The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-23
AlAIfO
IT. +. Jenninss's "Reminiscences.

W. r. Jen ninESB "Reminiscences.
suppose that the most uniaue char
acter developed In the War Between
the states was General William Ma
none. With all his cccentricities ne
vas moro beloved and held a flrmcr
grip OH his soldiers than perhaps any
general the South had A thorough
Observation-Disclosures and apparently
overbearing with his oficers-he was
nearly always gentle with the pri-
Nate soldiers. and II is remarkable
fact' that. while after the war his no.
Itical character was much abused. no
one ever heard any soldier who fought
under him say harsh things abou,
MIN. He might have done many
Things IN politics d!stastcfuI and re-
pusnant 80 his old comrades in arms,
but they never loved to hear him
abused After he was made major
general his brigade was commanded
by General William ~ wcisiger
Weisiger was born soldier. and as
brave az Julius Caesar lie had been
with the brigade as colonel of the
twelfth Virginia Regiment from the
beginning OF the war. but while he
was popular and efficient officer. no
soldier In the command would ac-
knowledge the brigade as we!siger's-
they would Invariably say when asked
10 which brigade thoy belonged. MA
homes old brigade" venture to saw
that not soldier In the command
ever said he belonged to WeisiEer's
brigade. Why was this? 1t could not
nave been on account OF any dislike
10 Weisiger. for there was not more
dashing soldier In the army 1t was
because Malone had made n reputa-
ton for the brigade, and they clung
to the old name.
We were encamped near the United
states ford when the battle of Chan
celicrsvflle commenced That was
probably the most stragetic battle
over fought. Every commanding Of
iieer was on the alert. and nearly
every private soldier did his duty.
There was no disobedience of orders.
no miscarry'ng OF dispatches and no
bad feelings among our officers high
in rank
Everybody seemed 20 be on their
metal. General Hooker had crossed n
large force at Germauna and United
States fords. and for nearly a whole
day Malone, with about 1000 men.
Kept at bay at least 2o.oov Yankees.
We had only a long skirmish line. hut
the command was SO skilfullv man
aged that the Yankees thought they
wore lighting large army. and con-
sequently advanced very slowly. We
retreated slowly. contesting every inch
OF ground and making what is called
a slow running fight until we got near
Salem Church, about five miles from
Fredericksburg. There we made =
stand In strip of woods.
The enemy advanced in beautiful
order across field in our front. and
General Malone ordered us not to FIRE
until they Were within 200 wards of
us They Were the picked soldier. OF
the North. being sykes brigade OF
regulars. whose reputation was we'll
known to US. but our men were cool
and deliberate. and General Malone
was riding rapidly up and down our
line and saying in a shr,ll voice.
STEADY, boys; steady. Make every
shot tell. Don't waste your ammu
nitton.r When the Yankees vera
within about 200 yards we poured n
destructive volley into them. They
wavered, and for while seemed much
demoralized. but they were old SOL
d'ers, and a dashing color sergeant
ran several yards in front Of the
brigade and shouted, Follow me, Joys.
II is only skirmieh line we are
fighting."
II was standing behind small,
bushy swamp cedcr when General Ma
hone rode up to me and said: "Jen.
n'ngs. can't you kill that fellow"
put my gun I'm the crotch of the cedar
and taking deliberate aim fired; the
sergeant threw the flag up about ten
feet and fen face foremost. General
Malone said, by George, You got
HIM" He was gallant fellow and
hope he recovered. Tho morning after
the battle tho general sent for me
TO come to his tent. I was messing
with +. W. Branch. the gallant cap
tain of my old company, the Richmond
Grays. and when I got the message
! SAID: captain, what do you suppose
General Malone wants with me?" He
iaugh!nEly said. II reckon he wants
to put You in the guard house"
went Immediately to the headauar-
ters' tent. He said: Good morning,
jennings. Your shot at that fellow
saved us trouble yesterday. and / have
recommended You to General Long
street. who needs another man At
headquarters. hate to give you UP.
but want to help all OF my deserv-
ing men" He gave me n flatterlng
letter to General Longstreet. when
carried the letter to I.ongstrcet, af-
ter reading II he said: "All right Mr.
Jennings. You can take n furough
OF ten days to equip yourself. and
hope you Will enjoy your vacation"
In this Malone reminded me of Ma.
poleon the First. who was always
watching for an opportunity to help
ms Iueil. ana WHO 40 not THINK THIS
was any more than any soldier should
have done. II was very opportune for
me.
Malone also had Captain Girardery
promoted from captain to bTisadiers
general, which was the biggest Jump.
made by any soldier in the war AM
other very remarkable characteristic
OF his--he knew the name of nearly
avery man in his command. I will not
follow him through all HIS dashing
and brilliant victories-they are too
we'll known to mention here, and now
that he ia dead and can give his po-
litical enemies no more xrouble. I
hope I will risk nothing In saying
that believe no WAS one among tho
greatest soldiers in our war;