The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907, August 16, 1890, Image 1

Previous Issue Next Issue

Clip Visible Area View Page Text View PDF

Newspaper Page TextVOLUME XVIL-NO. 765. ATLANTA, GA., SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 16, 1890. PRICE: $2.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE. A Thrilling Description of the First Croat Fight. Generals Bee and Bartow Killed and Bee said: “Look at Jack- son, He Stands like a Stonewall.” BY JOHN ESTEJf COOKE. The following graphic description of the first battle of Manassas was written by the late Joan Eiten Cooke, and it is a correct account. The fight occurred on 8unday, July 21, 1S61, and on that day Gen. T J. Jackson gamed the Immortal name-‘Stonewall” Jackson. The writer says: The battle of Manaseas possesses an interest peculiar to itself. It was not re markable for the loss on either side; in deed, the casualties were comparatively trifling. Beyond exhibiting the prowess of the Southern troops, it accomplished no tangible resalts. And yet this battle will continue to hold its place among the most celebrated conflicts la the annals of the world. The explanation of this singular attrac tion will be found in the terribly dramat ic character of the conflict. It took place under circumstances which drew to the arena the eyes of all the world. Here two great races members of a Re public which had held together for three generations 9r«*t tried their streugtn upon the battle field, and fought breast to breast for victory. It was the first great battle of the war; was fought with stubborn persistence and enormous bitterness. Hour after hour the Northern and Southern lines reeled to and fro on the bloody p'atenu, in desperate attempts to remain the masters of it; and the world Ftill listens to the story of the shifting fortunes of the hard fought day with indescribable interest. Muca more absorbing in tbe subject to those who took part in the en gage ment. Its bloody scenes rise up up once more before the eyes, and its thunders again ring In the memory. Tue fortunes of tnis memorable da7 were decided, as we shall show, by the “First Brigade” of the Army of the Shcnanhoa:i, under Jackson. The battle is thus intimately connected with tho life of jAcksoc, and we shall give its maiu events, leaving, however, to tbe regular historian of the entire Revolution, the task of gathering up and placing upon record the minute details. Beauregard s forces were strung out along the Southern bank of Bull Run, over a space of nearly eight miles-from Union Mills to Stone Bridge; and the ae sign of the Federal commander was to move his main body silently through the woods to the Confederate left, cross the upper fords of the stream, and, falling upon Btauregard’s flank, drive him back upon Manassas, or cut'him off complete ly from tfcat base. He would then be compelled to hasten from bis earthworks, form line of battle anew with a powerful enemy pressing him, and, in case he was defeated, as he probably would be, the victory would be decisive. The details of the plan of operations betrayed the skillful hand of Lieutenant- General Scott. One division of about 16, 000 men was to reinaiu behlr at Centre- ville, to protect the Federal imiunica tions; another to march if <L »e Bridge with orders to make t L*onstrat1ons there; and a third to move up to Rid House ford, with dirt ctions to wait until that point was uncovered. Then a third was to cross at Sudley ford, still higher up, and drive away the Confederate forces at Red Hou*e ford and Stone Bridge, when tho divisions there would croe^; and thus a force of about 40,0 0 men would be concentrated upon the southrrn banks of Bull Run, dir ctly upon Beauregard’s .eft flunk. Tuen one determined charge, and the end would crown the work. The movements to attain this object commenced In presence of great crowds of spectators—editors, idlers, sensation hunters, and even ladies—who bad has tened with eag*r curiosity from the Fed eral capital to witness tue defeat of tbe Southern forces. Champagne and every delicacy baa been sent to Centrevii e to celebrate the anticipated victory; aud on the 20th that town and the camps around it were the scene, it is said, of something like a carnival. The excited crowd were listening for the thunder of the guns from tho»e “mysterious Virginia forests” so often mentioned, and there was little or no doubt in any mind of the result. Lieutenant General Scott, and others who know somewhat better the mettle of the South, prooabiy experienced no little anxiety; but the crowd of spectators seem to have bten firm lu their faith of a great Federal triumph. Meanwhile tne columns were moving, and during the night of the 20th scouts brought word to General Beauregard, who directed operations unuer General Jonnston, that the enemy were concen trating on tne Warrenton road. The probability of au attack upon the Confed erate left wing was apparent, and at four ia tho morning orders wtr * despatched to all his commanders, by General Beau regerd, to hold the troops iu readiness to maren at a moment s warning. Tne de sign was, as hoou as the entiny’s inten tions were fully developed, to advance aud attack hlui In liana and reverse at Centre* ille, a point compie.eJy in his rear. This excellent plan was iivvtr car ried out, however, owing to some fatal ly which attended the transmission ot tbe order*; and the battle of Mauassas com me need and ended south of the stone Bridge. Tho ground there is an extensive pla teau, rising about one hundred fed above the lev* 1 o:*the s ream, and consisting of open fields, whicu fall ofi in gentle stops* furrowed at intervals