The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-11-19

Pa, the officer with whom I introduce d
this story,is still living in York, Pa. and
his brother who was supposed to be NOR
tally wounded is Postmaster at Emmelts-
burg. Captain Hunter, Captain Buck
iusham, Lieutenant McIlheny, and many
Of the long list of veterans who survived
the war. I have lost sight of. Major Hor-
ner, Of Adams county, the Adjutant of
the Battalion, is au officer in the Balti-
more Custom House.
J. A. Scott, one OF the veterans, reads
proof in the Government Printing Ofiee,
and so they are scattered to the four
winds. Very many Of them are still liv-
Ing, and will forcibly recognize the
points of this sketch.
1t would be almost impossible to se-
lect any week during the years from '6l
to '6b that was not fruitful in the stories
of the gallantry Of this handful of caval-
ry.
But there is one bold deed that stands
pre-eminent not only in the history of this
battalion, but in the whole cavalry serv-
ice Of the war. -Ift
LoUDoN HEIGHTS.
Ifthe reader could stand upon the great
iron bridge which spans the Potomac
River at Harper's Ferry, and look upon
Maryland Heights towering from the riv-
er's brink, two thousand feet into the air,
and crowned with great stone fort use
full in the days of which write, and then
turn the eye toward the great pile of
rocks on the Virginia side known as Lou
don Heights, rising abruptly from the
Shenandoah River to the height of more
than thousand feet and then upon Bolt
yer Heights, standing as bold back
ground to the desolate village of Harper's
Ferry, be could better appreciate the sit.
uation in which this little baud was
placed at the time 1 will introduce
them. He could better realize the perils
and understand the thrilling episode of
which Inn to write.
In the winter of 1864 Coles Cavalry
was encamped on the east face of Loudon
Heights, little moro than two miles by
road from Harper's Ferry, but, ''as the
crow flies, not more than half that dis
tapce.
They were the only troops on that side
of the river, and the position. as the se-
quel will show, was very dangerous
one.
The single road leading past the camp
toward the point, where at the beginning
Of my story we found this command en-
gagged with Mosby, lead up the mountain
side and at times was almost imrassable.
Loudon county was the home of many
of Mosby's most daring officers and men.
Every path, ravine and declivity in tie
neighborbood OF this isolated camp was,
therefore, as familiar to Mosby ard his
men NJ the high road
The camp was not established here
without reluctance. for both officers and
men recognized the perils which would
surround it all through the weary winter
For time the men were cautious and
never undressed at night, Their arms
were kept always within reach and ready
for use, but the sense Of danger, which
all felt at first, wore off as the weeks
went by and there was no attack, MOI
even an alarm. Both officers and men re-.
lapsed into feeling of security, which
made them more mindful of their own
comfort than of the dangers with which
they were surrounded. About the first
of January there was heavy snowfall.
The weather became intensely cold, in.
clining the men to stow themselves snug.
ly away at night as though going to bed
at home. I fear also that they were moi
very careful about their arms and ammu.
nitior. |
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