West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-06-22
CORRECTS THE RECO4
Letter from Capt. Milton 2
AVON WooD, NEAR KADLETow]
JEFFERSON COUNTY, "
Jun(

EDITOR FREE PRESS
My Dear Sir: have recently reed
DR.. Richardson q copy of Official
the Union and Confederate Armies
Vol. xix, published in 1887, in whia
resented by various witnesses exam
commission who investigated the 81
Harper's Ferry, as having in viola
parole appeared there at the head
pany, with drawn sword, on the
Surrender. Also in the report OF s.
sion am distinctly named as havi
occasion violated my parole given
before to Col. Miles, who cominans
eral army there at the time of the
and who was killed by a cannon-b
day. In justice to myself and tho
dear to me do not feel that ca
falsehood longer to remain uncontT
will state the facts exactly as TIA
and if proof be required it is still q
lapse of nearly 2G years. Quite
the members of Co. Bwho were pr
Surrender will substantiate the mi
the case.
About the 5th of September, 80
wounded in skirmish with a couple of c
panies of cavalry at Cookies woods, |
Charlestown. and the next day was capt'
whilst in buggy OH my way to Mr..
Smiths, near Summit Point, by q squa-
cavalry end taken to Harper's Ferry. Col
F. Davis--a Mississippian and cousin of Je
son Davis-to whose command this cavalry
longed, rode up to the buggy and upon let
ing that l was wounded volunteered to :
me up to the Hospital in Bolivar and have
wound dressed, and told me to follow the
geon who was at hand and who rode up
hill ahead of the buggy, the guard at the s.
time having been dismissed. Instead of
lowing the Surgeon to the Hospital / dc
mined to try TO escape and told Robert VI
to flank the pickets and get home, II posi-
The horse and buggy belonged to his fathe
left the horse hooked to fence in Boil
and thanked the pickets near the Potomac
when going along the pike just above II
town, about midnight. the moon shining '
brightly, l was picked up by few cayalryI
who had been scouting for me. On my ret
TO Harpers Ferry Davis was furious and a
insulting and abusing me as violator OF
parole put me in the guard-house. He clair
that he had paroled me to 90 q the Hosp
Nothing had been said about parole and
was simply mad because had so nearly sl
ed him through his own carelessness.
next day was sent to Col. Miles headqI
tiers and after long and very pleasant
with him he paroled me and sent me thru
the pickets towards Charlestown, giving
the horse and buggy. During the intery
with Col. Miles complained Of the treatm
I had received at the hands OF Col. Davis
asked permission to settle the matter then
there as between officers and gentlemen
Davis had declared. when accused him Of
ing the part Of ruffian in insulting me vi
defenceless, that he would always hold h
self personally responsible 70. what lac did
said. 1t was then Miles said Days beloDee
Mississippi and would no doubt stand by
word. but that he could not allow any rene
tire within his lines. Davis went out with
cavalry before theSurrender and neyerJit
Of him again until lie was named as among
slain at Brandy Station in '63.
The night before the Surrender my bro
William and staid at Mr.. Gardeners and +
morning we together went across the field
see the battle which everybody expected.
soon as the white flag was displayed we v
to Bolivar Heights, then in the hands Of
army, and there met some Of the member
my company-one of whom, John 5. Eas
day. offered me his horse. which accepted
rode down into the Ferry alone and unarT
not through Bolivar but by way of the Sher
doah. and was unarined during the day.
General Jackson whom knew persons
having been q cadet ut Lexington while be
professor thereJ and asked him il could
be exchanged for Federal officer of the s.
rank, but he referred me to General Hill
he said tbatuy exchange would have to G.
through The regular channel by way Of II
mond, which il did month or two later.
being at Harper's Ferry as spectator and
deavoring whilst there to obtain my excha
was violation Of parole, then plead q
to the soft impeachment.
Very truly yours, &c,
MILTON RoUl