The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-08
STONEW ALL JACKSON
IN CAMPAIGN OF 1862
By the Late Colonel A. R. BOTELER


are familiar with the history of mill
larry operations in the Valley of Vir-
gina during the late Civil War that
the Battle Of Winchester. which was
so successfully fought by Stonewall
jackson, on Sunday, the 25th of May
1862, not only forced the Federal gen
eral. Banks, to seek safety for himself
and followers beyond the Potomac and.
In his precipitate flight to abandon an
Immense amount Of valuable stores of
every description, but that 1t, likewise,
caused such uneasiness among the au-
thorities at Washington as to lead
them TO countermand their orders 10
mcdowell. who at that time had an
army OF 10000 men at Fredericksburg
with which to reinforce Mcclellan in
front OF Richmond. but, who. instead
OF doing that, was required TO detach
q portion of his command TO the de-
Tense OF the Federal pital, and with
another part OF IL, consisting OF 10000
men, TO march across the Blue Ridge
to Front Royal for the purpose of in
tercepung the victorious Confederstes.
SO that jackson, by one and the same
blow. effectually disposed of the force
under Banks, furnished his own com
Inand with superabundanc of much
needed supplies, practically neutralized
the fne army of Mcdowell and indef-
nitely postponed the plans OF Mcclellan
for the reduction OF Richmond But In
securing these advantages. while he
had diminished the dangers that threat
ened the Confederate capital, ne had
at the same time increased the perils
OF his own position. for the Federal
government. as already intimated, be
ing thoroughly frightened by his sue
cesess and supposing that hts purpose
was to advance on Washington,
promptly put in motion all the avail
able means In It's power 70 check his
progress and II possible, 10 crush or
les
were. therefore. FASTENED forward from
different directions 10 intercept him.
and two others, within striking dis
lance. were preparing to cooperate
with them, SO that he was mcnaced on
every side by bodies OF troops the ag-
gregate OF whose effective force was
more than three tiincs greater than
his own, and We, besides, encountered
with 5000 prisoners and the vast &C
emulation OF captured stores. which
were then in Winchester. But. not
withstanding these embarrassing cir
cumstances. he calmly pursued the even
tenor OF his way, and with character
istic pertinacity continued 10 carry out
his original plan of keeping the Fed
eral government in a state OF anxious
apprehension for the safety of It's cap
ital
Consequently. after having allowed
his little army two days rest, he moved
forward from Winchester on Wednes-
day. May rs, by way of Sunmin Point
TO Charlestown in the adjoining 'coun-
~ of Jefferson. near which place some
OF the scattered fragments OF Banks's
army. reinforced with fresh troops
from Harper's Ferry, had taken posi-
ton. who. however. were speedily dis
lodged and put To flight by the stone
wall Brigade under Winder, which
was in advance. and which next day
pushed on TO Halltown, a small ham
let. three miles weat OF Harper's Ferry.
the rest of the Confederate forces fol-
lowing leisurely in the same direction.
SO that on May 80 the most OF Jack
sons troops were at Halltown, twenty
eight miles beyond Winchester while
the Second Virginia Regiment had been
sent across the Shenandoah TO occupy
Loudoun Heights, on the Virginia side
OF the Potomac, east OF Harpers Ferry.
With this preliminary explanation II
will be seen what was the state of af-
fairs with jackson on Friday. the NTH
day after the battle OF Winchester. and
TO one unacquainted with the genius
OF the man and with his purpose on
this particular occasion, II would ap
pear that he had wasted much precious
time in securing the fruits OF his vic
tory, and had. likewise by his last
movements. placed himself no less
needlessly than recklessly in position
from which II would be almost impos-
sible for him to extricate himself. But
important to be neglected .notwith-
standing the risks he encountered in
their accomplishment. and being fully
aware of the increasing dangers that
surrounded him, he not only resolved,
but felt himself 10 be competent to
cope with and overcome them, as l
shall now proceed to relate.
Jnckson's Plans.
Early in the afternoon Of the Friday
above mentioned, May 80, the general
and his staff-of which ! was then
ember-were on a hill near Hall
town 70 the right OF the turnpike.
where one of our batteries was en-
gagged in an Artillery duel with some
heavy guns of the enemy that were
posted on an eminence liz the direction
of Bolivar Heights. After noting for
some time the effects of the firing he
dismounted from the old sorrel--his
favorite war horse--and seating him
self on the ground at the foot of
large tree, Immediately in rear of the
battery. he presently assumed more
recumbent attitude and went to sleep.
AS he laid there on his back with
his arms folded over his breast his
feet crossed like those of a crusaders
cfiigy and his head turned aside stuff
GENTLY to show his face In profile, L
could not resist the temptation to make
a sketch of him and was busily engaged
with my pencil when on looking up,
i met MS eyes nNeu IulI upon me. EN-
tending his hand for the drawing, he
said with a smile: Let me see what
you have been doing there" and on
my handing him the sketch he re-
marked: MY hardest tasks at West
Point We're the drawing lessons and
! never could do anything in that line
to satisfy myself" "or, indeed" he
added. laughingly. anybody else"
But, colonel" he continued, after n
pause. II have some harder work than
this for you to do. and If you'll sit
down here. now, I'll tell you what it
is"
His Knowledge of Mcdowell.
On placing myself by his side. he
said: II want you to go to Richmond
for me. I must have achievements.
You can explain TO them down there
what the situation is here. Get as
many men as can be spared, and I'd
like you, II you please, to go as soon
as you can" After expressing to
him my, readiness to go at once and
to do what could to have his force In
q F. .