Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/223

 D< of the fiattle of Sharj>l>'tr</. 215

X neral confusion around nu-. For the moment I did not notice that tin- gun of which I had charge was still standing unlimbered on the other named Manoni, both of whom promptly returned, we suc- ceeded in limbering the gun, the men mounted the horses, and we \\<-re quickly following the procession. Kor probably a mile the Yankee guns commanded the gorge up which this road ran, and every step of it I took at a gait that would have done credit to John Gilpin on his famous ride.
 * e of the hill, but calling two men, one named Solomon, and the

It is no use denying the fact, I ran as fast as my horse could carry me, through the crowded road or through fields, where possible, and the men of my gun followed me. At the first turn, which was the road running towards Shepherdstown, we turned from the column, intending to go there and find where the rear of the army was. Just alter turning into this road, I came across my old comrades, the 2d and 3d Howitzers, with their horses unhitched, guns parked, both men and horses endeavoring to get supper of some kind, utterly un- conscious that the Yankees had crossed the river. They had evi- dently been forgotten. It was only a few minutes before the battalion \\.is hitched up and on their way also to the rear, as fast as possible.

How late that night we pushed onward, or where we struck Gen- eral Hill, I have not the slightest recollection. It seemed to me, however, that the night was interminable, and that we must be many miles beyond the river. At last, however, we did strike General Hill, and our story was communicated to his headquarters. A fighter like General Hill needed no orders when his rear was pressed, and by daylight next morning the tramp of that tireless infantry that had already marched and fought until any other less hardened soldiers or men of such spirit would have given out and broken down, was heard marching back to the river, the clatter of their canteens, the occasional clanking of a musket butt against a bayonet, and the rumbling of the artillery carriages being the only sounds, but plainly showing that General Hill did not intend to allow General McClellan to push General Lee, but to give him a tussle for the advance.

How far we marched that morning I do not know, but when the infantry struck the Yankees that were encamped on the south side of the river preparing their breakfast, the tired stride that had carried these veterans over so many miles was forgotten, as, with an old- fashioned rebel yell, they opened fire, and in a short time charged, and though the Yankees fought, and fought well, they could not stand the rush of Hill's troops. I am under the impression that we did