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with lee in virginia-第43章

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complete as was that in the battle of Bull Run; which had been

fought on precisely the same ground。  However; under cover of the

darkness the Federals retreated to Centreville; whence they were

driven on the following day。





In the tremendous fighting in which Jackson's command had for

three long days been engaged; the cavalry bore a comparatively

small part。  The Federal artillery was too powerful to permit the

employment of large bodies of cavalry and although from time to

time charges were made when an opportunity seemed to offer

itself; the battle was fought out by the infantry and artillery。  When

the end came Jackson's command was for a time hors de combat。

During the long two days' march they had at least gathered corn

and apples to sustain 'ife; but during these three days' fighting they

had had no food whatever; and many were so weak that they could

no longer march。



They had done all that was possible for men to do; had for two

days withstood the attack of an enemy of five times their numbers;

and had on the final day borne their full share in the great struggle;

but now the greater part cou'd do no more; thousands of men were

unable to drag themselves a step further; and Lee's army was

reduced in strength for the time by nearly 20;000 men。  All these

afterward rejoined it; some as soon as they recovered limped away

to take their places in the ranks again; others made their way to the

depot at Warrenton; where Lee had ordered that all unable to

accompany his force should rendezvous until he returned and they

were able to rejoin their regiments。



Jackson marched away and laid siege to Harper's Ferry; an

important depot garrisoned by 11;000 men; who were forced to

surrender just as McClellan with a fresh army; 100;000 strong;

which was pressing forward to its succor; arrived within a day's

march。  As soon as Jackson had taken the place be hurried away

with his troops to join Lee; who was facing the enemy at the

Antictam river。 Here upon the fellowing day another terrible battle

was fought; the Confederates; though but 39;000 strong; repulsing

every attack by the Federals; and driving them with terrible

slaughter back across the river。



Their own loss; however; had been very heavy; and Lee; knowing

that he could expect no assistance; while the enemy were

constantly receiving reinforcements; waited for a day to collect his

wounded; bury his dead; and send his stores and artillery to the

rear; and then retired unpursued across the Rappahannock。  Thus

the hard…fought campaign came to an end。



Vincent Wingfield was not with the army that retired across the

Rappahannock。  A portion of the cavalry had followed the broken

Federals to the very edge of the stream; and just as they reined in

their horses a round shot from one of the Federal batteries carried

away his cap; and he fell as if dead from his horse。  During the

night some of the Northerners crossed the stream to collect and

bring back their own wounded who had fallen near it; and coming

across Vincent; and finding that he still breathed; and was

apparently without a wound; they carried him back with them

across the river as a prisoner。



Vincent had indeed escaped without a wound; having been only

stunned by the passage of the shot that had carried away his cap;

and missed him but by the fraction of an inch。  He had begun to

recover consciousness just as his captors caine up; and the action

of carrying him completely restored him。  That he had fallen into

the hands of the Northerners he was well aware; but he was unable

to imagine how this; had happened。  He remembered that the

Confederates had been; up to the moment when he fell; completely

successful; and he could only imagine that in a subsequent attack

the Federals had turned the tables upon them。



How he himself had fallen; or what had happened to him; he had

no idea。  Beyond a strange feeling of numbness in the head he was

conscious of no injury; and he could only imagine that his horse

had been shot under him; and that he must have fallen upon his

head。  The thought that his favorite horse was killed afflicted him

almost as much as his own capture。  As soon as his captors

perceived that their prisoner's consciousness had returned they at

once reported that an officer of Stuart's cavalry had been taken;

and at daybreak next morning General McClellan on rising was

acquainted with the fact; and Vincent was conducted to his tent。



〃You are unwounded; sir?〃 the general said in some surprise。



〃I am; general;〃 Vincent replied。  〃I do not know how it happened;

but I believe that my horse must have been shot under me; and that

I must have been thrown and stunned; however; I remember

nothing from the moment when I heard the word halt; just as we

reached the side of the stream; to that when I found myself being

carried here。〃



〃You belong to the cavalry?〃



Yes; sir。〃



Was Lee's force all engaged yesterday?〃



〃I do not know;〃 Vincent said。  〃I only came up with Jackson's

division from Harper's Ferry the evening before。〃



〃I need not have questioned you;〃 McClellan said。  〃I know that

Lee's whole army; 100;000 strong; opposed me yesterday。〃



Vincent was silent。  He was glad to see that the Federal general; as

usual; enormously overrated the strength of the force opposed to

him。



〃I hear that the whole of the garrison of Harper's Ferry were

released on parole not to serve again during the war。  If you are

ready to give me your promise to the same effect I will allow you

to return to your friends; if not; you must remain a prisoner until

you are regularly exchanged。〃



〃I must do so; then; general;〃 Vincent said quietly。  〃I could not

return home and remain inactive while every man in the South is

fighting for the defense of his country; so I will take my chance of

being exchanged。〃



〃I am sorry you choose that alternative;〃 McClellan said。  〃I hate to

see brave men imprisoned if only for a day; and braver men than

those across yonder stream are not to be found。  My officers and

men are astonished。 They seem so thin and worn as to be scarce

able to lift a musket; their clothes are fit only for a scarecrow; they

are indeed pitiful objects to look at; but the way in which they

fight is wonderful。  I could not have believed had I not seen it; that

men could have charged as they did again and again across ground

swept by a tremendous artillery and musketry fire; it was

wonderful!  I can tell you; young sir; that even though you beat us

we are proud of you as our countrymen; and I believe that if your

General Jackson were to ride through our camp he would be

cheered as lustily and heartily by our men as he is by his own。〃



Some fifty or sixty other prisoners had been taken; they had been

captured in the hand…to…hand struggle that had taken place on some

parts of the field; having got separated from their corps and mixed

up with the enemy; a
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