ral
pacer." It would be interesting to know the workings of Stonewall's mind
when perusing this reply.

After reaching Harper's Ferry two more six-pound brass pieces were
received for this battery from Richmond. As there were no caissons for
these four guns, farm-wagons were used, into which boxes of ammunition,
together with chests containing rations for the men, were loaded. In
addition to friction-primers of modern invention at that time for firing
cannon, the old-time "slow matches" and "port-fires" were in stock. So
that, in preparing for battle with General Patterson's army at
Hainesville on July 2, 1861, the ammunition-boxes, provision-chests,
etc., being loaded indiscriminately into the same wagon, were all taken
out and placed on the ground. The "port-fire," adjusted in a brass tube
on the end of a wooden stick, was lighted, and the stick stuck in the
ground by the gun, to give a light in case the friction-primer failed.
This provision was due to the fact that Captain Pendleton was familiar
with the "port-fire," in vogue when he attended West Point. On finding
that the friction-primer was reliable, the "port-fires" were left
sticking in the ground when the guns withdrew, and were captured and
taken as curiosities by the Federals.

After returning to Winchester, ammunition-chests were ordered to be made
by a carpenter of the town. Gen. Joe Johnston, then in command of the
forces, went in person with Lieutenant Poague, and, as the latter
expressed it, reprimanded this carpenter most unmercifully for his
tardiness in the work. The chests were then quickly completed and placed
on wagon-gears, which outfits served as caissons, and thus equipped the
battery marched to and fought at first Manassas. From captures there
made, these crude contrivances were replaced with regular caissons, and
for two of the six-pound brass pieces two rifled ten-pound Parrotts were
substituted and two heavier six-pound brass pieces added, making a
six-gun battery. Also the farm-wagon harness was exchanged for regular
artillery harness.

The revolution in the character of Confederate field ordnance
thenceforward continued, and every new and improved weapon we had to
confront in one battle we had to wield against our foes, its inventors,
in the next.

For a short time previous to and in the battle of Kernstown the battery
had eight guns, two of which, made at the Tredegar Works in Richmond,
were of very inferior quality and were soon di