Sancho Panza Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Barksdale's Mississippi Creeper...cigar story, too It seems, that before we came on the ground,Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, which had been126 FROM THE RAPIDAN TO RICHMONDmarching behind us, had filed off the road, and whileBarksdale's we were UP on the hill with the cavalry, had quietly, and silently passed into that body of woods to ourright, unseen by the enemy. Along the front edge ofthat wood ran an old rail fence, covered all over withthe luxuriant vine known as "Virginia Creeper." Wideopen fields extending in front. Soon, the ground behindthat fence was covered with another sort of"creeper," not as good a "runner" as that on the fence,nor as "green," but just as tough of fibre, and as hardto "hold on" when it had once fixed itself, the"Mississippi Creeper." Silently, as ghosts, the Brigadeglided in behind that fence, and lay low, andwaited. Right here, was where the Federals' idea ofquietly occupying the Spottsylvania line was going toprove a snare. They had not the dimmest suspicionthat we were ahead of them, and between them andthat line. They came on, with guileless confidence,and walked right into trouble. Presently, a line ofbattle with columns of troops behind came marchingacross the fields upon the concealed Mississippians.Nearer and nearer they came, unsuspecting any danger,till they got nearly up to the fence. One manhad actually thrown his leg over the rail to mount.Suddenly! as lightning out of a clear sky, a blindingsheet of flame flashed into their very faces. Then,after one volley, swiftly came the dreadful, venomousroll of musketry, the Mississippians loading and firingSPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE 127"at will," every man as fast as he could. It was justas if "the angel of death spread his wings to the blastand breathed in the face of the foe as he passed."That withering fire tore the ranks of that Divisionto pieces. It didn't take those fellows half a secondto decide what to do. With yells of dismay, theycharged back, out of that hornet's nest, as if the devilwas after them. In headlong rout, they rushed wildlyback across the fields, and disappeared in the woodsbeyond.They left four hundred and two of their numberin front of that fence, and before the fugitivesgot out of range, their General of Division, GeneralRobinson, was seriously wounded.Some of our men went out among the Federalwounded to do what they could for their relief. Anofficer of a Mississippi Regiment came upon a FederalColonel who lay to all appearance mortallywounded, and gave him a drink of water, and didwhat else he could for his comfort. The Federaltook out a fine gold watch, and said, "Here is a watchthat I value very highly. You have been very kindto me, and I would like you to have it, as I am goingto die. If I should get over this, and send to you forit you will let me have it, if not, I want you to keepit. But," he said sadly, "my wound is mortal, Iam obliged to die." The Mississippian left him, andwent back to his post, supposing him dead.128 FROM THE RAPIDAN TO RICHMONDMany years after the war, the Mississippi officerwas in Baltimore at Barnum's Hotel. One day, hegot into casual talk with a gentleman, at dinner, and,as he seemed to be a good fellow, they smoked theircigars together after dinner, and continued their conversation.By and by they got on the war. It cameout, that both of them had served, and on oppositesides. Finally, in telling some particular incidents ofhis experience, the Federal soldier described this veryfight, his being, as he thought mortally wounded, thekindness shown him by a Confederate officer, and hisgift to him, of his watch. The Southern man said,"What is your name?" "Col. , of Robinson'sDivision," he replied. "Can you be the man?Have I struck you at last?" cried the ex-Confederate."I've got your watch, and here it is, with your nameengraved in it."It was a singular incident, that these two shouldmeet again so ! The meeting was most cordial; theFederal was delighted to get his watch again, madedoubly valuable by so strange a history. FROM THE RAPIDAN TORICHMONDANDTHE SPOTTSYLVANIACAMPAIGNA Sketch in Personal Narrative of theScenes a Soldier SawByWILLIAM MEADE DAME, D.D.Private, First CompanyRichmond HowitzersBaltimoreGreen-Lucas Company1920 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 *General John C. Robinson was awarded the uS Congressional Medal of Honour, for his part at Spottsylvania, after which he had a leg amputated. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 (edited) Cool story and just goes to show that you never know who you might run into at Barnum's Hotel in Baltimore. Edited April 2, 2014 by JL Sargent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 thanks SP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Magnificent story! Is that book in print? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 Yes; available at Amazon for as low as $4.99; search by author William Meade Dame. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 Excellent. Looks like a great camping trip read... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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