Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/304

 298 Southern Historical Society Papers.

By this time I was at the head of the column, which had not slackened its mad pace. For at least a mile I rode at their head, exchanging remarks about the retreat of the " Rebs," and joining- in the cries of " Hurry; let's catch Armstrong." As we came to a side street that ran right down to the river, I dashed out and swerved sharply, and then I rode for dear life. In a second they were after me, and the bullets sang all around me.

I never halted, but plunged off a low pier into the water, and swam straight across to where our people were trying to form a new front. The water was torn by a perfect rain of bullets, but I was not scratched, and my horse was only slightly wounded. I would like much to know the name of my Federal commander.

GENERAL THOMAS J. JACKSON.

Reminiscences of the Famous Leader by Dr. Hunter McGuire, Chief Sur- geon of the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia.

The following sketch of the distinguished surgeon, Dr. Hunter McGuire, with his highly interesting reminiscences of his friend and commander, General Thomas Jonathan ("Stonewall") Jackson, appeared in the issue of the Richmond Dispatch of July 19, 1891, preceding the unveiling at Lexington, Va., on July 2ist of the bronze statue by the Virginia sculptor, Edward V. Valentine, of the great soldier :

CHARACTERISTICS OF JACKSON AS DESCRIBED BY HIS CHIEF SURGEON, DR. HUNTER M'GUIRE.

Owing to his habits of observation, his excellent memory, and his close association with Jackson, there is perhaps no other man living who has more vivid impressions of the great soldier than Dr. Hunter McGuire, or is better prepared to talk upon his phases of character* Dr. McGuire was with Jackson from Harper's Ferry until the fatal loth of May, 1863, and so indissolubly is his name associated with Jackson in the public mind that a sketch of the distinguished south- ern surgeon, in addition to his own modest references to himself, is almost a necessary preface to the interviews with him published below.