CHAPTER 2
On the 17th of June we received orders to cook three days' rations.
Grapevine telegrams were circulating freely through our camps. One was that
rations were getting scarce and Jackson was going to make another draw on
old banks. On the 18th, we were ordered to march, with instructions not
to tell anyone where we were from or where we were going. The latter we
did no know ourselves. The first place known on the march was Gordonsville.
There the grapevine was in operation again. One dispatch said that Manassas
was our destination. Another said Fredericksburg was the point. But when
the march was resumed, we started towards Richmond. Some of the boys said
that Jackson was after the rations of the Grand Army of the Potomac, which
proved to be true.
We marched down the railroad to Ashland and camped for the night, having
orders not to make any noise. Soon there was to be serious work for us.
We started early next morning, crossed the Central Railroad and were then
on the right flank of McClellan's army. Our scouts began to come in , reporting
the enemy close at hand. Hood's Texas brigade was in front. Their skirmishers
soon found the Federals posted on the opposite side of a little stream.
They were soon driven away and we moved on a short distance when the skirmishing
became very lively.
The boys knew that Jackson was after the Yankee grub sur ‘nough. About
3 o'clock in the evening the Yanks made a bold stand. Stonewall galloped
to the front and ordered one of our batteries to open fire, which soon drove
them back. We had then turned the enemy's right flank at Mechanicsville.
As soon as our batteries opened fire, Gen. Lee began to move his army to
the front and they were soon hotly engaged, but Jackson's presence, so far
in the rear, soon caused the Federals to retreat followed by A. O. Hill's
division of Lee's army. The Yanks made a stand at Beaver Dam Creek. Gen.
Longstreet, the "Old War Horse", joined Hill and the battle opened
in earnest, continuing till late in the night.
We were then at Pole Green church. Longstreet and Hill attacked the Federals
early the next morning and drove them down to Cold Harbor. Stonewall's army
was still on the flank. The Yankees made a bold stand at Cold Harbor, fully
determined to hold the place. Hood's Texas s brigade, Lewton's Georgia brigade,
Col. Law's Mississippi brigade, and Trimble's brigade were now brought forward.
As we were going to the front, we saw Gen Lee, Jefferson Davis and Stonewall
Jackson. Davis tipped his hat and said "Hurrah for old Missip!"
Jackson drove the Yanks from Cold Harbor and got their provisions and whiskey
too. The next day, our division was sent to guard the railroad bridge on
the Chickahominy River. The bridge was burned before we reached it. When
we got there a train was heard coming down the road. Just as it got to the
river , the whole thing exploded, making a terrific noise. They evidently
thought we would rush upon the train to capture it and would be flown to
atoms, but Jackson was too sharp to be caught by any such tricks. He ordered
us not to go near the train. Next day we crossed the river and marched to
Malvern Hill and fought the hardest battle we had ever been engaged in.
It lasted till far into the night. We slept on the battle field, expecting
to renew the engagement on the morrow, but to our great joy and satisfaction,
the Yanks had left during the night. They certainly got off in a hurry,
for their food and all their dead and wounded were left behind.
This ended the Seven Day's Fight below Richmond. We then moved near Richmond
and went into camp. Here we were transferred from Ewell's division. Trimble'
brigade, to Anderson's division, Featherston's brigade, composed of the
12th, 16th, 19th and 48th Mississippi regiments. Anderson's division was
composed of Wilcox's Alabama brigade, Wright's Georgia, Perry's Florida,
Mahones' Virginia, and Featherston's Mississippi.
While in camp, we heard C. K. Marshall of Mississippi, preach. He spoke
about four hours. I never heard anything equal to his sermon before or since.
The army of Northern Virginia had driven the Federals from around Richmond
and retired from their victorious campaign to rest, and all of use were
feeling good; the grand preacher was also in good spirits. He established
a "Way Side Home" at Richmond for the Mississippi troops. When
a Mississippi soldier landed there, he was taken care of in this home. One
day a crowd of us went there and ate dinner. We received a warm welcome.
A number of old disabled Confederates were there being cared for.
We went to the theater in Richmond and saw the mountain scenery of Virginia;
also the first battle of Manassas. The scenery and battle, too, looked very
natural. One night we serenaded President Davis. He came out on the portico
of the Mansion and saluted us. We called for a speech. He responded very
promptly. He said: "Fellow comrades, your are Mississippians, I am
proud of the record you have made and I am satisfied that you will maintain
your good record wherever you are called upon to meet the enemy">
In his usual dignified manner, he bowed to us and retired. We gave him a
hearty cheer and marched back to camp.
The Federals organized another army in Northern Virginia, commanded by Gen.
Pope, whose headquarters were the saddle. Jackson was sent with a small
force to look after him. They met at Cedar Run and Jackson drove him back
to Culpepper Court House, with heavy loss. The Federal army from the James
was sent to reinforce Pope. Jackson then retired to Gordonsville until the
balance of Lee's army could be sent to his relief. When Lee came up we were
moved to the Rapidan River and camped there a few days. Orders were received
to cook three days rations. The grapevine dispatches were numerous as to
our destination. When the food was prepared, orders came for us to move.
Soon after starting, a tremendous Rebel Yell was heard behind us. Looking
back, we saw Jackson coming down the line. As he passed we took us the yell,
the troops in front also too it up and it went ringing as far as we could
hear. The Boys in Gray The boys commenced
to speculate as to Jackson's movements. One little fellow in our company
said: Boys, I'll tell you, old Stonewall is hunting rations for us and he
will find ‘em, too". We crossed the river at Ely's Ford and went
to Rapahannock Station on the Rapahannock River. There we found Pope with
his army stationed on the opposite side of the river to dispute our passage.
Jackson paid very little attention to him. He gave them a few cannon shots
and marched on to another crossing. Finding the Yankees poised on the other
side, he would fire two or three big guns and resume the march, with Longstreet
and Hill bringing up the rear. The march was continued till we reached Warrington
Sprints, where a crossing was effected. A heavy thunder storm, with a downpour
of rain, caused Jackson to withdraw his troops. Thus, the race up river
was ended. They boys began to guy the little fellow about the rations that
old Stonewall was going to capture. He said: "Never mind, boys, he'll
get 'em yet." We went into camp, drew three days' rations, with orders
to move at daylight.
When the orders were received, our little fellow said: "I tell you
boys, we are bound to get the Yankee grub, for Jackson never fails."
At daylight, we commenced moving. Longstreet and Hill remained in front
of Pope, while Jackson and his corps moved around Pope's right flank and
came down upon Manassas Junction in his rear. There we captured the garrison
and all of Pope's army supplies. Our little boy shouted: "I told you
so, boys!" After being well supplied, we burned what was left and moved
on the Manassas Plains, near the stone bridge on Bull Run Creek. There Jackson
intended to stand at bay till Longstreet and Hill could come to his relief,
which they did in time to give the Yankees a terrible thrashing.
"At dawn the murderous work begun
The battle fiercely raged at noon
Evening drew on, it was not done
The carnage at Manassas."
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