Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-05-27

Is that so? Well, take that road,and
cut Shepherdstown off.
An infantry soldier had approached
Gen. Jackson at this time, and enquired
where \. =. Hills division was. Gen.
Jackson looked at him some time. then
asked. Do YOU belongto that division ?
The man said that he did.
And YOU have lost your command
lost the whole army "a soldier lost his
command Well, | know where 1t Is;
but | won't tell YOU. Iou will be OF no
use there. | won't tell YOU where II Is.
The man looked stupitied.
The captain took the road. No army
was in sight or hearing; nor was there
the SIGN or sound Of troops in that for
est. Silently and swiftly on went the
little band, till they reached Wysongs
Crossroads. The officer said Gener-
al, here is the post we occupied last
night there is the road to the ford
that to Knott's Fewy.-and that TO
Shepherdstown.
lie merely said: Throw ont skir-
mi>hers, and advance on the ford.
Forty-ive were stretched across the
feld-and 1t. Stcptoe, with ten. was
sent to reconnoitrc. and watch wood
ed height on the right General Jack
son left it was said that he went TO
Wysongs house.
The skirmisherS moved across the
field towards the ford The road led
through a deep ravine,-sheltered 10y
woods on the hight "a cornield was
on the left and directly in front Of the
pasture through which the cavalry
were moving. On the extreme right OF
the line. was New Glasgow boy, a
dare devil" devoid of tear, and crack
rifle shot. He had pressed forward, and
was the first to discover the enemy IN
the ravine. He reported that he could
kill the Colonel of the advance regiment
sitting on his horse The men were di-
rected to keep quiet. and Fairfax man.
of company G. named Moore, was sent
up a tall whitc-oak tree to look out, and
the SLirmishers were pushed steadily
forward In short time a line of the
enemv's infantry Skirmishcrs was diScoy-
cred directly in front, their hayonets oc-
cgSionally gIiStcning among the corn in
/ the rising sun The officer determined
to send word to jackson, that he had
discovered the enemy and turning
round. to his surprise he found Gen.
| jackson at his heels. Some POO or 800
wards in front, was long line of intan-
try. with arms deadly at that distance.
The officer remembered the useless
/ death OF Ashby.-and how. twenty
minutes before he fell, he had crclc>Sly
rode along with that officers SLirmish-
line. while balls were whistling over
their heads. He said, General. do You
see that line Of long-range guns
Should they fire, and kill me and my
men, it wouldbc a small matter shonld
they kill you, it would be a disaster 90
back.
He looked steadily at the officer and
said, ''Humph T. turned, rode about 30
yards. stopped, and said almost harshIy:
Report everything you see to me.
rode about 80 yards further, wheeled,
and sat straight on his horse.
Moore reported. from the tree, that
the enemy were masSing in the ravine ;
their real strength could not be asccr-
tained The captain reported this to
Gen. Jackson.
He asked. Can | see them
You can not, said the captain.
Did YOU see them 2
IL did not.
Then, sir, how do You know it ?
He had an ar1itatcd look.
The captain said, a man up that
tree sees them
lie said quickly, that's Good-vcry
good Place a man at the root of that
tree, and send me wordoH that is seen.
w. f. Rodcs, Of company +. was Sc
Icctcd, and placed at the root Of the
tree but, before message could be
sent, the General was there, looking in
to the oak, asking, What do YOU see
my man 2
Moore replied, They arestill coming
to the road.
The General said, "Send a man Cap
tain, and tell A. p Hill to throw a shell
or two into them.
Rhodes sped with the message to tho
right, where Gen. Hill was seen just al
vancing. Jackson said, Cal him back
Captain,-call him back. Rhodes was
recalled. Not u shot had been fired tc
this moment
On the Maryland heights, the day be
fore. the hosts of the enemy were dis
PLAYED and marshallcd like reyicw,and
now. from those 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 had approached by a ravinc
\ quick, short movement would place
them where the heavy batteries could
not be depressed to their serious injury
Everything was quiet as graveyard
There were no loud commands. no dis
play Of banners or rushing Of ambulan.
ces or trains. "All was quiet along the
Potomac, The masses Of the enemy
in the gorges leading to the river. were
waiting the movements OF the line Of
gray horsemen above them. The eagle
eve OF Moore in the tree was fixed stead
ily on the rayiue. Jackson again said
what doyo see now, my mani" Moore
said, They seem to be moving H
nnnsal .Nnu. Gennral fhcv arn don.