Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-08-30
REBEL vAMDIVER.

their genial propristors. the low, smiI
ing cottages nesting behind profu
zion of flowers and foliage, the melc
dies among the trees, the pure, wood
atmosphere laden with village sounds
and the low sun of June overhead
present wholesome, indeed lasting
impression. Here. on a bright morn
ing, ! found myself waiting the srriva
Of the mails over the Shenandoah
Valley Railroad.
"Yes, siri I'm goina.a hdntin'; w,
sainst got no 'Yanks' to shoot now, you
know, an an old 'Reb will shootl"
The words came from behind me il
q slow, AigL-pitched tone. l turned
and there was something that vel
might have made one tremble: A
very tall, gauut. wiry old man, with
heavy cowhide boots, into which were
stuffed half the length of a pair Of
wooIen pantaloons, he wore a woolen
shirt, and over his shoulder were
thrown large pair of saddle-bags;
his beard was long and yellow, and a
shock Of yellowish-gray hair thatched
his head, almost rendering superhuous
tho low, well-worn slouch hat by
which It was surmounted. On his
arm he carried long double barreled
shotgun, with his finger resting men
atlngiy on the trigger. l should have
surrendered Immediately upon a sign
from this odd Man of the Mountains,
as took him to be, had there not
been that genial, good-natured some.
thing in his hearty smile which set
ny fear at ease.
Approaching me, he said, as re
extended his hand:
You are stranger hereabout, sir2
May ask your name"
Smith said, but Just then the
train whistled through the wood.
That's my train, sir I'm goin away
Tor little hunt. sir; squirrels, sir.
My names Vandiver; I live in Mill
ne. be back in week, s!r; glad 10 see
you any time. Got something to eat,
and little something to drink, sir.
Yes sir, he continued, as he pulled
toward the train. Il am old Van;
good old rebel yet, sir. This Is tie
bov that carried General Crook out OF
Maryland through the Yankee lines
with 60 yellin' troopers at his heels.
He was still standing on the plat
form, waving his hands and shouting
as he train moved ont Of the village.
had heard something OF the exploit
with Generals Crook and Kelley, and,
turning to bystander, asked the truth
cf t.le old mans statement. Upon
being assured that its so, | regretted
much that the old fellow had gone.
4 week after the incident narrated
above ! found my way toward the
pretty village OF MiIIwood, which lies
among a cluster of hills down the pike
from Boycoville, a distance Of about
two miles. The Blue Mountain rises
malestica.ly toward the southeast,
within bugle distance. and at its base
tie villagers often so and listen to
the low laplap of the Shenandoah
waters as they lick the cool rocks and
river verdure, and roll on and on IN
.hvthrnic ebb and flow. Millwood,
Of all the villages in Clarke Is the
prettiest. Here are many old tesI-
dences that dato back TO colonial days,
and the villagers are rich with historic
lore. On an old Typographical pam
phlet, printed in the year 1890. ! hnc
what seems now an odd description o
the place: 'Miliwood contains 80 o.
uo souls, here is large merchant mill
1ne and extensive mandatory o
leather, one tavern, a black smith,
TAYLOR, boot and shoemaker, and
wacgonmaker. It is curious tO'mar
that in nearly one hundred year
M.llwood has about 200 souls, an
has still! the wagonmaker, the mile
the tavern and the shoemaker, br
the taylor no longer exists. The su
+ was low in the skies when ! found {
! q gate by the roadside in the outskir
OF the village sign bearing the word
y. L. NandiveT-Horse Doctor. Nest
.ug back Of the fence, on the crest
the hill, stood a neat cottage. Ents
iug, raped at the door and "
ushsred into the little parlor of Il
> odd old gentleman. Soon We WI
= talking Of the good old times, sD'
* found no difficulty in drawing fr
MN his story OF the capture Of
- two Union generals at Cumberland
You would like TO hear it?' he a
y, sd. with a smile, well sir, Wa
n major, sir. and was with One
! Rangers at the time. 1t was Just a