Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-01-16
For the Spectator.
A Retrospective Retrospect. No. !.
tsBY SIGNAL.

"Come, boys, hurry up, it's almost time we we're
on Station" These words were addressed to
party of five (5) of us by tall, fne-looking man,
| who looked as if he had seen much of the world.
| He spoke in tone of authority to the others OF
the party, some of whom were saddling horses for
a ride to the Mountain, while others were indulg-
| ing in social smoke. Soon we we're mounted
ON our gallant steeds, and were cant ering over
the hills in the direction of the celebrated peak Of
| Massanutten at s.. In short while we
| arrived at the base, and dismounting and tether-
ing our horses, we adjusted our rigging and COM
| menced the ascent of the rugged mountain. 1t
was mild spring weather, on the 18th day Of
April, 1865, and after consid cradle difficulty, we
reached the summit, completely exhausted; but,
after a few moments recuperation, we look
around; and what lovely scene meets our
gaze. Spread out as if in panorama at our feet
lay the glorious Valley. With nothing to obstruct
our vision, we strained our eyes gazing into the
vast distance, where all is seemingly chaotic; We
seem to distinguish many objects, but they dis
appear like the mirage in the Great Sahara. But,
ah we have forgotten our duties in the midst Of
our enraptured contemplation of the beauties of
the magnificent scenery before us.
K. and the other boys are probably waiting i'm
patiently for US, so we will to work. With Spy.
glass adjusted in lis proper place, and Flag on its
staff, we commence our Tagging operations.
Soon we are answered with hearty, "Aye, Aye,
1211," and ask the news. All eyes are turned
to hear the news from far inside the "Lines," d.
rect from Washington, and, gazing intently into
the face of him who reads the message at the
Glass, we anticipate bad news. Soon is it told.
"Lee evacuated Petersburg on the End, and sur
rendered on the 9th inst, after much desperate
fighting" Not word is spoken for the space of
FIVE minutes. We know our doom, but our first
ty is to await orders. 'sWill they ever come p
Yes! we turn and communicating up the line we
receive the following - Apl. 18th 1865
All signal men of the Army Valley District, will
at once report at this post. Signed -. Com
municating this to the lower post we prepared to
bid final farewell to those familiar and loved
scenes, and objects. Far to the East we can dis
tinguish Md. Heights, and can hear the sulen Ito
us) booming of the victors' cannon, announcing
the great victory. With sad and heavy hearts we
bid adieu to these ssrock-ribbed "palaces of ma
ture,' which for four years had witnessed the
achievements of our gallant boys led by jack
son, Ashby, Jones, Ewell, Early, Imboden, and
other great names in the history of our war. The
brave thousands who Haunted the ''Stars and
Bars" over this fair region have laid down their
arms, s'furled that banner" and the government
under whose orders we were acting has ceased to
exist We furl the ssBonny White Flag which
bears crimson square," on the movements and
motions of which have often depended the results
of a campaign, and descend slowly to our noble
chargers who are impatient to be on the road, as
if they had presentimsnt, that their days of
hard marching and short ations, which they had
shared with us for many long and weary months,
were about to close; that they were then taking
up the line of march for the last time no doubt
visions of good stalls with plenty of hay and oats.
for the future, were floating in their minds, (if
horses think,) provided some agent of the new
government did not ferret them out and discover
some very faint traces of U. S. brand, after
lathering, shaving, padding and using micro
scopic lenses. AS We journeyed up the Valley, We
met many of Rosser's ('sthat lawless, chivalrous,
gallant, go-ahead, wideawake, get-up-before- day.
ge ntleman, of New Creek Fame. "-Register,) gal
liant Rockinghamians, and Shenan doahians, s.just
from the army" where they witnessed the sur
render, of the A. N. Va wi tn great rolls of cath
er carrying home we asked them if they had
"quit so ldiering and gone into the leather bust
ness" 1t was an affecting scene to see young la
dies, and gray haired sires, whose sons had fall
len in the contest, with tears coursing down their
cheeks, mploring them, in the name of the gallant
dead, to return and fight for their homes; but
alas it was too late.
On the morning of the 18th Of April, our party
met to Interchange our views on the situation and
come to some conclusion as to our future course
That was stormy meeting; and perhaps equalled
only by the last Cabinet meeting held by Jeffer
son Davis in Richmond. All were unanimous in
favor Of proceeding to Joe. Johnston, but were
convinced of the utter impracticability of such q
movement. After a lengthy discussion on our
situation we agreed to all separate and 60 to our
homes and await the development of future events
That was touching scene Members from al
most every state in the then Southern Confede-
racy were present, with some from Maryland, and
other states of the North. Comrades for four
years, they had together toied, suffered and bled
together; they had seen the ssConfederate Flag
waving over the fairest portion of great coun-
try; glancing ever the white-capped waves, ofthe
crested seas, in foreign chimes and Haunted in
view of the en- emys Capitol and now, they must,
after ffering in vain, all to purpose, separ-
ate; with the big tear drops yelling up from the
heart, and, with voices quivering with emotion,
turned toward their homes. It was then that
they could envy those who were lying stiff ben cath
the sod all unconscious of the sorrow of the hour
But each man felt as if he had done his duty, and
that all had been done which possibly could have
been done. They would far rather have been ly-
ing stiff, and stark on the soil they loved, and had