Another mistake.
Your description is in error in stating that ‘
General Wilson made his headquarters on
McPhail's lawn, from whence he could view the field of battle and all of its approaches.’
Really, neither Staunton bridge nor but few of its approaches can be seen from
McPhail's residence or lawn, which is (or was in 1864) obstructed from any extensive view by intervening woods.
I had the pleasure of knowing all of the family except
Major Mc-Phail, who was absent with his command at the front.
And I designedly had the empty trains frequently run back and forth between our defences and Clover depot, while the enemy were approaching and deploying, our men being instructed to huzza on the arrival of every train, thus giving plausibility to the report of
Mrs. McPhail to the
Federal commander, and giving him apparently good reason to believe we were rapidly being reinforced.
I do not think, General, that any of us deserve very great credit for doing our duty in what we believe to be right by both instruction and inheritance, but none of us are willing when having done our duty to have our work ascribed to others, and our children deprived of such honor and credit as our contemporaries and posterity think but just to award us.
I am, most respectfully,
