Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-10-07
Twentieth Anniversary Of s nfie-
lam.
PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES eF THE GREAT
BATTLE

BATTLE
The occurrence of the twentieth ami
versary of the dreadful battle which took
place in our midst on the 18th of Septem-
Der, 1862, naturally brings to mems
minds incidents OF that dreadful tragedy
and suggests contrasts between the fields
which were devasted and laid waste, COW
cred with dead and mangled soldiers-the
citizens all He'd, crops destroyed and
every vestage of prosperity swept away,
with its present condition of well titled
fields and Il tecming and happy and pros
porous population. Mr.. Daniel ). Mum
ma has favored us with some of his recol-
lectiol.s Of the events of the battle. lie
lived across the pike about half Il mile dis
tant from the old Tunker Church, which
was riddled with balls and is still pointed
out 10 visitors as one OF the features OF
the battle field. Mr.. Mumma's house
was Immediately in advance Of the Con-
federate line on the morning of the battle.
The battle of South Mountain took place
Oh Sunday and the following day the
ConfederateS began to arrive OH the field
of Antietam. At noon on Monday Mr..
Mumma was notified by messenger
from General 4. p. Hill that a battle was
imminent and that he had better remove
from his house. He Immediately sent his
family away but determined himself to
remain by his property. Early Wednes-
day morning the firing began and Mr..
Mumma took refuge in lis cellar. y
hundred and fifty yards distant was line
of Confederate artillery and behind his
barn a party of Confcderates had sta
toned themselves. The firing became
ri. %.
describes the uproar that reached him i'll
his cellar as resembling terrific and pro-
lOnged peal of thunder. As soon rs the
Federal troops observed the position Of
the Confedcrates behind tie barn, that
prominent object became II target for their
batteries and it was shortly set on fire by
a shell which fell on the roof. The barn
burnt rapidly ana Mr.. Mumma was soon
conscious that the house WAS burning
over his head and be was driven from his
retreat. When he emerged from the cell
lar an appalling sight presented itself.
lie was in the midst of the Confederate
line of battle. Their shot and shell were
flying over his head and those from the
Federal guns falling around him. His
barn and house and wheat crop were in
flames and the dead and dying were lying
around. During the day twenty men
were killed in the yard and fiity-iive
horses and two hundred men in a small
field near the house. In field of David
II. Miller'S joining Mumma's farm, there
was the greatest execution. Coming from
the cellar among these surroundings with
the dcaicning roar of the artillery and the
shricking of the minnie balls ana burst
ing of shells Nr. Mumma went TO III Off
Ger for permission 20 30 to Sharpsbur%.
He was told to go and say nothing to
anyone and he would not be molcStcd.
He went in Il straight line, no fences
were left to Obstruct his way, and we pre-
sumo without consuming more time than
was necessary. As he reached the square
in the village shell fell and exploded
killing several persons in his presence.
Remaining in Sharpsburg all night he
got 4 team the next day TO drive up the
river to bring back the family of neigh
Dor. Returning that, Thursday, evening
il was necessary to pass through part Of
David II. Miller's field, near the Tunkcr
Church. 1t was found to be impossible
to do so before making a road through the
dead bodies which lay so thick that a
wagon could not get along. At that time
the wounded had been removed but the
sight was sickening. Bodies lay around
with heads and limbs dismembered
and horribly mutildted. The weather
was very hot and the dead bodies were
already boatcd, swollen and blackGned
Dead and mangled horses lying thick.y
among the men added TO the horror. On
Thursday three thousand men were de-
tailed to bury the dead. This duty was
performed so negligently that many
bodies were left scarcely covered. Tren-
ches were dug and the bodies laid in them
but in many eases dirt was thrown over
them where they lay. Citizens finally
interfercI and gave The dead soldiers Il
greater covering of earth. 1t was not till
Sunday that the work was completed.
y part of Mr.. Mumma's wheat crop
was not burned buc it was filed with bull
lets and had to be threshed with the ut
most care. When the ground was next
ploughcd it was found to be filled with
bullets, shells and cannon balls, and even
DOW after lapse Of twenty years, they
are frequently turned up by the plow.-
Hagerstown Mail.