Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-20
C}13!lIl;[lEI]
of the Shenandoah Valley. My subject IL
STONEWALIs JACKSON IN WINTER
QUARTERS AT MOSS NECK.

of the Shenandoah Valley. My subject 4
STONEWALL JACKSON IN WINTER
QUARTERS AT MOSS NECK.
II was on tho morning of Decembe
15 1862, that we discovered at Hamilton
Crossing that the battle OF t'redericks
burg was ended-ended with the derea
OF the enemy, and his withdrawal to th'
| north side of the Rappahannock river
! The heavy mists were slow In rising. bu
as the sun made It's way through oui
| pickets advanced across the plain anc
| reached the entrenched river road anc
found that all the proud army OF Burn
side had gone back TO the STAFFORD
Heights. Here and there a Federal de-
serter was found In the bitches waiting
| to surrender. Dead bodies were found
In piles. forsaken TO the care OF our burial
corps Arms and accoutrements. dis
mounted artillery, and forsaken wagons
| everywhere strewed the fields.
| The possibility Of an attempt to cross
the river at other points was in the minds
of our leaders, and promptly Stuart
| moved his cavalry OF to the right, down
| the river, and Jackson's divisions OF In
| fantry were set In motion on the hill
roads by Grace church, TO Caroline
Academy, and to Port Royal.
Before noon Jackson, with one aide and
q body Of couriers, set off down the river
road. In the afternoon courfers reached
US from Stuart, and by 8 o'clock we learn
ed that there were no indications or Fede-
raj movements on the river as FAR as
Port Royal. We were then at the Moss
Neck church, below Hayfield. Jackson
turned and asked where we should spend
the night. He was told that we were
near the Moss Neck House, the fine resi-
dence of Mr.. James Park Corbin, and
that that would be a suitable place Tor
his headquarters, as affording accommo-
dation and as well-known and accessible
TO couriers. Turning aside from the river
road, we soon reached the large ana
handsome place, but the General no soon
er saw it that he declared he would not
20 there The alternative was between
the comfort and hospitality Of that ele-
CANT residence and night on the ground
in the bitter cold OF December, without
food or shelter, for our wagons had gone
to Guneas Station, and could not reach
u.s. But with his cap down and his face
up he said "Nol' and that was an end,
we thought, Of all the comfort, and the
supper, and the ladies. Passing long
columns Of troops, who broke into WHO
cheers OF delight on finding that "Old
jack was with them, we turned into the
oak woods a mile beyond the house ana
dsmounted. One young man there was
disappointed and mad.
Soon our couriers drew some wood to-
gether and made a roaring fire, and an
other for themselves a few rods away.
Men and horses were to go to bed supper
less. 1t was not long before the General
asked whether I had any biscuits in my
haversack. / regret now TO say that It
was with extreme pleasure that told him
l had none. / had eaten nothing since
the breakfast at early daylight. The
General and his aide wrapped themselves
together in their overcoats on one saddle
blanket and covered with another. After
while he stirred and sat up, saying he
was cold and hungry. And / thought or
the supper-table at Moss Neck, and the
comfortable beds with blankets. The
great dead tree at the foot Of which the
couriers had built their fire came down
with a great crash, falling across the fire,
and throwing brands and Goals over us
and in all directions 1t was mercy that
the Confederate army did not lose its
Stonewall by the falling Of that tree.
Captain Hugh Mcclure arrived, and came
to our fire. and the General, relenting,
asked whether he could not get us some-
thing to eat MCGUIRE had taught in
family in the neighborhood and knew the
people we'll. Mounting, he rode to Moss
a basket of biscuits and halr-used ham,
and we had a feast indeed. The couriers |
were called in, sld we had quite merry |
time by the fire. The General tried his |
hard, cold couch again, but in half an |
hour he suddenly rose and said quietly !
Captain, let's go to the Moss Neck |
HouseP He was conquered. And L |
almost dared to say, 81 told you sou
OPEN SESAME.
Though it was midnight, and all the
household asleep, they were soon aroused
by Captain Mcclure, who through key
hole told a frightened maiden of advanced
years that General Jackson accepted Mrs.
Corbin's invitation, and had come TO
spend the night. Lights came moving
through the house. The great door
was unbarred. Fires were stirred
and replenished. The General was taken
10 a chamber and L slept before the ire
)n costly rug, as comfortable boy as
here was in the army that bitter night.
So began our winter stay at Moss Neck.
The house was an elegant mansion,
quilt few years before when Mr.. James
Park Corbn was a man Of large wealth,
IN the hills, a mile or more back from
he river, commanding a fine view 1t
vas built after the pattern OF an Eng
ish country residence, with extended
wings, and with large porches and f1ne
1t was exceedingly commodious,
having a large number Of room. beauti-
ulIy fitted and splendidly furnished. Mrs.
Richard Corbin was the lady or the
louse, and gave the General a most
cordial invitation TO occupy as many
ooms as he wished In her house. But
le would not listen to such a proposition.
Ne must snare the camp with the troops.
IND when the wagons came our tents
we're piched in the grove beyond the
tables; and soon the STAFF gathered in,
nd the work of all departments began
n earnest. Prompt reports came from
ur division commanders as TO the en-
ampment Of the troops. ID. II. Hill was
t Grace Episcopal church, A. p. Hill
sas at q house halfway between. TAT
aferro was near US, and below, near
'aroline Academy, was General early.
,rders were issued as TO picket lines on
he river. Messages were sent 10 Gene
al Lee, and the long winter work or
rganization and preparation was az
and.
Christmas was comingl The day be-
ore General Jackson told us he wished
} entertain General Lee, General Stuart,
nd General Pendlcton at dinner on
hristmas day. 1 was the caterer at the
me- for we OF the staff took that post
turn, and 1t devoived on me to pro-
ide that dinner, and. "if l say 1t myself
$ shouldn't" 1t was a famous dinner.
n attempt to buy O turkey from a lady :
esuted in present Of two fine turkeys.
bucket OF oysters came from some
here down the river: and box came ,
, the General from Staunton ladies, with ,