Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-12-15
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
INCIDENTS OF AnTlETAM.


LoDgstreet aud Mcclellan.
Perhaps entitled TO be considered the
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 either
side during the war 10 serve artillery
with his own hands in an engagement.
The incident referred TO Is part Of the
unwritten history of Antietam.
Another historic figure in the narra-
tive is Gen. George Is. Mcclellan, at
whom two Of the cannon shot, fred by
Longstreet's own hand, were directed.
II was only known at the time that the
human target in federal uniform was
some officer of considerable prominence.
Gen. @. NJ. Sorrell, now living In New
York, president Of the Ocean Steamship
Co, Savannah and New York. Is liv-
ing witness of the occurrence. Gen.
Robert Il. Lee and Gen. D. ii. Hill were
interested spectators and had special
reason TO remember IT, Perhaps there
are also living some members of Gen.
McClellan'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 musket
At the battle OF Antietam, or Sharps-
burg, Mcclellan sent strong force
against an unoccupied portion Of Long
streets line. The latter was quick TO
notice this movement Calling TO Gen.
Sorrell and Capt Latrobe TO follow
him, Longstreet galloped to the gap in
his line, toward which point the feder-
ais were advancing rapidly. Two can
non had been left there, almost the en-
tire crew of both guns dead or lying
desperately wounded. Longstreet in
stantly dismounted and, with the aid
OF Sorrell and Latrobe, wheeled the
heavy pieces into line, double shotted
them, and trained them on the advance
ing federal line. Longstreet sighted
both pieces and jerlked 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 mo-
mentarily halted, giving time to accomp-
lish what Longstreet had in view-the
re-establishment of his own line, concen-
trating at the point OF attack.
Noticing q group Of union officers
watching the fight from 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
best batteries.
A few minutes later Lee and Long
street were conversing on u high hill to
the east Of Sharpsburg, near the point
from which Longstreet had been firing
While these two were talking Gen ID.
II. Hin rode mp, bring message TO Lee.
Iongstreet advised Hill TO dismount, rs
his conspicuous appearance on horse
back might draw the federal fire. For
some reason the advice was not fol-
lowed. A few seconds later n puff OF
smoke drew their attention for the first
time to the federal battery which Nc
Clellan had just posted. The shell
aimed ut Lee, Longstreet and Hill. was
well directed. Lee was on one side Of
hin, his hand resting on the bride Of
the latters horse. Longstreet was on
the other side of the horse, 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 Mt an awkward slant, while Hill
was making vigorous and very ludi-
crous, because necessarily awkward,
efforts TO dismount He first threw his
legs In the usual fashion over the cantle
OF the saddle, but in his haste came
near topping forward over his horses
head Lee and Longstreet both laughed
heartily at Hills position and hastened
TO help him dismount. Hill, throwing
one leg over the pommel Of his saddle,
dismounted without help, and then
Joined in the laugh at his expense.
The same shell from McClellan's bat
terry, narrowly missing Lee and Long
street and killing Hills horse, went on
its way OF destruction, exploding just
over confederate regiment behind the
hill, killing and wounding a consider
able number of men.-N Y. Herald.