Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-19

written for the Dispatch)
Incidents within the recollection OF
Confederate veterans should be recorded
teeors the veterans ali 80 home and 1t
a., On, late TO secure what is interesting.
On, only as history. but as illustrating
che character Of cur leaders. I have
che following from Mr. James Vass,
,-smher OF the Black Horse Cavalry OF
Virginia, and later a trusted detailed
scout for General Lee:
I'm the campaign against Pope the Black
Horse Cavalry were with Jackson, acting
es courlers. guides, and body-guard.
Aner tho battle Of slaughter's Mountain.
IL Culpeper. the operations were in
country familiar 10 them, and hence they
were valuable as couriers and guides.
They went with jackson in the rear Of
Pope 70 Bristoe Station, thence TO Ma
uassas. capturing Tailes Of cars on sidings,
which cars were loaded with all an
army needed. Thence Jackson turned
toward Centrevllle. and TO Sudley's Ford,
NtANAN -ANAfDNft4 AiNHaNAAf +iA A+PAf eiaN
took the position Mcdowell occupied at
First Manassas. The Tederals coming
from the direction Of Bristoe occupied
the position the Confederates held at
First Manassas Jackson called Tor the
best-mounted man OF the Black Horse
Company. Bob Martin rode down their
line and called James Vass. and ordered
him 70 report at once 10 General Jack
son. lie did so. and Jackson ordered him
% 90 with a dispatch around through
Hopewell Gap 10 General Lee, at the
Plains Station.
Vass started of at once, although he
had been IN tho saddle two or three days
and nights. pursued the indicated route,
and found General Lee a the Plains and
handed him the dispatch. after saluting.
beng too tired TO get of his horse. as
he should have done General Lee read
tie dispatch. and then came up and put
his hand upon VASES horses neck, and
asked many questions about Jackson
end his position, and after getting
through he said. stroking tho horses
name. My friend. your horse looks very
tired. Has she had anything 20 eat?'
Nass told the General she had had plenty
% eat but was very tired from two or
three days riding. General Lee then
said: you get on and take your saddle
o. and let her roll around here on this
green grass and II will DO her good
Don't go away. for Will want you, pres
entity"
on THE RETURN.
In an hour or so Vass was called TO Gene
ral Lees tent, on a hill, when General Lee
handed him a dispatch. saying: Here's
Dispatch I want you TO take back to
Vr.nn~u Oh 10
Now ! want you 20 be very careful. and
sse that these people don't get IT,
II there IS any danger Of their getting
It you must tear or eat II up Place It
IN q convenient place, so that II you see
you are going to be captured you can
destroy H."
Nass went btck. avoiding, under the
guidance Of citizen. main roads as
much as possible At one time they
heard in the darkness clanking sabres.
Nass left his guide 10 meet the corners.
ana sought the woods near, but the troops
turned out 20 be Confederates. Ar
riviug about II O'Clock at night at Sud
leys Ngss obtained from the hospital a
piece OF candle. went with Il 10 Jackson.
whom ne found lying on the ground.
covered with a blanket and asleep. He
awoke him and delivered the dispatch.
Jackson appeared quite sleepy. and kept
rubbing his eyes. 20 that Nass offered 20
iead 70 FOR him. He said: Never mind
III read IL presently" He finally read
T. and although in tho mean time some
oflcers had collected, and were asking
questions. Jackson, without answering
threw himself back and covered up his
head with blanket and went to sleep
Fass being tired. went TO sleep in fence
corner. and the next morning. being
awakened by shell bursting overhead,
got up and found everybody gone but
one man. asleep in another fence corner
NaeS awakened him. and found him TO
ls Little" Charles Randolph, OF Jack
sons stan. now an Episcopal minister
The two galloped eff, and joined Jackson
About Il mile away.
SEEMED NERVOUS.
During the morning jackson seemed
nervous using frequently his glasses, and
looking IN the direction OF Thoroughfare
Gap. FINALLY he epied q big cloud OF
Gust which seemed TO satisfy him. lie
Immediately pulled hts old haverSaek
around and wrote dispatch. called Nass
and directed his attention 10 the cloud
q dust saying: DO you see that dustY
mat Is General Lee. ! want you 20 tab
'his Dispatch to him as quick as yol
can"
Nass carried & az once. and found Lee
Boon after jackson himself and STAFF o. |
eouriers rode up. The Black Horse Com |
pSny were sitting around or the grounG |
snort distance of. when suddenly 30, /
Martin exclaimed; Great Coo. boys, looi |
a. 'Old Jack huggIng 'Marse Bob"
They looked. end jackson had his arm |
around General Lees shoulders. and wa
talking TO him.
Bob continued; Boys the YANKEES ar, /
going 70 catch HI now. Whenever 'O!e |
jack hugs 'Marss Bob something
Up"
In half an hour Jackson mounted an
started back 70 the left OF our line
iah sailop, and the whole army move
forward The Yankees caught what b.
Martin said. Before SHUTDOWN they wer
routed and driven across Bull run.
CHANTILLY.
The next day the battle OF chantiiiy
~ Va hill was fought IN q heavy thun-