STONEWALL'S SCABBARD.

An Interesting Incident of the Period when General Jackson was Unknown to Fame.

By JOHN TAYLOR.

N the 19th of April, 1861, a portion of the battalion of the Virginia Military Institute stood in line to receive marching orders. This detachment, consisting of 165 picked cadets, was to drill the volunteers as they reported for duty at Camp Lee, a spot now known as the Richmond Agricultural Fair Grounds. In fact Camp Lee was used for that purpose prior to the war. Well does the writer (one of the cadets) recall the varied emotions which filled the souls of those gallant soldier boys, many of whom, amid the din of war, found soldier's graves where shot and shell fell thick and fast. Boys in years, yet for bravery and daring many of them gained fame, rank, and reputation that gray haired soldiers well might wish. The cadets as a whole begged their commandant and the governor to allow them to enter the war and to enroll the entire battalion as a part of the regular army of the Confederacy. This was refused by the authorities, as this body was the only organization drilled in the science of war and military studies in Virginia, and, as drill-masters and officers, they proved more valuable to the South than they could have done in the ranks. With faces tinged with genuine sadness, that portion ordered to remain at the barracks, stood at "rest," while the joyful faces of those who were to go, showed the feelings of the boys as to war. The professors one by one were called for by the "detail," ordered off, and each addressed the command with words calculated to stimulate military ardor and counsels as to a soldier's duty.

From the town of Lexington, with long and rapid strides, the well known form of "old Jack," as the boys dubbed Major Jackson, then one of the faculty of the Institute, was approach

ing. "Three cheers for Major Jackson," shouted some one. "Three cheers and a tiger for 'old Jack!"" yelled out many other youthful voices, and a "Hip! hip! hurrah!" was heartily given by nearly three hundred boys. Our eccentric major, being called on for a speech, quietly stepped to the front of the command, raising his faded blue cap with his right hand, and clasping closely under his left arm his trusty sword, which had flashed on many a field in the Mexican war, he cast his piercing eye up and down the line, then replaced his cap on his head, and, suiting actions to his words, said in a clear, sharp voice. "Cadets, when you draw your swords throw away your scabbards." Leaving the scabbard on the ground where he had cast it, he wheeled, and, with his usual rapid stride, returned to Lexing ton, where he was actively engaged with the Rev. Dr. Pendleton in organizing an artillery company. An order from Governor Letcher, received later, caused "Stonewall Jackson" to change his proposed plan, and he assumed charge of the cadet detachment, conducting the detachment safely to Richmond, from which place he was ordered to Harper's Ferry, where his military genius began first to attract the attention of the Confederate army.

Brilliant Cavalry Charge at Gettysburg.

CAVALRY officers claim that they

saved the day, at the most critical moment, at the battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg was the only battle of the war in which the three arms of the service fought at the same time, each within supporting distance and

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within sight of the other, and each in its proper sphere. Custer said : challenge the annals of warfare to produce a more brilliant and successful charge of cavalry than was made on the third day of the battle of Gettysburg."

Gladstone and Our Rebellion.

MR. GLADSTONE said: "I do not

believe history records a case in which the internal dissensions of a country have produced such widespread calamity in other nations beyond its borders as the American rebellion."

THE SIXTH CORPS.

THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN.

MARCH 25 TO APRIL 9, 1865.

• LEE'S • SURRENDER.

Capt. J. W. DIXON, Lieut. 2d Conn. Heavy Artillery.

HE Appomattox campaign opened with the battle of Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865. The attack was a complete surprise and the Confederates captured the fort. The victory, however, was a short-lived one. The 1st and 3d Divisions of the 9th Corps, commanded by Maj.-Gen. John G. Parke, recaptured the work after a sharp fight of several hours, during which the fort was raked by an enfilading fire from numerous forts and redoubts of our line. The 9th Corps lost in this action 911 men, of whom 68 were killed, 337 wounded, and 506 missing. The Confederate loss was 2681.

General Grant ordered General Meade to assault the works in front of Petersburg the 29th of March, but a heavy rain set in, which made it necessary to postpone it. Meanwhile Maj.Gen. E. O. C. Ord's 24th Corps, Army of the James, relieved the 2d and 5th Corps in front of Petersburg, and these two corps joined Major-General Sheridan in an expedition far to the left, to turn the right flank of Lee's army. General Sheridan had been ordered from the Shenandoah valley in February. He was to conduct his superb cavalry corps across the country, destroying General Lee's communications with the West, was to pass through Lynchburg and Danville, and join General Sherman in his march to the sea. The heavy rains rendered the James river impassable, so this plan was impracticable, and General

Sheridan headed for Petersburg. He joined the Army of the Potomac on the 26th of March.

