Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-12-24
An Incident of the Wnr.

In the winter OF 1864 Coles Cavalry
was eucamped on Loudoun Heights,
near Harper's Ferry. During pitchy
dark night, while the camp, except the
sentinelS, was wrapped in slumber,
Mosby and his men came down upon
them like whirlwind. The men were
surprised, and rushed out of their tents,
many of them half clad and barefooted,
and then commenced a fight in the
dark and in the snow, that sorely tried
the nerve and courage of the men en-.
gagged in it. Among those who figured
copspicuously in the trying scenes Of
that terrible night, were Lieutenants
Sigler and Mann, Of this city. Mr.. w.
ii. keedy, also of this city, was in the
camp, but confined TO the hospital by
reason of disabilities. Lieut. Sigler re-
ceived the flag OF truce sent in by Col.
Mosby the next day, for the purpose of
securing his dead and wounded. Among
the wounded who fell in the hand, of
the Federais, was young Confederate
soldier He was fine looking, bright and
intelligent He was shot through tho
neck. and his wound was pronounced
mortal. Mr.. Keedy was able to assist
in the hospital, and he took charge of
this young man. His wonnd was Of
such character that he was unable 10
converse much, and Mr.. Kecdy learned
but little OF his history. Every posi-
! bic attention was given him, but after
lingering q short time he died, and dur
ing Mr.. needy's absence, his friends
came and dtook his body away. When
he was brought TO the hospital, Mr..
Keedy had to rip his coat up in order
to get it off the suffering man. In do
ing SO a neatly bound, small sized vol
ume OF the New Testament was taken
from one of the pockets. When the
body was taken away, MIR. Keeiy, be.
! iug absent, the testament was not sent
along, as had been intended. Mr.. keedy
kept charge of ii, with the intention OF
returning it 10 some ofthe dead soldiers
friends, if ever he found opportunity.
Seventeen years passed away, and a
few days since, Mr. Keedy read in tho
Philadelphia Press, an account Of that
! "Battle in the Snow in which men
tion was made OF the young Confeder'
ate soldier, whose father, Mr.. Paxton,
had in 1862, done an act OF kindness in
caring for some of the wounded men OF
Coles Cavalry. All these long years
I Mr.. Keedy had kept and preserved tho
| testament taken from the wounded Con.
| federatc, hoping agaist hope for an op-
portunity 10 send il TO some OF his re-
! latives. The article referred 10 in tho
Press, gave him the name Of the young
mao, Charles Paxton, and after somc
correspondence he found brother and
sister OF the deceased residing at Water.
ford, LOudon county, Va. He notified
them that he had testament taken
from their brother, who was mortally
wounded in the night attack on Coles
Camp on London Heights, in 1864. lIo
received in reply, letter full of touch.
ing tenderness and thanks for his kind.
ness in preserving this sacred memento
of their dead brother. On Saturday
last, Mr.. Keedy sent tho testament AZ
directed, and ere this has been received
by the friends of the dead boy soldier.
Thus, after the lapse OF years, with all
It's vicissitudes, the little testament car
ried in the pocket OF the soldier while
living, goes back to his nearest friends,
after his bones have monldered to dust.
Perhaps that testament was the last gift
of now sainted mother 10 her boy
when he left the hearth.stonc Tor tho
dangers and trials Of the tented field, or
it may have been been the gift Of the
devoted sister TO whose hands Il has
been returned. In any event to her it
will bring sweet, sad memories.-Uar-
finsbuTg IndeDendeni