Life of J. E. B. StuartWilliamson, Mary L. (Mary Lynn)
History
Life of J. E. B. Stuart
Williamson, Mary L. (Mary Lynn)
Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864
He says: “Our orders to hasten to the front this morning at daylight
were pressing and urgent, and we had no time to prepare or eat
breakfast, which greatly ruffled some of our drivers. When we drew near
to the enemy’s line we awaited orders, and one of our drivers was still
going through baby acts about something to eat and having no breakfast.
Just then General Stuart and staff came along and halted a moment right
in the road where we were and heard the grumbling and childish murmuring
of our hungry man, and the general rode up to him and gave him two
biscuits out of his own haversack.”
On the night of May 7, Grant began to move his army by the left flank to
get between Lee and Richmond, but the movement was discovered at once
and Fitz Lee’s cavalry was sent forward to delay the Federals until
Longstreet’s infantry could come up. Fitz Lee’s men were at times
dismounted, and they fought so stubbornly that Grant’s forces were held
in check until the infantry by a rapid night march reached the
entrenchments which had been hastily thrown up near Spotsylvania
Courthouse.
I am going to tell you about the arrival of the infantry and the
beginning of the next morning’s battle in the words of a private of the
First Virginia cavalry.
He says: “We had been fighting and retreating all night, and at last,
when near Spotsylvania Courthouse had thrown up slight entrenchments.
Protected by Breathed’s guns, we were awaiting another attack. Suddenly
we heard the steady march of infantry coming in our rear. The old
fellows came swinging along in the moonlight, each one with his
camp-kettle on his back and his long musket with its gleaming bayonet
resting easily on his shoulder. Each man settled down by a dismounted
trooper, glad to rest a little while, but full of quips and jokes. ‘Look
here sonny,’ said one to me, picking up my carbine, ‘what’s this here
thing for? Ef I was you I’d be feared of it; it might hurt somebody!’
But even talking was not permitted. Officers passed along, enjoining
silence and ordering us not to fire until we could see the whites of the
Yankees’ eyes.
“About daylight we heard loud cheering. Major Breathed had brought off
one of his guns in the face of thousands of the enemy, and they were
cheering! On came a blue line of battle eight deep calling out, ‘Come
out, you dismounted cavalry! We know you are there.’
“Silence reigned behind the earthworks, but every gun was ready. When
the Federals were well over the crest of the hill, the order rang along
the line—‘Steady, aim, fire!’ Bang! went the carbines and muskets, and
with piercing yells the Confederates leaped out of the works and rushed
with gleaming bayonets upon the already retreating foe. The veterans had
delivered so fierce and so well-directed a fire that the attack was not
renewed at that position.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account