Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-07-30
Gen. Lanes Letter and Other
Interesting Paragraphs.

Charlottesville, May 2nd, 1858,
and his removal from the battle
field, as told, for the first time, by
Maj. Marcellus Norman of Lynch
burg, Va.
An old report. often repeated
said, that Jackson, as he rode to
the front on that fatal night, gave
command to the troops to fire upon
any one appearing before them.
1t is worthy of note, that Major
Norman makes no allusion to such
an order.
AS to Fancy" or "Little
Sorrel," JacksOn's famous war
horse, Major Norman says he had
charge of him after the battle for
ten days, or until his command
reached Orange Court House, when
he turned him over to General
Stuart, along with the horses of
Colonel Crutchfield and Major
Rodgers. Fancy" or Little Sor-
rel' was finally taken to Lincoln
county, N. c., where he was tend
erly cared for by Rev. DR.. Hall
Morrison, Presbyterian minister.
and the father of Mrs. M.ry Anna
Jackson. DR.. Morrison lived IA
miles from Davidson College, where
| used to see the old horse occa-
sionally, when he was sent there
for one of the Doctors sons, at the
institution, to ride when going
home for a little visit The
famous charger died at an adj
yanced age, and was buried with
honor in the soil of the Old North
State, and has long ago become
constituent part of it. 1t should,
also, be recorded here, of John
Webb, who caught the horse after
his gallant rider was wounded,
that he removed the yellow nose
band from the bride, and took it
for a keepsake.
Major Hotchkiss, some years
since, expressed a good deal of
curiosity about the ambulance,
which conveyed General Jackson
to the hospital. He wanted to
know whose it was.
Major Norman seems fully con-
WINGED, that it was the ambulance
attached to his battery. His men
-Lud Hall and others-were of
the same opinion. He so informed
Major Hotchkiss before the latter's
death.
Col. Crutchfield, Jackson's chief
of artillery, who afterwards died
from his wounds, was taken to the
field hospital in the same ambulance
with General Jackson. Did they
converse during their painful ride
through the deep, dark forest
road? And if so, what could
have been the trend of their
thoughts? What interest would be
attached to the remarks made at
that time, could they be truly
reported to US.
General Lane, as noted in my
former article, did not advance at
once as Jackson had expected, and,
for his failure to do so, some have
blamed him, who did not, or do
not, understand the situation.
Major Norman, a few years
ago, received letter from Gen
eral Lane in explanation of his
delay. 1t should be read in con
nection with the episode of the
l2Sth Pennsylvania regiment,
mentioned in former article.
Here is the letter:
son reaching the 1vance guns
Moorman's battery-both sides
opened their artillery, and | or
dered my command to lie down on
the side of the road General A.
P. Hill sent his Adjutant General,
Colonel Palmer, To know why ]
did not form my line of battle, and
my reply was: Because do not
wish to lose my brigade. l am
unwilling to attempt to form my
line in the dark, under such II
fire. and in such woods Tell
General Hill that / believe the
enemy is simply responding to our
guns. If he will order ours to
cease firing. they will stop, and |
will then form my line The order
was then given through Palmer
Your guns ceased firing, and so
did the enemy's, just as / expected.
| then formed my line-two regi-
ments on the right OF the road
the 9th and 7th n c.; two on the
left-the 18th and 18th N. c., with
0ne-the 33rd n. c. thrown well
forward to the Van Wort house
as skirmishers. My brigade were
the only troops in lire of battle at
the time. Pender's and Nc
Gowan's brigades of A. p. Hills
division were in the road in rear Of
mine, and it was there that Jack
son gave his order, so often quoted,
to Fender: Hold your ground,
General Fender General Pender
did not form on the left al the
road, until after jackson and 4.
2. Hill had been wounded. and |
had withdrawn the 18th md oSth