Early on the morning of the 29th, the 2d and 5th Corps, with the cavalry under General Sheridan, marched to the southwest, crossed Hatcher's run, and headed toward Dinwiddie Court House. The Union line reached from the Appomattox to Dinwiddie Court House. The army was posted from right to left as follows: 9th, 6th, 24th, 2d, and 5th Corps, and on the left Sheridan's cavalry. March 31 the Confederates made an attack upon Maj.-Gen. G. K. Warren's 5th Corps, but failed to break the line.

On April 1 Sheridan's cavalry, with the 5th Corps, fought and won the battle of Five Forks. The list of killed was remarkably small considering the number of troops engaged. The Federal loss was 124 killed, 706 wounded, and 54 missing; total 884. The Confederate loss, including prisoners, was 8,500.

On the morning of the 2d the grand assault was to be made. No ordinary earthworks these; they had been for many months an impassable barrier to the Union forces. Erected scientifically under the supervision of competent engineers, they had been strengthened as opportunity offered, until they were regarded by friend and foe as almost invulnerable.

The signal for the attack was to be a gun fired at dawn of day; the exact hour and minute having been determined upon. There was a delay of a few minutes in the firing of the signal gun. During this interval the pickets of the 6th Corps commenced firing, which brought an answer from the Confederates in front. The corps was formed in columns of brigades, en echelon, to penetrate the Confederate lines in the form of an enormous wedge.

In front of the works about to be charged impenetrable lines. of abatis extended. Men were pushed forward to cut through these obstacles and a force under Major Adams, of the artillery, was ready to spike and disable, or, if possible, to serve the captured guns of the enemy. The strength of the Confederate works rendered the occupants positive that they could not be carried by assault. Just as the first streak of dawn appeared the gallant wearers of the Greek cross sprang to the charge. The entering point was driven through the enemy's pickets; through the bristling abatis; over breastworks and trenches upon the main works. After a fierce and bloody conflict the

works were captured, with many prisoners, battle-flags, and guns. The Southside railroad was reached, the rails torn up, and the telegraph destroyed. The troops of the 9th Corps and of the 24th passed through, leaving one brigade of the 6th Corps to guard the position. General Wright swung the corps around to the left, driving the enemy to Hatcher's run.

On the morning of the 3d the corps commenced the pursuit of the retreating enemy. Short, sharp, and decisive was the campaign that followed. On the 4th the corps crossed Winticomack creek, and pushed twelve miles before going into camp. At 3 A. M., the 5th, the pursuit was renewed and continued until dark. The corps was now in position on the right of the 5th Corps, near Jettersville. General Lee had massed his army at Amelia Court House. Here the 6th Corps expected to confront the Confederates and was moving at an early hour. General Lee, with great tact and secrecy, had withdrawn his army during the night of the 5th, and the 6th Corps was ordered to the left of the army, near Burkesville. Passing through Deatonville the railroad was reached before daylight. Turning to the right the 6th Corps was marched toward the retreating trains, where the cavalry was hotly engaging the enemy. Brigadier-General Keifer, of the 3d Division, was in advance. The road was soon in possession of the Union troops and a large number of prisoners and wagons were captured. The 1st Division, Gen. Frank Wheaton, now appeared, and taking ground on the left, advanced rapidly down the road driving the enemy. The two divisions pressed the rear guard of the Confederate army until Sailor's creek was reached. Across this stream the Confederates had thrown up breastworks and here awaited the attack of the exultant Union troops.

Under cover of a heavy artillery fire the two divisions crossed the swampy ground and the creek itself, and with cheers charged the heights where the enemy was posted. Here a hand-to-hand conflict was carried on and most desperate charges and counter charges were made. Bayonet charges were made, men clubbed their muskets and fought as if individual deeds of valor could carry the day. A column of the enemy charged so impetuously and desperately that they temporarily succeeded, but the 6th Corps, on the right and left, continued to advance, and the gallant charging column of the Confederates was enveloped, surrounded.