Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-07-25
TOLD BY GEN. GORDON.
"Reminiscences Of the C0nsederacy a. Mar
rated by One Of Its Leaders.

"Reminiscences Of the C0nsederacy a. Mar
rated by One Of Its Leaders.
Gen. Gordon recently told Of an ex-
perience he went through in the Shen-
andoah valley at time that Gen.
Early ordered him to storm federal
fort in their front II never was more
indignant in my life," SAID Gen. Cor
don, that when l heard that order. l
knew it was a perfectly unnecessary
thing to do, and explained to Gen.
EARLY that we could accomplish our
plan Of campaign without slaughter
ing my command by this attempt to
storm a strong position; position that
would fall Of itself when we should
make our proper movement. Early took
no other notice Of my explanation than
to send me word that II did not care
to execute the order he would delegate
its execution to some one else. You
may guess this reply made me boil
with fresh Indignation | felt It to be
an insult, but inasmuch as it was my
place to obey his orders, regardless of
consequences, issued the necessary
instruction fora movement at daylight
next morning. began, on my own
account making every preparation for
death, for l had presentiment that |
would this time meet my end. So |
wrote farewell letter to my wife,
told her what to do about my affairs,
handed over my watch and other per-
sonal effects to a friend, and then
walked up and down my quarters,
waiting for day to break and my com
mand to move That was solemn
night to me, for had this firm pre-
sentiment that it was my last night on
earth. | felt almost as certain Of this
as q man condemned to death, and can
now pretty well un.' .rstand how man
feels when he is to be executed in
few hours. ! always had, in every bat
tie Of my life, sense of the danger to
which | was exposed. never knew
what 1t was to forget it; but this time
| felt as never had before, that my
time had come, and no mistake.
$50 at daylight | took up my line Of
march to my death, as fully expected.
On we went, closer and closer to the
fort, until at last we were within close
range Of its guns. wondered that
they did not open on us, and every sec
ond | expected to see them belch forth
shot and shell and play havoc in our
ranks. On we went; my eyes were
fixed on the guns and my mind excited
to Its highest tension with wonder
ment why they did not open fire. On
we went until our advance struck the
fort and rushed upon its defenses,
when, to our utter Amusement, we dis
covered that 1t had been evacuated and
not federal was anywhere in sight,
inside or out. You can imagine my
sense Of relief as saw my boys in pos
session Of the fort without so much as
a scratch. So you see what a PRESENT.
ment Is worth. have never much be-
lieved in them since that night"
Col. Robert McEldowney, who was
present, referred to the attack on Fort
Stedman, at Petersburg, just before
the close of the war (wherc, by the
way, he was wounded), which attack
was made by Gen. Gordon's command.
"Tell us about that, general" said
genial Col, Bob, and so the general pro-
ceeded to answer another demand on
him for experiences (All the dining
party agreed that they could listen to
him for week. THAT attack" said
the general, twas made in February,
1865, when we were in our last gasp
and very desperate. Gen. Lee had sent
for me in the night--after midnight
to come 10 his quarters II was Bit
ter cold night, and set out ON a gal.
lop to get ont OF the intense cold as
soon as possible. Lee occupied little
brick house In the environs of Peters
burg. and asI opened the door Of his