Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-24
For the Spectator.
Capt. Dold's Troop of Cavalry.

| HOT tHS OpeCt1tVT
Capt. Dold's Troop of Cavalry.
} The writer is reminded as he proceeds along
; the list how great a drawback to the respecta-
bility and even efficiency of volunteer corps,
was the practice of receiving substitutes, and
how inferior in almost every case they were
found to be to those for whom they served, and
and how unpleasant to the members that re-
mained, such association as they were compell-
ed to have with them.
! The following are the names OF most OF the
substitutes as now remembered, Breton, Draw
bond, not sDrawbored, Gushing, Cluf, Gray,
Grubbs, Hicks, not Huks, Patton, Paiham and
Short.
The name of Peter Gabbart is spelt Grabbett,
and that of Lindsey Lilly enormously spelt Lin.
cy Lilly.
/ There is the omission of q name on the roll
which every living member OF the company
would protest against, that of Jacob Kunkel.-
Mr.. K. was always ready for duty, ever pleas
ant, and quite popular. We all remember his
mettlesome charger, and judging from his hab
| its must have been q veritable descendant of
John Gilpin g celebrated runaway steed.
| On on one occasion-not to name others
Gov Barbour and Major Gen. Pegram were a.
bout to review all the troops stationed in and a.
round Petersburg The Augusta troop advanced
briskly up the rear to find its place in line, and
just as about to form the noise and confusion"
ere the cannon opened its throat, was too much
for Mr.. KS steed, and ''n spite of curb rein,'
"off he flew like an archer strong," the strain
ing of every nerve to hold up was made fruit
lessly and bootlessly and almost horizontally
whilst the flowing hair OF the uDcapped horse
man strearned in the wind behind him. Wheth-
or he called halt at one "Tom Calenders" or
found more remote stopping place is now un-
important There is one thing quite certain,
many an unwilling race friend Jacob had to
ride.
Such scenes caused much merriment, espe-
cally when described by Observation-Disclosures
Bob Wilson. ''B-b-b blamed boys if Koo-koo-
koOnkePs horse c-c-c-cant streak it,
1t is pleasant to know that Mr.. Kunke yet
lives to look, perhaps to laugh, over these lines
1t is distinctly remembered that about the
middle of October for several successive days
the morning reports showed forty-seven on the
sick list. In looking around for the cause We
were unwilling to attribute the sickness to the
deleterous effects of rniasma from marshes in the
meadows along the margin OF the Appomattox
Some came to the conclusion that the Hour, re-
inspected tho it was, and which We protested
against using, but which we were compelled to
take, had something to do with so much sick
ness. AT length it was determined not to use it
but to burn it. In carrying out this determi-
nation those of US who were prominently en-
gagged in it seemed to have forgotten that @s
were about to violate the rules OF camp 0y Gre
ating the biggest kind of an alarm. Some mem
bers of the troop were leaders in the matter, but
all those that were well enough participated in
it. Those leaders went over to the town and
procured suitable pole, number Of barrels
without ends, barrel OF tar, plenty OF powder,
and a large jug full Of French Brandy; wagon
was impressed-ss tile writer knows--to carr
al q n2Ty1p Tho ancamnmoDf, -
posite side of the river, on the hi
view of the town. Tie pole we ed aGd
hrmly fixed in the ground, haviog previously
had The headless barrels filed with straw be-
sIneared soyer with tar and firmly nailed to
the pole; the remainder Of the tar and straw
and the obnoxious barrels of tlour--some tour
or fve-were packed around the pole The
pistols (Which reported loud as guns) Were
charged, and possibly the boys had tried the
brandy. Be this as it may, at nightfall all was
ready, the company was formed in platoons. and
as soon as the bonfire was in full blast marched
down the hill pouring oft repeated volleys into
the flames; each platoon having discharged their
pieces wheeled outward from the centre, marched
to the rear and loaded up their pistols tor an-
other fire. Great alarm was Occasioned by our
frolc, not only to the ladies of the 'cockade ci-
ty,' but tat the head quarters of Major Gen.
Pegram, and in addition it occasioned terri
the town where fifteen hundred foot were sta
toned. Some of these companies, it was said,
were hastily formed to aid the ''backwoods
troopers" as we were called, in our conflict with
the enemy, whilst others were reported to have
taken the other end of the road. Our videttes
stationed at headquarters informed US that Maj.
Pegram, the Generals brother, was much more
incensed at the conduct of the backwoOds troop
ers than was the General himself. The Ma.
jor was ordered to proceed across the river and
ascertain the cause of such demonstration.
When he reached the encampment he aagrily
enquired where were our officers, who happened
to make themselves absent just then; the reply
was tive are all officers" On the Majors re-
turn to head quarters he gave bad account of
u.s. The General, however, was not severe, the
matter was passed over pretty smoothly. Capt.
d. may have received a mild reprimand. AL
though the troop continued sickly while we re-
mained there, yet one thing was certain, the
Augusta boys ate better bread thereafter.
Asking forgiveness for occupying 80 much of
your room, may end with the promise that
won't do so any more A TROOPER.