"Company E was the left wing, Capt. Hobson commanding the main column.
Advancing on the pike, our company went to the left or rear of a small
works on the pike. After we had climbed a little hill, our company had
scattered considerably, the firing being close above us with grape. We
formed under cover of the ravine, and then advanced down the railroad.
Capt. Hobson was leading the company; and Sergeant Grose and myself
were (I probably ought not to say so) in the rear. I thought I took in
the situation and asked him how he liked the place we were going into.
He said he didn't like it much, but he guessed we would have to go. We
charged down the railroad until we got to the wagon road, then went
under the railroad, the grade being so high as to permit us to go
under. Capt. Hobson didn't seem to realize the situation until he was
confronted on the other side by the retreating rebel column. He halted
and turned round immediately on the retreat, and was shot just as he
came under the railroad, falling almost against the stone abutment.
His riderless horse came galloping past me as I turned to retreat....
"An incident in connection with Capt. Hobson's death has always
impressed me. During the morning Capt. Hobson and Lieut. Burroughs
were riding together, and in their conversation Lieut. Burroughs said:
'I would rather lose my right arm than go into a fight.' Capt. Hobson
replied, 'The rebel bullet is not molded that will kill me.' With
these remarks hardly cold from their lips they went into the fight and
were both killed within at least a few minutes of each other.
"While Capt. Hobson many times seemed rough in his remarks, his
actions would show that he was tender in feelings. With a confidence
that no harm can come to him, a man can go forth and fight with
dashing courage, although danger surrounds him; but with the thought
that as certain as he goes into battle, he will be the first to fall,
requires a stout heart, and is offering his life upon the altar of his
country. I never felt that I would be injured in battle, but I have
several times wished that some one else would run, so that I might
have some excuse to run myself. It took a braver man to make the break
and run when every one was standing in line of battle than it did to
stand and fight."