Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-08-06
Stonewall Jackson at the First
Battle of Manassas.
IDIToR OF THE GAZETTE:


EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE:
Your recent account Of the re-
union Of some Of the survivors Of
the first battle Of Manassas leads
me to furnish you an account OF
some features Of that days doings
that, so far as | know, have never
been given to the public; but would
have been given to the world
if Jackson's private papers had not
gotten lost.
The following is an account Of
conversation that took place be-
tween Colonel Jackson and some OF
his old acquaintance on the day
after the famous battle. The most |
of that day was spent by the
victorious army in relating the
struggles and events of the previous
day.
Drs. j. F. Scott, j. II. Bocock
and William Brown, editor + the
CentdJ Presbyterian, sought out
"Stonewall" Jackson,y yet filling the
rank Of Colonel, and DR.. Brown,
as the spokesman Of the occasion,
said: "ColoneI, tell us, please,
what part Of the wonderful day
transaction fell to your lot to
perform?'
"WelI " said the Colonel. after
the manner Of his native modesty,
II can lay claim to any spe 'ial
honor as belonging % me, growing
out Of the struggles Of the day
eyes. Colonel, we know that
ven are IA modest man, and dislike
to refer to deeds Of your own
achievements but we also know
that your brigade was holly en-
gagged during much Of the day,
and that. az } professional soldier,
YOU are not without some am bition
for the honor Of your men. Now,
waving all personal feelings in the
matter, tell us the part taken by
your brave men in the battle.
This seemed to draw out the man
Of few words, and ne spoke freely.
Said he, "There was so much Of
the days doings that seemed TO
ne to be due directly to the inter
vention Of Providence, that hest
tate to take any credit to myself
for it.
"Tell us about some Of those
things" said DR.. Brown.
, "Well." said the Colonel. ''there
were cepoints at which the hand of
God seemed to me to guide affairs.
First. my brigade arrived here about
; four (?) O'Clock the day before the
battle. During the night | took
with me two Of my aids end we
started to reconnoitre the neigh
boring country. We had not gone
far till we came upon a lone man, Il
citizen of the Geighborhood. !
asked him if he was acquainted
with that immediate vicinity.
yes. said he, Il know every foot of
it,. | ordered my men to put him
, under arrest as Il guide, adding,
IF YOU catch him in the least
treachery shoot him down. We
did not know whether he was friend
, or foe. With him as guide we went
, all over the battlefield till | knew
it perfectly and when Beauregard
sent M word at four o'clock in the
morning to come and take my place
ON the field. ! knew what | was
q doing. Finding that guide was nc
I accident.
again" said he, during the
long. hard struggle of the day,
o when my men were exhausted, and
{ being not just then needed in ac-
ton. | gave command for them tc
7 lie down behind an old fence in
. some low pines. While lying there
the line Of battle brought the
, encmv's fire directly towards my
r men. and they being occasional ~
= shot in the head, were becoming
= very restless. One Of the Gen
. erals sent to know if my men were
o suffering. Ireplied that they were
q becoming restless and that any
action would be a relief.
"The Federal troops, swarmine
>, upon the face of the hill, were
>. massed .ear the Henry house
o These lines were hurled upon the
! Confederate centre. Pendleton'
; artillery occupied the crest OF the
n hill and general charge was made
7 upon him by the Federal centre
, He greeted them with Il discharge
:, of canister at close range and with
|, drew at gallop. The FederalS
:, rushed forward at double quick
without knowing my men were
@ near till they were right upon us
!. After Pcndleton had passed my
c men they rose up like demons out
" Of tie ground and with wild cheers
S firing yolIey at close range, they
" rushed forward to Il free use OF the
h bavonef. ! had charged without
r orders. None were needed The
2. enemy had been delivered into oul
IS hands. and we received them II
NJ -la.af