his peculiar distinctions is that he
was the only corps commander on eth
er side during the war to serve artillery
with his own hands in an emergency.
The incident referred to is part Of the
unwritten history of Antietam.
Another historic figure in the narra-
tive is General George b. Mcclellan, at
whom two of the cannon shot, fired by
Longstrcet's own hand, were directed.
1t was only known at the time that the
human target in Federal uniform was
some officer ofconsiderable prominence.
General G. NJ. Sorrell, now living in
New York, president of the Ocean
Steamship Company, Savannah and
New York, is q living witness Of the oc-
currence. General Robert Z. Lee and
General d. H. Hill were interested
spectators and had special reason to re-
member it, Perhaps there are also liv-
ing some members of General McC!el-
lan's staff to corroborate the narrative.
Longstreet, born a soldier graduated
at West Point, experienced by years of
active duty in the Mexican war and in
other service as an officer of the regular
army, was an excellent artillerist, sight
ing a cannon with as much precision as
pistol or muskct.
At the battle of Antietam, or Sharps
burg, Mcclellan sent strong force
against an unoccupied portion of Long
reefs line. The latter was quick 10
notice this movement. Calling to Gen.
Sorrell and Capt Latrobe to follow him,
Longstreet gallopcd to the gap in his
line toward which point the Federals
were advancing rapidly Two cannon
had been left there, almost the entire
crew of both guns dead or lying desper-
ately wounded Longstreet instantly
dismounted and, with the aid of Sorrell
and Latrobe, wheeled the heavy pieces
into line, double shotted them and
trained them on the advancing Federal
line. Longstreet sighted both pieces
and jerked the lanyards with his own
hands The effect was terrific. Both
shots went true, moving great gaps in
the Federal line. The pieces were
loaded and trained rapidly, so that
again and again the advancing line of
Federals was broken and momentarily
halted, giving time to accomplish what
Longstreet had in view-the re-estab-
lishment of his own line, concentrating
at the point Of attack.
Noticing a group Of Union officers
watching the fight from q distant hill,
Longstreet elevated his two pieces and
fired at them. The shells went just
above the group, in which was McClel-
Ian, scattering them Immediately. I'm
known then to the Confederate officers,
Mcclellan sent post haste for one of his
best batteries.
A few minutes later Lee and Long
street were convcrsing on high hill
to the east of Sharpsburg, near the
point from which Longstreet had been
firing While these two were talking
General d. H. Hill rode up, bringing
message to Lee. Longstrcet advised
Hill to dismount, as his con-
spicuous appearance on horseback
might draw the Federal fire. For some
reason the advice was not followed.
A few seconds later puff Of smoke
drew their attention for the first time
to the Federal battery which DIcClel
Ian had Just posted. The shell aimed
at Lee, Longstreet and Hill, was we'll
directed. Lee was on one side of Hill,
his hand resting on the bride of the lat
ter's horse. Longstreet was on the other
side of the horse, Il few feet away.
The shell struck Hills horse, cutting
off both legs just below the knees.
The poor brute fell to his knees and
remained in that position, with his
back at an awkward slant, while Hill
was making vigorous andvery ludicrous,
because necessarily awkward, efforts
to dismount He at first threw his legs
in the usual fashion over the cantle of
the saddle, but in his haste came near
toppling forward over his horses head
Lee and Longstrect both laughed
heartily at Hills position and FASTENED
to help him to dismount. Hill, throw
ING one leg over the pommel ofthe sad
die. dismounted without help, and then
Joined in the laugh at his expense.
The same shell from McClellan's
battery, narrowly missing Lee and
Longstreet and killing Hills horse,
went on its way of destruction, explod-
ING just over a Confederate regiment
behind the hill, killing and wounding
considerable number of men.-Bdl-
timOreGR.
Bucklen's Arnica Salve.