Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-03-11
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
~. w. Bakery

Boissevain, Va, March s.
Dear Mr.. Editor:
When Stonewall Jackson was fight
ing near Richmond, General Banks
collected his forces in the Valley and
crossed the Blue Ridge into Culpeper-
General jackson was sent from
Richmond to look after him. The
armies met at Cedar Mountain Aug.
9th, / believe. The fight occurred on
road leading west from the town
of Culpeper; five or six miles dis
tant, and not far from the Blue
Ridge. North Of this road was in
timber South of it was cleared. The
18th Va. regiment was south of the
road, and resting on abe road.
think we were near the center of
the line of battle. Banks sent de-
tachment some distance around thru
the timber, and after the battle com
menced these made such fierce and
sudden attack on our exposd flank
that our whole line north of tho
road gave way, and the enemy's
sharp shooters crossed into the field
in our rear. Then we were ordered
to retreat, but the boys were not in
lthe habit of retreating and did not
like to. But by this time Gen. A. p.
Hill had by forced march reached
the battle field, and throwing two or
three brigades into the woods sudden
y attacked the enemy on their right
flank. Then they made far better
time going to the rear than they
ever made marching forward. want
to tell some incidents of this fight
that are. never mentioned in hooks.
just before we were ordered to
retreat John Dickerson was shot
through the leg. Joe Nuckols, who
fought by his side, had great brass
plate-not buclSle--with hooks Mt
each end to fasten his belt. You new
er saw this plato except in battle.
Then he pulled it around in front ms
n breast work. Soon after Dickinson
was wounded there came ball and
hit this plate in the center doubling
it as you would crush paper in your
hand. Nuckols fell to the ground cry
ing out "Im dead! Pm dead! I'm
dead" Finally Dickinson got tired.
ne turned and looked wickedly at
Nuckols and said to him, al wish
you were dead, then you would stop
your-noise; using word not found
in the Sunday School lesson.
i told you above that the boys did
not like to retreat. They fell back
mighty slow. disputing each foot of
ground. When A. P. Hill got in thew
were in place and faced the enemy
with all courage.
Martin ngfellow-brother of
General Lees famous scout-pass-
ed me as l was loading nv gun 7
asked him if he intended to CHARGE
1ne enemy alone: He said he did un
less the boys would 20 with him. T
told him if he would wait n a,oment
ne could have my company. AS a LOT
OF us charged we came to a deem
ditch. A wounded enemy was in II
lie was big and filled up the ditch
ms head was up stream, and as no
was about to be drowned in a nooj
OF MS own making we pulled him out
to the bank. A little further on md
Banks cavalry charged us. They got
within twenty steps of US, We emit
ed Few of their saddles. when thev
became very anxious to lind the reor
when this cavalry turned R. c. Cave
me preached in. Tazewell years ago2
caught my hand and in a most en-.
Unused voice cried out, "gim this is
glorious" You see he felt good. /
give these incidents because few neo-
pl have any idea of what really oc-
next. ''a'saS
Dickinson and Nuckols incident
happened right under my nose.