Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-08-16

possible under the circumstances. oruereu
ten of nv men who had carbines to get behind
the ruins Of an old stone stable, and fight them
to the last. Seeing my horses without their
riders, the others thought we were apprlsed Oh
their coming, and had prepared an ambuscade;
and though Captain Somers, whom at once
recognized, begged, implored, and cursed them
they would not charge but stood still on the
hill popping away at US with their carbines
One ofmy men-Ford, from Baltinore-came
up with rife, and putting his hand on my
thigh. asked what he should do. told him to
get behind the stone-wall, and take good ann
every time he fred. "All right, major" just
as he spoke the word ball pierced his head,
killing him instantly,
Atthat moment Captain Somers, who / must
say was a brave man, spurred his horse down
the hill. and engaged me with his pistol, firing
wildly. for saw be was much excited. | re-
served my fire till he came within twenty PAGES,
steadied my horse with the bit, took long, sure
ain. and Somers fell from his horse. The bail
side of his nose, and came out back
of BIS head.
Ky this time nine of my men had mounted,
and. as the sharpshooters had been doing good
work. | thought / could risk charge. bht it
was unnecessary to give the order, for heard
Read or Bssely say, Come, boys it's shame
to leave the major there by himself" and by
the time had returned the pistol and drawn
my sabre, the boys were at my side, so on we
went.
When we gained the hilltop, l saw, to my
that there were about sixty before
me; but, as there was good post and rail
fence on either side, they could show no more
front than my ten men. To whip the foremost
was to whip all. As passed by the stone sta
DE ordered the rest to mount and follow
Captain Somers was lying across the read. /
was obliged to jump my horse over his dead
body; four others lying near were either dead
or wounded
Setting myself well in the saddle ! dashed in
among the blue jackets, cutting and thrusting
right and left and parrying blow when neces-
sarv. They were from Michigan and Maryland,
and for while fought well. Observing an Off
Ger fighting like a Turk, and cheering his men
on, made for him. lie was a man of my own
size. wore very heavy beard, and looked /
thought. very savage as he yelled out "Ccme
On. yuu tialuueu rcbvI, I'll sUon IA yUur nine"
This promised good sport. / closed with HIM,
making powerful front cut, which he parrled,
and at the same instant made right cut atmy
neck. By bringing my sabre down in time, my
side caught the blow. Now had the advsn-
tage. Quick as fash / cut him across the
cheek, infiicting large cash, and he fell to the
ground. gave him in charge Of one Of my
men. and then followed after my first ten, who
had pushed the column back two hundred yards
while the lieutenant and / were busy with our
affair The latter soon after escaped by jump
ing stonewsll and running into thick wood.
We soon got them on the run; nor did we give
them time to stop and reform until they had
passed through and beyond Summit Point
We had taken eighteen prisoners, and were un-
able TO pursue them farther until my men had
come up, for the Federals had formed and turn
ed upon the two or three men who were still In
pursuit; but by the time they pushed these
back again to Summit Point, had dismounted
ten or fifteen men, who easily checked them
We charged again, took FIVE more prisoners,
and the rest made their escape,
After collecting my prisoners and men, and
sending doctor to take care of the wounded,
l left by private route for the upper Valley,
with twenty-three prisoners and twenty-nine
horses. leaving four of their dead and three
wounded on the field My loss was one man
killed, three wounded and one taken prisoner,
reached camp safely with everything had
captured
1t seems the Unionist went Immediately to
CharleStown and gave information of what he
had seen, and Somers followed me all around.
A sad affair it turned out for him, but L" such
are the fortunes Of war;" Captain Somers was
highly esteemed by his commanding officers, as
shown by long article, highly complimentary
to him, that appeared few days after. The
same paper also alleged that had murdered
him. Indeed Then not few were murder
ed on both sides.
THE CAPTURE or oHARLEsTowN IN 1865.
On the 10th of October, l took sixty men and
went over 70 see what chance therewas of fcaptl-
ring the garrison Of Charlestown, consisting If
the 9th Maryland and battalion of cavslr.
General Imboden having promised TO give NE
any assistance might require. After tho%
oughly scouting the position, l concluded that t
would require the most of Imboden's brigade o
make the capture complete, and therefore |
went to Berryville, where he then was and LAD
my plans before him. He thought favorabF
of them; called council of all his commanC-
ing officers at 5 P. NJ, and they also gave ther