Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-08-24
Mistcllany,
RICH MOUNTAIN.
Young Hart and the Laurel.
by HENRY WOOD.

Rich mountain Is famous as the scene
Of the first decisive battle in West Vir-
ginia. The battle was fought by Gener-
al Mcclellan for the Union, md Gener-
al Garnctt, commanding the Rebels, in
the early part of the war.
Rich mountain is in Randolph coun-
ty, eight miles from Bevely, the county
seat, and Is reached by the Parkersburg
and Staunton turnpike. 1t is sixty
miles from Glenville, and about the
same distance from Clarkesburg, where
Mcclellan was at the time he determin-
ed to make the hazardous attack.
The StauntOn and Parkersburg turn
pike, winding around tho heads of the
ravines, passes over the summit Of the
mountain. 1t is two miles to the top
by the turnpike. 1t is long, high, and
narrow, and covered with heavy tim
Der, save the summit, small area of
level ground, cleared and cultivated as
farm, by an elderly gentleman, NAM
ed Joseph Hart, and narrow strip up
the south side of the mountain, which
is covered with a dense growth of lau-
rel. The soil of this mountain is rich
of black color, different from any 9th
err mountains in Virginia, and from
this 1t has derived its name.
The topography Of the mountain is
admirably adapted for the erection of
strong military defenses. Gen. Garnett
held it with force of about five thou
sand men, and had thrown up works
which were impregnable on either side
where the road crossed the mountain.
General Mcclellan advanced by the
Staunton and Parkcrsburg Pike, in
tending to MAKE the attack early in the
morning, upon the works where they
crossed the road. The mountain was
steep and rugged everywhere else, max
ing reconnaissance dangerous, and, as
he supposed, impossible, except in
force, and he concluded to risk q battle
directly OIL tho road. Had he done SO,
subsequent examination of the enemy's
defenccs at that peint showed that no
earthly power could have saved him
from certain destruction.
Now, old Hart, who lived on the
mountain, was Union man, and had
made himself thoroughly acquainted
with the Rebel Generals position and
Notifications. He had somehow got in.
formation Of the Federal forces, was
certain that an attack from that droe-
ton would prove disastrous to the as
sailing party. He dreaded this, and de-
termined to get word to General Nc
Clellan, of the situation of aflairs on
the mountain before he arrived at the
foot, when it would be too late. He
could not go himself-that would excite
suspicion, and he would be stopped at
the rebol outposts. His little son, Hen
ry, a lad Of uncommon energy and cour-
age, born OH the mountain, and nc
quainted with all its dark gorges and
ravincs, was selected for the difficult
and dangerous mission. His years for
babe suspicion, and he passed the rebel
lines without difficulty, leaving the
mountains by an unaccustomcd route.
After travelling all night and part of
the following dry, he came to the ad-
vance guard Of the Federal army,
and was taken to the headquarters.
Even his extreme youth did not screen
him from suspicion there. 1t was be-
lieved he was there for no other pur-
pose than to decoy them into ambush.
At first, the manner of Mcclellan was
cold and severe, and his questions hard
and rigorous. Henry, nothing daunt-
ed related all his father had told him
of Garnet's position Oh the mountain !;
the strength of his force, the nature of
his works, and the impossibiIity of at
tacking him on the road. The Federal
General listened attentivcly, and with
increasing interest, as Henry advanced
with his simple story, occasionally in.
terrupting him with, "Tell the truth
my boy" ..
AT each interruption, Henry would
earnestly but respectfully reply,-"I
am telling the truth"
But" says the General, edo you not
know if you do not, you will be shot 2"
III am willing to be shot if what say
Is not all true" was the firm answer.
"Well," questioned the General, now
satisfied that Henry was true boy, "If
l can't go up the mountain and attack
the rebels on the road, by what way
can 1 go up?"
Henry, who was quick to see change
in the Generals mind, said he knew of
way up the side, striking the road on
the top OF the mountain and leaving
the road at the base. There was no
track that way, and the mountain was
high and steep; but there were but few
trees growing, and no logs lying down
to be in the way Of going up. He had
travelled up and down there often, over
the tops of the laurels, looking for his
fathers sheep in the ravincs. The lau-
rel was very thick, and grew together
80 closely and so strong, that man
could walk over the tops.
This statement of Henry's re-awaken-
ed the suspicious Of Mcclellan, who
said sharply, "Do you say man can
walk on the tops Of the laurel ?n
Yes, sir" persisted Henry.
DO you think my army can 90 up
the mountain over the tops of the lau-
rel 2" continued General Mcclellan.
No, sir" was the prompt answer,
but have, and man could with care,
and with nothing to carry"
But, my boy, don't you see have
got great many men, and horses and
and cannon, and how do you
think l can get up the mountain II the
laurel is 80 thick ~
The trees are small and low; 30
small at the bottom that you can cut
them down with a knife or hatchet,
making any noise, and the
men on the mountain will not know
what Won are doing mr. whora vou o,o