Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-03-29
MY War Experiences.
BY c. E. 4.


my civil and military affairs, which
did as speedily as possible, with
one eye on my prospects In the near
future, and the other on the con
scriptiug officers, L, in company
with Joe Bell and Frank Gardner,
determined To shoulder arms and
make an attack on the quiet little
town ofCieafspring, Nd This was
the first time that l had assumed
entire control OF i company of men,
but We thought OF nothing but sue
cess, and therefore started upon our
journey with buoyant hearts, to
reach a wider field of action. The
Confederacy seemed to be too much
confined-too small space--for
men of such magnified aspirations.
/ had perhaps better qualify what
I have already said aud what | may
have to say, by informing my read
ers that | sometimes speak ironically
especially as TO my bravery. The in
definite furlough which had in my
pocket, was a sufficient protection
from the enforcement act, but view
ing it in another light thought it
might some day expire when I would
be around home. Therefore I con-
cluded not to stand in the way Of
temptation. Actuated by sense of
right and justice to myself and by
that more ennobling quality, duty to
the government | loved, l felt entire
ly justifiable in taking the stepI did,
We made our exit under the cover
of night, as did many an artful of
fcer during the war, both to shield
us from the vigilance of scouts, and
that more to be dreaded but less
honored class-conscriptors. Our
route from Bunker Hill laid through
the ancient village of Gerardstown
across the mountain to Grantham's
ford, over Back creek, thence to
Tomahawk and to Cherry Run.
Many Of our citizens are well ac-
quainted with the road now, from
the fact that many were the berrels
Of old rye hauled over it during the
war. But this is deviating from the
main subject. There were some
right amusing incidents attending
this memorable march, the interest
ing points of which have become dim
in my memory. I recollect as we
passed through Gerardstown one of
the party, Frank C., I think, pro-
posed that we should arouse the tav-
ern keeper and get something to
brace us up and cheer US on our way.
l said, mo, no." Not that I was
averse to the proposition, but we did
not know who was behind us nor
what we had to contend with in
front, so 1 said no. We would not
sell our chances of liberty for pint
of whiskey. Yet no general was
ever more regardless of impending
difficulties or more determined to
achieve victory than was this
lonesome trio. We knew, or at least
thought, we had the most perilous
part Of our journey yet to perform
The great advantage which noun
tain recesses afford for the game of
"hide and go seek" was matter of
deep thought with US. We however
commenced the ascent with as much
courage as was in our power to sum-
mon, with the stealthy step of the
lynx-eyed Indian; not knowing what
moment our ears were to be greeted
with that Ominous word shalt y,
Our communications were made in
soft and gentle whispers, but we had
made up our minds that If attacked
and overpOwered we would meekly
submit; otherwise, we were to make
a stubborn resistance and contest
every inch of ground from there to
the river. We were making as good
time as our weary limbs would allow
In order that we might cross Back
Greek before the dawn of day, for
there we would be on strange
ground and not SO likely to be rec
Ognized as "skedadlers.'' m
There was little circumstance
that occurred just before we reached
the creek which will ever be green
in my memory. We saw somebody
coming. We held council Of war.
In that one individual and poor old
horse we imagined we saw Gen. Lees
whole army who had gone around