Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-05-27


whole. army pa soldier lost his comu1sndiiT
Well, l know where it is but | won't tell
YOU. Yon will be of no use there. | won't
tell you where. it is.
The man stood stupehed.
The captain took the road. No army was
in sight or hearing; nor was there the sign or
or sound Of troops in that Forest
Silently and swiftly on went the little
band, till they reached Wysong's Crossroads.
The ciliccr said General, here is the post we
occupied last night there is the road to tho
'ford,-that to Knotts Ferry,-and that to
Shepherdstown.
lie merely said throw out skirmishers, and
advance on the ford.
Forty-Gye were stretched across the field
and 1t. SIcptoc, with ten, was sent to recon-
notre. and watch wooded height on the
right. Gen. jackson left it was said that he
went to Wysong's house. & :n-
The skirmishcrs moved across the field to-
wards the ford The road led through deep
ravinc,-sheltered by woods on the risht:-a
corn field YVES on the left and directly in front
of the pasture through which the cavalry were
moving Op the extreme right Of the line,
was a New Glasgow boy, a dare devil, de-
void of fear, and crack rifle shot. lie had
pressed forward, and was the first to discover
the enemy in the rayiue lie reported that
he could kill the colonel of ,h, advance rcgi-
ment sitting on his horse. The men were d.
.ccted to- keep que;, and a Fairfax man, OF
company G.. named Moore, was sent up tall
white-oak tree to look out, and tho shirmishers
were pushed steadily forward. In short
time, loo OF the eneny's infantry skirmish-
ers was discovered directly in front, their bay
onets occasionally glistoning among the corn
In the rising sun. The officer determined TO
send word to Gen. jackson, that he had dis
covered the enemy and turning round, TO his
surprise he found Gen. jackson at his heels.
Some 200 or 300 yards IN front, vas long
line Of infantry, with arms deadly at that dis
tance The officer remembered the useless
death of Ashby,-and how, twenty minutes
before he fell, shc had carelessly rode along
with that officers skrmish-line, while balls
were whistling over their heads. lie said,
General, do you see that line of long-rangc
guns? Should they fire, and kill me and my
men, it would be a small matter should they
kill you, it would be disaster go back"
IIe looked steadily at the officer and said
{" Humph! !" turned, rode about 90 yards,
stopped, and said almost harslly: Report
everything you see to me" rode about
so yards, further, wheeled, and sats traight
on, his horse. ,.- ,
Moore reported, from the tree, that the enc
my were massing in the ravine; their real
strength could not be ascertained. The cap
tain reported this to Gen Jackson.
He asked. "Can see them p
"You can not, said the captain.
Did you see item? 2
"Idid not"
"Then, sir, how do you know it ?" lie bad
an irrtated look
The captain said, " A man up that tree sees
! them.
lie said quickly, "That'S good--very good.
Place man at the root Of that tree, and
send roc word AZ that is seen"
WI. Rhodes, Of company +. was selected
and placed at the root Of the tree but, before
message could be sent, the general was there,
looking into the oak, asking, What do you
sec, my man2"
Moore replied, They arc stilcomins to the
road"
The general said. "Send man, Captain,
and tell a. p. Hill to throw shell or two into
them" ,I,
Rhodes sped with the message 70 the right
where Gen. Hill was seen just. advancing
Jackson said, Call him back, Captain, call
him back" Rhodes was recalled. Not a
shot had been fired to this moment.
On the Maryland heights, the day before
the host of the enemy were displayed and mar
shalled like review, and now, from these
heights could be seen forming, the tremendous
batteries of the enemy ready to pour death on
any occupant Of the Virginia ridge. Hill and
Early approached by rayine. A qnick,
short movement would place them where the
heavy batteries could no. be depressed to their
serious injury. Everything was as quiet as a
graveyard. There were no loud commands, no
display OF baupers or rushing of ambulances
or trains. "Allwas quiet along the Potomac.
The masses of the enemy in the gorges lead
ing to the river, were waiting the movements
of the line Of gray horsemen above tbem.-
The eagle eye of Moore in the tree was fixed
steadily on the rayine. Jackson again said,
" what DO you sec now, my man = Moore
said " They seem to be moving" lie paused.
" Now, General, they arc double-quicking to
the river" jackson fairly shouted, Now
tell general Hill TO let them have it y Rhodes
flew on his gray mare, apd. Gen, jackson flew
after him. In few moments crash Of arti!-
lcry and vollics of musketry were followed by
the charging yell of the South. Hills division
was sweeping in fire and blood down the ra-
vine. Early was swiftly advancing through
the line Of horsemep. and as they withdrew q
thousand thundeTs broke forth from the Mary
land bel shts but 100 late came that awful tenn