Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1889-01-24
9irglnia frre gress.
". ". B. GALLAHER, Editor.
January 2f. 1889.
A VAR REMIN. SCEXCE.
4 Confederate Scouts AII-Night Ride
aud IT'S Relcdrd.

ana us hetCdIu.
Hrifen for the Baltimore ITIeekly Sig.
The writer of the incident which follows
was but "high private in the ranks OF the
Confederate army, and hence it will contain
nothing of a blood.eurdling character To
the surviving colonies and majors" is lett,
by common consent the recital of desperate
charges and countercharges, hair breadth
escapes and examples OF individual valor
and heroism. But, at the risk Of being
charged with egotism, | have. concluded TO
tavorably respond to request to write for
the Heekiy Sun an account of an incident OF
the late war, and hence the annexed descrip-
tion of can All-Night Ride and Its Re-
ward" After the lapse of more than tvSen
ty-hve years there may be some errors in
minor matters, but the material portions of
the incident are so indelibly craven on men,
ory's tablet that there can be no question
about them.
The 18th of September, 1868, was arare
autumn day, and the Piedmont region of
Virginia presented a lovely appearance, de-
spite the close proximity of contending
armies. Gen. Lee, with the Confederate
army of Northern Virginia, was camped on
the south side of the Rapidan river, with
headquarters near Orange G. H., with the
exception of Stuart's cavalry corps, which
was picketing the Rappahannock from near
its head-waters to its junction with the Rap
idan. The Army of the Potomac, under the
command of Gen. Meade, was on the north
side of the Rappahannock, with his cavalry
pickets at every ford Of that stream. When
the evening of September II set in there
VAS no expectation in Stuarts command Of
an advance of the enemy, and, with the eX-
ception of the details, guarding the iords,
the routine Of camp life prevailed, and far
into The night the usual games OF seven
up or poker were in progress among those
inclined that way, whilst other groups talked
of loved ones far away others engaged in
camp songs, whilst still others sought repose
IN sleep. Ashby' old cavalry brigade, un-
der the command of Gen. Wm. L. Jones,
and with which this writer was connected,
was camped on the road leading from Cul-
pepper to Fauquier White Sulphur Springs
" hist the night passed without exciting in
cident, there was rude awakening in the
early morning Scarcely had daylight
dlwned when the bugles sounded Saddle
up" and the announcement was made that
the enemy had crossed the Rappahannock
and was driving our pickets. To an old sol
der it was scarcely necessary to explain that
this meant haste and no breakfast, not even
an indigestible "slap-jack." The brigade
was promptly moved towards the river, and
soon the firing became distinct TO be sue
ceeded a moment later by a view of the enc
my in large force, against which the Conied
crate pickets were making gallant but in
eflectual stand. Soon the artillery on both
sides was brought into requisiton, and the
fight became hot The superior strength OF
the enemy was quickly developed, for they
hanked the COnlederates, making n with
drawal to another position necessary. And
thus the stubborn contest against superior
numbers ragged until the Confederate forces
were within one mile of Culpeper Court
House, when it was sc,rtained that the Fed
eral forces, which had crossed the Kappa.
hammock at Wellords, RappahannOck and
Kelly's iords, had pressed Gen. Stuart's COM
mand through Culpeper and were then en-
gaging him Il short distance south of the
town. This necessitated westward detour
on the part Of Gen. Jones, which was sue
cessfuliy accomplished, and the command,
Il
tue left of Stuarts command a short distance
south of Culpeper. Here the struggle was
continued, Gen. Stuart skillully handling
his comparatively small force, causing tie
enemy to proceed with great caution. The
Confederate cavalry leader took advantage
Of every availab G position presented on the
road leading to Orange Court House and
Rapidan Station, rendering it necessary foI
the Federal commander 20 make frequent
use Of his artillery and dismounted men, de
spite his superior numbers.
Ii was perhaps within one hour Of sunset,
and when Cen Stuart had been driven to a
pont about five miles south Of Culpeper,
when an orderly dashed up to the command
ing officer of Company b, Twelfth Virginia
Cavalry, and delivered an order for private
Beall to report to Col. Thomas b Massie,
commanding the regiment. The order was
complied with, when was directed to report
TO Gen. }. I. b. Stuart, commanding the
cavalry corps, whose headquarters in the
saddle were designated on a commanding
eminence about one hall mile distant Gen.
Stuart was always noted for being in the
hottest of the fray. and at this time it was
plain to be seen that the enemy was making
1t particularly warm in the immediate neigh
borhood where the General and his staf
were gathered. Their sharpshooters were in
plain view, and the shells were getting in
some uncomfortably close work. To 20 di
rect would have subjected me to a raking fire,
but having an ambition to live little longer
and, perhaps, serve my country in some in
portant civil capacity, | put spurs to my
horse, disappeared from view around aeon
yenient hill and soon reined up beside Gen
eral Stuart and reported ready for duty, but
not knowing what the duty was. Hetreated
me ike he treated every man, no matter how
humble, with the greatest kindness, and after
a brief conversation, not necessary to relate
here. asked me if ! thought could reach the
residence of Col. A., a pronounced South
erner and an intelligent gentleman, about
three miles northeast Of Culpeper Being
answered in the affirmative, if permitted to
select my route. General Stuart directed me
to have detailed two men Of my own selec-
ton as companions, and to proceed to the
residence of the gentleman designated and
ascertain from him, if possible, what the
movement of the enemy meant-whether II
was q strong cavalry demonstration or gen
eral advance Of the Army OF the Potomac.
With the promise to do my level best. and 10
report at the earliest possible hour, / tade
G.an crllort oood dav and returned 10 mY