Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-08
NOVEL OF 1864.
Az INCIDENT OF THE SHENANDOAH
CAMPAIGN.
RY GENERAL FELIX AGSUs.
baltimore Americana

1854 the army of the Shenandoah was
resting peacefully in its winter quarters
oroand Winchester and Stevenson's
station.
Snow hid fallen for many days
The whole Valley was field Of white
-e.s. Roads were badly blocked, aud
hr pathways through the Blue Ridge
s-. the surrounding mountains were
,.-a,, impossible. Down the Valley,
l,y.ui the picturesque Massanutton
.-.o. the Confederates. under Early,
ls5utirod TO secure quarters at Staun-
O..
70 'ooked like a season OF quiet camp
E.e and peace.
lci the CELEBRITY and watchfulness
Which Early had displayed at Cedar
Czech had taught Sheridan that unvary-
irc vigilance must be his only protection
s-ta,t surprise and danger.
Consequently, cavalry was used libe-
rav in small attachments TO scOur the
country from mountain 10 mountain. 1t
Was lively work and 1t was hard work
lri the reports brought in 10y the recon
l..t,rug parties added TO orr sstisiac-
ton Of mind and promised us n Christ
nos fullof peace and plenty. The indi-
cations were all against a winter cam
palgn.
car established quarters were so well
known 70 oar friends. and were so for
tunate in having railroad connection
with the North, that when the Christmas
tide drew near loads Of boxes full OF
dainties from home came as blessings 70
sail. ANY commdc who failed 10 re-
coive one Of these substantial messages
was mado 10 share in the general pro-
fusion of good things. Fellowship Is
the religion Of army life, and on such an
occasion there was no stint IN the gene
y)sity Of the men.
So. all in,ull, We were in for merry
Christmas
But there was Mosby As you know,
s.. and his cavalry were the Ing bugabOo
Of the Union forces in the Valley. He
Ial not strength enough 70 do MS any
serious injury but he had that style of
u,n that kept a constant warfare on our
wagon trains, and it looked at one time
as If the war issues lad completely
changed.
Instead Of secession Mosby had all at
once become Russian general, and
wanted nothing but Turkey.
Oh. how We did bless him on that oc
casioni Why couldn't he let us alone
and leave us to the enjoyment of those
good things from home? That was the
Question We asked between regrets for
Ee kept another brigade tramping
through the snow. And those who spent
that cold Christmas in the saddle will
never forge: their experience or for
give Mostly for his disregard of their
comfort.
Nosby's style Of fighting was like that
a. the Indian. He seldom attacked III
large numbers he merely pestered our
ranks. and when we pushed him closely
lis men would scatter 10 the four winds,
81 numbers of three 90 ten, and make
successful pursuit almost an impossible
o.. for IN order TO follow and punish
th,se small detachments the Union
troops were obliged 10 use the same
policy and send squads, under both COM
-is,i0ned and non-commlss,onedC officers,
t1covtr TIE country for miles and miles.
Everything had been very quiet IN our
front. and Sheridan was satisfied that
lArlv Won not bother him. Neverthe-
Jess Mosby's great activity kept suspi-
c.aa alive. and on Christmas Eve our
general determined 10 renew his vigi-
lance.
lie ordered another brigade on scout
ing duty, with directions to pay special
attention g. the mountain gaps.
Nations for three day sand forty rounds
81 ammunition 20 each man was the
misunderstanding order. The boxes
r.m home were despoiled Of their
bounty. Turkey. pheasa2t Cooked and
vn.olhed). dainties prcp2red 10y loving
hands. and substantials without limit,
v.-. the happy lot of the warrior bold
and ID less than half hour the KNAPP
sacks were hacked, not with old salt army
beef bat with appetzing Injuries sent
from good kitchens and loving friends.
4 Apiwbiew knew not where we would
! eat our MONDAY meal, We blessed with
4 al our souls the name of him who came
4 g. save the world.
After deciding upon q good reserve,
tie BRIGADE was sub-divlded into regl-
3 r..rt.. ana those into squadrons and
ratoous. and each detachment, under Il
4 r-..ll. officer felt itself thoroughly IN
q Dependent
4 lusl Of Troop C, OF one Of De
vans reeiu ents. was ordered 10 follow
the rr8l At led through the gap over
tl,uomhins. and from the hlgh GIN 70
t.seaeo.l look over the Luray Valley
o, t.. oil r side. and see II they could
discover ANYTHING that showed the pre-
eeDce If the enemy. In such season
the campfire was the tell-tale indication
Of body Of soldiers.
4 strong party it was, and full OF vlgor
I orl clcerfulness. Several small towns
4 fell ia its way. and every house and ham
4 lr was searched for able-bodled men.
a They were arrested, but non-combatants
s were treated with unyarying kindness
PERHAPS no valley IN the world CON
tains more OF natural beauty than tins
superb stretch of country. The outlook
over the level fields and the rugged
scene around the bordering mountains
filed one with admiration IN spite Oh the
cold wind and the universal snow.
Some fifteen miles away the ndenta-
ton 81 the mountain indicated 10 inc
troopers the road TO the gap. GIVING
the reins 70 the horses, they were soon
p.oughiug through the heavy 9rlits OIL
SHOW, which at times were 80 u'0P III
tley threatened to engulf rder as well
as horse. 1t was hard work and slow
progress. and cold chills played hide
and. seek mp and down their backbones'
and this was merely a preliminary struB'
Dashes into places where Mosby,Ss
men were expected to be found were wei
done but whenever a nest was Teached
the bird was not there-he had hown 10
some other Underground.
The command did not tarry long, as
he day was short, and the main object
Ia to cross the gap and take apeep INTO
the Luray Valley. c-u.;.
1t was not very long before GallesPie
and his troopers found themselves at the
4 foot Of the hill. He made careful sur
WOW before yanturing into the gap, and,