CONFEDERATE THEATRICALS.

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NOTES OF A CONFEDERATE STAFF-OFFICER.

BY W. ROY MASON, MAJOR, 0. S. A.

F redericksburg was the first great battle thatI saw in its entire scope. Here the situationof the country — a champaign tract inclosed, inhills — offered the opportunity of seeing the troopson both sides, and the movements down the entirelines. I witnessed the magnificent charges madeon our left by Meagher’s Irish Brigade, and wasalso a sorrowful witness of the death of our nobleT. R. R. Cobb of Georgia, who fell mortally woundedat the foot of the stone-wall just at the door of Mrs.Martha Stevens. This woman, the Molly Pitcherof the war, attended the wounded and the dyingfearless of consequences, and refused to leave hot-house, although, standing just between the advan-cing line of the enemy and the stone-wall, the posi-tion was one of danger. It is said that after usingall the materials for bandages at her command, shetore from her person most of her garments, even onthat bitter cold day, in her anxiety to administer tonecessities greater than her own.

Mrs. Stevens still lives in her old homo at the footof Marye’s Heights, honored by every Confederatesoldier. Not long ago, hearing that she was verysick, I went out with a party of gentlemen friendswho were visitors in Fredericksburg to inquire forher. Being told of our visit, she requested her son-in-law to ask me in. When jocularly asked by himif she was going to invite a gentleman into hersick-room, the old lady replied: “Yes, ask MajorMason in,— we were old soldiers together.”

After Burnside had withdrawn his forces acrossthe Rappahannock, General Leo rodo over toMarye’s Heights, where I then was, and said to me:“Captain, those people [meaning the enemy] havesent over a flag of truce, asking permission to send

a detachment to bury their dead. They have landednear your house, ‘ 'J'he Sentry Box.’ Have you an/objection to taking this reply down ?” As he spoke*ho handed me a sealed envelope directed to Genera 1Burnside. I accordingly rode into town and mademy way down to the river-front of my residence?from which Burnside had only that morning re 'moved his pontoons. There I found a Federalieutenant-colonel with two soldiers in a boabholding a flag of truce. I handed him the dispatchand at the same time asked where Burnside was-He answered, “Just up the hill across the rivebunder an old persimmon-tree, awaiting the diS'patch.” Tolling him my name, I said: “ Give W/regards to General Burnside, and say to him that 1thought he was too familiar with the surrounding 8of Fredericksburg to butt his brains out delih ef 'ately against our stono-walls.”

“ l)o you know Goneral Burusido ? ” inquired tb eofficer.

“Oh, yes!” I replied, “he is an old acquaintunco of mine.”

“ Then will you wait till I deliver your messageand return 1 Ho may have something to say.”

“ I will wait then,” was my answer. ,

In a very short time the flag of truce return®with a request from Burnside that I would coin 6over in the boat to see him. I thoroughly app rCdated the fact that I was running the risk of *court-martial from my own side in thus goingtho enemy’s lines without permission; but bei 11 ®that rather privileged person, a staff-officer, f 1 ' 0111whom no pass was required and of whom no q®f 8tions wero asked, I determined to accept this 111vitation and go over.

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