DARKESVILLE, July 4th.
My precious darling, day before yesterday I learned that the
enemy had crossed the Potomac and were advancing upon me. I immediately ordered
my command under arms, and gave such instructions as I desired to have carried
out until I should be heard from again, and with Captain Pendleton's Battery
and one regiment of Virginia volunteers advanced to meet the Federal troops.
After proceeding to the locality which had been indicated as occupied by them,
and ascertaining the position of their advance, I made the necessary movement
for bringing a small part of my force into action. Soon the firing commenced,
and the advance of the enemy was driven back. They again advanced, and were
repulsed. My men got possession of a house and barn, which gave them a covered
position and an effective fire; but finding that the enemy were endeavoring to
get in my rear and that my men were being endangered, I gave the order to their
colonel that, if pressed, he must fall back. He obeyed, and fell back. The
artillery of the foe opened upon me, and I directed Captain Pendleton to take a
favorable position in rear and return their fire with one gun. His first ball
cleared the road, which was occupied by the enemy.1 I still
continued to fall back, checking the enemy when it became necessary, so as to
give time for my baggage to get into column at camp before I should arrive
there, as one of my objects in advancing was to keep the enemy from reaching my
camp before my wagons could get out of the way. Besides my cavalry, I had only
one regiment engaged, and one cannon, though I had ordered up two other
regiments, so as to use them if necessary. My cannon fired only eight times,
while the enemy fired about thirty-five times; but the first fire of Captain
Pendleton's Battery was probably worth more than all of theirs. I desired, as
far as practicable, to save my ammunition. My orders from General Johnston
required me to retreat in the event of the advance in force of the enemy, so as
soon as I ascertained that he was in force I obeyed my instructions. I had
twelve wounded and thirteen killed and missing. My cavalry took forty-nine
prisoners. A number of the enemy were killed, but I do not know how many. As I
obeyed my orders, and fell back, after ascertaining that the Federals were in
force, the killed of the enemy did not fall into our hands. My officers and men
behaved beautifully, and were anxious for a battle, this being only a skirmish.2
I wrote out my official report last night, and think General Johnston forwarded
it to Richmond. This morning one of his staff-officers told me that the general
had recommended me for a brigadier-general. I am very thankful that an
ever-kind Providence made me an instrument in carrying out General Johnston's
orders so successfully. . . . The enemy are celebrating the 4th of July in Martinsburg,
but we are not observing the day.
__________
1 It is said that, before firing this first ball
upon the enemy, the reverend officer lifted his eyes to heaven and uttered the
prayer, "Lord, have mercy upon their souls!”
2 The affair was known as that of “Falling
Waters.”
SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of
General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 164-6
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