Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/345

Rh they are in our line and if the enemy want them, they will have to fight for them.

About this time General Jackson makes his appearance, rides to one of the hillocks in our front. Colonel Campbell, commanding our brigade, accompanies him on horseback. Colonel Patton, of the Twenty-first Virginia, the commanding officer of Stonewall Brigade, and Colonel Grigsly, of the Twenty-seventh Virginia, all on foot.. They are met by grape and minie balls, Campbell is wounded. Grigsly has a hole shot through his sleeve and says some ugly words to the yanks for it. It is right here General Jackson issued one of his characteristic orders to the commander of the Stonewall Brigade, "I expect the enemy to occupy the hill in your front with artillery; keep your brigade well in hand and a vigilant watch, and if such an attempt is made, it must not be done, sir; clamp them on the spot!" As soon as Jackson had satisfied himself as to the enemy's disposition, he turned his horse and quietly rode back. On getting to the road he called for Taylor's Brigade and led them in person to their position. The road ran here through a deep cut that screened the movement from the enemy. He gave General Taylor his order. Taylor says in his book he replied, and added, "You had better go to the rear, if you go along the front in this way some damned yankee will shoot you."

He says General Jackson rode back to him and said, "General, I am afraid you are a wicked fellow; but I know you will do your duty." Taylor formed his brigade in the road about 200 or 300 yards to our left. We were on his flank and could see nearly the whole of his advance. When the order to forward was given, the men scrambled up the bank as best they could. General Taylor found a way to ride and when the men lined up at its top he was mounted and in their front. He rode up and down the line seeing that it was properly formed and he then rode in front, drew his sword, called the line to attention and ordered them to forward, march! Every man stepped off with his left foot, and were touching elbow to elbow, the line nearly perfect. His march was in an open field, a gentle rise to the top of a long hill. About midway was the same stonewall that ran in our front; it extended beyond Taylor's left; the whole