The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-13
NEW CIVIL WAR STORY.
"StOnewa1I" Jackson, the PrOfane
Private and a Cannon.

Detroit Free Press.
Among the many quaint stories that are
told in connection with Stonewall Jack
sons brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah
valley in 1862 there is one that always
brings a smile to my face when 1 think
of it as told by an old "ex-Confed' who
was attached to one of the batteries Of his
command during that trying time.
In the early spring of that year General
Jackson had rushed his "Commissary Gen
eral' Banks-the commander of the Fed
eral army i'm the valley-through Winches-
ter and Martinsburg, across the Potomac
into Maryland, with the loss to the latter
OF many men and a large quantity OF mill
tary supplies, and then leisurely returned
to Winchester, where he was not permitted
to remain long undisturbed by his enemies.
Banks, Shields and Fremont, approaching
from three sides (north, east and west),
endeavored TO cut off Stonewalls retreat
up the valley.
After leaving Winchester the Confed-
crates followed the turnpike-a first-class
road-through Stroudsburg, Woodstock,
Edenburg, Mt. Jackson and New Market
TO Harrisonburg where they left the turn
pike and struck out in the direction of the
Blue mountains by way of Mt. Crawford.
Between the condition of the pike and
the red clay road on which JacksOn's conf
mand now found itself there could be no
comparison. Everything or wheels stuck
fast in the mud, and the patience of officers
and men were alike tried to the utmost.
The infantry and cavalry kept out of
the mud road as much as possible, seeking
the fields and threading their way through
the woods. where the ground was not cut
up so much. Notwithstanding the dis
heartening condition of things. the toll
some march was kept VI in the direction
of Port Republic. with Banks and Fremont
hanging like bulldogs on the rear and
Shields pushing with all his might I'M the
Luray valley to keep jackson from cross
ing the river and reaching the protection
OF the "burly Blue Ridge" after his an
ticipated defeat by the two frst-named
generals.
AT a point on the road where it was belly
deep TO the horses a twelve-pound howitzer
was stuck fast. and the Disguised artillery
men strove in vain with whip and spur,
fence rails, strong English and every expe-
dent that Disguised men could think of TO
get out Of the slough of despond."
At this time some cavalrymen sitting on
their horses looked idly on, ard congratu-
lated themselves Epon having.four legs I'M
der them instead OF four wheels, and a
heavy piece of artillery in their charge.
which seemed to be possessed of the devil
of obstinacy.
While the cavalrymen were ENJOYING the
situation, sitting high and dry uDon their
horses, and now and then cracking a joke
at the expense of the mud-bedabbled gun
ners, a rather quaint-looking officer with an
old slOuched hat cooked Ger his eve
askew," halted with his staff and quietly
took in the situation.
Then, turning to one OF the cavalry Off
GtiS III AOllilAAdlll u lit LlUDD OA the road
side. he directed him to order some of his
men TO dismount and help the gun out OF
Its unfortunate position.
The response OF the mounted men to the
order was very slow indeed; but they rec
ognized Stonewall as the officer who had
come TO the rescue of the gun, and knew
there was no help for IL.
The struggle was apparently vain. and AZ
length a thoroughly disguised cavalryman.
with a halt in his speech and covered with
mud, turned with a reproachful look TO his
beloved general and said: "G~-g-gen-gen
eral, l-l-lets take u-u-up a collection f-f-for
the d-damn g-g-gun-p-pay for it. and
l-leave it, The blue light elder" did not
pay much attention TO the suggestion of
his prOfane follower, further than 10 give
a few quiet orders TO his subordinate Off
GERS. and the gun was soon numbering
along, and was at Port Republic the next
day in time for its gunners 10 say:
That's Banks-hes fond of shell:
Lord save his soul. wei give him"-weu.
That's "Stonewal JacksOn's way"