The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
JOHN HANSON M'NEAL.
ONE OF TIE BRIGHTEST LEADERS
or THE CONFEDERATE ARMY.
The Incidents OF His Last DAYS and the
Death Of the Brave Warrior-he
Died q Harrisonborg, Va.

At your request. will give you an ac-
count of the last days Of Captain McNeal.
one OF our bravest southern leaders
Though many of the happenings dur
ing the late civil war have almost peen
FORGOTTEN. still the instance of lis death
remains fresh and vivid as If il just oc-
CURED yesterday.
II was "A lovely morning In the sum-
mer Of 1860, and we were living at Rood s
Hin. that contested spot OF both ar
mics I'm the valley OF Virginia The Fed
eral army had passed up the valley a
few DAYS before. and were camping near
Harrisonhurg, about twcnty-seNeh mics
above whore we were living \ long
train of wagons. carrying provisions TO
the main army, came 10y a few days
after. and campod near our houses the
officers staying at the house. For their
safety and protection a hundred men
we're stationed at the bridge that spans
the Sheuardoa river. near Mt Jackson,
three fourths OF a mile away
ON the following morning, Just at the
dawn of day. We were aroused from our
slumbers. by the rapid firing OF guns;
the sound coming from the direction OF
the bridge. IL was yet too dark TO dis
tlnruish what was going on IN the camp
but we could hear great commouon
and knew the sleepers had been aroused
from INNIf morning nap 10y FNAA' va NNl
slcepicss rebels. who were always ON
the alert TO surprise the enemy, no mat
ter which way they We're going; or 10
pick up straeslrs or picket men when
ever they had a chance. We were al
most sure they were at that kind of
work now. our suspicious were soon
gratncd for We saw a dozen or more
Yankee cavalry dash mp thc pike as fast
as their horses could carry them to-
f.. 4lI N . moments
We saw a squad OF Confedoraies COM
ing with a lot OF prisoners.
srvERaL WOUNDED.
In front of them rode their commander.
Can't NcNeal. supported on either side
bv two OF his men. We saw at q glance
he was severely wounded. as they filed
into tho yard. and lifted him from his
faithful old horse and laid him on the
grass lis noble form. writing In agony.
reminded one more OF wounded lion.
Vhe nre sim flashed from his clear blue
ewes. and taking in the situation. DE said.
Jessie my son. take charge Of The pris-
oncrs and YOU and my men do the best
YOU can. and move on
GOOD BYE uT BOYS.
As his men bent over him with tears
ri syrnpathy. hc looked into their faces
and said. GOOD byc. my boys leave me
10 my rate. 4 can 90 no more Tor my
country one OF his men knelt and ot-
fered up short prayer commanding
their gallant leader 20 a Mcrciful God.
As he arose and left with tAe men, the
captaln's eyes followed them as long as
rev were in sight Then, Tor the lrst
tlme. DE exclaimed. ooh. I am In such
agony. do something Tor me II you cant
lie seemed 10 realize our helplessncss
AZ well az his own. being left there with
out even q protector and what would be
tho consequences should the Yankees.
who had escaped. return. His suffcrlngs
seemed Intense. ana 1 could only think
Of a cup Of coffee 20 give him. which /
made from some thc commanders OF
the wagon train had given me the day
before Then / thought OF a package Of
medicine that had been LEFT with us to be
sent on 10 the hospital at MIR. jackson.
where the Union sick were. In this pack |
are I found some morphine. which ! adj |
tninistcrcd with trembling Eands. and |
after getting him quiet my husband. |
servants. and 1 managed 70 get him on a /
biz rkeL. and with Kreat effort carried /