Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-26
THE CAMPAIGN.
RIDING WITH GENERAL LEE

From Hsr,tssnbnra 20 sianardsviiie Over
the seantains-A splendid urcrpt,ou- Over
Five Huaored Men IN Line.
Especial correspondence OF the Dispatch
STANARDsvILLE. GREENE Co.,
September %, 1885.
Fitz Lee left Harrisonburg in the
rain Tuesday morning for Millbank.
near Elkton. He was accompanied by
DR.. S. II. MoiIett, II. V. Straycr, S. II.
Harnsbergcr, George G. Grafton, and
Winfield Liggett. There was also a
Dispatch man in the party. The OBJ
jective point was near Elkton, on the
Shenandoah railroad, twenty-thrce
miles from Hsrrisonburg. The road
travelled was the famous Rockingham
turnpike, and all along the road the
scenery was wild, picturesque. aud
grand. For miles rich farms were to be
seen. Lee and party passed within
two miles Of the piece Of woods in
which the gallant Turner Ashby. who
commanded the Black-Horse cavalry
during the late war, received his death
wound. Near here is the famous Mas
sanutton mountain, upon whose top
most peak the Federals were in the
habit Of stationing their signal corps
to observe the movements Of Stone
wall jackson in the Valley. The next
point of interest reached was the vii
lage Of McGaheysville, which, during
the war, was the scene Of severe
cavalry engagement between the Con-
federates, under the command Of Cap
tain Baylsr, and detachment Of Cen
eral Banks's Federal cavalry. A few
miles further is Millbank, where large
number of people had assembled in the
rain at Fuckers Store to see and hear
Lee. In the wood across the road had
been erected the speakers stand, in
front Of it were placed number of
pine boards that were used as seats.
This section of Rockingham. which is at
the Blue Ridge, is one Of the strong
holds of Republicanism, and usually
gives their ticket a large majority. 1t
is seldom that any number OF people
turn out to hear Democratic speaker,
but on this occasion the crowd sur
prised the expectations of the Demo-
cratic Committee-Messrs. j. G. ii.
Miller, w. Ii. Marshall, NJ. F. Powell,
j. S. Naylor, and Ed. Herring. Pre-
parations had been made by the ladies
90 fooI all that aud hafOra fha
speaking commenced a good dinner
was furnished all present. 1t is said
that about one half of those at the meet
ing were Republicans. Lee spoke three
hours and was listened to with marked
attention, and was followed by Messrs.
Mofett, Grafton, Harnsberger, Liggett,
and Strayer. After the speaking was
over Lee was introduced to a large
number of persons, shaking each of
them cordially by the hand as they
came up to the stand where he was. In
all, it was an enjoyable meeting-lots to
eat and plenty of speaking. General
Lee and Moffett spent the night at Mill
bank as the guest of W. II. Marshall,
the other speakers returning to Ilarri-
sonburg. Millbank is half mile from
Elkton, on the Shenandoah river.
At Millbank your correspondent saw
the old battle-nag of the Tenth Virginia
infantry that had been carried by them
into fourteen pitched battles. This
regiment was in the fights of Manassas,
first and second, Mcdowell, Winches-
ter, Port Republic, Cold Harbor, Nal
vern Hill, Cedar Run, Chantilly, Fred
ericksburg, Charlottesville, and Get
tysburg. 1t is the property of Captain
j. &. ii. Miller. who commanded the
regiment at the surrender of Lees
army at Appomattox. The Captain
says at the time he was undecided
what to do-bring off his horse and
leave the flag, or take the flag and leave
the horse, when a happy thought struck
him; he wrapped the flag beneath his
clothing and brought it safely with him
home.
Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock
Fitz Lee and Mofiett left Milbank in
an open hack, crossed the Shenandoah
river, driving through Elkton, and
meeting a number Of people. They
passed through Swift-Run Gap on the
Rockingham side, as they assembled the
Blue Ridge mountains, a distance of
eight miles. On reaching the mountain
top halt was made, and ird's-eye
view taken Of the surrounding country.
While here the blast Of bugle was
heard. The whip was given the horses,
and they found that for miles, scattered
in groups along the road, descending
the mountain, were mounted men riding
hither and thither. As soon as the
hack containing Lee, Moffett, and the
Dispatch man was seen by the pickets-
DR.. Hume and K. S. Thomas they put
spurs to their horses, and, riding rapidly
up to where Lee was, lifted their hats,
and, saluting him, said General,
We have five hundred mounted
men on the mountain to go with
you to Stanardsyille as an escort"
As Fitz Lee approached the groups Of
horsemen they would cheer him and,
in twos, take their places in the rear of
the hack. The descent of the mountain
was made amidst the widest enthusi-
asm, and on reaching the main body,
which was drawn up in line, the ex-
element and enthusiasm was immense.
The cavalcade was under the command
of George b. Scribner, who had as his
assistants the following gentlemen as
marshals b. F. Creel, DR.. Q. R. Hume,
- Horton, John NJ. Meyers, Fred.
Falconer, John S. Fails, Champ. 7.
Powell, Henry G. Gilbert, W. s. Lock
er, Andrew G. Fray, j. b. Lictie,
and Andrew J. Gilbert. The men
were divided into four sections, and |
horna af tho had NJ aoch cacf;on ,rac