The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-27
Justice.
ss1Ts AN ILL BIRD THAT FOULS ITS OWN
NEST''

ssITS AN ILL BIRD THAT FOULS ITS OWN
NEST.''
It is not we'll to rouse the scarcely Sleep
ing spirit of our dreadful civil war, it is not
well 10 make the memories which can not
sleep soundly, disturbed as they must be by
the signs and tears of the widows and chill
dren. whose ALI. these precious memories
are it is better to let the dead past bury its
dead. And yet, when libel as that, con-
tanned in a very pleasant letter copied from
the Springfield Republican" in the VALLEY
VIRGINIAN, meets the eye of one who
knows the truth upon the subject in ques-
ton, it can not go unanswered. The gallant
Meigs would rise from his early grave him
self, with the true chivalry Of his heroic ma
ture to do mere Justice to the soldiers, at
whose hand he, in the fortunes of war, met
the fate SO greatly deplored by all who knew
him, friend or foe. It was by no sscoward's''
hand he fell, and it would be harder for the
think such cou Id be the case, than to know
that it was in fair fight he fell, that as SOL
der, he bravely met q soldiers fate. The
circumstances Of his death are briefly these {:
Two soldiers, whose names could readily be
given, gallant men, who, at the first call Of
their native State, sprang to arms to defend
her. and were regularly enlisted and well
known soldiers Of the Confederate army,
we're inside the lines Of the Federal troops.
| They had paid one of those hurried stealthy
visits home, which always brought to
those at home mingled feeling of Joy at the
sight of the soldier boy, and anxiety lest
dangers, that he so recklessly braved should
oyertake him, which soldiers Of either army
so often paid. Doubtless they had been re-
freshed with all the good things that moth
= svrSls 70,
haversack and canteen to hold, and were
carefully, with as much caution as it is in q
Young soldiers power to remember, trying
to avoid discovery from the enemy's picket,
and rejoin their own command, lying Just
beyond the hill. A narrow lane just beyond
the edge of the woods they had just skirted
must be passed. On emerging from this
wood and before entering the lane they saw
advancing toward them Federal officer and
two orderlies. What could they do? Re-
treat, if they had thought of it, was impossi-
BILE. They were seen. Quick as thought
Meigs charged; like gallant soldiers they met
his charge, killing Meigs and wounding and
capturing one of the orderlies, the other cs-
Gaping to the camp near Harrisonburg. One
of the Confederate soldiers was seriously
wounded, and was nursed through his peril
by young gentleman, now minister of the
Episcopal Church, who, when going for
medical aid for his wounded friend, uni
formly rode the horse of the lamcnted
Me;gs.
Justice to the living is not injustice to the
dead, and it is not worthy of one who loves
our fair Valley, who would gladly see her
prosper in every way, to try to throw such a
dark blot upon the fair picture, and the only
excuse for ''Orra Langhorne" is that through
ignorance she did it, so we will forgive the
Islander il the same organ of the people, that
circulated it, will as promptly publish its
refutation. Men who fought with the peer
less Ashby must not be known us towards"
and "assassins.''