by ravines, in these ravines grew clomps of bushe*, and the southern aud eastern brows of the plateau were skirted with a thick growth of >ouLg pines. The only build ings to be seen were the Henry and Rob insoa heu-es, plain wooden structures, and the well known “stone bouse” near the intersection of the Warrenton road, and that extending from Manassas to Sudley ford, which is known as tne Sud- ley-Brentsville road. Near this point was a belt of oak forest, where the final struggle took place. Tne Federal advance force was moving toward the Confederate left ail uignt, and, following a narrow road througu the “Big Forest,” reached Sudley ford about eight in the morning. This col umn consisted of Hunter sand Heintzsl man s divisions; and the division oppo site Stone Bridge having opened fire on tbe Confederates and attracted their at tention, General Hunter at once threw his command across, and advanced rap- ldiv to the attack. Tn© extreme Confederate left at Stone Bridge was held by Colonel Evans, with 15 companies of Infantry and Latnam’s battery of smoothbore six pounders. He did not reply to the artillery fire of the enemy, his guns being useless for that F mrpose; but when they threw forward a ine of skirmishers, met them and eu gaged in a desultory skirmish, which lasted for three hours without result. It was now half past eight, aud General Hunter was over, Evans had become convinced that the attack upon him was merely a demonstration to cover other objects, and intelligence soon reached him showing tbe truth of this surmise A heavy force was reported to be movlne against his flank, and, taking 11 of his 15 companies, he hastened forward by tbe Carter bouse, and, d*awing up his line across the Sudley Breutsville road, with bis artillery on the high ground in rear, received the enemy’s attack. The conflcfc which Immediately took place at this point was very severe. The force of Colonel Evans was S00 infantry and two six pound guns; that of General Hunter, by Federal accounts. 16.000 in fantry, 7 companies of cavalry, and 24 pieces of art Lerj; of whlc » force 3 500 muske’s and Sgurs were at ones thrown forward into action. The Federal divie Ion hastening down from Red House ford would make the force opposed to Evans not far from 30 000 men, and to elites: this column even lor a moment, with 800 muskets, seemed impossible. It wa9 necessary, however, to rnako the ar. t mpt, andthimeor spo d-d Wit harder. The regiment was the 4th South Caron na, supported by a company of Wheat’s bittalion. and tne men were called on at ouce to meet a vigorous caarge of tne 21 Rhode Island, supported by the fire of six thirteen pound rifles. Tne struggle was bitter and determined. Wheat was severely wounded, but his Louisianians fought only the harder for L, and E /ana succeeded iu repulsing tne charge. Mis object now wa: to give General Beauru gard time to send forward re enforce meats and form nta new line of battle; and the difficulty which the enemy my experienced iu forcing him back is a high cornp)lm*n: tJ Colonel E7ans aud his men. They fought with desperation, but were slowly being pressed back by tbe heavy Federal lino wnea the promt* ed succor came. General B;e, wuo had been ordered to repair as quickly as pos sible with his own command and that of General Bartow to tho left, reached the plateau in rear of Evans while the fight was raglrg, and perceiving the strength of the position, drew up his wnole com mand, consisting of fonr regiments, two companies, and a battery, near tbe “Henry house.” Finding, however, that Colonel Evans was hard pressed, he promply advanced to his assistance, and, reaching the field ol action, disposed his forces upon Evan s right, wnn h s battery on the high ground in rear, no arrived just in time. The Southern line was just giving way before ihe advance of fresh Federal troops, which poured in a steady and destructive fire, when the appearance of the confederate ro enforce ment give a new aspect to affairs. Bte rapidly advneed with his.four regiment.— tue 7th anu Sih Georgia, 4th Alabama, and 2d Mississippi—and, taking com mana of the tielu, threw himself with ar uor into the action. It was at once renewed with additional fury. Bee’s regiments fought with such gallantry, that, us one of them after wards, with thinned and o eodlng ranks, marched off the field, General Braure gard raised his hat as they pass-d, and exclaimed, “I saiuio the 8th Georgia with my hat ofi! History snail never forget you!” The gallantry of tneotaers was equally marked, and for au hour the blended commands of Bee and Evans faced the great force opposed to them unmoved. J'he moment came, however, when tue term of further resistance was reucheo. Many officers had fallen, the men were exhausted, and still the dark columns of Federal li^Tafcry grew heav ier as tueir rear closed up. Bee's force, with that of Evans, was somewhat more than five regiments, wth six gun*; the force opposed to him, from Federal ac c junta, two divisions, consisting of eight brigades, with 17 companies ox regular infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and 20 rifle pieces. In the face of this great odds Bee was slowly forced to give ground. His thin lines were swept by a destructive fire of musketry from the Federal troops, snelt ered behind stone fences andtneiifie guus of Ricketts and others filled tne air with a whirlwind of iron. General Bartow, Bee’s second in command, had had his horse shot unuer him, and was flgnting on foot; Wheat had seen borne from tne field, aud tbe ground over which the opposing lines baa fought was cover ed with dead bodies aud bauhf din blood. THE WORLD S DESIRE. A STORY