on on the left of the road. The
Federals soon opened on us with two guns occupying an unfavorable
position considerably below us. The gunner of my piece was J. P. Smith,
who afterward became an aide on General Jackson's staff, and was with
him when he received his death-wound at Chancellorsville. One of the
guns firing at us could not, for some time, be accurately located, owing
to some small trees, etc., which intervened, so the other gun received
most of our attention. Finally, I marked the hidden one exactly, beyond
a small tree, from the puff of smoke when it fired. I then asked J. P.,
as we called him, to let me try a shot at it, to which he kindly
assented. I got a first-rate aim and ordered "Fire!" The enemy's gun
did not fire again, though its companion continued for some time. I have
often wished to know what damage I did them.

The confusion of the stampede being over, the line of march was quietly
resumed for several miles, until we reached "The Narrows," where we
again went into position. I had taken a seat by the roadside and was
chatting with a companion while the guns drove out into a field to
prepare for action, and, as I could see the ground toward the enemy, I
knew that I had ample time to get to my post before being needed. When
getting out the accouterments the priming-wire could not be found. I
being No. 3 was, of course, responsible for it. I heard Captain Poague,
on being informed who No. 3 was, shout, "Ned Moore, where is that
priming-wire?" I replied, "It is in the limber-chest where it belongs."
There were a good many people around, and I did not wish it to appear
that I had misplaced my little priming-wire in the excitement of
covering Stonewall's retreat. The captain yelled, as I thought
unnecessarily, "It isn't there!" I, in the same tone, replied, "It is
there, and I will get it!" So off I hurried, and, to my delight, there
it was in its proper place, and I brought it forth with no small
flourish and triumph.

After waiting here for a reasonable time, and no foe appearing, we
followed on in rear of the column without further molestation or
incident that I can now recall. We reached Harrisonburg after a few
days' marching.

CHAPTER VII

GENERAL JACKSON NARROWLY ESCAPES BEING CAPTURED AT PORT
REPUBLIC--CONTEST BETWEEN CONFEDERATES AND FEDERALS FOR BRIDGE OVER
SHENANDOAH

The College company had as cook a very black negro boy named Pete, who
through all this marching had carried