Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-04-17
MIDDLETOwN, Md, April 6, 1877.

MIDDLETowN, Md, April 6. 1877.
cannot forhear, even at this late day.
the. qualification of some interesting
events which occurred here during the
late rebellion referring directly to the
gentleman who has recently been in
stalled as President of the United
States
The 14th of September, 1862, was re-
markahle Sunday in this old fashioned
Maryland viliages For almost the first
time In century the churches were
closed and clamor and tumult offended
the sacred hours.
All through the previous night the
rebel army under Lee had been hurry
ing through the town on its retreat
westward across the valley. In the early
morning came McClellan's advance
guard in hot pursuit. the whole Union
army following A battery, unlimber-
ed. at the western edge of the village
harrassed the receding columns of the
enemy and drew some answering, re
sentful cannon shots, which crashed
through the walls of one or two dwell
ings. Residents barred their doors and
took to the cellars. where horses, provi
sions and articles ofvalue were conceal
ed. When they emerged distant artille
ry peals and volleys of musketry an
South Mountain. They waited for the
issue f the engagement with suspense
alternating between hope and dismay.
Most ofthem were Union people. Mid
dletOwn had already got the nickname
of Little Massachusetts, Should Lee
wit. the battle they had nothing but
to look for. Mcclellan was
their shield against ruin.
One family was especially per6arbed-
the family of Captain Jacob Rudy
whose brick dwelling stood on the main
street, the fourth house from the wes-
tern verge of the village. There were
the Captain and his wife, two sons and
five daughters. The oldest son, Daniel
Webster Rudy. was sick in bed in an
upper chamber. The two youngest
girls, Laura and Ella, had scarlet fever,
and Laura, who had been taken into
the country, and stayed There while the
rebels were passing through, now re-
turned, rather the worse for her jour
ney. As the day advanced and the bat
tie roar grew louder, and dubious ru-
mors reached the village, Captain Rudy
mistrusted his wisdom in sticking there
with house full of invalids but it was
too late to remove. Late in the after
noon the Union wounded began to ar
rive a proce sion of ambulances, wa
CONS and stretchers. showing ghastly
faces and emitting low, agonizing cries.
moved up the street. Along with this
procession came news of the Union vic
tory. Then the aspect of Middletown
was changed. Houses were thrown
open Churches, schoolhouses, barns,
NJ nd 70 h h1rxrx rod f,v lol \
men. The whole place was gradually
turned intoa hospital.
A WOUNDED COLONEL.
Just as the sun went down beyond
the mountain battle field an ambulance,
drawn slowly and accompanied by a
surgeon, an orderly and two colored
servants, mounted, approached the vii
lage along the turnpike. An officer lay
in the ambulance, mute. !iaggard, and
evidently in great pain. His light brown
hair and beard were dishevelled, his
collar was torn away from his throat
and his uniform was covered with dust
and eoiled with mud.
"Joe !" he called.
"What is it, Rud?" inquired the sur
geon, bending over from his horse
"Take me to the first respectable look
iuS private HOCSc we COLue u 6lteE we
get into town."
was Jacob Rudy's. Jacob himself stood
gravity an habitual expression of good
will.
''Is this your home. sir?" asked the
Surgeon, with salute.
ut is"
''Tnen I hope you can accommodate
my brother-in law here with temporary
quarters. 1t is Colonel Hayes, of the
Twenty4third Ohio. He is severely
wounded in the arm and needs quiet u
u shall do very well," said voice
from the ambulance" if can get into
level bed. My servant is here He
will try not to make much trouble"
"All right" broke in the Captain
we'll fix you, 1 think. Let me speak
to my wife moment"
Mrs. Rudy. hospitable and alert, soon
had chamber ready next the one Oc
cupied by her sick son, Daniel. Thith-
er the fighting Ohio Colonel, pricket
hard. but saved by destiny to make 6
| future President, was conveyed with
some difficulty through sundry lowel
rooms and up a narrow staircase. The
windows were raised, the arm was un
bandaged, and Webb carefully redressed
the wound.
"There," said he, when he had finish
ed. Now I'll go down and Arrange
matters with the family"
| HAYES PART IN THE BATTLE.
rs he pretty badly hurt?" asked ia
cob Rudy, when Webb had taken !,
chair in the sitting room.
Its an ugly sofe6 hurt, replied thu
young surgeon. "because the ball hi
the bone. Then again he lost a goot
deal Of blood. because he would keep OF
fighting. In the attack to-day he wa
in the advance brigade Of the advanc
division of Burnside's Corps. which wa
in advance of the army. He was or
| dered to take a mountain path to tn
left of the old national road, feel the en-
emy and open the engagement. HI
found their pickefs in the woods, re
ceived their fire and drove them in. Be
yond the woods he saw the rebel lin
advancing. He charged into it with
regimental yell. and, after some fierc
fighting, drove it back through anothe
piece of woods and across an open fiel
beyond. Here he ordered his men t
charge again but he had hardly give