OF OLD GREEK AND EGYPTIAN LIFE, BY H. RIPER HAGGARD AND ANDREW LANG. CHAPTER U„ Continued. i came back, and they all laid hand? on Then the voice of the goddess seemed | ^Tn K ‘as?, and^Zu^ hlS to whisper in his ear: , step bv step till he stumbled on a lock “Did I not say truth, Odysseus? Wast aca fell. Then they rushed at him not thou my servant for one honr, and S"? n t 5 r h e ,l t ^ t I ? s ;i ve8 u , pon his , bod y ?, nd , J ’ bound him with ropes In cuunlng sailor did not love save thee in the city of the knots. But the booty was dearly won, Trojans on that nught when even wisdom and they did not all return alive, for he was of no avail?” crashed one man with his knees till tbe TT ’ . -u- ~ ~ ! breath left him, and the thigh of another He answered: -Yes, OQieen. he broke with a b'ow of his foot. ST. CECILIA ACADEMY, NASHVILLE, TENN. was completely flanked, fell back and took position on the right. Met thus by Jackson and by Hampton, whose splen did nerve was afterwards exhibited upon so many memorable fields, the Fed»ral lines came to a halt. Tne First Brigade was lu position, the troops ready and eager. From this rock the wav* went back. There is no doabfc that the presence of Jackson at the crisis sa el the. fortunes of the day. No other trooos were near, and in 30 minutes the enemy would have been strongly posted npon the platenu near the Henry house. The retreat of General Beauregard upou Manassas would have followed, or a desperate as sault upon earthworks occupied by tne bulk of tbe Federal army. Tne current of battle, only a moment checked, now began to move again with greater force than before Tne Federal battalioni pre - sect across tho Warrenton road, and rapidly advauced toward the Henry house, where the hottest portion of the struggle was to take place. Jack son had formed his line just under tr>e eastern crest of the plateau, with Hamp ton and the shattered remnants of the commands of Bee and Evans in a ravine and forest on his right; in front of him he had placed two guns of Standard’s battery, which kept up a steady fire as me enemy conii.*ue f to advance. The 4jh and 27ch Virgin * Infantry formed his centre, tdc 5th Vir/inia his right, and the 2d aad 33a Virginia u.o loA. T^.. instructions given by Jackson to bis troops were, “to charge the enemy with the bayonet so soon as tney should ap pear over the crest, and witnin about fifty yards.* As Jackson took position to check the Federal advance, Generals Johnston and Beauregard appeared upon tho field. They n*d up to that time remained upou a lofty hill in the rear of Mitchell's ford, Dear tbe centre of the Confederate line, and, hearing ih« continuous roar upon tne left, had waited anxiously, says Gen trai Beaurgard, for similar sounds from the front, as an order had been sent for tne whole rignt wing of the army to ad vance aud attack the enemy at Centre ville. At half past ten a despatch from General Ewell, at Union Mills, conveyed The astonishing spectacle Uad been pro sen ted of regiments ho.diug their ground , . against brigades, and sustaining with ! ^6 mortifying intelligence that the or- out confusion the fire of rnanv times ^ er * ia( L never been received; and as it many times their number for hoars; but the u ea were now exhausted, hope oegan to de eert them, and Bee saw that he must fall back iu the best order he could to es capo destruction. He gave tlu order to retire just as the brigades of Suermau and Keyes, which had crossed at Red House ford, prosstd down upon his flank. The scene which ensued was one of painful disaster to the boutheruers. The Federal troops swept forward with tri umphant cheers, anu as Bee’s shattered battalions fell back in lull retreat, pour ed into them a more rapid and galling fire than before. The Federal artillery redoubled its fire, and the retreat became every moment more disordered. The bristling batallions of Federal infantry rushed upon their prey; the merciless fu sillado continued without intermission, and the fields were strewed with the dy ing and the dead. Dust, blood, the light ning of musketry, and the thunder of ar tlllery, made the scene one efinexpressi ble anguish and despair. Bee had aimed to retire in something like order to the plateau near the Henry house, and make a stand there, in a stronger positior; but tue quick eye of the soldier now told him that ail » as lost. No exertions wuicu he made could restore good order; and though La rode to and fro, amid the storm of bullet's, be seeching the troops by ail they Le.d dear to rally to their colors until re enforce ments came, ne could not re-form his line. His voice was not heard, or his commands were disobeyed. A!1 was over. 8ueh was the condi Ton of things when te glitter of bayonets caught the eyes of Bee, beyond the Henry nouse hill; aad a courier brought word taat tte re enforce ments were coming at last. Bee g<t.loped iu the direction o' tae fresh troops; tney were the First Brigade, under Jackson. Us nad been sent some time before to support General Cocee, below Stone Bridge, but, hearing the hot fire upou the ltf:., nad movtd his brigade iu that direc tiou. as ne pressed on rapidly, the dis ordered troops of Bee and Evans swept by towards the rear, but the First Brig- ado coutiuea to advance. All at once Bee appeared, approaching at full gallop, and ho and Jacksou were soon racs to face. The latter was cool and composed; Bee, covered with au*t and sweat, with his drawn sword in his hand, his horse foaming. In the bitter despair of his heart tie could only groan out, “Generai, they are beating cs back!” Tne face of Jackson betrayed no corres ponding emotion. He had his “war look” on, but that