Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-10-26
sHEPHERDsTOWN W. VA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1888

that's what they'd say, but we used
to laugh, cause Johnnie had had
sweetheart thar" "
Continuing, the old man said that
young Fay and Lynn were the first to
devise the plan which afterwards
proved SO successful. Major-General
John b. Crook had been assigned COM
mand of the department in which
that station was embraced. and was
making his headquarters at the Revere
House. Major-General b. T. Kelley.
who had previously commanded, re
mained in Cumberland at the other
hotel of the town-the ST. Nicholas.
Both of these hotels are on Baltimore
Street, not far apart.
We'll, sir, Fay and Lynn said we
could catch EN-, and they watched the
points and made me plan"
The following evening, about dusk,
with fifty-seven men, mounted and
well armed, Vandiver started off on
his perilous journey The snow was
two feet deep and drifted in many
places to a dangerous depth. They
rode hurriedly down theValley, crossed
the South Branch of the Potomac, and
passed successfully and without any
mishap Middle Ridge, Patterson's :
Creek Valley and Knobby Mountain.
Here the snow was SO deep and hard
that they were compelled TO dismount
and lead their horses for u distance OF
two and a-half miles, until they
reached the residence of Mr.. r. II.
Seymour a wealthy old farmer with
whom the Vandiver family were ac-
quainted A great cracking fire in
vited them in the house, and soon they
were all laughing and joking astrange
tendency in men on the eve of some
dangerous undertaking.
we told old Seymour our plans,
said Vandiver, an turnin' to me thar,
in the fire-light-I'll never forget it
he said, in a low, trembling voice,
Van. for Gods sake, your sake, your
mothers sake, turn back. There are
over 5000 troops in and about Cum
berland you have only a handful;
YOU will never return alive
But we were determined, sir, and
when the old man saw it he turned
loose upon us whole barrel OF good
old apple brandy.
Leaving there they forded the Poto-
mac, which was running with ice and
slush, and in the doing of which every
man became wet TO his knees, and
passed on up the Maryland side in 81
lence. Nor word was permitted 10
be spoken They had now entered
the picket lines of the enemy, and ev-
cry step was fraught with danger. \
gloomy procession they must have
made, these fifty-seven horsemen NOV
ng through the darkness, silent and
wondering what the next few hours
held in store for them.
Halt Who come dere? rang out
on the air.
Forward boys whispered Vandi-
yer. its Dutch sentinel"
They soon captured the fellow, with
two others; and now the difficulty OF
obtaining the countersign.
Your countersign.' demanded Van
diver.
Me no geef it.
Bring me my bride rein!' said
Vandiver to one of his men.
The rein was brought and soon ad-
justed about the neck Of the stubborn
Dutchman and thrown over the limb
of tree. 1t was only when the rein
was frightened and the fellow was
dangling on tip-toe, that he blurted
out in response to their repeated de-
mands: "Bools Kaahr' (meaning
Bulls Gap.) Half the prize was now
won; then repeating the experiment
with the other two, they were assured
that Bulls Gap was the password,
and moved on down the county road
toward Cumberland They now
crossed what is known a. the "Old
Pike" and were within n mile from
town.
Joe, believe ! see a light through
the trees yonder," said Van TO com
panion as they entered the edge of
small thicket.
NO, | guess not was the reply.
But Vandiver was right for soon
they rode in upon a squad Of thirty
or forty infantry sitting cross-legged
around the campfire. Their guns
were stacked and they were appar-
emily deep in conversation.
Move on, boys whispered Vandi-
yer, and the little line of silent horse
men crept stealthily forward.
Halt. Who comes there?" called
the sentinel
Friend with countersign," answer
ed Vandiver.
"Dismount. one advance and give
countersign"
Vandiver's ankle had been lately
crushed. and, being in no humor TO
dismount, he dashed forward with his
men. and quickly heard from the as
tonished commander Of the infantry,
Don't shoot. / surrender
Then dismounting, they broke the
guns of the Union soldiers, and Van
iver turning 70 the commander, said:
Your city Is surrounded. Before Q
o'clock tomorrow morning your Gen
erals will be captured. The snow Is
deep. and we can't carry you on our
horses. | will give you verbal pa
role if you promise me on your honor
that we may find you here tomorrow
morning at nine O'Clock"