Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-31

| had the opportunity OF seeing and near
ing much OF interest that occurred as we
steadily advanced through the camps anu
field hospitals OF the enemy. and pusheu
on TO flank the position at Cold HarDor.
| saw that day for the first time since the
day he came from Arlington to offer his
stainless sword to the State that gave him
birth, our fearless leader, Robert Edward
Lee. That day, in April, 1861, when, In
response TO the vociferous calls OF the
crowd gathered at the depot at Louisa
Va. Colonel Lee appeared az the window
of the mail-car and gracefully bowed his
acknowledgements. his raven hair and
moustache had only a few silver threads.
Now the cares OF twelve months had
whitened his hair and full beard, and he
seemed at least twenty years older. But
his faultless figure, feet IL Inches high,
and Weighing 10 pounds. clad In uni
form OF simple gray with only the three
stars which every Confederate colonel was
entitled to wear. his broWn'hazei
eyes. his beaming countenance, In
which were mingled woman's gen.
tleness an hero's sternness,
his superb horsemanship, as
he rode Traveller Cnis famous and favor
tie charger. OF whom Captain Gordon Nc
Cabe once said 'he stepped as II con-
bacx'O and his whole bearing impressed
one that he was soldier among soldiers,
and every way worthy 10 be called
1.-The knightliest OF the knightly race
Who since the days OF old
Have kept the fires OF chvalry
Aglow In hearts OF gold"
recall distinctly how "Old Jack" look
ed that day. in his dingy uniform, covered
with the dust of the Valley; his FADED
cadet cap. the rim OF which tilted on MS
nose: mounted on Little Sorrell," suck
ing lemon. seeming to be in very bad
humor as he gave his short, crisp orders,
and evidently very impatient at the de-
lay In the march OF his column.
/ had known A. p. Hill from my boy
hood, and he had been the first colonel or
my regiment. but | remember very dis
tinctly how he appeared that day, dressed
In fatigue jacket OF gray flannel, his
felt hat slouched over his noble brow sit
ting his beautiful horse with easy grace,
glancing with eagle eye along his column
as IL hurried past him. and yet taking
time from his pressing duties 10 give me
warm grasp OF the hand and a cordial
greeting as he inquired after 'the boys
OF the old Thirteenth" and said: Tell
them that ] shall expect them 10 cover
themselves with glory to-day" l was
more impressed than ever that gallant
little Powell Hill Gas Mr.. Davis called
him) was every inch a soldier and would
do his full duty In the impending battles.
MOVED ON THE ENEMY.
A. p. Hill supported by Longstreet.
moved directly on the enemy, and at 2
Z. NJ. encountered him near New Cold
Harbor, went in, with his superb light d.
vision. and for two hours bore alone the
brunt OF the battle with unsurpassed
pluck and heroism. Jackson had been de-
layed by mis- take Of mis- guides and other
causes, and Longstreet was held back
until Jacksons guns were heard. But
just as General Lee had ordered Long
street TO 20 10 A. p. Hills relief Jack
son got into position and the battle was
Joined along the whole front Of Gaines $
Mil and Cold Harbor.
| cannot now go into the details OF this
great battle. Suffice II to say that the
Federal positions. naturally very strong,
were deliberately and skilfully fortified;
that General Fitz John Porter. who was
in immediate command on the field, made
an able and heroic fight. and that IL was
only with severe loss that we succeeded
finally In carrying every position. cap
turing fourteen pieces OF artillery, and
driving the enemy In confusion from the
field. Jackson's crisp order sweep the
field with the bayonet." and the gallant
response OF grim old Eweli and the rest
OF the corps; A. p. Hills persistent and
heroic charges; Longstreets superb night
tlxi the rush Of Hoods Texans on po-