The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-18
"STONEWALL' MASCOT
ARMY NORTHERN
VIRGINIA
(BY w. |. Jones. !

being luck TO any organization o!
men surely "Stonewall" was the
mascot that always brought success
and victory in all the battles in
which his command participated. Al
Bull Run he was knighted Stone
WALL his towering form standing
amidst shot, shell and rifle ball
while his regiment of Virginians
hurled the enemy back, winning vic
tory, the first of the war for the
Confederate army. 'Stonewall
rose from colonel to brigade com
mander, soon to major general. The
enemy in the spring of 1862 were
in possession of the valley known
as Shenandoah. "Stonewall" knew
topography of the country like a
book. A consultation with General
Lee led to a plan to raise a force
of $4,000 and march to the valley
and drive the enemy out. Soon
OloueNdil ~ do ou NhS uIdiNh anu
by rapid movement in a few days
reached the valley safely. recon
noitering and learning the enemy S
position he gave battle first to Gen
eral Banks, driving him from his
position and capturing his commits.
sary train.
General Shields next was met and
defeated then General Mcdonald
was routed. Three generals were
defeated in succession, and driven
out of the valley by June 10, 1862,
The enemy were completely driven
out, and "Stonewall" camped with
his command.
Splendid Achievement.
This splendid achievement con
Quoted solely by "Stonewall" proved
the great generalship OF the Confed-
crates mascot and loved soldier.
McClelland with a force of over one
hundred thousand was camped along
the Chicamauga river June, 1862
threatening Richmond, General Lees
lines extending from the railway on
his left across Mechanicsville turn
pike, and east towards Malvern Hill.
Wrights brigade of five regiments
held the center of the line near
Kings school house on the Me
chanicsville turnpike. 1t was a calm
cool morning. The sun rose in red
splendor the air was balmy as
spring. Reveille had awakened the
soldiers of Wright's brigade, who
were near the front supporting pick
cts. The brigade was at breakfast
and had just finished their meal.
That eventful morning, June %
1862. Hark. A volley of musketry
from the pickets in front; the long
roll was sounding; the brigade was
quickly in line and on march to the
front. -Skirmishing now was heavy
McClelland had attacked Lees cen
ter in strong force: a general en-
gagement was on, lasting during in
tervals of an hour, until noon. The
enemy was held in check. lines con
fronting only few hundred yards
apart. All along the Confederate
line awaited McClellands further at
tack. Something wrong with the
enemy, what was it? 'Stonewall
like a cyclone sweeping down from
the valley on McClellands right,
striking him unawares, driving his
great army from camp down the
Chicahominy river, fighting the bat
ties of Gaines Mill, Fraziers farm
Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp
Malvern Mill. thus ending by glor-
ious victory. "Stonewall's" achieve
ments, the great mascot of the Lee
army.
"StonewalI' In Lead.
In the most famous campaign oi
Lee. Manassas, invasion of Mary
land. "Stonewall' was in the lead
His great stragetic move was cap
turing Manassas Junction, defeat
ing Pope and hurling his army OF
one hundred and twenty thousand
back to Washington. Crossing the
Potomac river at Shephardstown on
into Maryland al Frederick City
resting his command a few days
McClelland reinstated to command
began marching to drive stone
wall out of Maryland. "Stonewall
had formulated his plans while rest.
ing at Frederick City. Crossing the