Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/259

Rh of the 16th of September, 1862. We crossed the river at Harper's Ferry on pontoon bridges. Late in the day saw plenty of Federal prisoners. I got a good supply of crackers and maple sugar. We camped just outside of the town, and rations were issued with instructions to cook at once. It was then about dark. We marched until about ten o'clock, and then filed off into an open field to rest for the night, as I thought. Most of us lay on the ground to sleep and rest, but many, as usual, went off foraging for something good to eat. At about twelve o'clock, I reckon, we were awakened by that very unwelcome, everlasting long roll, and our colonel, mounted on his old sorrel, riding about the men, saying, "Hurry up, men! Hurry! Everything depends on being at the ford by daybreak." That word, "Hurry!" and, "Steady, men! steady!" were his favorite commands. (Brave and true soldier he was; he ought to have been a general.)

It looked then as if we were going back to Maryland. About that time, Leonard Taylor, of Company C, said, "Boys, we are going to catch thunder today, for I have been dreaming that we were in the hardest battle yet." His dream came too true, for before sunset on that day, the 17th of September, our regiment, the Thirty-second Virginia, had lost in killed and wounded forty-five per cent. (The poor boy was afterwards killed at Second Cold Harbor.)

After a hard march we reached the ford (Boteler's, just below Shepherdstown) at daybreak and crossed the Potomac, and marched up the river opposite Shepherdstown, halted, and two men from each company detailed to fill our canteens. At that time General Jackson rode up and directed General McLaws to strike McClellan about Dunkards' Church and drive him back. Kershaw's Brigade rested near the church, Barksdale's next, Semmes's next, Cobb's Legion next, I think, and Fitz Lee's cavalry next on the river. I think that was about the formation of the line about where we went in the battle.

I will say just here that Captain R. L. Henley (afterwards Judge of James City County), as we were on the way to the field procured a musket, and, as was his custom, went in the fight with his old company, C. He was at that time commissary of the regiment. He was wounded three times before leaving the field.

We went on at quick time until halted and ordered to unsling knapsacks and all baggage (except "war-bags," haversacks and