Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-10-03
w. ii. TripIeit and The Win
chester Times.

memory, Ut. w. ii. lTlplett WfOtt
a letter to William Rely, Of Win
chester, whom he addressed as
"Dear Cousin" The letter ap
peared to have been a reply tC
some inquiry regarding a persona
rencOunter in Woodstock between
DR.. Triplett and II. n. Riddle
berger, in which reference is made
to a "clipping from the Ndtiond
Republican,
Inasmuch as this will be Riddle
berger's last notice of Triplett
Rely or their letters he desires tC
be explicit, and therefore states
here that he has never yet seen the
"clipping,' nor has he the least,idea
of anything it contained, or who
was its author. Furthermore, that
when he learned the purpOrt
ofTriplett's letter, it was through a
friend visiting Washington at the
opening of congress, and he re-
solved to answer it then. But
failing to see it and read it, he, in
the mean time, concluded for
reasons obvious to the people of his
home to pass it by, and did so,
though mention had been made in
these columns that a reply would
be made.
Notwithstanding this silent sub
mission to a number of the grossest
aud most UNANIMOUSLY false assaults
upon private character these assas-
sins saw fit to reproduce the same
letter in the Times of last week.
Not only this, but the letter APP
pears in special edition avowedly
issued for circulation in Shenan-
doah county, a half sheet accom-
paying it to show that the letter
and paragraphs Of comment do
not appear in the regular issue of
the paper.
We hesitate now to notice the
publication in these columns lest
many sensible men will say it is
unnecessary and cOndescending.
But we must appeal to a generous
public to indulge rs in doing what
seems to us right in one view,
though it may be of doubtful pro-
priety in another.
II. II. Riddleberger will attempt
no defense of his record as a soldier,
or the insidious charges made
against it. He entered the infantry
service at II years of age, serving
3 months for another to get his
uniform, and received two promo
tons before he was eighteen, and
commanded company in the three
days battles of Manassas. lie
never missed days march, and
but one engagement in which his
regiment participated from the
Valley to Mcdowell, back to the
Valley, thence through all the
and battles of JacksOn's
command to Sharpsburg. During
this period Of service there were
some II or 10 hard fought battles.
During the fall or winter he was
detailed with some 30OOther lieuten.
ants to dOservice as enrolling officer |
and did so till spring when it was
that disabled officers should |
be assigned to that duty. Lieu
tenant Lantz took his place. Gen
,ral VIM. Il. Jones sent for him and |
asked him if he could not enlist a
Of cavalry in the lower
Valley counties to take the place of
me in the 18th Reg, then almost
depleted by reason Of transfers to
Maj. GilmOre's battalion. Maj. |
fillmore promised, and rendered,
assistance with the understanding
hat he should have such other men
If that company as desired to join
lin. (Not sure, but think it was
company F.) Before recruiting a
ulI company Gcnl. Jones brigade
vas withdrawn, and he left Riddle
,crger with what men were en-
Isted to do picket duty in the
'age Valley, near Luray. Suisse
uently it was decided to raise a
'attallion, if possible, to be under
of Col. O'Ferrall, but
his, after effort, failed, and Riddle
company was inspected,
lustered into service and ordered
D report to Col. White. This,
18th some other company made a
egiment of "White'S Battalion
18th White Col. O'Ferrall 1t. Col.
nd Gaines, Major.
The company was then ordered
ack to do the picketing in the S
alley while all the other troops |
ere Withdrawn to other and more i
,tive fields. Here we remained
Il the advance of Siegel the whole S
cket service from first to last COW Il
ing several months. In this time =
le.third Of the company was lost a
: raiding and scouting parties and o
e loss of scouts sent ont from day i:
day. And on the day before the
title of New Market Riddleberger t;
As captured while in the execu- n
IN of an order direct from Genl. b
reckinridge to 90 down the Val p
", and get the most reliable in it
as to Genl. Siegels forces. 6
lssing through his home he was
rmitted to speak to the woman as
10 is now his wife and he trans ~
red to her the Breckenridge dis he
toh or ordar Ho was carried IN ! l.