Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 43.djvu/50

36 in the bitter cold of December without food or shelter, for our wagons had gone to Guinea Station and could not reach us. But with his cap down and his face up, Jackson said "No!" and that was an end, we thought, of the comfort and the supper and the ladies. Passing long columns of troops, who broke into wild cheers of delight on finding that "Old Jack" was with them, we turned into the oak woods a mile beyond "Moss Neck" house and dismounted. One young man there was disappointed and mad.

Soon our couriers drew some wood together and made a roaring fire for us and another for themselves a few rods away. Men and horses were to go to bed supperless. It was not long before the general asked whether I had any biscuits in my haversack. I regret now to say that it was with extreme pleasure that I told him I had none. I had eaten nothing since the breakfast at early daylight. The general and his aide wrapped themselves together in their overcoats on one saddle blanket and covered themselves with another. After awhile Jackson stirred and sat up, saying that he was cold and hungry. I thought of the supper table at "Moss Neck", and the comfortable beds with blankets. The large dead tree at the foot of which the couriers had built their fire just then came down with a great crash, falling across the fire and throwing brands and coals over us and in all directions. It was a mercy that the Confederate army did not lose its Stonewall by the falling of that tree. Captain Hugh McGuire arrived and came to our fire; the general, relenting, asked whether he could not get us something to eat. McGuire had taught in a family in the neighborhood and knew the people well. Mounting, he rode to "Moss Neck" and in a little while returned with a basket of biscuits and a half-used ham, on which we made a feast indeed. The couriers were called in, and we had quite a merry time by the fire. The general tried his hard, cold couch again, but in half an hour he suddenly rose and said quietly: "Captain, let's go to the 'Moss Neck' house!" He was conquered. And I almost dared to say, "I told you so!"

Though it was midnight and all the household were asleep, they were soon aroused by Captain McGuire, who, through a