was never a look of excite ment. His eye glittered, and. ia the curt tone nabitual with him, ne said coolly, “Sir, we will give tuem the bayonet.” These words seemed to act upon Bee like the ring of a clarion. He galloped back to his men, and, pointing with his sword to Jackson, shouted, “Look! there is Jackson standing like a stone wall! Let us determine to die here, and we win conquer!” His command was partially rallied; the detachments took their posi tion on the right, and Jackson’s line swept steadily on toward the plateau. In a moment tne wnoie aspect of affairs had undergone a change. Tne Federal forces, which were rusning forward in pursuit of the broken battalions of Bee, saw themselves suddenly confronted by 2 600 bayonets, and their advance was checked. At the same moment the 600 infantry of Colonel Wade Hampton, who had held tne Warrenton road againat Keyes, repalling him, until his position was too late to make tbe movement, the whole A ttention of the Confederate com manders was directed to the left. The entire body of reserves waa ordered to repair witnout delay to that point, aDd Johnston and Beauregard set cut at a rapid gallop for the scene of action, which they reached aboot noon, just as Jackson had opened tire with his artil lery. The spectacle at this moment was one of absorbing interest. Through the dust and smoke which Ailed the valleys and swept across the hills, were seen the heavy masses of Federal infantry rapid ly forming npon the plateau; aud from this cloud came tue thunder of artillery, the roil of musketry, and the confused shouts of tne combatants. At a single coup ced’il, tbe glance embraced theArtil- lery swept plateau and the sheltering ravines, the glitter of bayonets, the red glare of the cannon, ana the forms of ihe.officers as they passed to and froral lying or cheering on the troops. Jack- son’s men ccula scarcely be seen. They were lying down in line of battle, under the crest of the plateau, awaiting the order to advance. Generals Johnston and Beauregard found afl’airs in a most critical condition. Lee and Evans weie overpowered, and unless Jackson and Hampton could hold their position until re emorcements er rived, the day was lost. Galloping op and down toe disordered 11a s of Bee, they appealed to tbe men by ail they val ued on earth to l ally to their standard;; and seizing the colors of the 4th Alabama. Johnston ltd them forward, aud fortr-ea them in face of a heavy fire. Bvaursgard was meanwhile engaged in cheering on the men in every portion of th» field. The animation of his Creole blood burned in his dark lace, and rang in tne inspiring tones of his voice, as in brief soldierly phiase ne called upon the troops to fol low him. As tne reserve came up. he rapidly formed them under heavy fire, and soon had a line of oat tie consisting of, on the extreme right. Bee aud Evans; in the centre, Jackson, wltn his four reg ments, and thirteen t<uas under Colonel Pendleton; ana on tho left, the remnant of the 7th Georgia, the 4ihh Virginia bat talion, the 21 Mississippi, and the 6oh North Carolina. Hampton’s legion, tbe 8th Virginia, and Jackson’s 5th Virginia supported tae light, as a reserve. On the right of all was a company of caval ry, and on the extreme left flank, anotn- er under Stuart. This force consisted of 6 500 infaDtry and cannoneers, 2 companies of cavalry, and 13 pieces of artillery. The Federal force in line of battle, by their official statement, was somewhat more than 20,- W0 infantry, with 7 companies of regular cavalry and 24 pieces of artillery. Aoout 35 000 reserves were at Centreville, Stone Dridge, and opposite the lower lords. Tne coming shock was to be borne by the Coufed-rate centre, composed of the Virginia regiments of Jackson. Fresh, thoroughly disciplined, and commanded by a soldier of known coolness and cour age, these regiments were rightly rtgard ed as the chief dependence of the Confed erate commander in holding his ground until re-enforcements arrived. Jackson was indefatigable in encouraging his men, and rode np and down his lines in the midst of a heavy fire, with an uncon cern which had an excellent effect npon the untried youths of nia command. He had placed his artillery in front, without * Jackson to Colonel J. M. Bennett, July 2Sth, 1861. cover, and the cannoneers served the pieces with ardor, returning rapidly tbe tire of the Federal batteries, which were planted upon every rising ground in front “Lully expected them ail to be killed in that position ” bo Raid aft*r wards, “yet felt that the occasion de manded the sacrifice.” His infantry was lying do wn about one hundred yards in roar of th*? guns, and as the familiar fig ure of their commander passed to and fro on his sorr-1 horse, the men heard the calm lips ntwr constantly the wirds, “S'eady, boy.'! steady— all s well! * Those who saw him on this occation noticed especially his coolness. “A more earnest yet calm expression,” says General Pen dleton, “I have never seen upon human countenance ” No material change took place in the positions of tb6 opposing forces until About two o’clock, when the Federal line* were pus - ea forward, and their bat teries advanced, inclining to the right, with the evident intention of securing an obliqne fire upon Jackson’s frout. In doing s ) one of them approached so near Col. Cumming’s regiment—the Thirty- third Virginia—chat he charged and cap tured it, but owing to thb destructive fire of musketry, was obllgfed to ret 1 re and abandon the gans. Tne movement of their artillery was the prelade to a new and more determined ad vane* of the. Federa'troops. 