Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-07-08
For the Snectator,


For the Spectator.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and his Cavalry at
Carlisle, Pa, in 1858. A "Reminiscences
of the Late War.
Mr.. EDITOR AT the suggestion of some
gentlemen of StauntoD, who were in the Con-
federate Army, give you the following unpub-
lished "Reminiscences. which may be of interest
to them, his surviving cavalrymen and to your
readers generally, to read how We Carlislers
Jared on their unexpected advent.
Lee having encountered Fitzpatrick at Han
over, York CO., Pa, a short, undecided battle
took place, when, in order to save his treasure.
large train heavily laden with provisions and
my birth place and then my residence He ap-
peared at the east end Of the town, Wednesday
eve of first week of July, 1868. What his numer-
ical force was We knew not. About 1900
militia had that afternoon been sent up from
Harrisburg, stacked their arms In the streets.
when these new-fedged soldiers had iolly
time, taking lunch in the market house. centre
square. Being present on their arrival and
now on my way home, very unconcerned as we
all were a report was heard and an unearthly
screech overhead, just as | was about to round
the College campus, west end of the town. I
instinctively lodged to save myself from what [
cannon, and from where, knew not Looking
around and down Main ST., all was con-
fusion and alarm. The long rolf was beat
and the militia were flying to arms. Hastily
vending home, house was soon vacated, when
myself companion and four children, on foot.
started fer the country. After wading through
deep mud for half a mile, fortunately observed
horse and wagon, the former hitched to
fence Without any hesitation, the horse was
quickly untastened and soon we were all seated
on loose, broad board, just enough of square
feet to hold this load of living freight and no
more. The whip was applied, but the gait
was not increased, for the animal was of the
slow kind. Now the Smelling was terrific,
and could distinctly hear the whizzipg on
our left, the shells passing over the town, far
into the country. Ali hands lodged every
time" Our boy of fourteen, brave little chan.
tried to console his mother, while his sisters,
the youngest nine, ever and anon, screamed
with alarm My business was to whip and drive
regardless OF tears or shells and evinced no
trepidation. Now fairly on the way and dark,
drove out p miles to farmer relative. Here
we unloaded. The horse and wagon were re-
cognized by the farmer, as the property of
neighbor, who, in his alarm, while on his way
TO town, left all and escaped for life. A fortunate
leaving for u.s. truly, for we found this 'rig"
very necessary and convenient to get away, with
out any further tramp IN mud and water, pe-
destrian feats being also too slow for this me-
morable occasion.
RETURN TO CARLISLE.
And Of course on foot, meeting on the way.
men, women and children, fleeing from their
homes, almost too terrified to speak :" while
in the vast crowd were a number of hatless
militia, who were on their way in quest of
ambulances, as they said, ''to carry off the
wounded" AT once, [ could see the point
They had cowardly deserted their posts and
made this assumed errand mere pretext.
THE GARRISON IN FLAMES.
As | neared the town and being very dark, I
observed iright!ul confagration. At first |
could not locate it. The first impression, twas
In the north side of the town, but as the lurid
flames shot upward, lighting up the country all
around, discovered my mistake. We we're sur
prised that Gen. Ewell, as military necessity, had
not burnt the extensive garrison buildings; and
we all felt glad this antiquated Government
property had been spared. Now the firing was
suspended, but, on entering my residence, and
alone, was terTifcally resumed. The cellar was
my resort but proving too dungeon-like and
damp got out and committing myself to the
care OF Providence, ''struck up light, and
throwing myself on bed, felt composed but,
not very cheerful. Soon shell fell and explod-
ed 10 an adjoining yard which, on examination
next morning, found had riddled the siding of
frame house, while solid shot penetrated the
roof of low building, directly across the street,
which was found deeply imbedded in an orchard
IN the rear. This was the nearest these death
missiles came to my residence.
STILL IGNORANT OF THE ENEMY.
| knew not, as yet, what this firing of cannon
meant, and also of small arms, but at day break.
noticed Hospital flage on the College l en-
tered. number of wounded Federal cannon
GERS and OF the artillery support, were here be-
ing cared for. Here learned from the atten-
dants, that Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and cavalry
were about. Leaving the college and passing
down Main st. to the Court house, observed
the tire OF caisson wheel had been struck with
shell and severed as skillfuIIy, as blacksmith
would with chisel, exploded and wounded
these men, and one taken to a private house,
DIED In two weeks from amputation of limb |
learned this was the only rifed cannon used, |
4 for a short time and perhaps harmEessly.- |
we did not learn, whether or not, Gen. Lee |
nad any losses IN killed and wounded during the |
night.
REPORT OF SMALL ARMS
Were for time frequent, the hall holes in
the fence exhibited considerable firing from the
town, across meadow, and no doubt was ra-
turned by Gen. Lees men; many having dis
mounted were posted, it was said. conspicuouslv
near the town mill, In an orchard adjoining and
On the open ground near by.
THE FLAG OF TRUCE,
was Informed, was sent in by order of Gen.
Lee to Badly Smith" in command of the mill
ia, demanding besurrender OF the town. Hav-
ng hls head quarters on Hanover ST., with
Miss AlcGlDnis, or rather at her residence. on
posite lived Judge g., who FASTENED over and
plead with the General, '.Jor Gods sake to sur
,,esnde', as the to,on a0ould be destroyed. Miss
ncd-- addressing Badly" periodically ex-
,lalmed: Don't you do it!'' "Mo, Gen. neyer
s'ur5ender = ard you fudge c. 90 home
aa q get INTO yor cellar and be did. This end
GEN. SMITH S POSITION OF DEFENCE.
The large dwellings on east Main St. were {
lccupled BY part of the militia Tho rn;n1a--