Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/340

 334 Southern Historical Society Papers.

He pulled down his cap and was about to ride back to his staff, when I said to him: " General, suppose an officer of superior rank should order me under arrest and then gain possession of the ware- house ? ' '

He said, with an ajr of solemnity I shall never forget, coming close to me and looking as if he would look me through: " Until I relieve you in person you are exempt from arrest except upon my order in writing." He then said: "I fear that liquor more than General Pope's army," and rode off.

I took my men to the warehouse, now so important in my eyes, and threw a guard around it, placing five men at each entrance, with orders to neither allow any one to enter, nor to enter themselves. I then put some prisoners under guard to roll out the bread nearest the doors. In a little while this was done, and to guard was appar- ently all that was required. But in a little while I was called to one entrance to find a general officer with his staff demanding that the guards should either allow him to enter or bring out some liquor. Upon my refusal to comply with his request, he ordered his adjutant to place me under arrest.

I told him that I was put there by General Jackson in person, and exempted from liability of arrest. He gave his staff an order to dismount and enter the warehouse, and I gave my men the order to level their guns, and ' ' make ready. ' ' This made the thirsty Gene- ral halt, and hold a consultation with his officers, who concluded to try persuasion. But they soon found that no liquor could be had. They then asked my name, and to what command I belonged, and threatened to report me for disobedience of orders to a superior officer.

Just then General A. P. Hill came galloping up with his staft. I explained the position to him, and soon saw that he took in the situ- tion, as he ordered the thirsty squad off. Then he said: "Have you orders to burn this building? " On my replying that I had not, he went off. Within an hour General Jackson sent me an order to burn the building, and after it was well destroyed, to report to him. This I did. No man got a drink that day. And the foe that Stone- wall Jackson most dreaded was powerless for evil.