The National tribune., 1906-03-15

mand Of five divisions-Kershaw's. A
r SteWarts, Bushrod Johnson's anS
dindman's, together with my own. TIL,
latter formed tine center of my line
with Hindman upon my left, johnson
and Stewart on the right, and KershaN
| IN reserve. About 0 a. M the firing OF
the right commenced; we immediatel,
advanced and engaged the enemy, wher
toIloWed a terrible roar of musketrI
from right to left. Onward we moved
nerved with determination TO become
masters of that hotly-contested field
we wrestled with the resolute foe till
ABOUT ESQ p. m., when, from a skirt OF
timper to our left a body of Federals
rusned down upon the immediate fIaul;
ana rear of the Texas Brigade which
was forced to suddenly change front.
some CONFUSION necessarily arose | was
al the time on my horse, upon n slight
ridge about 800 yalds distant, and gal
ioped down the slope, in the midst of
the men, who speedily corrected their
alignment. At this moment Kershaw' $
splendid division, led by its gallant COM
mander, came forward, as Hindman ad-
Nahced TO the attack little further to
the left. Kershaw's line formed as il
were, an angle with that of the Federal
line. then in full view in an open space
near the wood. / rode rapidly to his
command, ordered Il change of front
forward on his right, which was
promptly executed under a CALLING fire
WIN shout along my entire front, the
Confederates rushed forward, penetrat-
ed INTO the wood, over and beyond the
enemy's breastworks. and thus achieved
another glorious victory for our arms.
About this time l was pierced with a
mimic ball in the upper third of the
right leg; j turned from nv horse upoD
the side of the crushed limb and fell
strange to say, since 1 was commanding
hVe divfsionS-fnto the arms of some
OF the troops of my old brigade. which
had directed SO long period and
upon so many fields of battle.
Long and constant service with this
noble brigade must prove sufficient
apology for a brief reference, AT this
Juncture, to its extraordinary military
record from the hour of its first en-
counter with the enemy at E,ltham's
Landing, on York River, In 1862, to the
surrender at AppomattoX Court House
In almost every battle in Virginia it
pore a conspicuous part. II acted as
the advanced guard of Jackson when
he moved upon Mcclellan. around
richmond; and, almost without an ex-
cepuonal instance, 1t was among the
foremost of LongStreet's Corps in an
attack or pursuit of the enemy. 1t was
also, as a rule, with the rear guard of
the rear guard of this corps. whenever
Falling back before the adversary. If
a ditch was to be leaped. or fortified DO
sition to be carried, Gen. Lee knew no
better troops upon which TO rely. In
truth, its signal achievements in the
war OF secession have never been sur
passed in the history of Nations.
Wuonded Again.
The members of this heroic band were
possessed of streak of superstition, as
in fact L believe all men TO be: and it
may here prove of interest 10 cite an
instance thereof. 1 had a favorite roam
horse named by them Jeff Davis"
whenever he was in condition / rode
him iii battle, and, remarkable as ii
may seem, he generally received the
bullets and bore me unscathed. In this
battle he was severely wounded on Sat
urday; the following day / was forced
to resort to valuable mare III my pos
session, and late in the afternoon was
shot from the saddle. At Gettysburg I
had been unable to mount him on the
field. in consequence of lameness; in
this engagement ] had also been shot
from the saddle Thus the belief among
the men became nigh general that when
on old jeff the bullets could
not find me. This spirited and fearless
animal performed his duty throughout
the war, and after which he received
tender care from Gen. jefferson and
family of Seguin, Tex, until death,
when he was buried with appropriate
honors.
When wounded I was borne to the
hospital of my old division. where "a
most difficult operation was performed
by DR.. T. G. Richardson, of New Or
leans He was at the time Chief Medi-
cal officer OF the Army of Tennessee
and is now (1S7S-'79) the President of
The Medical Association Of the United
States.
The day after the battle was ear
ried upon q litter some 10 miles TO the
residence of Mr.. Little, in Armuchee
Valley / remained there about one
month under the attentive care of Mr. !
and Mrs. Little, the parents of the gall
ant Col. Little, of my division, and
inder the able medical attendance of
DR.. John T. Darby.
l then received Intelligence from
Gen. Bragg that the enemy was con-
templating a raid to capture me. ri
1t once moved to Atlanta, and thence |
20 Richmond.
Compliments and Promotion.
Gen. Longstreet has since the war
informed me that he telegraphed the |
authorities of the Confederate Govern !
nent from the battlefield, on the day 1 |
was wounded. urging my promotion to |
he rank of Lieutenant-General, and |
vas kind enough about the same time |
o send the following letter:
Headquarters. Chattanooga, Sept.
"a, 1863.
General: I respectfully recommend |
Maj.-Gen. ]. B. Hood for promotion to |
he rank of Lieutenant-General, for dis
.inguished conduct and ability in the |
1attle of the goth inst. Gen. Hood |
handled his troops with the coolness
md ability that l have rarely known
)y any officer, on any field, and had
he misfortune. after winning the bat
lie, to lose one of his limbs.
Il remain, sir, very respectfully, your
,bedient servant,
"(signed) j. Longstreet, Lieutenant
General.
Gen. S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspec-
tor-General.
Endorsed: Headquarters. near Chat
anooga, Sept. "a, 1853"
"w. D. 1888.
-. Longstreet, Lieutenant-General
ecommends Maj.-Gen. j. y. Hood for
to the rank of Lieutenant
General for distinguished services in the
,attie OF the 20th inst"
81 cordially unite in this just tribute.
'Braxton Bragg, General"
Respectfully submitted to the Sccre-
ary of War.
by order.
Ed. A. Palfrey, Lieutenant-C Colonel and
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Respectfully submitted to the Presi-
lent"
Il cannot too warmly express my ap.
OF the character and services
# this distinguished officer, and cordial-
y concur in recommending his promo