Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-09-11

iost only ono person, but tho loss was seri-
GUS. This was Capt. Latanc, of the Essex
Cavalry, who was shot and killed His
death produced great sadness, apd Stuart,
in general order after the expedition,
called on his mon to "Avonge I4atancW
Tho body of the poor fellow was buried utter
nightfall by friends in tho vicinity, two la
dies being present, ope of whom read tho
burial service. ,
Old Church was thc point, it seems,
which Gen. Lce's order directed him to
reach, if possible, after which he was to bo
guided by circumstance Now 'oircum-
stances' were generally yregardedi in different
light by Stuart than by ether mon, aud the
circumstances here, wcro these: The
alarm had been given, no doubt, by the
Federal fugitivcs, ond tho presence of
Southern cavalry near Old Church was
known. 1t was obvious, therefore, that
strong force would probably be sent to cut
them off on their return. What was to be
donel The Pamunkey could not be crossed;
1t was too deep, and no boats were at hand
10 attempt to pass around tho Federal army,
and cross at the Chickahomny below,
seemed madness; but then tho movement
would be daring, brilliant and might sue
ceed. knowing tho country perfectly, and
our cxact situation, watched Stuart's face
with interest, curious to ascertain what lie
was goiug to do. The first words he ut.
tered, after musing for moment, put my
doubts entirely at rest.
"Tell Fitz Leo to como along" he said to
me; u am going to move on steadily with
my column"
Moving on" meant complete circuit of
McC!cl!an's army, with q view to crossing
below.
| The order was delivered, and also that to
Col. Fitz Lee, who sounded "to horse"
and followcd-the movements of his men
somewhat hastcned, no doubt, by the report
that one of tho burning tents contained
large quantity OF powder. ! re- oned Stuart
at the head of the column, ind was soon
convinced that he mad fully resolved to
ride around the Federal army 1t was neck
or nothing. 10 twenty-four Enurs the
Whole command would be dead or captured,
or would have escaped Stuart hnd plainly
| determined to take the chances, and was
moving steadily toward the York River
Railroad, connecting the Federal ormy with
its base at the "Whitc House. landing on
| the Pamunkcy.
Everything was now on the 9ui rivc, as
ah attack might take place at any moment
either on the front or rear. q laugl,ablo
incident proved that tho men we're looking
for one, and that Stuart expected it would
come from tho rear, as he sent mo to Col.
Martin, commanding there, wit. the mes
sage:
"rcl him to have his artillery ready
end look out for en- attack at any mo-
mcnt"
was riding back after delivering this
ORDER when cry passed along the line:
yankees in the rcar!'
Sabres flashed out, horses wheeled, and
then came burst of laughtcr showing the
| alarm was false.
Many incidents followed on the line of
march. The people ran from their houses
delighted at tho sight of grey coats in that
blue infested region, and the men gazcd
with admiring eyes upon beautiful girl
who hastcned up and threw her arms
around The neck of brother in the column,
Kissing him and crying with delight
Another incident was tho capture of q
wagon full Of champagne and other luxurics,
on its way from the ramunkcy to the quar.
terra of Federal General, and u keg of
whiskoy, which was part Of the cargo,
played an important part in rcscuing ono
of the Confederate cannon. This had sunk
into bottomless mud hole of The low
grounds and was buried to the axle. The
horses were lashcd aud made violent efforts
to drag it out, but could not succeed. At
this crisis one of tho men, evidently of
Dutch origin, cried to Lieut.. McGrcgor,
commanding the guns:
"Got, lieutenant! the horses can't do it.
But just put that keg Of whiskcy on the
gun and tell the men they can 90 into it if
they only pull through!'
The cchomo was at once adopted and
the keg mounted on tho cannon. At the
signal, the cannoneers rushed into tho mud.
hole, seized the gun cnrriogc and lifted it
bodily to firm ground. AS it mounted and
was safe, presume tho keg was dismountcd.
| do not remember, having ridden on.
The alarm was now given, and wagons
wcrc seen hurrying in every direction.
They wore ovcrtaken, rihcd and set on fire
"a fato shared by two or three Federal
transports on the river, from which dense
black smoke arose. Wo were now at Tun-
s,all's--the railway crossing where heavy
picket was stationed. This was charged at
once, and rctrcuted rapidly, the officer in
command falling into the hands of the Con-
fodcratcp. Ho had just filed hidcous
looking wooden pipe, aud was about 70
light it, when Confederate politely re-
qucstcd him to surrender it,
, 81 want to smoke" groyled the Federal
captain, greatly disgustcd, apparently, at
his capture.
f $50 do l." was tho retort.