1 aeJr (infante/, swarm ing npon the face of the ^ip';eau. was massed in the vicinity of»the Henry house, and all at once the brisu^ng lines were tnrown forward, and hurled with fury up n the Confederate centre. As tney moved, the artillery under Pendie ton greeted them with a discharge of canister at close range, and then with drew at a gallop to the high ground across the little valley, where they con tinued to tire upon the Federal f >rces aa they rushed forward at a double quick to the charge. Jacksou met this charge with the bay onet. Tney were now so close upon him, a a , in his own words, “to call for th6 free use of the bayoaet; anal accordingly ordered the charge to be made, which cut-the enemy’s centre, and thus sepa rated his wings.” Tae scene duscrioed and dismissed in these few simple words, was one of the most stirring and iuan- niticent spectacles of the war The long glittering lines of Federal infantry, sup ported by tbe fire of the fiuest batteries, were almost in contact with Jacksou, when heoriered his men to charge. They responoed wish wild cheers, and tiring a heavy volley, rushed forward with all the ardor ol volunteers The enemy met them with determination; and wltQ one mad yell rising from botn adversairts, and mingling its savage echoes,tae surg ing masses came together. The scene which followed is indescribable. The thnnder of artillrry and tue sustained crash of musketry rolled like some dia bolic concert across tue hills and the opposing lines were lines in adense cloud of amoke, from which rose shouts yells, cheers and the groans of the dying. Jackson had charged without orders, from the necessity of his situafion; but Beauregard, it seems, had at nearly the same moment ordered his whole front to advance. At this order the troops rushed to the attack with aa ardor and enthusi asm never afterwards surpassed during tne war. Tne men seemed inspired with a species of fury almost, which made them careless of wounds aud death. One who was carried eying from the field, exclaimed with clencued hands, They’ve doue for me now, but my fa ther’s there yet—our cause is there yd— our army’s there yet!—our cause is to*-re yet!—aud liberty’s there yet!” The offi cers set a cbivalric example t-j the troop s, aDd suffered heavily. Hampton was shot Mle oraveiy leaning on his men. Bte fell men ttiiy wounded ?tthe head of the Alabamians and Georg ane, near the Henry house, grasping the sword pre Eented to him by South Carolina, aad was urging on his men to the Iasi. Coio nei Fisher,of North Carolina, was killed; Colonels Garfcrell and Falkuur wounded; and General Bartow, woo nad said, “i shall go into thatii fight with a determi nation never to leave the field alive, but in victory .” was shot through the heart while rallying the 7ch Geargia, ana fed, exclaiming to the men around him, ‘■They’ve killed me, but never give up the field!” In tbe midst of this hot struggle Jack son’s equanimity remained unsbaaec. He does not seeiu, during any portion of the battle, to have contemplated disas ter or defeat, and opposed to the agita tion and Harry of many around hiiu a demeanor entirely unmoved. When an officer rode up to him, and exc aimed with grt at excitement, “General, I think the day is going against us!” Jaczsoo re plied, with entire coolness in his brief, curt way. “If you think so, sir, yon had better not say anything about it.” His bayonet charge had pierced the Federal centre, separating the two wings: but such was their preponderance of numbers that this advantage not only became of doubtful value, but the Con federate line was in dauger of being en veloped ny the heavy masses closing in upon its flanks. Jackson put forth all Lis strength to retain his vantage ground; and the enemy made corresponding ex ertions to drive him from the plateau. At tnis stage the struggle reached its utmost intensity. In portions of the field, especially near the Henry house, the opposing lines fought almost breast to breast, and though repeatedly repulsed the Federal infantry constantly returned with new vigor to tne charge. Still the Confederate front remained unbroken. Led by determined officers, who kept their ranks closed up, and cheered them by word and example, the troops con tinued to hold their ground npon the plateau—especially the first brigade, which occupied the dangerous and im portant position in the centre. The Federal line had first been broken by this brigade, and now was destined to receive Trom it the coup de grace. Jackson bad held aisposuion forabont *»n hour; and this had enabled General Beauregard to hurry forward troops from tae lines along Bull Run. These were at last iu position, and taking command of them in person, General Beauregard, about 3 o’clock, ordered the whole liuo to advance and make a decisive assault, t Jackson still beid ihe centre, and, al though wounded in the hand by a frag ment of shell, paid r o attention to the accident. At the w* rd, his brigade rush ed forward, broke through tbe Federal line in 1runt of them, and, supported by the reserves, drova the enemy from the piatean, acroRs t^e Warrenton road, into th» fields of Dogan farm. The decisive success had been mainly achieved by Jackson s co -imand, and he proudly wrote a friend scon after wards: “You will find, when my report shall be published, that tte First Brigade was to our army what the Imperial Guard was to the first Napoleon; that, through tbe blessing of God, it met the thus far victori ous enemy, and turned tbe fortunes of the day.” From a man so modest, and so mnch opposed to all vain gloriousness and boasting, this statement stands for a great, deal. It would never have been j made had the praise been undeserved. The battle, however, was not