Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-12-10
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1881.
AN INCIpENr oF THE WAR.-In

was encamped on L0udon Heights,
near Harper's Ferry. During a
pitchy dark night, while the camp,
except the sentinels, was wrapped in
slumber, Mosby and his men came
down upon them like a 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 engag-
ed in it. Among those who figured
conspicuously in the trying scenes
of that terrible night, were Lieuten-
ants 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 disabili-
ties. Lieut.. Sigler received the flag
Of truce sent in by Col. Mosby the
next day, for the purpose of secur-
ing his dead and wounded. Among
the wounded who fell into the hands
of the Federsls, vas a young Con-
federate soldier. He was fine look
ing, bright and intelligent. He was
shot through the neck, and his
wound was pronounced mortal. Mr..
Keedy was able to assist in the hos
pital, and he took charge of this
young man. His wound was of such
a character that he was unable to
converse much, and Mr.. Keedy
learned but little of his history.
Every possible attention was given
him, but after lingering a short time
be died, and during Mr.. Keedy's alb
sence, his friends came and took his
body away. When he was brought
to the hospital, Mr.. Keedy had to
Zip his coat up in order to get it off
Ehe suffering man. In gdoing so a
neatly bound, small sized volume of
The New Testament was taken from
pne of the pockets. When the body
was taken away, Mr.. Keedy, being
absent, the testament was not sent
along, as had been intended. Mr..
<eedy kept charge of it, with the
Intention of returning it to some of
he dead soldiers friends, if eve he
found opportunity.
Seventeen years passed away, and
few days since, Mr.. Keedy read in
he Philadelphia Press, an account
{ that "Battle in the Snow" in
which mention was made of the
Foung Confederate soldier, whose
(ather, Mr.. Paxton, had in 1862 done
n act of kindnes in caring for some
f the wounded men of Coles Caval-
y. All these long years Mr.. Keedy
lad kept and preserved the tesla
nent taken from the wounded Con-
ederate, hoping against hope for an
pportunity to send it to some of
is srelatives. The article referred
o in the Press, gave him the name
f the young man, Charles Paxton,
nd after some correspondence he
ound a brother and sister of the de-
eased residing at Waterford, Loud
n county, Va. He notified them
hat he had a testament taken from
heir brother, who was mortally
Founded in the night attack on
ole's Camp on Loudon flights, in
b64. He received in reply, a letter
Ill of touching tenderness and
ranks for his kindness in preserv-
g this sacred memento of their
bad brother. On Saturday last, Mr..
eedy sem the testament as direct
|, and ere this it has been received
the friends of the dead boy-sol-
er. Thus, after the lapse of years,
it'll all its vicissitudes, the little
stament carried in the pocket of
e soldier while living, goes back to
5 nearest friends, after his bones
We mouldered to dust. Perhaps
at testament was the last gift of a
W sainted mother to her boy when
left the h~earth-stone for the dan
rs and trials of the tented field, or
may have been the gift of the de-
ted sister to whose hands it has
pm returned. In any event to her
will bring sweet, sad memories.
1R. CHRIS. SHEELKEY,l of this
ce, has received a patent for a
h Balance and Camping Devise,
ch will do away with hoy frames