The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1866-07-25

the mother lay fainting on sofa,
while her daughter bent over her try
ing to rcsuscitate her. Near the mid
die of the room lay the body of a
young man in the uniform of federal
captain, stone dead. The bullet had
been sped by sure hand, and he died
without struggle. fastening to re-
lease the old 1nan ! next went to the
daughters assistance, and very soon
we had the satisfaction Of seeing the
old lady come to, and raise her head.
fastening out told two of the men to
30 and get the farmers horses, and by
the ,:mc they arrived the good lady
announced hersc.!i!s able to travel.
Placing her on one ncrsc told one OF
my best men to stay by lo, an" s"s-
tain her. The farmer mounted tl.G
other horse, and then came the daugh-
ter. Leading my horse up to the step,
assisted her to mount and sprilging in-
to my saddle before her, told allhands
to follow and dashed off at a gallop. AS
we cleared the place, asked my fair
companion, who had killed the officer.
81 did" she replied calmly. "The
scoundrcl laid his hands on me, and
killed him"
Scarcely had she finished speaking
whcn shout in our rear arpriscd us
that our retreat was discovered and
party in pursuit. The pace now be-
came tremendous, and cheering my
party on, l. dashed ahead letting my
gallant bay take his own road. NV
gallant comrades acted $plcndidly, two
at time wou:d pail up and as the
leading files Of tic enemy would come
up, they would pour a yoIley into them
and in the confusion dash after U.S.
thus rctarding the pursuit. I now
knew that we must be ncaring the ford
on tile Shenandoah, but it was 50 dark
that ! could see nothing. Once
across that We were comparatively
sale, Tor few moments would place
us inside Of our lines. ] listened for
the rush OF the river, but the thunder
of our horses feet drowned it. Fnally
1t broke upon MY car, and at the same
moment my horse rose with bound
like 4 rocket, and sprang into tho
stream. y cheer of triumph brake
frn," "'y iiTsNs felt thc water splash
IN my face, a rachleSs cry from my
old comrades an.wcrch me, and form
llrS into liac OH the bank they prcpar-
cd to cover the retreat. The old
farmer and his wife followed me
across, and as we climbed the opposite
bank1l pointed to the lights of New
Markct shining across the old fields
and told them to spur on. Turning
again TO the river bank, [ waited for
my mon. Even with n young lady in
my arms could not desert them thus.
Naught was heard nov but the rush
Of our pursucrs' horses, as thcy.came
up. My men stood firm until they
got witkin fifty yards, when they
poured in smashing vollcy, 50 close
and 50 withcring, that the enemy re-
coiicd from it, as though it had been
battery Of artillery. \ shout of wild
triumph rose from the scouts, as
wheeling their, horses they dashed
them into The food, and in IL few mo-
ments stood beside me.
Few words suniccd to convey my
further instructions and turning nv
horse | dashed towards the town.
The firing had been hcardj jand the men
even were getting under arms. AS |
pulled npin front Of the Hotel, a
crowd rushed out to welcome ne, and
III few moments, I placed my blush
ing charge in her mothers arms;
immediately dispatched scout to
Gen'. Fairly to explain the firing and
turned to say good bye to my fair
friend. AS | pressed her Land, she
whispered,
Good bless you, sir, shall hc'cr
forget you"