over. The Federal lines had been driven from the Henry house plateau, but 4V • ■* - "um bers rendered them still formidable, and prompt steps were taken to follow up this important blow. While marshalling Ms troops for a final attack, Gen. John ston, who had commanded the whole field from his headquarters at the Lewis house, received intelligence that “a Fed eral army” had reached Manassas, and was then advancing upon bis rear. This force was soon ascartaiued, however, to be that of Gen. Kirby Smith of the Army of the Shenandoah, who had just arrived with 1,700 infantry. They bad come over the Manassas Gap Railroad, and, hearing the heavy firing, Gen. Smith had stopped the train before ic reached the Junction, disembarked tbe troops, and hastened forward to tne battle field. Coming rap idly into position near the Chinn hense, on the Confederate left, he opened fire with Bejkham s battery on the enemy at the moment when they were commenc ing a final attack. Their line extended in the shape of a crescent from the Car ter house, around in rear of Dcga ’s, and across the W«rr6nton road to Chinn’s house. The fields and roads were filled wllh infantry, and their two brigades of cavalry which had not been used. Gen. Smith had scarcely formed his line, when the Fdderai commander, throwing for ward a cloud of skirmishers, extended his right wing to outflank and envelope the Confederate line. Tney were met by the fresh troops under Smith and Early with great spirit, and this unexpected resist ance, at a point supposed to be unde fended, obviously disneartened the at tacking column. At the same moment tne whole Southern line advanced to the charge, and the combined attack upon the Federal flank and frout was decisive. The enemy was forced over the narrow plateau near Chinn’s hoase, oat of the woods on its western slope, across the Warrenton road, and on toward Sudley ani Red House lords. Tbeir lines were broken, aud the army in fail retreat. Soon this retreat became a wild and panic stricken flight. Tne roads were filled with artillery, the horses at full gallop; men were crushed beneath the wneeic; wagons were overturned amid the hurrying crowd, and every article waica could impede the retreat was dropped by the men in their headlong m*nt. The rout was so cDniplete, that Jack- son said, in ais curt voice, as he sat on his horse and looked at tne retreating army: * Give me 1U.000 meu and 1 wi»i be in Washington toiugnt! i t The writer is unable to state tbe cum her of Confederate troops in this final charge. He is able, however, to vouch •'or tna statment tuat the bulk of Gen. Beauregard’s forces under Lonastreet, Bjnuain and E veil were still retained at tne lower lords to guard that front. The brunt of the cattle thus continued to be borne by the Army of the Shenandoah. : The writsr received valuable inform ation in rtgard to this battle from Gan. Stuart, Gan. Hampton, Gen. Pendleton, and others. JncKson a report of tne ope rations of his brigade is lost, and the gen eral official report is very confused and iuaccurate. it is there stated that Jack son was repulsed and driven from the plateau at 2 o’clock. Tnis is unquestion ably and error. He states, in his letter to Col. Bennett, that he pierced the Fed eral centre and held the ground thus won; and Gen Pendleton, wno was pres eat, writes mat in this charge the enemy were “thoroughly broken and thrown back, nor did tney at ail again recover that ridge.” Gen. Hampton s statement to the writer is distinctly to the same effect. Tne unreliable cnaracter of the general official report was a matter of notoriety in the Army of Northern Vir erinia; but no intelligent person regarded tne eminent soldier whose name is signed to it as responsible for its inflation of stylo or inaccaracy of statement. “Bahold, then,” said the voice. “I would again have mercy and be kind to thee, for if I aid thee not, thou hast no more iife left among men. Home and kindred and native land thou hast none, and bat for me thou must devour thine own heart and be lonely till thou diest. Therefore I breathe into thy heart a sweet forgetfulness of every sorrow, and I breathe love into thee for her who was the first love in the beginning of thy days. “For Helen Is living yet upon the earth. And I will send thee on the quest ol Helen, and thon shalt again take joy in war and wandering. Thou shalt find her in a strange land, among a strange peo pie, in a etrUe of gods aud mei; and the wisest and bravest of men shall lie in the arms of the fairest of women. But learn this. Odysseus: thou must set thy heart on no other woman, but only on Helen. “And I give thee a sign to know her by in a land of magic, and among women that deal in poroeri* s. ‘ On the breast of Helen a jewel shines, a great star stone, tho gift l gave her on her wedding nignt when she was bride to Menelaus. From that stone fall red drops like blood, and they drip on her vestment and there vauisu and do not stain it. “By the Star of Love shalt thou know her; by the star shalt thou swear to her; and if thou knowest not the pmtent of the Bleeding Star, or if thou breakest that oath, never in this life, Odysseus, shalt thou win the golden Helen! And tbine own death shall come from the water—the swiftest death, that the say ing of the dead prophet may ba fulfilled. Yet first shalt thou lie in the arms of the golden Helen.” The Wanderer answered: “Queen, how may this be, for I am alone on a sea-girt isle, and I have no ship and no companions to speed me over the great gulf of the sea?” Then the voice answered: “Fear not! the gods can bring to pass even greater things than these. Go from my house and lie down to slrep in my holy