Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-20
SIMPLE ANNALS OF FUDGETOWN.
BY CHIPS.
CHAPTER VII.
CONCLUSION.

The election of sectional Presidents man
too, who acknowledged himself an enemy to
the institutions of the South, in 1861, shook
the country to its very centre, as we all know to
our sorrow. Fudgetown, though embedded in
the mountain regions and, as it were, detached
from the noisy world, could not but feel the
shock that threatened destruction to once glo-
rious and happy nation. There was loud ap-
peal made to the patriotism of those who were
capable Of bearing arms the young Confeder-
acy wanted fighting men to compete with vast
armies that were assailing her borders. The
flower Of youth and the chivalry of the land an
swered nobly to the call; buckled on their KNAPP
sacks, slung their canteens, shOuldered their
muskets and marched to the camp.
The streets of Fudgetown looked deserted;
the gay. the young the beautiful wgre not
there, The oid mill Amos. cICrey ceaaei It's
clack-the anvil its ring, and the furnace Of the
foundery its roar. The plowshares of the farm
ers were moulded into cannon balls and the
scythes and sickles turned into swords and
bayonets. The congregations of the several
churches were mostly made up OF females-tor
nearly all the men had ''gone to the wars, and
Potts choir dwindled down to mere mass of
crlnollne Job Sledge was too busy shoelng
government horses or mending government
wagons under the orders of Quartermaster to
attend to his basso protundo-or even to res
pect the Sabbath. All through the heat of the
day, and great part Of the night, his hammer
might be heard keeping time to the homely
tune of Dixie" while his voice swelled to the
stirring song.
One sultry summer evening" he threw down
his hammer, washed his face in bucket OF
water, drew on his coat, and, informing his ne
gro aide that he was going down to the hotel
to see if the stage had come in, left his shop.
Walking along leisurely, he was overtaken by
Deacon Potts. whose face expressed great care
and anxiety.
us the stage in yet brother Sledge?'' asked
the deacon.
'sNot as knows on" answered the black
smith.
''You have heard the rumor, I suppose p
interrogated Potts.
Sledge shook his head and opened his eyes
and mouth
'They do say that an express rider arrived
about an hour ago, bringing intelligence OF
great battle that had been fought near Phillip,
pi, in which General Garnett was killed: L
am anxious to learn the particulars, tor Pres
ton must have been in that fight, and Ethe IS
half distracted" continued the deacon, with
more than usual seriousness.
In short time the stage came numbering up
the hill, and the driver pulled up his team IN
front of the Post Office, which was In an apoth-
ecary's store directly opposite the hotel. A
crowd OF anxious fathers, mothers, wives, SIS
ters and attache to the Commissary and quar-
termaster' departments gathered around, ST.
lently waiting to learn the particulars OF the
battle and to see list of the killed and
wounded.
The news was meagre The editor OF the
'Mountaineer, 1.-THE journal had stopped on
account of want of hands and materially was
the only person who had received anything like
a detailed account of the affair. He mounted
the steps of the hotel and thus spoke to the
gaping crowd:
'tMy friends, have but little information to
give you; [ know how anxious you are to hear
from the brave boys who have gone from this
county to serve their country: 1t seems that
on the 10th of this month (July) an engage
ment took place between the advanced guards
of Gems. Garnett and McClellan's armies, near
Philippi. The first Georgia regiment, Col.
Ramsey, encountered three regiments of the
enemy in which conflict the Federals were
routed. The Confederate loss was but two,
while that of the Federals was about sixty
This small affair brought on the battles of Rich
Mountain and Laurel Hill. The main army of
the enemy advanced from Phillippi, and took
up position about half mile from the Confed-
crates, high hill intervening which obstructed
the fight commenced and lasted until night sep
arated the combatants. Many lives were lost
on both SIDES During the night our forces re-
tired from the field with the hope of inducing
the enemy to follow so as to get within the
range of our guns The brave stand made by
our troops kept the invaders at bay for some
time, but there was reverse OF fate In the con-
fict which took place the next day, the 11th,
at Rich Mountain. A detachment under COM
mand of Lieut.. Col. Pegram, employed in rails
ing earthworks on the mountain slope was cut
off with forty killed. [ am sorry to say the
brave Pegram was wounded and taken prisoner.
His command consisted of about one thousand,
which were in three divisions, two Of which
were commanded by Coils. Heck and Scott
The Federal troops, through the aid of a trait
or, managed to cut off Pegram from succor from
either party they heard the roar Of battle, but
had received no orders to move. Scott, when
he saw no chance of succoring Pegram, ordered
a retreat, which was effected in good order to
Greenbrier river Heck made his way through
the mountain passes and Joined Garnett' forces,
which were at Laurel Hill Nearly all of Capt.
Twins brave boys from Buckingham were
killed, together with all the officers, with the