The National tribune., 1889-07-04
LACY SPRINGS, VA.
A Ruse We Played on the Rebels.

about TO relate.
In December, 1864, Gen. Custer with his
brigade was sent up the Shenandoah Valley
from our camp near Winchester, Va, to find
the whereabouts of Early's army. After Gen.
Sheridan took command in the Valley, Gen.
Early was harder to find by the Union cavalry
than he was during the reign of Gems. Banks
and Hunter.
This move of Gen. Custer was preparatory to
Gen. Sherdans raid in the Spring of 1865.
In all the pilgrimages we ever made mp and
down the Shenandoah Valley, think this one
was the worst. IL was during the Winter, and
the weather became cold and stormy. Our
march from camp TO Woodstock had been un-
eventfnl, but few of tho enemy were seen scat
tering over the country. Arriving near Lacy
Springs Mt night we went into camp. Gen.
Custer established his headquarters at n house
on the pike. The 22d N. Y. Cav. were oamped
on the south side of the pike, beyond head
quarters; the LIST VT. Cav. on the same side OF
the pike, but in rear of headquarters; the sth
n. Y. Cav. and what other regiments were in
the command were camped on the north side
of the pike. and near the wagon and ambulance
trains. The country north of the pike was quite
hlly and broken. Hith frequent byroads lead
ing TO hamlets and farmhouses in the hills and
valleys north. The south side of the pike was
more open and level. During the night heavy
sleetstorm came up and coated everything with
glaze of ice. But as far as ! was concerned,
j did not know anything about 1t until awak-
ened in the morning. Just before daylight we
were suddenly awakened by shots and yells
right in a portion OF our camp.
1t seemed a force of the enemy's cavalry had
been watching us, and thought that, under
cover of the darkness and the storm, they could
charge our camp and stampede the command,
and get away with our horses and equipments
etc, and don't know but they had an eye on
the Generals headquarters. Atall events they
gained our camp without hardly alarming our
pickets. A few shots woke up our regiment
and every one jumped for their horses, but
owing to the sleet, everything was frozen so
hard that we were somewhat delayed In getting
into line. But as we could sec the forms of the
enemy taking our ambulance horses, the men
were ordered to form line as fast ms they could
get their horses loose, and as soon as a squad
of men was formed they were sent forward by
the first officer who came along. regardless of
company organization. The regiment was soon
in line, and moved up 10 confront the enemy.
As crossed the pike with squad of men
met squad of what regarded rs Johnnics
but they seemed to be undecided what 10 do, as
there was no one in command of them, and
they evidently thought we were their own
men. But in moment saw man dash up
20 them, and heard him say What regiment2"
They replied, The Sth." The officer, for such
he proved to be, then said, why don't you
lead us" He said 81 will lead you" rec
ognized the voice as belonging to Maj. Stone,
Inspector General on Gen. Clusters staff.
The Major had been trying TO rally the 9th
Va. rebel cavalry to oppose his own regiment,
the LIST VT. 1t seemed the 9Th had as prisoner
one Union officer, who also recognized the voice
Of Maj. Stone, aud he slipped up to his side aud
whispered that they were Johnnies. The Ma
jor then terned TO the sth and said Come
there, hurry up and rally, and / will get this
squad down here and bring 1t up" pointing to
headquarters and away the Major aud the
other officers dashed.
Maj. Stone was brave and dashing officer,
and well worthy 10 be a member of Gen. Gus.
ter's staff He thought the 9Th needed rally
ing, aud he was going to do it IL no one else
would. lie thought, however. it was the sth
N. Y. II is pretty good joke on the Major,
and If this meets bis eye he will no doubt smile
when he recalls the incident to mind.
Aswc dispersed the sth Va. a portion OF them
made break for Gen. Clusters headquarters,
and passed between the General and his head
quarters dag, but the 22d n. Y boys soon took
care of them while We charged on up the
mountain.
We soon came 10 q rail fence whore ! saw
about hundred of tho Johnnies. They evident
~ saw us about the same time, for they called out
to US; +" What troops you-uns7" This voice,
of course, told US they were Johnnes, and for
as to speak was TO give ourselves away, as they
had done. gave an order in whisper for tho
men TO throw down the fence in our front
quietly, and when Is men were over 10 follow
me in charge. We had some prisoners with
uE, and ! left men in charge Of them. aud by
the time eight or ten OF us were over the fence,
the Johnnies again challenged us: what
troops u.unsf" IL would not do TO wait longer,
80 gave the order 20 charge, aud at them We
| went. firing our rcyOlvers aud yelling with all
tGal.g ali a.
Johnnies git" ] would have done the same
thing under similar circumstances We fol-
| lowed them on the charge for q mile OF more.
My men were badly scattered by this time, and
j was Joined by three or four OF Gen. Custer =
Etad officers. Their names cannot now recall,
but IL this sketch meets their eyes they will
testify TO the truth of the following:
Just as we were raising the hill what should
We see but regiment Of rebel cavalry drawn
up In line behind fence. aud not 10 rods from
IA. There Was about ID Of US, including OIL
ceIs. For a minute we were stunned, but
had no relish for death or capture, aud at
once assumed u bravado aud rank did not
possess, aud in loud voice ordered the stan
! officers Of Custer who were with me: Captain,
30 and order up Colonel so aud so with his
regiment on the right. Lieutenant. give my
compliments % General so aud so aud advise
him 10 move his brigade on my left flank on
| the gall0p. Orderly, tell Col. ----, OF the LIST
| W., to charge the center. We have this regi-
| ment cut of; they cannot get away" The
| officers and Orderly started TO do my bidding,
and the Johnnies what of them? Well they
| did just what wanted them 20 do-broke and
ran, and never fired a shot One man who was
dismounted had the audacity to stop behind a
tree and draw bead on me, but one more good
| yell and pist0i-shot stampeded him before he
could fire. Then what few OF US there were
| had to laugh at cur little ruse. We now turned
and started for the rear before the enemy could
reform, fearing our order might not be obeyed
| We had not much more than turned when a
new danger faced US. Ia our rear was a
squadron Of the enemy following us up. There
was no time for strategy. So with a rush
pistols raised, we started directly for the John.
mics, intending 10 ride through their ranks
| and In the confusion escape. AS luck would
have II they obliqued 10 the left of us and VIC
turned to the right. and we left ." right quick u
1t seemed that Col. Chapman, seeing us charge
aud also seeing the enemy in our rear, had
ordered squadron TO charge them, and they
were the cause of the Johnncs not stopping "a
interview US. 80 We gained our regiment all
right. 1t was very exciting affair for a short
time, but do not think there was man killed
on either side.
AS VIC were about to return to eamp Gen
Custer and staff came along, and smiling in
CURED II my command WAS ready TO return.
replied: |" Yes, sir; always ready" well
you can have the post of honor, next to the
enemy"
Those staff officers had to go and give It ava,
10 Gen. Custer. 1t was manga long day befor,
l heard the last OF Clark's brigade But al
long as did not get killed or Captured / did
4 n ra hot mn kr{na 4 l..