Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-05-24
ON spEcTAToR And GENERAL ADVERTIsER.
The Spirit of the Bows,

The Spirit of the Boys.
We are credibly informed that with
in the past three months not less than
thirty boys, between the ages of sixteen
and eighteen, have come out from VIM
chester, and are now not boys, but fight
| ing men in the ranks Of our army. The
impulse to. this movement received ad.
ditiobal strength from the appearance
OF a negro regiment which occupied the
town some weeks ago, the greater por-
ton having Joined The army since that
time. Such indignation and disgust
seized the community, that, not only the
boys, bnt the children, were reused ard
only wanted years and strength to hare
| placed themselves by the side of their
brothers, only sa few years older. These
boys are now fighting as willing and ar
dent soldiers to reclaim their homes and
tiresides, outraged and dssecrared by
the presence of such a foe. May they
reap such success as their courage and
manliness Deserve. This, no doubt, is
more or less the case throughout the
border wherever these black regiments
4 ~
have made their appe arance. Verify,
our enemies have served us many good
turn since the commencement OF. this
war. From the generous acts of Dir.
Banks, our Commissary General, who
has strewn his favors with alavish hand
all over Virginia and Louisiana, to the
negro proclamations of Mr.. Lincoln, we
derive no other feelings than those of
the most unalloyed satisfaction. Tn this
connection, ian incident worthy of record.
may be mentioned. Towards the latter
part of April, a young man, about seven
teen years OF age, by the name of Jones,
son of Edward Jones, of Winchester,
csme out and enrolled himself in the
cavalry company Capt Adams, then
stationed in the vicinity of Woodstock.
He told his Captain that he had no horse,
bat thought. he would be able to obtain
one in 8 few days, and returning to
Winchester, awaited his Opportunity
On the Thursday, April 28th, after the
rout OF the enemy cavalry from Cedar
Creek to Winchester by Capt. Davis, q
force of 800 Yankee cavalry passed thro'
Winchester up the Valley Turnpike for
the avowed purpose, smarting as they
were under the rout Of the previous
Sunday, of wiping cut the rebels in that
section of country. Some time after
I their departure from the town, one of
them returned and halted his horse on
Main Street, nearly opposite the house
occupied by the father OF. young Jones.
Presently Jones emergedin Confederate
uniform and walking across the street
directly towards the Yankee. when at
a proper distance, accosted him, and
demanded his surrender. The Yankee
made no reply bat moved his hand to-
wards bis pistol, which motion Jones
perceiving, instantly fred the ball pass
ing through the left breast of his anita
gonist. The Yankee fell gently from
his horse, and in falling, begged his as
sailant not to fire again, that he surrer-
dered whereupon Jones, mounting the
horse, ordered him to hand him his sabre
and pistols, which he did. Jones then.
in double-quick, left town by a hy-road.
and when our informant passed through
Woodstock on the following day, he was
safe, fully armed and equipped, and
handsomely mounted, a fighting private
in the company Of Capt. Adams We
have no doubt he will do the Confede-
rate States good service until our rights
are secured, and his own home rescued
from the hands Of these vandal invaders.
Many similar instances might be men
toned to show the spirit and daring
with which the mere boys Of the coun-
try have espoused her just and righteous
cause. The behavior of the Corps oil
Cadets, in the late fight near New Mar
ket, under Gen. Breckenridge, which,
according TO his statement, was beyond
all praise, is an instance in point. ALI
honor to the youth of our country who
everywhere have shown themselYesl
worthy of their revolutionary sires.