Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-08-31

Colonel A. r. Boteler in Phila. Weekly
Times.
Toward the last of March 1 got few
days leave of absence to 20 to Rich
mond on business requiring my person
al attention there, which l was anxious
to arrange before the anticipated move
mept of the Federal army should in
augurate active operations in the open
field. My leave expired on Sunday,
the End of April, when it was necessary
for me, of course, to report my return
to camp. Soon after breakfast, there
fore, that day l left the hospitable home
Of the Richmond friend with whom / had
been sojourning, and made my way
leisurely to the depot to take the train
back to the battle SCARED city of Peters
burg. 1t was lovely morning-such
as makes one glad to be alive. A few
floating vapors, interfused with light,
softened the rays of the sun, and the
atmosphere, refreshed by recent rains,
was filled with the fragrance of the ear
ly flowers Of spring. The streets were
unusually silent, and the city, in its
Sunday solitude" seemed to be repos-
ing in the holy calm of peaceful securi-
~. "There was Sabbath stiffness in
the air, and nothing to indicate that
the dreaded day had come at last-the
dies re-which was to witness the
destruction of the doomed capital of the
Confederate States.
But on reaching the depot it present
ed quite an animated spectacle. The
regular passenger cars were crowded
with soldiers. There were extra troop
trains on the sidings also filled to their
utmost capacity, and a considerable
body of men beside were waiting for
means of transportation. So that l was
not surprised to learn when l had
squeezed myself into one of the cars,
that they were then fighting hard in
Petersburg" and had sent to Richmond
for reinforcements. Soon after crossing
the James river we met train of cars
containing several hundred Federal
prisoners, some Of whom had been taken
by Fitz Lee on the Friday before, at
Five Forks, and others few days pre-
vious by the gallant Gordon in his cap
ture of Fort Steadman on Hares hill.
The two trains stopping for few mo-
ments side by side, "the boys" in each
began to chatf those in the other, good
humoredly as usual, and to their mutual
amusement.
ooh, Johnny Reb, I'm sorry for you.
Oh, so sorry!" said boy in blue, shak-
ing bis head with mock solemnity.
ats good sign, Yank, when You
are sorry" replied the boy in gray,with
a merry laugh.
"For," continued the blue, you'll get
special thunder at Petersburg this even
ing"
"And you Castle Thunder at Rich
mond, this morning. was the grays re-
joinder. -.
"Say, Yank, asked another, show did
you find it at Five Forks, day before
yesterday"
"llot AS -, JOHNNY"
"Then, Yauk, you got a foretaste of
your lulurt state.
81 don't think my state will be hotter
than Virginny is just now, johnny
"Bye, Bye! Yank, Tell 'em to take
care Of you at the Hotel Libby"
''rs, Ia! Johnny-same to you at the
hot h-ll Petersburg.
And so the two trains separating,
moved of toward their respective desti-
nations-one taking its passengers to
prison and the other bearing those on
board of it to battle. When We got
near Petersburg we saw dense columns
of smoke rising from different parts Of
the city, which indicated that our peo-
pie were burning the cotton and tobacco
stored in the town and caused US TO fear
that the CoGfederates had reverses
which would compel an evacuation OF
the place.