Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-27
EHEPRWATE SOLDIERS SPIRIT
SIS Independence and Individuality
Gould Not b Ohnltratsd.
SAN BETTER THAN THE LEADERS.
trstauees In which the Rank snd File
hsenssa 20 Know More Of Their snr-
rosnainss Than Their Commanders.

y-@1's W soAiS fithHdDt ESIVfcCttoub' oi
Richmond--none. have given so accurate
> description OF the Confederate soldier
~ the following from the pen OF General
James a. Walker. who commanded The
6tonewall Brigade. ana received wound
that yefy nearly deprived him OF the
use Of ono OF his arms:
wYTHEvfLLE, VA, May Is. 1884,
20 the Editor OF the Dispatch:
The spirit which animated the private
soldier OF the Confederate army can at
this day hardly be appreciated by any
but those who fought and marched by his
side. His leading characteristics were tn
dependence and individuality. which could
never be sunk or obliterated by the drin
and discipline OF the most exacting marti-
net Much active service and many
hsrdships and privatIons made him a
veteran, but nothing could make him a
regular soldier, a mere fighting machine.
lie obeyed orders. he marched. fought.
advanced. ana retreated. as ordered He
learned 10 take care OF himself, ana 10
endure haraships and privations. such as
few troops ever endured, but through It
all he was an individual. who thought
and reasoned. lie held his own opinions
on all subjects, even on the merits and
demerits OF his own officers. The short
c0nings of those over him and their
biunders and mistakes were freely dis
cussod and unsparingly censured-around
the campfire and on the march.
NO HEART WITHOUT CONFIDENCE.
A want OF confidence In the capacity
and courage OF their commanders was
sometimes most seriously felt, for on two
occasions i knew n gallant and dashing
brigade to refuse 20 fight because they
believed that the officer In temporary COM
mand was coward. But when an on
cor from another brigade and another
State, whom they knew. offered TO lead
them, they went forward with aiacrity,
and fought with their usual gallantry.
Another Characteristic OF the private sol
der was his cheerfulness and even gaiety
under the most trying circumstances, and
while undergoing the greatest hardships
and privetions. On the dreariest Of forced
night marching. when wet. cold, hungry,
exhausted, and miserable. and the utmost
limit Of human endurance seemed TO lave
been reached. some voice in a spirit OF
irony would start the Sundsy-school re-
fraln, Yes. I'm Glad I'm In This Army"
which would he taken up by the whole
command. and thundered out in true
camp-meeting style. Sometimes the song
would be "Stonewars Jackson's Way"
or Wen Hang Abe Lincoln on a Sour
Apple-Tree."
THEIR OWN PET NAMES.
They called themselves Lees Mlsera-
bless ''Mars Bobs boys" "Jacksons
Foot Cavalry" They nicISnamed their
officers end themselves until nearly every
man in the company had his soubriquet,
which illustrated some moral, mental,
or physical popularity. General Lee was
always spoken OF ns Mars Bob" stone
wall Jackson as "old Jack" Longstreet
was "Old Pete" Eweii was Dick" early,
'oid Jube." A distinguished major-gen-
eral was called Club Foot" because he
han been wounded IN the loot and walked
with cane and n decided limp.
The average Confederate soldier was
Intelligent ana kept his eyes and ears
open. and generally knew more OF the
actual situation OF affairs than his regi-
mental or even brigade commanders.
] can In no way so graphically describe
these traits of the private soldier as by
Tecitlng "a few incidents which came
under my own observation.
In october. 1868, the Federal army.
under Meade. made "A forward movement,
crossing the Rappahannock river above
Fredericksburg. General Lees army
moved from around Orange Courthouse
10 give him battle. Johnson's division.
20 which my brigade GStonewalD was at
tached. marched along the turnpike Lead
ing from Orange 10 Fredericksburg. II
was a fine, bracing day. the men were
fresh ana In the best possible condition
and spirits. and had no reason 20 be-
lieve there was "a Federal command within
ten miles OF them. The troops were
marching at route step. testing laughing,
and singing by turns. each brigade fol-
lowed By Its ordnance and medical
wagons. while non-combatants, chap
lains. surgeons quartermasters, commits
saries, and servants rode or marched on
foot In the rear OF their respective regi-
ments and brigades.
AN UNEXPEcTED SHOT.
Suddenly and without the slightest warn
ing an irregular sklrmish fire was opened
ON US from the thick forest on our left
flank. several OF the balls taking effect,
one Of them wounding "A horse ridden by
one OF my couriers. The conduct OF this
men In this emergency was most al
,nirablG without the least confusion OF
excitement, and without orders, they
promptly halted. faced to the left. *
as to present a front to the foe. and
moving out OF the road, to leave II free
for the movements Of trains and artillery
quietly adjusted their accoutrcments
loaded their muskets. and stood in line
but not a shot was fired in return fol
tho struggling fusilade which was kept
up by the enemy.
Their experience and self-relance taught
them 20 face the foe and prepare FOL
action, but their discipline and respect
Tor authority todd them Il would be un'
scldieriy TO offer 20 advance. or open fir
without orders.
The time from which the first bullet
@hisiled BY them until they were In line
ready 90 make or receive charge 80
not exceed 1--WE minutes. and all the while
abe men were talking ana expressing
their views on the situation, and theil
conversation ran in this way "haN
hid the Yankees slip on us In this way
withoW anybody Knowing n.y. Mnere =
pur cfstalry. that they leave our flanl
Ter with Mars Bobg" III old Jack was
here this wouldn't have happened" and
DO on. At first 1 was under the impress
sion that scouting party OF our owr
cavalry had mistaken us for enemies
tnd fired upon us, and hesltated TO return
khe FIRE. Being on horseback, could moi
pee under the brush. but was soon SCI
Fight by the men who assured me they
Souid plainly see the blue uniforms.
Colonel colston. OF the Second Virginia
Regiment. was ordered 20 deploy hl'
command as siifmishers and advance
9he enemy retired before his skirmlsher'
lnti our line was out OF range of theil
tre. but they then made a determined
btaud. and heavy fight between oul
tklrmishsrs and their troops took place
j. which the gallant Colonel Raleigh r
Colston was MORALLY wounded. and man,
tnen and officers OF hts regiment wer'
KILLED and disabled. The brigade had beer
IN line about an hour waiting for orders
when our division commander, Genera
Edward t''Aileghany') Johnson. cams
from the front. accompanied by his stan
snd riding up 10 me. and in voice loud
tnoush 20 be heard by all who were near
commanded me 20 take your command
ana drive away that Yankee cavalry"
KNEW 1T WAS INFANTRY.
As he turned and rode away. noticet
private soldier standing very near
leaning on his musket. who as soon ri
GENERAL johnson was out Of hearing, SAID
" me; General. he said that wa:
Yankee cavalry. didn't her
answered; Yes. that II what h,
He looked az me rather doubsfu,ly. a,