Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-04-21
FFRSoV CoITT7 WEST TRGINlA SATURDAY. APRIL 1874

were concealed When they emerged
distant artillery peals and vollcys of
musketry announced the opening of the
battle of South Mountain. They wait
ed for the issue of the engagement viii,
suspense alternating between hope and
dismay. Most of them were Unioa
people. Midlletown had already got
the nickname OF Little Massachusetts,.
Should Lee win the battle they had
nothing bat calamities TO look for. Nc
Clellan was their shield against ruin.
One family was especially perturbed
the family OF Captain Jacob Ruiy--
whose brick dwelling stood on the main
street.-the fourth house from the western
verge OF the village. There were the
Captain aud his wife, two sons ana Eve
daughters. The eldest son, Daniel
Webster Rudy, was sick in bed in an
upper chamber. The two Youngest
girls, Laura and Ella, had scarle, tever.
and Laura, who had been taken into the
country, and STAYED there while the reb.
els were passing through. now returned,
rather the worse for her journey. A
the day advanced and the battle roar
grew louder, aud dubious rumors reach.
ed the village, Captain Rudy mistrusted
his wisdom in sticking there with
house full of invalids; but il was too
late 10 remove. Late ia the aiiernooa
the Union wounded began 10 arrive; 4
procession of ambulauces. wagons aud
s,re;chers, showing ghas'ly faces aud
emitting low, a2onixlng cries moved up
the street. Along with his procession
came the news of the Union victory.
Then the aspect of Midile,own chat
ged. Houses were thrown open. Chnr-
ches, school houses, barns, aud stables
were prepared for wounded men. The
whole place Was gradually turned into
n hospital.
WOUNDED COLONEL
Just rs the sun went down beyond
the mountain battle field An ambulance,
drawn slowly aud accompanied 10y
surgeon and two culored servants, ,mDuu-
ted, approached the village along the
turnpike. An officer lay in the ambu-
lance, mute, haggard, aud in great pa'n.
His light brown hair and beard were
dishevelled, his collar was torn away
from his throat and lis uniform WAS
covered with dust aud soiled with mud.
Joe J. he called.
"Nhat is it, Rud = inquired the sur
geon, bending over from his horses.
"rake me 10 the first respectable
looking private house we come to alter
we get into town"
Tie house selected by Surgeon Webb
was jacob Rudy's. Jacob.hIms.li stood
in the doorway, wearing under his gr'v-
ity an habitual expression OF good will.
"Is this your hone, siri" asked tho
Surgeon, with salute.
at is.'
Then I hope you can accommodate
my brother-in-aw here with temporary
quarters. IL is Colonel Hayes, of the
1wenty-third Ohio. He Is severely
wounded in the arm and needs quiet"
Il shall do very well" said voice
from the ambulance, sit can ge; into
a level bed. My servant is here. lie
will Try not 10 make much trouble"
"All right" broke in the Captain,
Well fx you, think. Let me speak
to my wife moment
Mrs. Rudy, hospitable and alert, soon
had n chamber ready hext the one oc-
cupied by her sick son, Daniel. ThiLh.
er the fighting Ohio Colonel, pricked
hard, but saved by destiny TO make a
future President, was conveyed with
some difficulty through sundry lower
rooms aud up a narrow staircase. The
windows were raised, the arm was up.
bandaged, and Webb carefully redress
ed the wound.
"There," said he, when he had fnihs-
ed "Now III go down and arrange
matters with the family"
HAYES PART ~ THE BATTLE.
"Is he pretty badly hurtf asked
Jacob Rudy, when Webb had taken 4
chair in the sitting room.
"It's an ugly sort of hnr'," replied
the young surgeon, 'because the ball hit
the bone. Then again be lost good
deal of blood, because he would keep
on fighting, In the attack to-day he
was in the advance brigade Of ihe nd.
vance division Of Burngides Corps,
which was in advance OF the army. lle
was ordered TO take mountain path io
the left Of the old national road, feel
the enemy and open the engagement.
He found their pickets in the woods,
received their FIRE and drove them in.
Beyond the woods he saw the rebel
line advancing lie charged into it
with regimental yell, and, after some
fierce lighting, drove it back through
another piece of woods and Ecross an
open field beyond. Here he ordered
bis men 20 charge again; but he had
hardly given the command .iieB bul-
let struck his left arm above The elbow.
He got off his horse and asked sol
dier to bandsge bis arm tightly near
the shoulder; but IL. wouldn't do; be
had to tumble; aud be probably tainted.
Anyhow, the next thing b. knew VAS
that his men were falling back 70 the
woods for shelter. 1T this he got on
his legs again and made it bo, for them
until they came forward. Then they
made il no, again for the enemy. he
couldn't stand up long; he had TO Iis
down from sheer exhaustion. But tbs
mon say ne kent piyiup ofdera and