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AT CHANCELLOR™.A Chapter of Incidents Fromthe Battlefield.The Movements of the Armies Reseribedby One Who Was Thcr*.Stonewall Jackson's Fall—Hooker'sPart In the Struggle.[Frank H. Foote in Philadelphia Time*.]In tho early part of March, 1863. Posey’s Mississippi Brigade, consisting of the Twelfth, Sixteenth, Nineteenth and Forty-eighth Regiments, were removed from the front of Fredericksburg to a point on the Rappahannock river known as I nited States Ford, and distant about t#elv© milfes from Fredericksburg. Rumors indefinite (called grape vine) caused extra watch to be kept over tho ford. Redoubts were thrown up and cannon grinned defiance at the rushing waters of the Rappahannock. We could not be surprised nor ousted by a front attack, but were by one from the rear, and most unexpectedly at that, through a surprise of our cavalry. lt;4 detail of two men was made from each company in the brigade and sent to Germania Ford to construct a bridge. WhileAttending to these duties the Federal cavalry, by a well executed movement, swoopeddown and captured nearly all of them.Tints commenced the crossing of General Hooker’s army, “the finest under the planet,” and all at points above us.The first glimpse of Hooker’s men wo badno urst gnmpse on Friday, May 1, when we w ere deployedas skirmishers to the right of Chancellors*ville. Two pieces of artillery, under the immediate command of Captain George V. Moody,a Mississippian, and one of the most fearless officers the South ever had, wereadvanced along the turnpike and used to uncover any doubtful points in our front. As we advanced we uncovered the enemy from bushes, trees, ravines, etc., and drove them m fine style, though without apparent loss. At every opportunity Moody would throw a couple of shells into groups of the Federal skirmishers and thenwe were pushed forward. Stonewall Jack-eon accompanied those guns, frequently directing the aim and pushing the infantry cloud of skirmishers forward, and frequently in his eagerness and desire of establishing tle Federal lineWoulil Hide Along Our Front,urge the men forward ana then would flit back to the guns, direct a shell or two “for information,” then spur back across the infantry front giving orders, being exposed as much as any of us and bent only upon running tho enemy into his lair. When thenature of the front evidenced a stand would likely be made by Federals there be tarried the longest, and only retired from the frontw hen we passed into the dense woods, on the far side of which was aligned the Federal army, busy then in felling timber and covering their front.When we entered the wood the sun had Bank, darkness rapidly crept upon us, and our lino of reeonnoissance was recognized only by the flashes of rifles and our random •hots were directed against an invisible foe; but forward was the word, and wo obeyed And ran “our game” truly into their lair, and before we could be extricated we drew a most murderous fire. Again came the stunning volleys, and we were compelled to throw ourselves flat on the ground to escape instant and certain death from the torrent of rifle balls that swept the earth just above us. By the flash of the volleys we could eee for a moment the line of battle and wondered what would be our fate. We w ere not in a condition to oppose them, isolated in groups of two, throe or four, surrounded by a waste of woods, not knowing who was to right or left—there we lay, not daring to tire a shot, hugging mother earth lor our lives. We had accomplished all that we were sent forward to do, and now bow were we to get back without capture?We could hear orders given the Federals to cease tiring, and for a moment we breathed easy. Videttes came cautiously to the front, and for a while matters became still. One of the two videttes after awhile struck a match, lit his pipe and wecould hear tho hum of a subdued conversation, the crash of fallen timbers au«l tho steady strokes of the axe. We lay passive for hours—nay, ages, it 6eemed. A regimental band in our rear 6truck up with familiar airs andClosed With “Home, Sweet Home.”The familiar notes awakened the fondestrecollections of home, and many of us, as the sweet cadences of the hymn floated Upon our ears, gave vent to silent tears. Atmidnight each one was quietly whisperedto crawl to the foot of the ridge, thenrise and follow your left-hand comrade, which we did, and thus were extricatedfrom a very dangerous locality.Saturday, May 2, we were continually shifted from one position to another, until