Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-09-17
sHEPHERDSTOWN, W. VA, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER II, 1886

!, II, 1886.
our cavalry was kept busy concealing
the real object and intentions of the
Confederate army, and they, with gen.
uine Yankee curiosity, were intent up
on gaining information of the move
ments of Lee. In this endeavor they
made it particularly hot and active for
us, resulting in series of engagements
extending over the counties Of Lou
doun, Culpeper, Fauquier and Fair
fax. Finally, about the 25th of June,
after much rough handling by the Fed
eral cavalry, three brigades of our
corps, with Breath ed'sBattery of Artil-
lery, were ordered to rendezvous in the
neighborhood Of Salem. The brigades
selected for this expedition were Hamp-
tons and the two Lees. Early on the
morning of the 25th the command
moved out in an easterly direction to-
wards Brentsville, in the county Of
Fairfax. The encountering of large
/ column Of Federal infantry necessitated
II de.our. Turning north we struck the
I Potomac river some distance above the
/ Great Falls, where The river waa crossed
during the night over blind and un-
used ford. After destroying some of
| the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bed and
damaging the Chesapeake & Ohio Ca
nal, the principal tributaries and chan
nels of support that fed and sustained
/ the Federal army, and after threatening
the defenses of Washington and in sight
of their Capitol, thereby retarding the
advance OF the Federal army in Mary
land and perplexing its commander as
to the real objects of our raid, the conf
mand turned northward, passin
through the towns of Rockville, Brook
| Vile, Westminster and Hanover on its
route, finally reaching The vicinity Of
Getty ysburg on the evening Of the I'd of
July, after seven or eight days and
nights of constant marching and fight
ing. They brought with them large
train of captured wagons, loaded with
supplies intended for Meade's army,
| and also considerable number of pris-
oners.
GOING INTO CAMP.
We were allowed TO 90 into camp ear
" on the evening Of the 2d in position
somewhat protected by our infantry,
which had preceded our march into
! Pennsylvania by another and more
westerly route, and had penetrated that
State as far as York. Being much eX-
hausted we were allowed a good nights
rest, the last to be enjoyed on errth by
many noble spirits, whose lives and
destiny would be sealed in blood and
! defeat before the set of the morrow's
sun. The next day, the evcntful 81, we
remained in camp replenishing our am
munition AMI grooming horses until
about one o'clock. This half days in
activity seemed to be participated in by
| the entire army, rs far as | could learn
"A most fatal mistake, that cost us the
| fearful and immense loss we sustained
| in tho afternoon, the disastrous terini-
nation Of the Pennsylvania campaign
and the return of a dispirited army to
Virginia. Had the cavalry been In the
saddle ut daylight, striking for the rear
of the enemy's position, bad the immor-
/ tai Pickett led his brave division up that
fatal slope early in the morning and be-
fore the enemy had had time to concen-
trate and fortify their strong position,
! the result might have been different. t.
| The Federal army would have been
beaten in detail and routed in disorder,
the effect upon the North paralyzing.
and the result gone far towards con-
quering an honorable peace TO the Con-
federacy. In looking back and reflect
! ing over these events, admit the hand
OF all Almighty God Of battles tracing
out results. We consider Lee the great
est military genius since Wellington
annihilated Nopoleon OIL the field Of
Waterloo. say this in disparagement
Of none. But results prove that great
generals can and do err and fail. Nov
ing out and forming by regiments, our
brigade was preceded by the brigades
of jenkins and Chambliss, which moved
/ over towards the left Of the infantry
line. Ewel's Corps held the left OF
that line, confronting the then en-
trenched position of the enemy OIL Sem
mary Ridge. The Second Virginia In-
fau,ry, of the Stonewall Brigade, held
his extreme left. The brigades of Jen-
kins and Chambliss took position to the
left on the prolongation Of the infant
ry line. Up to this time all was quiet.
There was not an enemy i'll sight on the
left flank, the rolling country around
was beautiful aud rich in landscape
scenery, the sun, bright and unclouded,
was pouring its heated rays upon US,
but this ominous lull preceded fearful
crash.
oBEYED SOLDIERS DUTY.
Dismounted sharpshooters from the
brigades of jenkins and Cbambliss were
at once formed and sent forward, con-
Meeting OIL tile right with the infantry.
The brigade of Fiiz Lee was halted in
the rear of the left OF Chambliss' Bril-
gade. Sharpshooters were at once de-
tailed, and, receiving an order from
General Lee 10 take command Of the