The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1869-01-27
THE BUNKER BEE. HIVE.
BY MILIINocKET.

When General Mcclellan commenc-
ed his march upon Richmond, in
1852, by way of the Peninsula, General
Fremont was ordered to collect his
force in Western and Northern VIr-
| ginia, and descend into Central Vir-
glnia at the same time, and seize the
supplies which 1.-The hungry rebels
| were drawing from those fertile re-
gions. Whilst Mcclellan was besieg-
| ing Yorktown, Fremont was collect
| lug hls meL in Northern Virginia,
near the town of Cumberland, and
preparing to make a bold push for
! StauntUn. At this time was cOnnce-
ted with the army of the Potomac; /;
hutas soon as Yorktown was eVacuat-
ted was ordered to join Fremont.
Oh arriving at Freenjont's base of
supplies, on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, few miles west of Cumber-
land, i found, to my dismay, that the
army had been gone many days, and
was at this time confronting jackson,
near the town of Franklin, about sixty
miles south.
Applying to the quartermaster for
horses, he informed me that he had
none, and that must wait several
days for conveyance and escort. i
found several other officers at the
station waiting for transportation to
the front, and uneasy, like myself. at
the delay. But fortunately General
Rosecrans appeared with an ambu-
lance and two horses, and turning
them over to the quartermaster, he
promptly sent us off rejoicing to the
front.
The road lay through wide and
unsettled part of the country, and we
were cautioned to keep sharp look
out for guerrillas, who wer nown to
be lurking in the mountain glens and
recesses. We kept our loaded rifles
in our hands, in readiness to reply to
the first shot. But we were not mo-
Tested during our Journey: and, after
two long days of slow and tedious
riding, we arrived in sight Of Ere
mont's army. 1t was posted along
the nights which overlooked the little
town of Franklin, and commanded
the narrow defile beyond.
Far down the valley we could see,
in the thickening haze of evening, the
red camp fires of the rebels: but Ere.
mont believed that Jackson had re-
treated, leaving only brigade to
keep up the appearance of a large
army. 1t was thought by many of our
officers that Jackson had gone back to
Staunton, and would march quietly
up the Shenandoah Valley, attack
Banks, and threaten our flank. The
next week Jackson appeared at Win
chester, forced the gallant Banks and
his brave little army back to the Po-
tomac, and threatened to cut off our
communications.
Then tame orders from Washington
for Fremont to change his objective
point to march across the mountains,
intercept jackson on his retreat, and
fight hum. All these dispatches came
in rapid, succession, and the excite
Inent in our camp became intense.
The troops were to march at once
and tn the advance guard, which was
composed of three regiments, / was
then assigned. AS we led the way
down the valley, scouts pointed out
the black flags flying from moutain
peak, as wearing to ali stragglers.
| Night overlook US on our weary
march but we did not halt to camp,
for we were ordered to seize, at all
hazards, an important pass IN the
mountains, then many miles away.
1t was almost morning before we
arrived at the rugged defile, and found
to our joy, that the rebels were not
there. We then went into camp, and
was days journey behind. We had
lett all our baggage, and travelled
with great rapidity.
One of our regiments of the advance
guard was the Eighth Virginia, COM
posed of loyal mountAineers of West
Virginia-men accustomed to hunt
game in the great forests, and climb
the steep mountains. They were
nearly all men Of great courage
strength, and agility, and furnished
the army with some of its best scouts.
AS soon as the main army came up,
we were ordered to move and seize a
bridge few miles away, and hold it
until the remainder OF the troops came
up. Marching stealthiIy, and with
quick pace. we came upon the rebels
posted at the bridge so suddenly that
they had not time to collect their
scattered and surprised force soon
enough TO oppose our sudden rush.
Once across the river, we put them to
flight, and sent the brave boys of the
Eighth Virginia to scatter them in
the mountains.
In a few hours the rest of the army
came up, and we were ordered to rest
while other regiments took the lead.
But I thought / would ride ahead to
certain what our brave scouts were
about, as heard the sharp reports of
several rifle shots. had not gone
more than a mile before came to a
large mansion, before which a squad
of the Eighth Virginia. boys were
| lounging about, some leaning on their
long rifles, others pacing up and down
the road and all looking very cross.
Hello, major 2 called out to me a
tall, strong soldier. "We are hungry,
and have had nothing to eat since
yesterday; and this stingy old Bunker
won't give or sell US anything to eat.
What shall we doS We can't fight
decentIy on an empty stomach"
rode up to the veranda of the
house, and asked kindly to the pro-
prietor who appeared to be a morse,
sour-faced man. 'tMy friend, will you
| be so kind as to sell me q faw loaves
of bread for these brave boys? for
they have had nothing to eat since
yesterday.
"No," snappishly replied the man;
''I have no bread to SELL"
-'tWllI you let me have some flour
or meal, then?D Politely inquired.
"No." sharply returned the fellow;
"I have nothing tosell or give away"
, 'sThe men old bunker" shouted out
the soldiers. 'tSay the word, major,
and wen go through that house like q
streak of lightning through 3 goose
berry bush?"
The proprietor, it seems, was q
member of that religious society
which had its origin In Germany, and
resembled somewhat that eaned the
Shakers. The Dunkers were very
peaeeable, and it was part of their
creed never to resist violence, never
fight, and never even go to law to re-
dress an injury. Generally they were
very kind and generous but this fellow
was the meanest-Iooking specimen /
had ever seen, and ] felt half inclined
to let the boys enter the house and
help themselves, for everything about
/ the premises indicated prosperity,
i and q Well-stocked larder.
81 say, major" sang out one of the
soldiers, lido you see them bee-hiYes
| in the yard? The fat, straw hive is
A = Ia=.