near nightfall we became stationed. Skirmishers were thrown forward, and we were soon under tire. As the position was in heavy timber to the right of the plank road we each sought cover of some tree and kept up a desultory tire upon the enemy when opportunity offered. A tight seemed imminent and rumors prevailed that Lee was falling back on Richmond for concentration, for Longstreet was absent in Suffolk district. These rumors had as base the movement of Jackson toward Hooker’s rear, and as they were given credence by “oiu* dwn,” why not by Hooker? Orders came to push forward, and from tree to tree we sprung as nimbly as squirrels, finding our enemy very loth to leave. Firing becoming general and the enemy stubbornly admonished us of the experience of the night before, and we. from aggressive, became cautious and finally “treed” our enemy, who would not move without a general engagement. Wo again settled down and plied the work of death, or rather tried it. One Federal, distant probably sixty yards, yelled out; “Johnnie, one at a time; let’s tight a duel.” Private Short of Company D, Forty-eighth Mississippi, acquiesced,and the two opened on each other, both being protected by the trees and both fair marksmen. Half a dozen or more close shots were made by each, the hark flying in line marks from each tree, when suddenly our man Short gave a fearful yell and fell backward. His adversary hadPlumped a Ball Through Hii Thigh,His cries and screams disgusted us withhim, while a wave of his cap from thecourteous and plucky Federal attested hiscongratulations. In tho presence of thefight we had meantime carefully abstainedfrom firing on the Federal, as we promisedto “tote fair,” but when the affair terminated we made things lively for Uncle Sam’s boy for awiiile when lie dodged from tree to tree until beyond possible danger from our aim.Darkness came again, broken all at once by flashes of lire directly in our front and distant probably two miles. We divined that Jackson was in the rear. Louder and heavier grew the engagement, while evorand anon came whistling overhead shells and bullets from our comrades. Jackson was driving them was the exultant thoughts of all, while the very heavens were lighted up by the flashes from the enemy’s cannon. The tiring drew nearer and nearer to us, the din for awhilewas dealening, and but for the darkness we could have seen the fight. We stood to arms and awaited the shock, and with Jackson m the rear we were eager for the fray, for victory was half won. Our videttes came running in, stating that the enemy were advancing on us; a few shots were fired, and then some one called out; “We surrender!” Captain McClellan called out: “Advance by tours, throw dow n your guns or I will tire upon you!” which was done, and we scooped in over 100 flying “Dutchmen” from Howard’s corps, running from a field of mishap and disgrace. Such a jabbering then ensued in the darkness of these Federal Hessians, and our men not our captain had to enforce order by summary proceedings, and sending the fugitives to the rear under guard. Matters across our front had somewhat settled, when came the fatal volley tnat laid low the immortal Jackson. The uproar caused by that unfortunate volley was fearful to hear and witness.The Earth Trembled Under the Concussions,while the most remote fastnesses of the Woods were made light as day by the flashes of the guns. In the din and confusion Jackson fell, amid a triumph that even Napoleon would have envied.Remaining alert all night, early Sundaymoaning we were marched to within sight of the furnace, formed line and connected right and left with the balance of Anderson’s division, one brigade of Georgians (Wright’s) being between us and the plank road. We lay quiet under tire, while to our front and left Captain Moody, with six guns, four of them 24-pounders, was plying the breastworks, distant about 600 yards, with his iron compliments. On our right was General Posey and staff. General Anderson rode down the line and was apparently satisfied with the alignment. General Lee, unaccompanied, rode out in the opening, and inquired as to what command, and, on receiving the name,ure, “Ah, ray brave? then rode off, and as his staff rejoined him one was seen to dartlike a streak from the group and giveGeneral Posey orders. Meantime tmr skirmish line had worked its way well forward, and by a well executed flank sent in tons 107 prisoners. General Posey dismounted (as he dni so a bullet shattered his saddlei omu-iel, upon which he calmly remarked “That was a close