The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1870-07-15

troops that had been left here to guard
the railroad were ordered to other points,
which, being known to the enemy in Ten
nessee, Stoneman and Burbridge, with a.
cavalry force of some 5000, made their cell
ebrated raid. 1t was a cold night in De-
cember, '64, when the whole face of the
country was covered with ice and sleet.-
1t was not positively known that the enemy
was anywhere near, altho' continual
dread Of their coming pervaded the public
mind. They entered our quiet village
stealthily, tho they might have done so
boldly, and surrounded nearly every house,
before the inhabitants were aware of their
presence. In less than an hour every store
in the place was broken open and ransack-
ed and what the marauders could not car
ry with them they destroyed. The main
body then passed on a couple of miles,
where they remained during the night and
part OF the next day, leaving company of
about 40 men, under the command of man
by the name Of Wyatt, to prosecute the
pillage and burn the town. The only per-
sons here being women and children with
few old men and boys, this was no haz-
ardous undertaking.
Wyatt being native of the place, and
having been raised here, took peculiar
pleasure in wreaking his vengeance upon
those for whom he entertained feelings of
enmity. After they had gorged their APP
petite for plumber they applied the torch,
and III very short time large portion of
the town was in flames, and the women and
children trantically rushing from their burn
ing dwellings All this while, Wyatt and
his brace and humane companions were rid
ing exultingly through the streets, enjoying
the alarm and anguish of their helpless
victims. In the midst of their exultation
a wild yell was heard at one end of the
main street, and in a moment thirteen of
'Morgan's men, dashed in among the FORTH
mounted Federals, when the latter, instead
of meeting the little handful>& scouts like
men, turned and fled, dozen pursued by
one In less than ten minutes, Wyatt and
four of his men, who had been exhibiting
their proves and daring among shrieking
women and children, bit the dust, 20 were
captured aud relieved of their horses, arms
and trappings, and the balance were chased
into the ranks of the 5000 but short dis
lance off. This, altho' | do not know that
it has ever before been written, will be re-
corded in future history as one of the most
gallant feats of the war.
The raiders then passed on, left some 40
or so of their number near the neighboring
town ofMarion, where they met with Gen.
Duke, with less than regiment of follow
ers, went to the SaltWorks and DESTROYED
them, and passed on through the noun
tains back into Tennessee, leaving the road
strown with those for whom our people
had to dig holes in the ground, stopped in
their career, some by being frozen to
dea tn, and others by the bullets of the
thirteen scouts, who never quit the trail
till the enemy re-entered their own lines.
In future letter, perhaps, if such remin-
iscences may have any interest, / will give
you few of the exploits of Col. John II.
Mosby, who was citizen of this county
at the breaking out of the war, and who
went away as private in company raised
in this town and vicinity--Co. d, list Va.
cavalry, which was intimately associated
in many hard fought field with your gal
liant Co. X, first commanded by Capt.
Gather, and afterwards by Capt Dorsey
am yours, very respectfully,
c. B. c.
AJiagdOa "a, July 8, 1870.