Interesting incidents.
The army correspondent of the Charleston Courier gives the following interesting incidents of the late
battle at Manassas:
‘
While the lines were moving forward, the First Virginia Regiment--a mere handful of veterans, who have been in every fight since the war commenced, and most of them the best young men of
Richmond — came directly upon a battery of four pieces, which was obstinately holding its ground and pouring its deadly volleys into our ranks.
Shot and shell hulled furiously into the little band, but it was no time to stop then, and dashing on with a wild cheer, reached the summit of the hill where the pieces were planted.
Their commander.
Col. F. G. Sumner, a brave, impetuous old gentleman, was some twenty spaces in advance, and, seeing the
Federal standing boldly to their guns, rose in his stirrups, turned to his regiments, and, shouting.
‘"Forward, the old first--follow me,"’ spurred his horse up to the very muzzles of the battery.
One of the cannoneers was in the act of pulling the lanyard of a gun. Him he cut down with his sabre.
Another, attempting to take the place of his comrade, was likewise dispatched, by the now bloody steel of the
Colonel, and the rest turned to fly. At this instant one of the retreating Federal halted, took deliberate aim, and shot away a portion of the
Virginian's car, while a second sent a bullet through his body.
Hardly had the flash of the two muskets disappeared, however, before the
Yankees paid the forfeit of their temerity with their lives, one of them being killed by Serg't
Major Jones, of the First. ‘"Forward, boys; always forward; don't mind me."’ cried the wounded
Colonel, and there he fell among the trophies of his prowess.
I am glad to say that, though seriously, and at one time thought to be mortally hurt, the gallant soldier is now believed to be out of danger.
Brig. Gen. Roger A. Pryor during the day had the misfortune to be taken a prisoner, but the corresponding good fortune to effect his escape.--He had started off on foot to call up two or three regiments for reinforcements, and on his return found his command moved from the position in which he had left it. Thinking it had gone ahead, he, too, went on, and on, and on wondering all the time where his men were, until he suddenly encountered two Yankee soldiers sitting at the foot of a hay rick.
His uniform being covered by a Mexican poncho, they did not observe that he was not one of their own men, nor was there any mark visible upon his person to indicate that he was an officer.
They accordingly familiarly inquired how everything was going on in front.
He replied, very well, and in the conversation which ensued learned that he was a mile and a half within the
Federal lines.
They asked him numerous questions, under some of which he began to quake and grow uneasy, fearing his inability, good lawyer though he is, to cope successfully with a cross examination of such a dangerous character.
He accordingly began to look about him to discover some means of escape.
There was apparently none.--He observed standing near him, however, the two muskets of the men, one of them with a bayonet and the latter without.
The colloquy had not proceeded much further before one of them, looking at him keenly, asked him to what regiment, brigade, and division he belonged, and as
Pryor hesitated and stammered out his reply, the
Yankee sprang to his feet and exclaimed, ‘"you are a d — d rebel, and my prisoner."’ In an instant the
General, who is a powerful man and active as a squirrel, seized the gun with the bayonet, and before his antagonist could turn, ran him through the body twice.
The other now jumped to his feet, apparently as if to escape, but he also received from
Pryor a lunge that left him helpless on the field.
Throwing down the musket, the
General moved rapidly away in the direction from which he came, and after dodging Federal stragglers for an hour or two, had the satisfaction of finally regaining his command.
Anxious to know the fate of the two men whom he had so summarily disposed of, he sent one of his aids the next day to examine the hospitals in that neighborhood, and ascertain, if possible, whether any men were present wounded with a bayonet.--The aid returned with the information that he had found one so injured.
Whereupon
Pryor mounted his horse and went in person to see him. The man was asleep when he entered the hospital, but the
Surgeon awoke him, and the
General asked if he recognized him?
‘"Yes, sir, I do,"’ was the reply.
‘"You are the man who struck me."’ The wounded man was not less surprised when he learned that the author of his misery was the redoubtable
Roger A. Pryor.
’