The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-19
MAJOR TUTWILER ON THE
 BATTLE OF NEW MARKET

of the New Market battle is as fol- lows:
 The Narrative
 {, Early on May II. 1864, AS years ago, | the Virginia Military institute cadets started from their barracks in Lexing- ton, Va. to join the army of Gen. John l c. Breckinridge at Staunton, 40 miles distant. We were all delighted, we had petitoned the goverffor of Virginia to l let us join the Confederate army and he had offered our services to General Lee, who said he would call for us when | needed so when General Sigel started his march up the Shenandoah valley General Breckenridge was sent with such troops as he could collect to drive him back; these consisted of Echols' and Whar- | tons brigades, Edgars battalion, Im boden's cavalry, and the Virginia Milf 1 tary institute cadets.
 I am going to give my recollections of our march and the battle of New Market so you must excuse me if I am Ia little personal.
 | The first day we marched to Midway, 20 miles from Lexington, and the same | distance from Staunton. After going 10 miles on the hard turnpike my feet were solid blisters on the bottom, so at every branch I would take off my shoes and bathe my feet in the cold water, then I would have to run and catch up with my company.
 At Midway, as we had no tents, we 1 improvised a rude shed built of poles and leaves. then we built a nice fire in | front; after a frugal supper we laid | down on the ground and were soon asleep; about o'clock, however, there was fearful thunder storm. followed | by downpour of rain; we were soon awake and found that we were thor oughly drenched. I took off my shirt, and after wringing all the water out of | it I could, I held it out in front of the fire to dry, but it rained so hard that it put out the fire. I put on my wet shirt and decided that war was not near so pleasant as I had ina gined. l We had camped near a Presbyterian l church. we opened a window and climbed through it into the church, where we found nice cushions in the
 news: we soon slept where many a good 1 follower of Calvin had slept before us. l The next morning early we were on | the march again; the pain from my blis- | tered feet was excruciating, but I was too proud to "crawfsh" and ride in the ambulance, so continued to bathe them in the cool water of the branches we crossed At last. we reached our camp ing place about one mile south of Staunton. As it had stopped raining we soon laid down on mother earth and slept the sleep of worn out weary boys. The next day We joined the rest of our Little army and were assigned to Echol's brigade.
 Jeered by Old Soldiers
 In order to get our proper place in the marching column. we had to pass some of the regiments of old soldiers, and they ieered us considerably. sing ing Rocky bye. baby" and calling us new issue" and etc. As we marched along on the 18th I shall never forget the superb looking form and regular. handsome features of General Brecken- ridge as he rode past us on beauti- full bay mare. He had a long mustache, and wore a soft hat; he rode magnif- gently and was every inch soldier. He greeted us. smilingly. and rode on to- wards the head of the column. He was the Prince Rupert of the Confederate army That night we camped about 20 miles from Staunton. On the afternoon of the 14th we went into camp nine miles from New Market; it was here that I first saw Yankee prisoner, who, with one or two others. had been cap
 tured by our cavalry scouts. At about | I o'clock a. m. of the 18th of May we were awakened out of a sound sleep by the corporal of the guard for fear of making too much noise. It was driz- zling rain and the night was very dark; we hastily got into. ranks My class mate chum and roommate, A. II. H
 Stuart, Jr, of Staunton was in the same compa D.
 Going Into Battle
 | We knew that in a few hours we would go into battle, so we promised each other that if either was killed or Injured. the other would inform the father and mother of his fate Dear, noble Stuart, I never had a dearer friend. and there never lived truer