The National tribune., 1886-04-08
A REBEL STAMPEDE.
How the Johnnies we're Driven from Frederick,


To THE EDITOR: The, incidents I wish to re-
late here occurred at the time of one of those
rebel invasiOns or predatory incursions into
Maryland and PENNSYLVANIA. although this
one was more ostensibly a ruse to divert the
attention OF the Government at Washington
from the pending siege at Petersburg.
Gen. Wrghts command had been ordered to
follow in the wake OF the Confederate Gen.
Early, in his threatening movements. On the
evening of the 10th Of July, 1864, as the ad-
vance of the moving cOlummon the road lead
ing from Harpers rry-comprising 16 mount
ed men, under Morgan +. Mcdonald, Captain,
Co. NJ, 18th Pa Canvas entering Frederick,
Md, on the west they found that the place
was apparently in possession of the enemy,
who, we subsequently learned, had been living
sumptuously there on the forced hospitality of
the town for several days, and had demanded
and obtained ransom of 100000 From the
busy hustle and swarm-like uneasiness exhib-
tied By number of rebs, it appeared that hur-
ried preliminary steps were being taken by
them for pulling up stakes" Acting on this
intuition, Mac and his boys made a bold dash
down the street to the center of the town,
thinking to assist in and expedite any further
arrangements needed to complete the good
resolutions of the rebels to leave the town.
But here their reception WAS anticipated.
Near the intersection of the two streets ut this
point, on the one running north and south, but
far enough inward to be unperceived by the
chargers until too late 200 Confederate caval
rymen, formed in ambuscade, welcomed the
boys with blunt and unkindly greetings, judg
ing from the reckless manner in which they
handled their Winchesters. Although causing
a momentary check to the advance of the little
loyal band in blue, it was quickly responded to
by lively manipulations of Carbine and revolver.
When the crash of shot and shrek had died
away and the sulphurous fumes of the contest
were disappearing, Capt. Mcdonald, dismount
ed-his horse lying dead on the streets of Fred
erick, riddled with bullets and himself Sc
riously wounded in the right breast and right
leg-ordered charge With drawn sabers the
boys unhesitatingly waded in upon the solid
phalanx of horsemen, who, diSmayed at the
unfinching and daring bravery displayed by
their antagonists, wheeled and fled towards
the outskirts of the town.
We will say here that Capt. Mcdonald was
carried to the residence, .lear by, of a proml-
nent gentleman and we'll cared for.
Elated by the favorable turn the second act
in the lively shifting scenes of the drama had
assumed, and, moreover, urged forward by the
unmistakable friendly bearing of the natives,
who had hitherto wisely preserved themselves
from exposure to the flying bullets. but now,
taking IN the situation, manifested their appre-
citation of the transpiring panoramic events
both old men and young men unfurling the
Stars and Stripes from doors. windows, and the
housetops and the fair ladies waving their
snow-white llerchiefs-had instinctively the
desired cheering effects on the now Captainless
pursuers to drive the enemy two miles out on
the road leading southward.-SCoT w. JONES,
Co. NJ, 18th Pa. Cav, Ebensburg, Pa.