Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson, and Twenty Great BattlesMcElroy, John
History
Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson, and Twenty Great Battles
McElroy, John
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction
“Sherwood now doubled the enemy's flank back until they were retreating
and falling back on the two divisions of Anderson and Sherlin, who
turned and poured volleys into their rear. The retreat of Biggs's army
now became general We captured many prisoners. Just at this moment a
rebel cavalry officer on a white horse was seen dashing down the ridge
from the direction of the rebel left. He came within a short distance
of our line and took off his hat to our troops, as if he intended to
surrender. Turning on his horse he drew a revolver and flred. The ball
struck Gen. Anderson in the right shoulder, inflicting a severe and
painful wound. Gen. Anderson turned and saw him as he escaped down the
side of the ridge. Anderson recognized him, but did not say a word. Many
shots were flred at him by the soldiers, but he made good his escape.
(It was Gen. Joseph Whitthorne, the fiend.) Gen. Anderson was taken by
Jackson and James Whitcomb (who had been by his side during the whole
of the engagement) back to the town to be cared for by the Surgeon. Gen.
Anderson inquired after Capt. Day, and upon inquiry it was found that he
had been severely wounded during the last charge up the ridge, and had
been carried in an ambulance to the hospital.
“The battle was won. No rebel flag was insight, and the Stars and
Stripes w ed over Looking-Glass Mountain and Middleton's Ridge once
more. Longpath just reached Ringgold's Gap in time to meet his flying
friends, who were in a great state of demoralization. They had been
utterly routed and broken to pieces. Our army was in great glee and full
of joy that night and for many days thereafter. The Army of the Center
had been in such bad condition for so long a time--being hemmed in and
starved--that it became necessary to go into quarters for recuperation,
and also to refit and refurnish it with horses, mules, harness, etc. The
troops were, therefore, distributed at the most convenient points on the
lines of our communications.
“Gen. Silent, now having put Gen. Biggs and his army in a condition of
harmlessness for the season, took up his headquarters at Nashua.
“The next morning after the battle, my son Jackson left Gen. Anderson
(who was comparatively easy, for his wound, though painful, was not
considered dangerous,) to search for Capt. Day. He found him in the
officers' hospital, wounded severely, shot through the bowels. He died
that night. This was sad news to the General, for he loved him as if
he had been a brother. He was buried at Chatter-augus. His friends were
notified, and removed his remains to the cemetery near Bloomington, Ill.
He was a gallant soldier, and had been so kind to Gen. Anderson that we
all loved him. His death caused nearly as much sadness in my family as
the loss of one of our own sons.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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