Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-02-02
My War Experiences.
by G. e. d.

give in detail some of my experien-
ces and associations during the late
civil strife in our dear country. /
will doubtless find it embarrassing
to preface such an undertaking from
memory, for data may hide itself in
oblivion and fade away before my
mind, as did many heroic deeds in
the past, at which, to-day can but
grasp as mere phantom. Prompt
ed by the earnest solicitations of
friends, and stimulated by such a
fantasy as "Civil Rebellion l will
with difiidence endeavor to appease
the craving mind of these with whom
/ was SO pleasantly associated, and
myself lay in ambush and blush for
shame at my efforts to unfurl day
dreams of "years long ago. Whilst
1 may sometimes figure conspicuous
ly in the rehearsal of my recollec-
tions as the hero I would like to dis
abuse the public mind of anything
like egotism upon my part. AS /
have already remarked, nave no
date upon which | can rely as being
entirely accurate, but the impress
ions made upon my mind were such
as will serve to aid me in all l aim
to detail, yet it is but natural that l
should fortify myself with some ex-
cuses. l design to give plain
statement of facts, and not to idle
away my time in the romantic
grooves of fiction; yet I ask to be al
lowed some stretches of the magma
ton to enable me to make it interes-
ting to the general reader. do not
propose to abuse the actions of GER
tain officers or men for doing what
they thought to be their duty at that
time-yet error may have ensued.
1t is now to late to disturb the calm
of dead cause or to retrive the vir-
tues of a profligate nation.
My first impressions of our inter
national troubles were when John
Brown made his invasion upon Har-
per's Ferry. 1 was atthat time in the
state of Ohio, and although our sys-
tenn of Typography was not as COM
plete as it is now, I heard of it the
next day upon the streets of Tiffin
city. My first impulse was to weigh
anchor and speed to the field of &C
ton, but upon deliberation, the old
adage came into my mind "that dis
erection was the better part of valor,"
and I concluded to await further
developments. 1t was not long
however, before 1 returned to the
land of my nativity to ascertain the
exact condition of affairs, and if nee
essary to make the sacrifices which
patriotism demanded. Upon my ar
rival, I found nsiderablo excite
ment prevailing, public indignation
was Observation-Disclosures patriot
ism fired every bosom. A thrust
had been made at our cherished in
stitution of slavery, and prepar-
ations were being made to defend
our rights and to protect our sacred
soil from further invasion. Accor-
dinghy, volunteer company was
raise1 at Bunker Hill, called the
Bunker Hill Rifles. and differed as
follows: Jno. Bell Gilkeson, Capt;
e. Hughes, r. Lamon, and G. E.
Lockbart, Lieutenants. AS soon as
we were organized and equipped we
were ordered to the touchdown to-
Bedington to beat back the invader,
and If possible to catch and finish
him up then and there. But his
plans were too we'll laid, and it
seems he was too crafty to face that
formidable array of soldiery. He
knew too we'll that he would be van
pushed in the twinkling of an eye
if he dared to put his foot on this
side of the Potomac river. This
was my first experience as a soldier,
and although we caught no game, it
was as pleasant as a picnic party.
We spent several days there, and re-
turned to our homes with proud
hearts, having made an exhibition
Of our bravery unparalleled in the his
tory Of Berkeley county with victory
perching upon our banners. We re-
manned in camp at home until orders
came for us to report to Lieut.. Jack
son, afterwards "Stonewall'') at
Harper's Ferry, which If I am not
mistaken was in April, 1861. There
was something connected with this