ground, within tbe noise of the wash of the waves. There sleep and take thy rest. Thy strength shall come back to thee, and before tae setting of the new sun thou shalt be sailing on the path to Tne World s Desire. But first drink from the chalice on the altar. Fare thee well!” f Tre voice died Intel silence, like the dyirg of masic. The Wanderer awoke and lifted his head, but the. light had faded, and the temple was gray fn tbe first waking of the dawn. Yet there, on the altar, where no cap Lad been, stood a deep chalice of gold, full of red wine to the brim. This tne Wanderer lifted and drained—a draught of Nepenthe, the magic cup that puts trouble out of mind. As he drank, a wave of sweet hope went over his heart and buried far below it tbe sorrow of remembrance and the trouble of the past, and the longing desire for loves that were no more. With a light step he went forth like a younger man, taking the two spears in his hand and the bow upon his back, and he lay down beneath a great rock that looked towaid the deep, and mere he slept. According to Supt. Porter the popula tion of the United States is just about 64.000,000, which will disappoint some people who like to think that Uncle Sam is the biggest fellow that ever was. But there is a consolation to be found in the thought that it is the sillv little boy who aches to be as big as his dad and the wise old dad who wishes he was a boy again. CHAPTER III. Morning broke in the east! A new day dawned upon the silent sea and on the world of light and sound. The sunrise crossed the waters by a path of gold and fell upon the golden raiment of the Wan derer as he slept, making it ’oiaze like living fire. As the sun touched him the prow of a black ship stole swiftly round the headland, for the wind was fair in uer wake, and the oarsmen drove her well with the oars. Any man who saw her would have known her to be a vessel of the merchants of Sidoc—the most cun ning people and the greediest of gain— for on her prow were two big headed shapes of dwarf3, with gaping mouths and knotted limbs. Such gods as those were worshipped by tae Sidonlans. Sae was now returning from Albion, an isle beyond the pillars of Hercules and the gates of the great sea, wtere much store ol tin is found; and she had rich mer chandise on board. On the half deck be side the steerman was tue captain, a thin, keen eyed sailor, who looked shore ward and saw tbe sun blaze on the golden armor of the Wanderer. They were so far ofi that he could not see clearly what it was that glittered yellow, but all thac glittered yellow was a lure for him, and gold drew him on as iron draws tbe hands of heroes. So he bRde the helms man steer straight in, for the sea was deep below the rock, and there they all paw a man lying asleep in golden armor. Tney whispered together, laughing si ientiy, and then sprang ashore, taking witn them a rope of twisted ox hide, a hawser of the ship, and a strong cable of byblus, the papyrus plant. On these ropes they cast a loop and a running knot, a Usso for throwing, so that they might capture the man iu safety from a distance. With these in their hands they crept up tue cuff, for their purpose was to noose the man in golden armor and drag nim on board their vessel aud carry him to the mouth of the river of Egy pt, and there sell him for a slave lo the King. For the bidonians, who were greedy of everything, loved nothing oetter tnan to catch free men and women, who might be purchased by mere force or guile, and then be Bold again for gold and silver and cattle. Many kings' sons had thus been captured by them and nad seen the aay of slavery In Babylon, or Tyre, or Egytian Thebes, and had died sadly far from the Arrive land. So the Sidonians went round warily and creeping in silence over tne short grass and thyme towards the Wanderer, were soon as near him as a child could throw a stone. Like shepherds who seek to net a sleeping lion, they came cun ningly, yet not so cunningly bat that tne Wanderer heard them through hla dreams, and turned and sat up, looking around him half awake. But as he woke the noose fell about his neck and over his arms, and they drew it hard and threw him on his back. Before they could catch him he was on his feet again, cry ing his war cry terribly—the cry that shook the towers of liinm, and he rushed npon them, clutching at ms aword hilt. The men who w ere nearest him and had hold of the rope let it fall from their hands and fled, but the ethers swung be hind him and dragged with all their force. If h is arms had been free, so tnat he might draw his sword, it would have gone ill with them, many as they were, for the Sidonians have no stomach for sword blades; but his arms were held in the noose. Yet they did not easily master him; bat, as those who had fled ' next son would not set on the day of Bot at last his strength was spent, and they had him like a bird in a snare, so, by might and main, they oore him to their ship and threw him down on the foredeck of tue vessel. There they mocktd him, though they were half afraid, for even now he was terrible. Tuen they hauled up the sails again and sat down to the oars. The wind blew fair for tbe mouth of the Nile and tne slave market of Egypt. T<*e wind was f»irand their hearts were light, for they had been among the first of their people to deal with the wild tribes of the island Albion, and had bought tic and gold for African sea shells, and rude glass beads from Egypt. Aud now, near the very end of tueir adventurr, they had canght a man whose armor and whose body were worth a king’s ransom. It was a. lucky voyage, they said, and the wind was fair. The rest of the journey was long, but