The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-08-04
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS


resulted in complete victory 70
the Southern arms, the federal force
under Gen. Mcdowell being put t
route by the arrival on the field a
an opportune time of Confederate re
Inducements.
1t was during the heat of the bat
tie when it seemed probable that tn,
COnfederates would be driven from
the field, that Gen. Jackson receive,
his nickname of "Stonewall." Sub
sequently this name was applied Il
Jackson's brigade. The name grew
out of remark made by Gen. Der
nard Bee, of South Carolina, whose
command had become demoralized
In an effort to restore order in The
line, Gen. Bee pointed to Jackson, who
was at the moment standing at the
head Of his men near the historic
Henry house, exclaiming: "Men
look at Jackson. There he stands like
a stone WALL" 1t was also at this
time that Gen. Jackson gave utter.
ance to a remark that more than all
else typified the character of the
man. In the midst Of the confusion
an officer said to Jackson: General,
they are driving us!" "Then, sir,d
said Gen. Jackson, "we'll give them
the bayonet." The bayonet soon re-
stored order and the victory was won
for the South.
There were two battles fought at
Manassas. The second battle was
also a Confederate victory, and, as
in the first battle, Jackson was the
hero.
W. C. Cox, a Virginian, who be-
came a citizen of Nashville in the
late eighties and who died in that city
several years ago, was with Jackson
in all of his campaigns from the VAL
ley to Charlottesville. He was an
educated gentleman, and in the last
years Of his life used to tell in
graphic language the leading Incl
dents Of the second battle of Manas-
sas. Briefly, it was as follows:
Second Manassas was fought on
the part of the Confederates mainly
by Jackson's corps and ended in the
utter defeat of the federal army un-
der Pope, Western general, who had
been called to the East to lead the
army Of the Potomac to victory, fol-
lowing the failure of McClelland to
DO so. Pope was a vainglorious fell
low and, in assuming command of
his army, issued ponpous order to
be read to the men, in which he told
them that he had come from sec
ton OF the country 1.-THE Vest where
the federal soldiers were in the habit
Of seeing the backs of the enemy. He
said since he had come East he had
heard a good deal about probable
lines Of retreat for the Union corps
He wanted the army to dismiss all
such talk and consider rather the
probable lines of retreat of the
enemy.
I'm the meantime Longstreet's
corps was moving through Thorough
fare Gap to Jackson's assistance.
jackson was now fighting for time.
or rather he was trying to avoid a
fight till the promised assistance ar
rived. Old Stonewall deceived Pope
shamefully. As Col. Willis, one of
his aides, said afterward, 'Jackson's
embodied a continuous.
tortuous, twisted, aggravated, pro-
tracted line 30 miles long, Jackson
even sacrificed his skirmish line in
order to deceive Pope as to his real
movements. But all these tactics of
deception finally were exhausted and
jackson found himself straight in
front of Pope's great army. He fell
back to the old railroad cut at Ham
llton's crossing, and Pope moved
straight upon him.
"Longstreet was delayed somewhat
by having to fight his way through
Thoroughfare Gap. Jackson. ac-
by a single aide, rode
along his line and calmly informed
his soldiers of the critical situation.
Men,, he said, we must stand it
two hours; in two hours we shall
have help: can you stand it two
hours p
"The men answered with an af-
shout, except those who
were too worn out with marching
and fighting to shout. They simply
rose to their feet, stood at attention
and looked with alteration upon their
commander, and in that look thew
seemed to exhale their very soul our
q him. Jackson was satisfied with
The response and rode back to the |
head Of his line.
"On came Pope's army. The Con-
Tederates reserved their fire till thew |
were within hundred yards of the |
railroad cut, when they poured vol
ey into their very faces. 1t was a |
fire. The enemy staggered
broke, and fell back in disorder. When |
t was seen that the assault had |
Jailed, Jackson again rode along his
inc. Men, he said, just a half hour
more; in half an hour we shall have |
help. Can you stand it a half hour
more? The men answered with a
,heer.
1--WE never knew whether we eould
rave stood another assault or NOT.
or just as the enemy started for rs
lgain the Texas brigade of Long
streets corps swung into line On
Jackson's right and the bluecoats
we're swept from the field like chaff
'efore a gale.
Pope" said Mr.. Cox, "resigned.
md that was the last we ever heard
# him. Nashville Banner, July q.