Reunion of Virginia Division, A. N. V. Association 209
But I maintain that of discipline, real discipline, prompt obedience to orders, there was no lack, and certainly in Jackson's corps at least obedience was enforced. I can relate two instances in my own expe- rience which will illustrate this.
The afternoon the head of Jackson's corps reached the Rappahan- nock on the Manassas campaign, 2Tst August, 1862, there came up a very severe rain-storm, which lasted into the night. It happened that Gregg's brigade bivouacked in the farm-yard to the house in which General Jackson had taken up his headquarters, and the five regi- ments filing in were placed for the night, so that the First South Carolina volunteers, which I commanded, was next a very nice pal- ing fence. We had not taken our positions before an order was issued by General Jackson — in the midst of all his anxiety about Early's brigade, which you recollect had crossed the river and been cut ofif by the sudden rise in its waters — that a certain worm- fence at a Httle distance might be used for fire-wood, but that the officers of the brigade should see that none of the palings were touched. The night was a very severe one, and just recovering from a serious illness I had thought myself fortunate in securing shelter in an out-house. During the night I heard some one knocking away at the palings, and sent at once to stop it. The report to me was, that the men who had been taking the palings belonged to one of the other regiments of the brigade, and I did nothing more than stop any further damage. The next morning by daylight I saw General Jackson ride through the yard, and a few moments after- wards was ordered to report to General Gregg, with whom I found the other four commanding officers of regiments of the brigade, and was told that General Jackson had ordered us all under arrest. We were released upon an arrangement with the owner of the farm to pay for the damage done. Five regimental commanders — and I
belong great attention was paid to the minuter detail. General Gregg, who organized and drilled it, was himself a great drill-master, having been in the regular service in Mexico and having under him several officers who were trained in the South Carolina Military Academy. He brought his regiment to the standard of Regulars. Young men with historic, colo- nial and Revolutionary names— with pocket edition of classic authors in their coats— walked post, and presented arms after the most approved standards of military etiquette; and twice at least on the battlefield I saw disaster averted by the splendid drill of the regiment. But, in the army generally, regiments so drilled and trained were few indeed. In regard to our army generally, I think I am correct in saying " there was no time to learn these things."
