Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-05-27
"Reminiscences Of the I'd Virginia CAV


We copy the following account of the
battle at Botelcr's Mill, below town, in
Septembcr 1852, from the Amherst
! Na) .4drnGser:
On the 10Th ofScptcmbcr, 1862, at y
at night Col. Muntord was with his
regiment, the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, at
Wysongs Cross Roads. in Jefferson Go.
His pickets were at Botelcrs Ford.
This regiment had been on outpost and
picket duty at the battle Of Sharpsburg,
and that morning had been the rear
guard. The 9TH squadron were on pick
ct at the Antictam Furnace, and were
hastily drawn in and crossed the river
and formed part Of the L&kct on the
heights during the day. Just before
midnight the enemy crossed the river
and captured three Of the cavalrymen
of the picket All that was then asccr-
tanned was that four regiments Of intan-
try had crossed. !; WAS also reported
that others had crossed AT Shepherds
town and captured some Of Gen. Pen
dletons artillery. About midnight Col.
Muntorl received orders to Withdraw
his command to the Charlcstown pike
and send picket TO the rear of the IN
fantry on the pike near Shepherdstown.
This was the second and third night
Of watch duty for the most of the men.
and although they murmured at such
work without rations for man or beast,
80 men, a captain and , ieutcnantS
were detailed and went chcertully to
another NIGHT OF weary watching. They
were ordered to picket the rear of \.
T. Hills division and report TO HIM
during the night, and report to their
command early next morning. \ strong
picket was posted on the pike with Vi
dcttes in the suburbs of the town of
Shcphcrds,own. Things were evident
" in disturbed condition, for when
the Captain and his squad entered the
pike. the mtantry picket fired on him
without "haling fortunately without
effect A. Z. Hills division was the
rear the army ; the rest were further
up the Valley The picket was quiet
during the night. and early next morn
inc the captain reported at Gen. Hills
head quarters. and was told to with
draw his men and return To his com
mand The officer giving the order
said that the army was moving ub the
Valley. and would have no further use
for the captain or his troopers and,
still without food or rest, he proceeded
to rcioin his command.
II is blessed thing that We cannot
remember how much We suffered. How
dreadful is past hunger, thirst, wcar-
ness. and pain . How the heart trem-
blcd and shrank, and the eyes glistcned,
and the teeth gnashcd, as with empty
StomachS, ragged. mwashed clothes. we
thought OF the host OF foes iii front. Of
the mean and selfish friends at home
bomb-proot Offices and comforts for fa-
voritcs-thc naked field and pelting rain
for 'our patriotic soldiers !" repeat,
il is Il blessed thing that we have for
gotten our "bad feelings and can now
only feel again the thrill Of the battle
cry. and remember how gloriouSI Y we
felt when "old jack" led the van All
the words spoken by the great hero.
however trivial. have now something of
romance in them; and any incident
connected with his brilliant life during
those stormy days, is matter of inter
est to all who rode with Ashby and
Muniord, or served in the foot cavalry
of the Stonewal Brigade. Every sol
dcr that Jackson ever spoke TO feels
proud of the fact ; and every man or
officer, VINO ever reported to Jackson.
will remember the scene until he goes
to meet his great General in the land Of
"Nictorv." We do not think, there
fore. that we shall be regarded rs i'm
modest or e@otistical, if we correct a
little Of Dr. Dabney's Life of Jackson.
On page 57S, ne says: The messcn-
gers sent to place the latter Jackson ]
in communication with the commander
in-chiet. with difficulty found him, in
Gdrance Of all hi, troops, wifhotH an e.
cori examining the posture of the enc
my's force, while y. p. Hills division
was rapidly advancing to the front.
Gen. Jackson had an escort and guide.
and the enemys position at Botelers
Ford was discovered and unmasbed by
that escort. That escort had been on
the ground. and discovered the enemy
on this side of the river, before Hill or
Early with the infantry were brought to
WvSong's Cross Roads.
When the; Captain Of the picket left
Gen Hills headquarters, he struck
across the country for the Charlestown
pike When about half way. he was
stopped by a courier, and told to halt
his command and report to Gen. Jack
son. He found Gen. J. and 10 or Is
men-statf and couriers, coming up a
road from the south, and the following
dialogue ensued To what command
do YOU belong!
Second Virginia Cavalry.
How many troopers have you
Fitty-fve.
Do you know the road to the ford
below Shepherdstown?
was on it for the first time last
night
1 Tnen you know the road to the
ford! Gs--a ,s.-
lido not-but l can go to the ford.
Then take the road and cut Shep-
herdstown off. ~ T.. ....-ot o. O.. q