I don't know

[CoB4thTEXAS]

Gen. R.E. Lee was given command of our army. About June 17th we (Whitting’s Division) were marched into Richmond, and maneuvered around through all the principal streets all day, and then rushed aboard long trains at night and sent to Lynchburg and Staunton. This ostentatious move was made to deceive the Federals in Washington into the belief that we were reinforcing Gen. Jackson to attack Washington, and thus keep Gen. Porter from re-enforcing McLellan. The ruse succeeded, as Gen. Jackson had just concluded at Port Republic the most brilliant campaign of the war; and had crushed and routed three armies and four Generals sent against him, Fremont, Milroy, Banks and Shields-and Washington trembled. Instead, however, of going towards Washington, not only Whiting and Hood, but Stonewall Jackson himself took the road South East, back to Richmond. We made a forced march of about 200 miles in less than a week. General orders read at dress parade announced that no man, even if he suspected our destination, should say a word or know anything, on pain of death. Orders were also very stringent against depredating on orchards, fences, hogs and chickens Of course they were violated. And on one occasion one of the 1st Texas boys, Jim Easly, Company D. was treed by Gen. Jackson in person up a large cherry tree. (The black-hearts were abundant.) The General ordered him down. and he saluted and stood at attention.

"What command do you belong to?" demanded the General, Texan (Easly) : "General, I don't know" "Who is your Colonel?" "I don't know" Who is your Captain, Sir? Texan, meekly: "I don't know General." Gen. J. ' What is your name?" Easly: "I don’t know, General, you know "old Jack'' has ordered that no man shall know anything on this march, and d----d if I do know anything."

The General rode on, leaving Jim Easly alone in his glory.