The Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High TideAltsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
History
The Star of Gettysburg: A Story of Southern High Tide
Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Juvenile fiction
Harry saw that Stuart's face was flushed with excitement. His eyes
fairly blazed. It had fallen to him to lead the great fighting corps
which had been led so long by Stonewall Jackson, and it was enough
to appeal to the pride of any general. Nor had he shed any of the
brilliant plumage that he loved so well. The great plume in his
gold-corded hat lifted and fluttered in the wind as he galloped about.
The broad sash of yellow silk still encircled his waist, and on his
heels were large golden spurs. Harry, as he followed him, heard
him singing to himself, "Old Joe Hooker, won't you come out of the
Wilderness?" That line seemed to have taken possession of Stuart's mind.
All the staff and many of the soldiers along the battle front noted the
difference between their new commander and the one who had fallen so
disastrously in the night. There was never anything spectacular about
Jackson. In the soberest of uniforms, save once or twice, he would ride
along the battle front on his little sorrel horse, making no gestures.
It was not until the soldiers saw Stuart in the light that they knew
of Jackson's fall. Then the news spread among them with astonishing
rapidity, and while they liked Stuart, their hearts were with the great
leader who lay wounded behind them. But eagerness for revenge added to
their warlike zeal. Along the reformed lines ran a tremendous swelling
cry: "Remember Jackson!"
They wheeled a little further to the right in order to come into close
contact with Lee, and then, as the first red touch of the dawn showed in
the Wilderness, the trumpets sounded the charge. The batteries blazed
as they sent forth crashing volleys, and in a minute the thunder of guns
came from the east and south, where Lee also attacked as soon as he
heard the sounds of his lieutenant's charge.
Nothing could withstand the terrible onset of the troops who were still
shouting "Remember Jackson!" and who were led on by a plumed knight out
of the Middle Ages, shaking a great sabre and now singing at the top of
his voice his favorite line, "Old Joe Hooker, won't you come out of the
Wilderness?"
They swept away the skirmishers and seized the plateau of Hazel Grove
which had been of such use to Hooker the night before, and the Southern
batteries, planted in strength upon it, rained death on the Northern
ranks. The veterans with Lee rushed forward with equal courage and fire,
and from every point of the great curve cannon and rifles thundered on
the Union ranks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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