Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-12-29
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
IMcIpenTa Of ANTIeTAM.
Warlike Compliments Exchanged between
Longstreet and McCIellan.


Longstrset and Mcclellan.
Perhaps entitled to be considered the
greatest OF ex-confederate veterans,
Gen. James Longstreet has figured PEI
sonaIly in many thrilling scenes Ore
of his peculiar distinctions is that he
was the oniy corps commander on either
side during the war to 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 Il. Mcclellan, at
whom two of the cannon shot, fred by
I.ongstreet's own hand, were directed.
Il was only known at the time that the
human target in federal uniform was
some officer of considerable prominence
Gen. q. 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 f. Lee and Gen. ID. 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 IS an officer of the regular
army. was an excellent artillerist, sight
ing cannon with as much precision as
a pistol or musket
At the battle of Antietam, or Sharps-
burg, Mcclellan sent a 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 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 mo-
mentarily halted, giving time to accomp-
fish what Longstreet had in view-the
establishment of his own line, concen-
trating at the point of attack
Noticing group of union officers
IL Enkt i fuk, hill
Longstreet elevated his two pieces and
fred 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.
few minutes later Lee and Long
street were conversing on high hill to
the east of Sharpsburg, near the point
from which Longstreet had been firing.
While these two were talking Gen. ID.
H. Hill rode up, bring message to Lee,
Longstreet advised Hill to dismount. as
his conspicuous appearance on horse !
back might draw the federal fire. For |
some reason the advice was not fol- |
lowed A few seconds later puff of |
smoke drew their attention for the first |
time to the federal battery which Me- |
Clellan 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 latter's 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 at an awkward slant, while Hill |
was making vigorous and very ludi-
crous, because necessarily awkward,
efforts to dismount lie 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 fastened
10 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 she'll 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 mem y. Herald.