Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-10-04
THE FATAL PASS.

was stationed at Winchester, Va,
as one of the officers of the post. The
commandant was gentleman Of the
volunteer force. He had been brought
up in mercantile life, and OF course
had had but little experience in mill
tary affairs. His intelligence in gen.
eral matters was fully up to the aver,
age, and his courage was undisputed,
for, young as he was, he bad been
several times under fire, and had al
ways behaved gallantly.
1t was known that Stonewall Jack
son, with u considerable body OF cav
airy and infantry, and a very large
supply of artillery for that section,
was on his march to the Valley. We
could hear from him occasionally at
various points. Now and then reports
reached us of his successful dashes.
We were placed, unfortunately,
under the disadvantages of being sur
rounded by citizens to whom jackson
was the acknowledged hero and idol.
He was almost worshipped by sinner
and saint alike.
wait till Jackson comes" said an
old graybeard, as he leaned on his
cane. "Jackson's got God Almighty's
ear, and you may depend upon it he's
hnup5 to cnnnnarN
''They threaten to burn Winches-
ter,n was the news brought in one day
by one of our soldiers.
"They can't do it while Stonewall
Jackson lives" was the quick reply
of bystander.
why not?'
His prayers will save u.s."
And that is the sort of hero he was
mighty in prayer, and believe the
people thought more Of that than
they did of his battles. They seemed
to have perfect faith in his Christian
character, as indeed they might, for,
leaving entirely out of the question
his power as military leader, he was
good man.
The great want of our army at this
point was artillery. We had muskets
enough, sabres enough, horses and
men enough for immediate defense.
But in long range guns we were la
mentally deficient.
We knew that il Jackson came up
the Valley with his large pack Of Ma
poleons, our infantry, unprotected by
any Notifications, would be at his
mercy. Every movement we made
was likely to be discovered, and the
information Of it quickly furnished to
the advancing general. Even the
pretty, delicate boarding school misses
were ready to do dangerous duty, and
in some cases did good service to their
cause.
1t was glorious day when one
morning l sailed from my quarters.
Winchester was full Of gardens, and
the trees were bright with birds, who
sang unchecked by any fear of ap-
preaching danger.
Very leisurely / went to the office
of the commandant Of the post. Every
thing was arranged according to
usual military precision. The officer
was seated at his desk in his inner
room Opposite him sat a stranger
beautiful young lady, dressed for a
journey, and who was evidently using
all her destinations to attract and
hold his attention.
By her side was youthful looking
officer in the Union dress, who evil
IDENTIFY was schooling himself to COM
posure. My suspicious were at once
aroused that he was not what he
seemed.
The appearance of the lady was
very striking. She was gesticulating
gracefully as she continued her con-
versation with our commandant. Over
her handsome face fitted bewitching
smiles. But there was a fixedness Of
purpose in her manner-a calm com
posure, approaching at times to stern
ness, that was not altogether congo
nial with the buoyancy and fiippancy
of her genial bearing and speech.
She was intensely earnest in her ap-
peals to the commandant, and at
times appeared to be tenderly and CO.
quettishly beseeching a favor, which
he seemed to hesitate to grant.
The officer who accompanied her
sat silent in his chair, idly turning his
cap in his hands. and looking on the
road with such a strange expression
that it clearly proved him to be out
of headquarters and on a contem-
plated journey.
A horse and light Virginia carryall,
with seats for two persons, was stand
ing at the door guarded byan orderly.
The curtains Of the carriage were
drawn closely down and securely
fastened.
The commandant at length arose
from his table, and giving me an in
telligent glance, we passed together
into an adjoining room. Themoment
we reached it he broke the silence.
Suppose we hold council Of war.
This is new business to me. Here is
this young woman sent to me from
Harper's Ferry by the commandant
there, with request that she be per
mitted to pass our lines to the front
She had been placed in charge OF this
Union officer whose papers and an
swers seem all right, and her papers
are all straight. She is desirous Of
going to visit her kindred, with medi
cine and clothing for the sick and
naedy Confeder8tes among them