The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05
GAVE ORDERS no THE ENEMY.
Strange Adventure of Union OFFICER I'm
| the Confederate Lines.

T
After the battle with Fremont AT Cross
Keys. Va, and the complete routing of Gen.
Shields army at Port Republic the morning
following, we rested for few days in Browns
Cove From thence We proceeded 10 Staun-
ton. Va, where We had been promised few
DAYS rest by Gen Stoncwal Jackson.
We arrived there on Saturday and were
happily arranging for our comfort when
we received orders to proceed 10 the re-en-
forcement of Lee at Richmond. as quietly
and rapidly as possible.
Our guns (of the Baltimore Battery,
Maryland, line, were placed on freight cars,
and our men mounted on the horses. pro-
ceeded in the direction of Richmond. az
directed. We finally arrived near Rch-
mond. on the Mechanicsville road. in the
rear Of McClean's army
1t was there witnessed n council of war
between five of our Generals. all mounted.
with maps on the pommels of the saddles.
Masr f and Pickett |'Ni about dnsk We
approached so close TO the enemy's line that
we we fred tour1second shells in their Ii midst
Darkness coming on, We ceased firlng ana
lay about our guns all night.
The next morning, early we took a de.
tour to the left, and about . o'clock We
planted our battery IN y skirt of woods where
we had a plain view of the Federal forces.
Gen Bradley !. johnson, commander of the
Maryland Line" with the Maryland regi-
We We're soon ordered TO open fire. While
seated on my horse taking note or the pre-
mature explosion of some OF our shells
Caused by the inferior quality OF iron they
were made Of which allowed the fash from
the gun to penetrate them. soldier mounted
on magnificent horse rode up TO me and ex-
claimed, stop this firing" | looked at
him and replied &" guess not. Our horses
were rubbing their heads together, and
stroked he beautiful horses name.
The rider was in his shirt sleeves So was
|. His shirt WAS flannel, like my own. His
trapplngs were Federal So were mine,
from the horse out. For that reason | had
no suspicion Of who he was When the guns
had fired another yolley he yelled out at me;
81 tell you TO. stop firing You are. firing at
our own mem" | replied: "lf you have any
orders to give. there's Gen. johnson below
there; give them to him" He Immediately
ing himself out as his rider and the General
converSed.
While observing them and expecting orders
heard the General eNclaim: We'll. who are
around, struck spurs to his horse and simply
flew across the fields to the Federal lines
The remarkable part of this incident was
that no one on the Generals staff or in the
regiment or myself had the presence, Of mind
to shoot at him. 1t was a Federal officer.
and probably the first to convey the news to
his army of Jackson in the rear"
1t was Il remarkable escape on his part.
He could not have done such n thing pre-
meditatedly. knowing that he was within
the enemy's lines. His innocent Ignorance
is what saved him. SO there seems 10 be
Providence that controls under such con-
ditions.
/ would certainly like to meet him, if he ia
living and break a bottle with him, as he
had my forced congratulations then, and he
has had my heartfelt congratulations since.
That engagement was the opening of the
"seven-days fight below Richmond.
nHa@ m