The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-09-01

Rushing rapidly on, we passed into
Pennsylvania and entered the town
Of Meroersburg, about eighteen miles
distant from the Potomac. U.. +,
Gen. Stuart had prepared general
order, which was distributed to the
command after we had crossed the
river; among other things, COM
mending to the troops moderation iu
the enemy's country and the striotest
obedience to orders under the severest
penalties, and authorized the seizure
of horses and other necessary supplies
uuder the direction of commissioned
officers after we had crossed the
Maryland line, and furthermore d.
rooted that Confederate certified ao-
counts should be given for supplies
thus taken. b.. 2. ....
rode in. advance of tho main
column, and a small party Of US made
our obeisance to tho good people of
Meroersburg before they were aware
that the 'saudacious rebels" had
crossed the "big divido." They were
certainly not prepared for our coming,
and when we inquired of an obliging
clerk of one of the stores if he had
a general assortment of boots and
hats, (suoh articles we're not as
abundant GU our side of the water as
black >borries in june he replied, Wit,
that gracious rubbing of hands aud
char.ning blandness Of countenance
peculiar TO frst-class salesmen, that
s .e had the finest assortment ia town,
aud would be happy to wait on u.s."
aud, plying himself actively to an
advantageous display OF his wares, re-
joioed in the glitteriug prospect of on
avalanche of bright new ereenbaoks.
Imagine his horror and amazement
(for cannot describe it) when his
real situation suddenly flashed upon
him, and he found bimsolf the central
figure of a score or more of those
naughty rough .riders from the neither
side of the Potomac, and his goods
being system atically "handed out"
"under the directions of an officer"
But really our obliging friend was
not victimized to any great extent
not at oil, in fact, for Gems. Stuart
and Hampton rode up close upon our
engagement with his goods and hied
Us on. We left certified account on
tho Confederate quartsrmas.er's de.
partment for the articles bought, and
were soon 10 the saddle rafting over
tho turnpike towards Chamberoburg.
If remember; rightly, it is about
thirty miles from Meroerbhurg to
Chambersburg. Aftor leaving tho
former, strong detachments We're seus
out ON either flank to gather in horses,
aud the men would bIiug in amusing
accounts Of the doings OF the sturdy
farmers when & demand would hs
made for their aBinals. i'd. -.
Littla dreaming, of the proximity
OF the "gallant rebels" some would
protest with solemn indignation that
orders had been sent from Washing
ton to that part Of Penney lvaGia
putting stop to the impressment of
tho farmers, horses, ana "refused to
be oomforted" When naively in
formed that Gen. Jeb Stuart was
just t,en taking u fow liberties with
that portion of "Yankoedom." .l
We reached cham bersburg some
time after nightfall, and cold,
dark. drizzly night it was. Prepara.
tory to entering the city, 1t. Thomas
Lee, q devil.lDay-osre dashing officer
OF Chesnuts company, was sent for
ward with King Of the chief bugIer
of my regiment, and small detatch.
ment Of men, to demand the surren.
der of the city in thirty minutes,
aud to say that in the event of a
refusal We would open on the city
from hill where we had placed
two guns in position for that purpose.
Ice had not been long gone when
the shrill notes Of Kings bugle came
back to US through the murky durk-
ness announcing conference, and in
o very short time he reported that
the authorities aoceedod to our
terms. We marched in jaded and
worn, both mon and animals, by the
days exciting work. Gen. Stuart
placed Gen. Hampton in command Of
the city, and he charged ME with the
appointment Of u provost marshal,
the necessary guards, and the preser-
vation Of order generally.
l selected Capt. James FcFie, of
my own regiment, for the responsible
position of provost marshal, and
while the guards were being posted
and the town cleared of the troops,
threw myself on the brick pavement
completely worn out with fatigue, ,and
slept soundly for some time in the
oold rain the oouriers, save one
remaining awake to receive orders,
reports no., enjoying similar repose
all around me. ..t......, 7.. .
After the apprehension of two or
three hilarious troopers, who had
partNken too freely Of somo burgers
hospitality, order was easily pre-.
served, aid | related to our bivouao
near tho Suburbs about IL O'Clock ut
| night, and sought shelter on the
friendly side Of fvnoe from the
! pelting rain, feeling assured that
Capt. MoFie, one of the best offioers
in tho service, would have order
maintainer in the oity, and he did