in well-known waters. They passed ty Cepbaionia, and the rock of Asglipips, and wooded Zacynthns, and Same, and. of all those isles he was tne lord, whom they were now selling into captivity. But he lay still, breathing heavily, and he stirred but once—that was when they neared Zicyntbus. Then he strained his head round with a mighty strain, and he saw the sun go down upon the heights of rocky Ithaca for that last time of ail. So the 9wift ship ran along the coast, slipping by forgotten towns than died be fore history began. Past tha Ecuinean les aud the Eiian shore and pleasant Eirene they sped, and it was dask ere tney rescued Dorion. Duep night had fallen woen they ran by Pyloa, and the light of the fires In the hall of Pisistratus, the son of Nestor the Old, shone out Across the sandy seacoast and the sea. But when they were come near Mnlea, tbe southernmost point of lanl, where two seas meet, there toe storm snatched them and drove them ever southward be- vond Crete, toward the mouth of tbe Nile. They scudded long before the storm wind, losing their reckoning, and rushing by island temples that showed like gnosts through the mist, and pass havens which they could not win. On they fled, and the men would giadly have lightened t”e snip by casting all the car go overooard; but the captain watched the hatches with a s word and two bronze- tipped spears in his hand. He would sink or swim with the ship; he would go down with his treasure or reach Sidon, the City of flowers, and build a white bouse among tho palrcs by tho waters of Bostreen, and never try the sea again. So he swore; and he wonld Dot let them cast the Wanderer overboard, as they desired because he bar brought- oad luck. “He shall bring a good price in Tanis,” cried the Captain. And at last th« storm abated, and the Sidonians took heart and were glad like men escaped from death; so they sacrificed and poured forth wine before the dwarf gods on tho prow of their vessel, and burned incense on tbeir little altar. In tbeir mirth, and to mock the Wanderer, they hung his sword and his shield against the mast, and his quiver and his bow thuy arrayed in the fashion ot a trophy; and they mocked him, supposing that he knew no word of their-epetca. But ho kaew it well, as he knew the spe< ca of the people of Egypt; for he had seen tbe cities ol many men, and had spoken with Captains and mer cenaries from many a land in tne great wars. The Sidonians, however, jibed and spoke freely before him, saving how they were bound for the rich cHy of Tanis, on the banks of the river of Egypt, and how the captain was minded to pay bis toll to Pharaoh with the body an t the armor of the Wanderer. Tnat he might seem the comelier, aud a gift more fit for af king, the sailors slackened bis bonds a little and brought him dried meat and wine, and he ate till his strength re turned to him. Then he entreated them by signs to looson the cord that bound his legs; for indeed his limbs were dead tbrougu the strength of the bonds and his armor was eating into his flesh. At his prayer they took some pity of him and loosened his bonds again and he lay upon his back, moving his legs to and fro till his strength came back. So they sailed southward ever through smooth water and past the islands that lie like water lilies in the midland sea. Many a strange sight they saw. Vessels bearing slaves, whose signings might be heard above the sighing of wind and water -young men and maidens of Ionia and Abata stolen by slave traders into bondage; now they would touch at tbe white havens of a peaceful city; and again they wonld wa*ch a smoke on the sea line ail day, rising black into the heavens; but by nightfall the smoke would cnange to a great roaring fire from the beacons of a beleagured island town. Tne fire would blaze on the masts of the snips of tbe besiegers and show blood red on their sails and glitter on the gilded shields that lired the bulwarks of the ships. But the Sidonians never stopped till one night they anchored off a little isle that lies over against the mouth of the Nile. Off this isle they moored the eb?o and slept most of them ashore. Then the Wanderer began to plot a way to escape, though the enterprise seemed desperate enough Ho was lying in the darkness of the hold s.eepless and sore with his b >ndp, while bis guard watched under an p.w^ing in the moon light on the deck. Tney dreamed so little of h's escaping tnat they visited him only by watchts now and again, and, as it chanced, the man whose turn it was to see that ail was secure, fell asleep. Many a thought went through tbe pris oner’s mind, and now It seemed to him than the vision of the goddess was only a vision of sleep, which came, as the/ said, through the false Gates of Ivory, and not through the Gates of Horn. So he was to live in slavery after all, a King no longer, bat a captive, toiling in the Egyptian mines of Sinai or a soldier at a paiace gate, till he died. Thus he brooded, till out of the stillness came a thin, faint, thrilling sound from the bow that hung against the mast over his head, the bo w that be never thought to string again. Tnere was a noise of a singing of the bow and of the string, and tne wordless song shaped itself thus in the heart of the Wanderer: Lo; the hour i.s nigh And the time to smite. When the foe shall 11 y From the arrow’s llig Let the bronze bite dee Let the war birds fly Upon them that sleep And are ripe to die! Shrill and low Do the gray shafts sing The song of the bow, The sound of the string. Then the low music died into the silence, and the Wanderer knew that the

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907, August 16, 1890, Image 1