Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/214

 208 Southern Historical Society Papers.

soldier as he arose in the early morn, and gazing around, could say in the language of the good old missionary hymn,

"Every prospect pleases, And only man is vile."

Nothing but the passions of man were to disturb its solemn quiet. This was not long to last. Soon the bugle-call, the tap of the drum, the strains of martial music, the tramp of heavy bodies of moving troops broke upon the stillness of the air, and gave evidence of a coming strife. With elastic step, and with the proud confidence of new troops, we marched into position ; we not only thought that we were invincible, but that we could whip "the world." We had read and believed

"To hearts that the spirit of Liberty flushes.

Resistance is idle numbers a dream! They burst from control, as the mountain stream rushes

From its pillows of ice in the warmth of the beam ! "

Later in the day we reflected that this was pretty poetry, em- bodying a noble sentiment, but somehow had so far not prospered us. Many, and I among them, found ourselves a mile in rear of the position we had assumed in the early day, and with no bril- liant prospect of recovering our lost ground (we did so subse- quently); and I tell you from the standpoint of that day things were very doubtful; my heart, and the hearts of the stoutest, almost quailed with silent apprehension the scales of battle so hung upon an equipoise, that a breath might disturb them. We expected reinforcements we hoped for them we prayed for them eagerly we sent for them as Elijah of old from Mount Carmel sent his servant to watch for the coming cloud, even if "no bigger than a man's hand." They came at a late, but most opportune hour. There dashed upon the field in gallant style a battery, at the time engaged under orders from General Joseph E. Johnston, in rallying some broken troops. I was ordered by him to guide this bat- tery into action. Ldid so; but here let me pause to say a word descrip- tive: This battery, subsequently, but not then, a part of this military organization, had its origin and existence in the loyal heart and generous purse of one of my oldest and best esteemed friends, then and now one of your oldest, most valued and valuable citizens, from whom it took its name John Purcell. It was commanded by my almost life-long friend, Lindsay Walker, as gallant a soldier as