Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-05-18
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.

We take the following from the
Staunton Spectator:
The following letter was received
by Major j. W. Newton, of this city,
and is published with the view of
reaching the Confederate officer
named, if living, and, if dead, doubt
less some friend or acquaintance could
trace the history of the incident men
toned. as he was left in kernstown
after the battle. The Second Regi-
ment, which was from Jefferson
county and the lower end OF the Val
lev. was his command. The first COM
mandant was Colonel lawson Bolts,
who was killed after the date named.
IL the Charlestown and Winchester
papers were TO publish Mr.. Nicker-
sons letter 10 Major Newton, doubt
less the two, if the Confederate Is Inv
ing, could soon know each other
again, or, if dead. then the kind and
sympathetic soldier, who wore the
blue. would learn the later history OF
the fallen brave.
Pleasant Valley might be the
name of some locality near Charles
town, as it appears that was his home
and that he was in a Charlestown
Company at the execution Of Brown.
This is the name of place in Fairfax
county, but the first supposition, so
far rs it would aid in locating the
Confederate, appears the more prob
able
GREENwICH. ONO, April 18th, 1888.
Major J. w. Newton-My Dear Sir
| saw your name recently as being an
ex-member of the old Stonewall Bri-
gade, and write you thinking that
possibly you can give me information
in regard to parties that would like
to know about.
| was a member Of the Sth Ohio and
participated in the first battle of Win
chester (Kernstown) March %, 1862,
in the opening of the fight, on the
right of the road-(looking toward W.
In the morning three companies OF
nv regiment. encountered the 2d Va.
-lor the 2d Battalion) as We were
told. Among the Confederate wound
ed WAS Lieutenant. who had his
left leg broken half way from the
knee to the body by a musket ball.
helped to carry him from the field
after dark to house in the village OF
Kernstown. He told me he was sec
ond i'm command Of the Charlestown
| Blues at the execution OF John
Brown. that he lived in Pleasant Val
lev and had wife and one boy. l
have forgotten his name, but have
alwavs been desirous OF learning
whether the poor fellow lived or not.
The Major commanding this battsl-
ion rode bay horse, and when they
were forced to retreat, the wounded
Lieutenant was put Oh his horse and
they attempted to get him of. fired
at the party in the excitement OF the
occasion, (it was my first battle), and
broke the Major. right arm below
the elbow. The Lieutenant fell from
the horse and when ! helped him
from the field, he told me the Major 5
name which have forgotten. | saw
in the Harrisonburg paper a few days
later that he had had the arm ampu-
tated. and was likely TO recover. /
would be very glad to learn OF his
whereabouts and sincerely hope he
received no further injury during the
trouble
lost leg at Gettysburg close TO
my body, my regiment being on Pick
ett's left flank in his famous charge.
With me the war has long been
over. | voted for the gallant Hancock,
and commend the national character
of Cleveland's Administration, and
have no sympathy with any man or
party that seeks to revive the bitter
ness Of a war that brought so much
of sorrow to so many homes.
If you are able 70 give me any infor-
nation in regard TO the points / have
mentioned. it would be thankfully re-
! ceiyed.
+. B. NICKERsoN,
Late Sergeant Co b, sth Ohio.
1The wounded lieutenant referred to
was Lieutenant Thomas Link, Of DUFF
fields. jefferson county. He was a