shave”), sent his horse to the rear, walked proudly down tho frontto the centre, whop.every man rose to Ms feet, opened a space for him. and then the word was given; “Forward!”To describe the rush on tho Federal lines is difficult indeed. Tho position was bothwoody and open; where woody tho smalltrees nad been partly cut down, with thefhpHISHIHHloaves ana small limbs, thus forming atops thrown toward our lines. These tons,laces, had been slashed of thein manyrod ahattis, and delaying to some uveryis onslaught. Many of our our men, when they readied this slashing, got upon their hands and knees and crawled toward the works, some of them tiring at tho Federals at not more thana few feet. In tho clearings the tight waxed hot, indeed, and but for Moody tho breastworks could never have been carried. By accuracy of tire he had moved his guns up to very close range, and bv securing an enfilade tire up the lines he so destroyed their usefulness as to materially aid the infantry. As the infantry gained the lines and the Federals were flying in confusion. Moody and his battery came down and over the works at a gallop, and in a few minutes was playing upon tho fleeing mass ana turned a shot or two into the battery inChancellors ville yard, 4 4 wAll the color guard attached to the Forty-eighth’s flag were struck down. Three times it was picked from the ground, and the staff being shot into just below the colors it was fastened on a musket andbayonet and was then the first of the brigade to float over the captured works, evenas Posey’s Mississippians were the first of Lee’s army to cross the works when thecharge was sounded : “Charge, and remem her Jackson on Sunday, May 1,1863.VACATION ADVICE.The Country Cousin Writes a CordialLetter to the City and Invites the Whole Family to Come Uo.tBill Arp in Atlanta Constitution.!Drar Cousin—You propose to come out and see us on the farm and bring all the children, a nurse, a dog and two goats. We have a double buggy and a big wagon, and if they will not. hold all the baggage the boys can walk out and pernso the country. So came along and be happy. We don’t care anything about your dog: we have one here that will eat his ears off in two minutes, Bring the goats along sure; we are just oul of goats and want to get up a barbecuewhile you are here.Mrs. Arp thinks I can juBt go out and picfe up good things in the road, and when we have town company I have it to do. but! told her you were tired of good vittels andwanted to enjoy country air and water and scenery and babbling brooks and meandering branches, but she says she knows bet-—--- —-------V—---- -ter: that she never saw one of the name that didn’t eat heartily and eat a long time^ut 1 hope you will enjoy tho air and the water, they are so pure and abundant.You needn’t bring fishing poles nor worms for bait, we have plenty, but you might bring along a few nice fish for they are awful scarce in the creek since the millpond was drawn off. Huckleberries are ripe now, and the children wiU enjoy pick-nf wouldn’t mention it to my wife, but it has occurred to me that, as you are about to break up for a season, you might just n« well bring your cow along, for ours are about played out. It would do the cow good. And this reminds me that my wild scraped the bottom of the sugai barrel yesterday. It does take a powei of sugar for these country berries. A few pounds from the family grocery store would not come amiss, and I don’t suppose you would ever miss it from the store. Do you keep cigars now? I was thinking aboul those genuine Havanas you used to keep and those good pickles—good gracious, what pickles! We have put some cucumTW ^VMawT , J P________________bers in brine! but they will not be ready foi some time. What do you generally feecyour dog on? We hardly have any scropi left at our house, and our dogs have arot to eat crawfish. This kind of food makes a dog hold on when he bites. I sup pose your nurse wouldn’t mind sleeping ir the potato shed. The roof is low and flat and is a good, cool place to roost at night We have no mosquitoes, and snakes are not very common. Carl killed a rattlesnake in the garden yesterday, but it was not a ven large one, and wo can soon train our child ren to avoid them. 8o come along and en joy the air and w ater. It is well worth a visit over here to see the blue mountains and watch the young cyclone meandeiaround. We have no storm-pit yet, hut there is a dungeon under the house. A cyclone came in sight of us last year and killed a lotof children and mules and w enti . . . . , , , , , , , , , t, „ „ _ , „ , .