The Tupelo journal., 1906-06-22

torical incidents. 1t is wonder
full how the eve of a battle or
fierce skirmish differently af-
fects different soldiers. re-
member very well a little Incl
dent that occurred just before
we went into the fight at a place
called the Darby House. 1t
was some distance above Allan
ia, and we were covering john
sons retreat, and holding back
the enemy as best we could and
as long as we might. We finally
found our command, Ferguson's S
Brigade, just in advance Of the
Darby House, fronting a superb
or force and an advancing enc
my, consisting of infantry and
dismounted cavalry. We threw
up the best protection we could
out of fence rails and logs, and
then awaited the approach of
our foe. 1t was early in the
morning when we began the
waiting process, the July sun
coming over the hillside, strong
er and stronger as the delay
continued. While we were thus
waiting, Lieut.. Jackson, First
Lieut.. of Capt. Walkers Compa-
ny, was talking to me, together
with others, of his feelings and
presentiments about the fight
which was coming on, and he
showed very clearly that some
influence operating on his mind
had indicated to him that his
days were numbered, and that
an enemy's bullet would take
him off during the day, and he
spoke. in a pathetic manner
about the loved ones at home,
and the improbability of his ev-
er seeing them again on earth.
While he was thus giving way
to his feelings and lamenting
his fate, the Adjutant of the
regiment handed me a letter,
which | saw at a glance was
from my wife from my far
away Mississippi home. The
balls were then singing OCCASION
ally, and our men were sending
shots in reply at intervals. |
did not open the letter, but put
it in my pocket intending to
read it when the fight was over.
The Adjutant said, Sergeant,
why don't you read your letter."
| replied, II think | SHALL"
throwing the emphasis on the
shall. By this time the fire was
pretty constant, and the enemy
were advancing slowly but sure
ly. So you can see the differ
ence in my feelings and Lieut..
Jackson's as we were entering
into this fight. | could look to-
ward the future and see myself
after the battle was over read
ing my wife's letter, and later
realizing the home coming, while
poor, noble, brave Jackson saw
his own noble form placed in a
shallow grave by the foe by
whom he had been slain, having
only an old Confederate blanket
for a winding sheet! But as the
enemy advanced Jackson bore
himself as if no future but coun-
try and home was in his mind,
and was among the last to leave
the field. There seemed to have
been some mistake madein get
ting orders to our regiment, and
the regiments on the right and
left of us both retreated some
time before we did. When the
order finally came the enemy
were in close proximity to us
and pressing with all their vigor.
When we got back to our horses
just in rear of the Darby resi-
dence, the foe were mixing with
US, and many of our men had to
go out afoot, their horses either
getting away from them, or be-
ing turned loose by the horse
holders before they got up.
When | got on my claybank, |
found myself right by Col. Inge's
side, who, seeing the color bear
er with the flag furled, jerked it
out of his hands, unfurled lt,and
followed, Fall in, my brave
Mississippians, fall in, and face
the enemy!" / reined my horse
alongside of the Colonel and did
all | could to get the boys to stop
and form line in face of the
enemy and calling fire of small
arms with bursting shells and
screaming shot. But to no pur-
pose. It could not be done. Some
thing like a half dozen stopped,
and among the number was
Lieut.. jackson and a young man
just merging into manhood by
| the name of Waller, anda broth
er to the Adjutant of the regi
ment. When / saw all hope OF
rallying the regiment was futile,
I waved my hand toward The
old field where the men wert
getting away as fast as they
could and as best they might,anG
remarked to Col. Inge, Wonder
go your brave Mississippians,
Col. Inge!o Then