Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-08-20
Antietam to Gettysburg on Horseback.

Antietam to Gettysburg on Horseback.
On the morning of July 22d, in
company with my son, we mounted and
took up our line of march for the his
toric field of Gettysburg, leaving the
town of Sharpsburg, Maryland, by the
Hagerstown pike, as far out as the "Dun-
ker Church, at which point we struck
the Smoketown road, and after rapid
ride of some six miles we crossed the
Antietam creek at Kemp's Mills, and
thence on to Benevola, an old post viii
lage on the National pike. Crossing the
pike at this point, where We come upon
the Beaver creek road, which route car
ries us through section of country
with very many fine farmers, noticeable
among them Mr.. Stouffer, who has all
modern facilities, We came upon the
main road leading from Mt. Pleasant on
through to Cavetown and smithburg,
when we drew rein for our first halt.
At this point we bad the pleasure of
meeting some kind friends. After a
rest of an hour or two we resumed our
ride, taking the Raven Rock road in the
direction of the Blue Ridge. This road
carried us through some of the most
beautiful mountain scenery. After a
few hours ride we are at the summit of
the Blue Ridge, where we stop to admire
the sight that here bursts upon the Wis
ior. A short mile away brings us to
the celebrated Monterey Springs, where
we come upon the turnpike leading from
Waynesboro to Emmittsburg. Again
we halt to view the splendid panorama
that is here spread out before us-a
sight far beyond description of pen
Only the brush of an artist could por-
tray the landscape that here meets the
view in almost every direction. Push
ing on again down the mountain over
splendid road and with new scenes on
every side, we will rice on until we
draw rein for a short halt at Fountain
dale, at the foot Of the mountain, and
where we leave the main pike and take
the Gettysburg road, which goes out by
Fairfield, where we end our first days
ride and halt for the night. Fairfield Is
a neat little Pennsylvania village, nest
ling under the shadows of the noun
tain and seven miles distant from Get
tysburg. Itis upon the edge of the
battlefield. Near the village was the
scene of brilliant engagement between
the 9TH Virginia Cavalry, Lieut.-Col.
Thomas Marshall commanding, Gen.
William e. Jones Brigade Confeder-
ates, and the 9th U. S. Regular Cavalry,
Major Star commanding. In this action
he (Star) lost an arm. After pleasant
night spent with friends, and with an
early start next morning, we were
again upon the march, tramping once
more the old ground over which we had
marched and counter-marched twenty
three years ago, but now how changed
No longer is heard the tramp of armed
men nor roar of gun or blast of trum-
pet. Now all is peace.
Passing over beautiful open and
wooded country along the old Hagers-
towa road, and over which the army Of
Northern Virginia retreated, it is not
long before we turn our horses to the
right and cut across Willoughby's run,
and half hour more we come upon the
Emmittsburg road, directly at the Peach
Orchard so celebrated in the history OF
the battle. At this point we are almost
upon the extreme right of Lee, and the
struggle at this point was waged most
fercely. After looking well over this
point we 60 down the Taneytown road
a short distance, when we come to the
position occupied by Birney's I'd Divis-
ion of the Sd Corps, and near this point
the gallant Barksdale of Mississippi
lost his life while leading his column.
A little further down and we again
turn to the right and strike the avenue
that leads us out to GraLite Knob,
where the 18th, 2Sth, 32d, 22d and Sec
ond Company, Andrew Sharpshoot-
ers, all OF Massachusetts Regiments,
have fine monuments erected to mark
the spot on which they stood during
the battle, also the 1lSth Corn Exchange
of Philadelphia, marking their first po-
sition. This Regiments first engage
ment was across the Potomac River on
the high ground above the Cement
MILL Leaving this point, we pass
down shaded avenue leading direct TO
the famous wheatfield, Devils Den,
(beld during the battle by Confederate
Sharpshooters,) name very appropri-
ate, indeed, for such spot, Round Top
and Little Round Top, where are erect
ed number Of handsome monuments.
Returning to Little Round Top We
pause here to view this celebrated place,
because of the fierce struggle that
waged around its base and from its sum-
nit the eye sweeps over landscape of
beauty and grandeur. Words are in
deed inadequate to express ones feelings.
As stood and looked away l thought
the veil was again about to be lifted
that had fallen twenty-odd years ago,
and could only in my mind rehearse the
evolutions of that great battle.
Turning from Little Round Top and
down its slope to the Main AveLue, We
ride slowly along, reading the inscrip-
tions of the many handsome monu-
ments, one after the other, until We