__n ,. . ■ , ■ , , ,_. _ . — . — • ■ — — — — - —on.* But we know how to dodge them now so just come along.I am delighted to hear of the high position which your son took at college. It is very gratifying to a parent I see by the newspapers that all the boys carried off all the medals everywhere this summer. And tho college girls are said to he smartei and sweeter than I everaViUUU Ull pidHUJ X n «»il P JI^OI nunpiece of music once more before I die. It your college boy bolongs to a hand and a base ball club I wish he would bring over his horn and his club when he comes. Carl has an Alabama sling that he will lend to the small boys, but for the larger ones we have a thing that is a novelty to a town boy. It is called a hoe, and is used to kill grass. Killing grass is a very manly sport m the country at this time of the year. Itis more useful than base ball in the cities, but does not attract so much attention.So come along and let the children frolic. Have you got one about big enough to toto water from the spring? The lull is long and steep, and I do get awful tired when Carl is at school. And then, again, we need a lively chap to turn the grindstone and keep flies off at dinner time. Do your children eat at the first table or the second? Are they fond of sorghum and mumblepeg? As ever, yours, Bill Arp.P. S.—Our June apples are ripe. I read the other day a sad account about threeV»*V V* t. J I. UICU I* WVMU V V IIU.VVchildren dying of green-apple colic in one family.N. B.—Our cook is to leave us next week, and our girls are going to Gwinnett on a visit. But that don’t matter. Just come along and enjoy the pure air and water.ON THE KICK£R’8 DESK.Oh! Coaid We Hat See Ourselves asOthers See Us.- • t ’(.Cincinnati Times.]The local telephone company, in order to accommodate captious subscribers who are always “kicking,” has what is known as a kickers’ or “K” desk. When any subscriber becomes obstreperous for any length of time, his line is disconnected from its regular position and placed in the “K” desk, where an expert operator, chosen especially for her good nature, takes charge of it In connection with this the following little incident is related:Last w eek a prominent business man andpolitician became curious as to the manner in which his telephone was worked and called at the office of the company. General Manager Stone courteously showed him to the operating room and explained the working of the system to him in a satisfactory manner. Incidentally he showedhim the “K” desk.“What's that for?” asked the visitor.“That is where we keep the kickers and growlers; fellow's who are always objectingand finding fault about their telephones,”Manager Stone.answered•‘Oh, yes; excellent idea, very good,” rejoined the visitor. .They turned aw ay and looked at other things in the exchange, when the visitor suddenly asked:“Where’s my line?”The manager turned to a ctieck-boy and asked him the location of Mr. Visitor’sline.“No. 5555, sir,” piped tho boy. It’s over there on the “Iv” desk.The general manager came down the fire-escape for safety.She Knew Him.LOil City Derrick.]“I tell you my dear—” said an old gentleman to his wife, on the summer hotel veranda:“Don’t tell me anything, sir,” replied thelady with emphasis.“But I believe—”“Bah! What do your beliefs amount to?” “But I think—”“Bah! You flatter yourself. What areyour thoughts worth?”“But, my dear. I know—”“Don’t talk to me about wffiat you know\ What you don’t knowr would till an encyclopaedia. Everybody knows you are a stupid,old, senseless, worthless dotard. You don’t know enough to come in when it rains.”“Who is that old gentleman over there?” asked a visitor of the hotel clerk.“Don’t you know him? Why, he is the chief justice of our Supreme Court.”Ho Wouldn't Tell.[Merchant Traveller.]Young Nubklns had been up to seel girl the night before, and it was known th her father didn’t like him.“Where were you last night?” asked 1 room-mate the next morning.“Up to see Mary.”“No; you don’t say! Did the old m; catch on?”“No; but I had a close call all the same“How? Tell me about it.”“Well, not hardly. 1 ain't telling muc But if you had seen Mary and me on tl sofa you wouldn't ask me how.”
Newspaper Details
Boston Sunday Globe
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Sun, Aug 23, 1885
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Shelly L.
VA, USA 14 Mar 2020
Other Publications Near Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Centinel
Boston Globe
Boston Daily Globe
UMB News
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