Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies

[330] them in two ranks,—Captain Stone having command of the first rank, and Lieutenant Amory of the second. Immediately upon the approach of the enemy in a wide and scattered front, Major Forbes gave the order “ Front rank, first and third platoons deploy as skirmishers,” which Captain Stone repeated; but our men had never been under fire, and as the Rebels came on with yells and an incessant discharge of small arms, they were too demoralized to be controlled, but broke at once. They were frightened also by the explosion of a shell near them, and the sight of the seemingly overwhelming numbers of the enemy. Major Forbes, seeing their condition, decided to draw them off into a less exposed position in the edge of a wood near by, and gave the order, “By the right flank, march.” Once with their backs turned, of course the day was lost. Major Forbes was soon made prisoner, and, as chance would have it, I was by the side of Captain Stone, and saw his coolness and his efforts to inspire courage in the men, and to turn them about to face the enemy. After exchanging a round of pistol-shots with some of the foremost Rebels, he dashed ahead to catch up with and try to rally his frightened men. In a few minutes he had stopped a few and made a stand in the road, but he received a shot through the body, which completely disabled him, and he had just strength enough left to balance himself in that position, while his horse flew frantically along the road, chased by the Rebels; but they could not overtake him. He rode so some fourteen miles, till he reached a friendly house, and was then taken from his horse in an exhausted condition, and the next day was taken to camp.

I did not see Mosby's artillery, but I understand that he had with him two pieces.

Tidings of his condition reached his home on the morning of the 8th, and his mother and his brother George reached Falls Church early Sunday morning. They at first inquired for the surgeon, fearing to surprise Goodwin; but he said, ‘I should like to see any one surprise Captain Stone,—walk right in.’ Goodwin greeted them in his own quiet, cheerful manner, and said, ‘I thought you would come, George, but I confess I hardly expected to see mother.’ He looked so strong and well that it was impossible to realize the fact that his wound was dangerous. He had previously been in perfect health, and that was the only ground of hope. When his mother and brother arrived, the brigade