Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-17
M'NEILL. THE PARTISAN.
A MAN NEVER DEFEATED.
Incidents In the Career Of she Bod Rider
the south Braneh-Dsrins Achievements
In the seddie-n How His Dessh-weund was
Received.
philadelphia Weekly Times.I

In the scddIe-to nss De~s" WYNN" W"s
Received.
philadelphia Weekly Times.i
Leaving Keyser City at The base OF the
Alleghcni,s We travelled southward In an
old-iashioned stage. Passing over the
Knobby mountains and near the base of
Patterson Creek mountain, we at lepg,h
reached Burlington. This Is n place with
name and scarcely anything else, yet
during the war II was great strategic
point, and was often the outpost OF the
Tn on lines. Beyond thi, and In the
South. Branch valley was the debalable
ground, and was often called McNeilPs
Territory" for through the valleys, large
and small, as well as the llrger valley, and
over the summit .of the various ranges,
the redoubtable ranger kept watch and
ward, ever ready to cut of any scouting
or ioraging party, and ever and anon Just
at dawn spring upon some outpost and
generally cutting up and capturing all
before him. A ride through this country
with one connected with It's history is more
interesting than any novel, aud | would
that had the power to convey the reader
In imagination through this land so reple'e
with all that can please the eye, and so fu.i
OF story and tradition To delight the rO-
mantle side OF human nature. Through
out this whole country aud far southwark
into Perdleton, Captain John Hanson Me.
Neil is the hero, as well also as in the She
nandoah Valley.
PES.PoRTRAIr or h'NEILL.
when first saw Captain Mcneil ii was
in the early part Of 1854. lie was then in
the zenith OF bis fame as a partisan leader,
end ell deserved bis renown, for In near
" fity skirmishes and raids he had never
been defeated. And be never was de-
iCated, the little fight in which he received
his death-wound being q most signal VIC
tory. He was then about flfty-two years
old, six feet in height, straight a. an ar
row, very heavily built-in fact, inclined
10 be 6eshy. His beard was gray and
flowed over his broad breast almost TO
his waist. HIS eyes were blue, keen
as q falchion, and would have been
fierce in expression had not the
kindly lines around them, showing oi
many mirthiul hour, relieved their in
tensity Of expression. He had on high
black, broad-brimmed hat, turned up on
one side and ornamented with heavy
plaek plume. Over his shoulder was swung
his formidable shotgun, loaded ALWAYS
heavily with slugs and buckshot. This
was bis fayOrite weapon. and on many oc-
easions be had used II with fatal effect. By
his side hung a large-siZe revolver. Taking
him all in all he was certainly n most strik-
ing and warlike figure. OF his many daring
achievements may speak again, but a.
had riddle solved day or two ago. in
reference to the closing days OF his life,
which had hitherto been perfectly ineXpli-
cable. may as well now relate it.
When sheridan, in 1864, after the bril-
liant victories Of OpequOn and Fishers
Illl, had penetrated up the Valley as far a
Staunton, the main body being encamped
near H.rrisonburg, il became the duty OF
Mosby and MeNeill to 50 cut or his sup
plies and harass his rear as to cause hi
retreat. Mosby crossing the Blue Ridge
and Mcneil coming on from the west. The
two partisan chiefs most electuaIly did
| this work. Mcneil, after crossing th,
mountains at Orkney Springs, found tha
| bis forced marches had so broken dowr
many of the horses that he picked OF
| Gfty-seyen men with good horses and
ordered the rest back, telling them tha
those who chose 10 do so could make ~
| snail squads and harass small bodies o
! tie enemy between their main body anC
| their base Of supplies at Winchester.
GEORGE VALENTINE.
Among the tifty-seven men he took Will
/ him was one George Valentine. This Val
/ entine had lately Joined the company
! From his own story he had led mos
1 irregular life. He had, however, proyei
/ himself a good soldier, and had becom
somewhat popular in short time. for h
could tell good joke with much humoI
and sung in charming style songs OF th
sea and Of love and war. A few night
before the fifty-seyen were chosen OF
in what was called the cove, nca
| Orkney mountain, some chickens wer
| stolen. | don't know who stole them, bu
they came into the possession OF the mess {
which the writer belonged. Complain
was made to the Captain. and upon inyestl
cation he concluded George Valentine
who belonged TO our mess, was the guilt
party. lie pat Valentine under arrest an
used most violent and abusive languag
towards him. Valentine swore he woul,
have revenge for this. Yet so mlgnlni
nous was HcNeilI who never harbore'
revengeful feelings) that he forgot an'
overlooked the matter, and took Valentino
with him on the desperate attempt &
destroy the bridge over the Shenandoah a
/ Mount Jackson.
The bridge was guarded by over l0'
men Of Pennsylvania cavalry regiment
/ After sending three men just before dawI
! TO make reconnaissance. NcSeill formed
/ his company in single line. just at day
| bre,k the order to charge was made. anC
| in less than five minutes the whole Of III
bridge-guard were killed, wounded. o
captured, and not man escaped. Wbei
the men formed in line to charge Nalsntin
was in the centre. As soon rs the charg
| began. after hanging back minute, h
rode rapidly In rear Of the line towards th
right where Captain Mcneil was. Just a
the order to cease firing was given Captain
| McNeil was mOrtally wounded by shO
| fred from his right rear. No man Of Nc
NoilI's command has ever seen Vdlentn
! since that day.