Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/105

 Fifteenth Virginia Infantry. 101

I know it was a continuous march, day after day, but I do not remember that any of them were forced until two or three days before Sharpsburg. We reached the battlefield of second Manassas two days after the fight and marched by heaps of dead, especially red breeched Zouaves.

TOMMY LIPSCOMB AND HIS KETTLE DRUM.

I do not know whether we were expected to be on hand the day of the battle or not. I do not recall any incident until we crossed the Potomac, except this rather funny one.

There was a certain man detailed to blow the fife, and had been one of our excellent drum corps, which the seven days around Rich- mond had reduced to two Tommy Lipscomb, with his kettle drum, and our friend with the fife. Seeing no need of screeching at reveille, I directed his captain to give him a gun and send him back for duty with his company. He evidently did not like the change, for after carrying it for two days his gun was brought to me one morning with this written on a dirty piece of paper: "Major, take your d n old rifle and go to h 1; I am going to Mosby. " Which I suppose he did, for he was never any more with us, and it became a standing joke with the field officers of other regiments to

ask me, most emphatically: " Where is ?" Answer: ''Gone

to h 1 or Mosby."

THE WHIRL OF EVENTS.

After crossing the Potomac, it was a continual ' ' whirl ' ' of events. At Crampton's Gap supporting the Manly artillery, of North Caro- lina, and they did some good shooting at the enemy coming through Middletown. We could not get at them. Lower down the moun- tain we saw the lofty and lovely fight that Cobb's men put up. About night we were outflanked and nearly surrounded. A night's march somewhere, to Harper's Ferry, I believe; then a march to Monocacy Bridge; arrived a few hours after the fight; through Frederick City; a hard day's march; at 9 P. M. we bivouac in a wheat field. I remember the heavy dew and how wet we were. At daybreak on the march again. About 1 1 A. M. we unsling knap- sacks, pile them in a field, and leave guard with them; every man fills up his canteen; forward, march, double-quick. The road wound around the base of a hill. We clear the base of the hill.