Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-02-16

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found a haven of rest--a place of
refuge, and knowing the Importance
of keeping powder dry, | thought it
best to remain where was, until
the rain was over; besides | consid-
cred the explosive nature of my load,
aud the uncertain freaks which
Tightening sometimes takes, and
thought of the destructive conse
quences, if little Of the electric
| fluid should happen to drop into that
cartridge box. SO l deposited it
safely in cellar, turned tub over
it, and solaced myself with little
of our PRESERVED amunition,n which
increased my ambition and filled my
beating heart with noble deeds of
daring. Some kind friend had re
turned with horse for my transpor-
tation, which l mounted and was
soon on my way through the black
ness of night and sea of mud to
the scene of action.
| We all returned to our former
quarters the next day, disappointed
and crestfallen. We did not meet
the enemy-nobody carried back
with him any mark of honor. Upon
our arrival we found a stranger in
the camp. The inquiry soon sprung
| up, "Who is her" No one knew,
and were seemingly too modest to
ask him who he was or what he
wanted. He prolonged his stay to
such an extent, however, as to excite
some suspicion, and if 1 am not mis-
taken some one holder than the rest
advised him to leave. / will, how
ever, have occasion to refer to this
mysterious individual futher on.
| The strictest discipline had gotten
to be a military necessity, and it was
deemed important to re-organize a
large portion of our infant army and
to muster into service only such
companies as came up to the maxi
mum number. From the ranks of
the Bunker Hill Rifles" there had
been some assertions. Some had re-
claimed their sons, who had not at
tanned to years of maturity; conse-
quently our number was cut down,
and Lieut.. Jackson disbanded us
and sent us home, with instructions
to recruit, if possible, or connect
ourselves with other companies. A
large portion of our men attached
themselves to other companies, but
being divided in political sentiments
they chose different sides. believe,
however that they all made good SOL
diers and fought bravely for the
cause they espoused.
Business of all kinds, on the farm
as well as in the shop, seemed TO be
at a stand-still, consequently it was
our privilege to pass the time accor-
ding to our inclinations. It was
about this time that 1, in company
with friend, was arrested by Col.
J. E. B. Stewart at Bunker Hill. A
woman got US into the trouble this
time; not that she aimed to do any
thing of the kind, but because her
bewitching smiles allured us and i'm
perceptibly drew us into the trap.
The haste with which we were rid
ing-merely trying the speed of our
horses the direction in which we
were travelling, together with some
circumstances that had occnrred in
the neighborhood, excited suspicion
in the mind of that viligant officer,
and he detailed squad to wait upon
us. We had scarcely time to wipe
the sweat from our brow and to cross
our legs in comfortable manner,
when eur dignity was upset by re-
quest to accompany them to the Col
onel's quarters. We Of course com
piled with reluctance. I was very
much out of humor, not only to be
robbed of the anticipated pleasure of
the evening, bat to be called pris-
oner was very humiliating to my
pride. He was, however, apparent
ly Indifferent as to our wants or
comforts and addressed us very
bluntly as follows; my friend being
very difident, l had to respond to
the Coils. inquiries. Said he:
what are you doing here ?"
"You sent for us. What do you
want with us ?'
"Where are you goingY"
UNOne Of vOur hnai n oco .xx,o ,roro ne