Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-20

Of the days battle and the great num-
bers opposed TO u.s.. The two armies
faced each other all the next day OSth
OF septembeD, the guns unlimbered. tn"
lines of battle and sklrmishers in place.
but every one being careful not TO let
gun go off for fear. apparently. the terri
BILE slaughter and scenes OF the day
before might be renewed-one army was
afraid, the other daresnt'
SUMMONED AGAIN.
During the morning Of the 18th of
September courier from General Lees
headquarters came 10 my battalion OF
artillery with a message that General
Lee wanted to see me- l followed the
courier. and on meeting General Lee.
he said, Colonel Lee. l wish you to go
with this courier TO General Jackson, and
say TO him | sent you TO report 10 aim
/ replied: General. shall l take my ar
tlllery with me% He said: No: just say
that ! told you 10 report TO him. and ne
will tell you what he wants
81 soon reached General Jackson" said
the narrator. He was dismounted, with
but few persons around him. He said
to me: Colonel Lee. l wish you to take
a ride with me- And we rode to the left
OF our lines with but one courier, l think.
il was very quiet. no firing anywhere.
anu EVERY biAl dHili tiltiy Ndlhl4S III al
undertone, but ntently watching any one
else who was moving in any direction.
We soon reached a considerable hill,
very similar TO an Indian mound, but for
Its being larger.
AN OBSERVATION.
I'VE dismounted. and General Jackson
said: Let US go on this mound, or hill.
and be careful not TO expose yourself,
for the Federal sharpshooters are not far
off, The hill bore evidence of the
fierce fight of the day before. battery
Of artillery had been on 1t. and there
were wrecks of caissons broken wheels
dead bodies, and dead horses. General
Jackson said: Colonel, l wish you TO
take your glasses and carefully examine
the Federal line of battle | did so, and
satisfied myself In witnessing remark
ably strong line OF battle. with more
troops than l knew General Lee had
After locating the different batteries I'M
Hmbered and ready for action, and noting
the strong skirmish line In front
of the dense masses OF infantry. ] said
to General Jackson: General, that Is a
remarkably strong position, and there Is
n large force there He replied: Yes.
Colonel Lee. I wish you 10 take htty
pieces OF artillery and crush that force
which is the Federal right. Can you do
itg / can scarcely describe my feelings
as / again took my glasses, and made
an even more careful examination. l at
once saw such an attempt must fail
More than fifty guns were unlimbered
and ready for action, strongly supported
by dense lines OF infantry, and strong
skirmish lines. advantaseously posted.
CLOSELY PRESSED.
"The ground was unfavorable for the
location OF artillery on the Confederate
side. which, to be effective, should move
No close 10 the Federal lines and that,
TOO under fire Of the infantry and artil-
lery. | disliked to say what / felt and
knew. | said, Yes. General, where will
| get the fifty gunsg lie asked How
many have you? / replied, About twelve
out of the thirty / carried into the ac-
ton the day before. My losses were great
in men, horses, and carriages. lie said:
L can furnish you with some and General
Lee SAYS he can furnish some replied:
Shall | go for the guns" NO, not yet, ne
replied Colonel Lee he resumed, can
Won crush the Federal right with fifty
eunsg | said. General. l can try; l can
do il If any one can. He replied: That
is not what | asked you, sir; If give you
dftv guns can you crush the Federal
right?' | eyaded the question again and
again, but he pressed II home. FINALLY
| said: General, you seem 10 be more
intent upon my giving you my technical
opinion as an artillery officer than my
going after the guns and making the at
tempt
Yes, sir he replied, and l want your
positive opinion-yes or no. Iet thal
great crisis was upon me. and l could not
evade or dodge. | again took my gases
and made another examination. i waited
a good while, with Jackson watching in
tently.
COULD NOT DO 1T.
Finally / said: General, it cannot be
done with fifty guns and the troops you
have near here In an instant he an
swered Let us ride back. Colonel l felt
that had possibly shown lack of nerve
and with considerable emotion begged that
might be allowed to make the attempt
saving: General w forced me 10 say