Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-05-24


from f-arper's Ferry.
We are permitted to take the following
extract from q letter written by the quon-
4k,ns foreman of the Vindicator office, Mr..
Jos. N. Ryan. to friend and relative in
this place. 1t will be read with interest.
SCAMP WATERS, Bolivar, }
(Near Harper's Ferry, ) May l6, 1861. !
DEAR UNCLE: You have no doubt before
this, heard of our i" immortal march" to
on the 18th, and of our
equally immortal retreat" therefrom the
next day l think it is eminently worthy
a record in history. and can only find it's
parallel in Napolcon's famous retreat from
Moscow. or the equally celebrated retreat
Of the ''ten thousand" in ancient times, inn
mortalized by Herodotus. or somebody else
But Joking aside. if were to write for a
week, could not give you the slightest
idea of what terrible time We did have
On Monday evening last. trooper came
post haste from Shepherdstown, l miles
above here, (where two pieces of the Staun
ton Artillery are stationed, and where it
was expected the abolitionists would attempt
to force passage through,) and reported
ut head quarters that the Federal troops
had attacked Shepherdstown. and that half
the place was in ruins. Immediately on
the receipt of this information. Col. Jack
son ordered the Augusta, Rockingham and
Jefferson regiments to march without de-
lay to Shepherdstown. When the order
came for US to march, we had on nothing
hut our fatigue jackets, great many being
in their shirt sleeves only. and although it
locked like rain at the time, We were not
allowed to take an overcoat, blanket, or any
kind of covering, but only our guns and ac-
coutrements.
We started about half past four. and af-
ter marching about six miles, which We did
in little over an hour, we were overtaken
bv one of the most terrible bail, wind and
rain storms that ever occurred on the face
of the green earth. have often heard and
read of hail storms. but never before. with
all my reading and hearing, did have the
slightest conception of what real hailstorm
was, until witnessed this one. 1t fairly
beat US to the ground. We ran about like
a parcel of affrighted sheep, endcavouring
to gain some sort of protection, but could
only find it by throwing ourselves fat upon
our faces 10 the mud and water, and stick
ing our heads under the fences. Some of
the hail were nearly as large as hens eggs,
and wherever they struck would draw the
claret. The storm lasted about three quar-
tsrs Of an hour, and it is the unanimous
opinion of all who were in it, that had it
continued half an hour longer, there would
have been few of us left to tell the tale.
After the storm, 1 was so bruised by the
lail that I could hardly move, and still! feel
stiff and sore from the terrible pelting l re-
ceived 1t was just like being pelted with
rocks. We were all soaked through and
through, aud the road, which is poor one
at best, was rendered complete mud-hole
all the rest of the way to Shepherdstown.
would rather fight half dozen battles with
the abolitionists than to undertake such an
other tramp. The people of Shepherdstown
had not the slightest intimation that We
we're coming, until we were within few
miles of the place, and we're utterly aston
ished when they heard Of it. They we're,
however, well prepared for US, and altho'
we we're mud from head to foot, took us ia
to their houses, aud treated US like princes
Myself, in company with William Wood
ward, Johnny Brooke, and good many
others, were quartered with Reverend Cal
vim Andrews, d. d.. distinguished Epis
copalian minister. and the most hospitable
man ever met with ia my life. We were
almost dead when We got there, and if he
had been our own father. be could not pos
sibly have cared more for us. His family
not being at home, three beautiful young
ladies volunteered their services and
waited on us like sisters. ! never was ia a
more hospitable place ia a'y Fife, nor 10 one
where there were so many beautiful ladies.
We were in hopes that We would be sta
toned there, as it was the request OF the
citizens that We should be, but the next
morning we had the eeaso1atiesa 10 kaaN
that We had to march hack immediately,
after having only fev hours rest. which
we did without bal ass4 s Aas sssFea
S ,ss=T ssns Cant IesIe's cosapspv was
left there. There is s5lae psetahssitg bat
VIC will be ordered bach nheges bat If nc
are not, we will never ..osg1s Shepherds
town. 1t is nov supposed that the alarm
of the trooper originated in hearing thun-
der, which he imagined was the abolition
lists firing on the town, and Immediately
started off to the Ferry with the startling
intelligence About twenty minutes after
starting. Col. Jackson sent messenger af-
ter us, ordering us back. but not having
very good guide, we had taken an out-of-
the way road. while he took the right one,
and in that way missed US. On the whole,
it was memorable march, and will be re-
membered by all of US until the day of our
death. 1t is estimated that about or 600
dollars worth of boots and shoes were worn
out on this tramp
There are now fully 10000 men (some
say 3,Oo0) men here, aud they are com
ing by hundreds every day. IL very short
time, if they continue to come in as they
have done, there will be Is or 20, 900 men
here We have batteries and forts erected
on ali the heights commanding the town,
and it would be pretty tough work for 20
600 men to whip us out now. 1t is said
that 500 Kentucky Indians will be here this
week Their chief is now here, UNDER
stand. | expect you have had exaggerated
accounts of the small pox here We have
had but one case, and there is no probabili-
ty that there will be another.