Days of Miracles

This entry, recording an act of heroism of Biblical proportions is from the The Southern Recorder of Milledgeville from September 10, 1861, reprinted from the Richmond Whig, wherein it appeared at an earlier date. 

Striking Incident in the Fight at Manassas --- Probably no battle ever fought called forth more remarkable instances of individual herosim than the contest at Manassas.  In the progress of the struggle, regiments,and even companies, became separated, and in many cases there was a hand-to hand contest between individuals of the opposing armies. 


At this stage of the battle  an incident occurred,which, probably, has no parallel since the days of David and Goliah.  A  young man from August County, named Stitzer, a member of Capt Grinnan's company, found himself confronted with a tall Yankee. Stitzer has discharged his musket,and the Yankee had loaded his, and was about to but on the cap to shoot Stitzer.  It was rather an awkward predicament to be placed in, as there was no time for parley.  Stitzer, fortunately, retained his self-possession, and finding the chances of a contest with muskets very much against him, promptly threw his down, and seizing a good sized stone, threw it with great forced and unerring aim, and struck the Yankee between the eyes, crushing in hisskukll and killing him instantly.  Stitzer, when a boy, was accustomed to throwing stones, and had acquired such skill that he could bring a squirrl from the tallest tree in two or three trials.  This incident is vouched for by two intelligent officers of the regiment, and   may be relied on as authentic.


Verily the days of miracles do not seem to have passed! -- Richmond Whig

Unidentified Confederate soldier from the Library of Congress Collection