Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-02-02
" FIRE ONLY AT HORsEMEN ~
A Thrilling Account Of n Fierce Fight
During the Civil War.

upon Maryland heights towering from
the rivers brink 1000 feet into the air,
and crowned with a great stone fort,
useful in the days of which | write,
and then turn the eye toward the great
pile of rocks on the Virginia side
known as the London heights, rising
abruptly from the Shenandoah river to
the height of more than 1000 feet, and
then upon Bolivar heights, standing as
bold background to the desolato vii
lage of Harper's Ferry, he could better
appreciate the situation in which this
little band was placed at the time /
will introduce them. He could better
realize its perils and understand the
thrilling episode of which / am to
write.
In the winter of 1864 Coles cavalry
was encamped on the east face of
London heights, little more than two
miles by the road from Harper's
Ferry, but "as the crow flies :" not
more than half that distance.
They were the only troops on that
side of the river, and their position, as
the sequel will show, was a very danger
Gus one.
The single road leading past the camp
toward the point, where at the begin
ming of my story we found this COM
mand engaged with Mosby, led up the
mountain side and at times was almost
impossible. London county was the
home of many of Mosby's most daring
officers and men. Every path, ravine
and declivity in the neighborhood of
this isolated camp was, therefore, as ia
miliar to Mosby and his men as the
high road. The camp was not estab-
lished 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, not even an alarm.
Both officers and men relapsed into a
feeling of security, which made them
more mindful of their own comfort
than of the dangers with which they
were surrounded. About the 1st of
January there was heavy snowfall, q nd
the weather became intensely cold, in
clining the men to stow themselves
snugly away at night as though going
to bed at home. fear also that they
were not very careful about their arms
and am muniton.
The 9th OF January was very cold
and the night which followed intensely
dark. The snow carpet which covered
the camp was the only relief to the
black veil which seemed to be drawn
over the face of all nature. 1t was up
on this night that Mosby had decided
to attack and if possible capture this
battalion of cavalry, which, oftener
than any other, had met him in the
battle and dealt him hard blows. He
selected about four hundred Of the best
of his command and left camp, cross
ing the snow-clad mountains to the
right of Major Coles camp. They
came by by-paths and through ravines,
avoiding the pickets on the HILLSIDE
rough road and finally capturing them
from the rear before they had a chance
to fire shot or alarm the camp. 1t
was between 2 and 3 O'Clock on the
morning of the 10th of January that
Mosby captured the pickets and pre-
pared his plan of attack upon the slum-
bering camp. His command was quiet
ly posted along the lines of tents where
the Union cavalrymen were sleeping
in fancied security, without even sus-
piciCn that an enemy was near. At a
given signal deadly fire was opened
upon them. Naturally, all was con-
fusion. The volley, which killed some
of the men in their tents and wounded
others, was the first warning of danger.
There had been no call to arms. Boots
and saddles had not becl sounded to
prepare them for duty. The crack of
the enemys guns was the stern Cal! to
arms made upon these sleeping men,
with no time to reach for their clothing
and almost less to grope for their arms
in he dark. To be sure, they lad
been used to hardships. and had never
failed to respond to the call of duty.
Their pluck and endurance were now
subieced to the severest test known i'll
modern war, and yet they did rot finch
or hesitate. Almost without waiting
for the orders of their officers the men
turned out into the bitter cold and snow,
ankle deen, in their night clothes, and
in most instances without shoes. They |
responded to the attack with deter
mInat:on which astonished their assai |
ants, who had expected to have an easy
capture.
Fire at every man on horseback y
was almost the first order of the COM
manding officer. Men, do not take
to your horses !" the men obeyed both
orders and directed their fire upon |
every man on horseback, and this ju- |
dicious action won them the day.
When the confederates found that
they we're to be resisted to the death,
Captain Smith, one of the principal Of |
ficers ia command of the attacking
force, shouted to MS men: Fire the |
tents and shoot 'em by the light y He
was sitting on his horse near the head
of the row of tents occupied by Com,
pany A. A sergeant of that company, |
who had been grouping for his caribine,
had found II, and was just pushing his
head through his tent when this order
was given. He dropped on bis knees,
raised his piece to his shoulder, and |
fred at the officer giving the COM