The National tribune., 1889-05-16
SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
The Experience Of goth Ohio Soldier.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: | have been
deeply interested in Gen. Capeharts descrip-
tion of the 1862 campaign in the Shenandoah
Valley, especially of the first battle of VIM
chester, and think it a mastery piece of infor-
nation (COmrade Youngs criticisms notwith-
standing). Taking it from a general view
think it is in the main correct and feel very
grateful to the Doctor for the information aud
instruction / find in it; as / was there as a
high private in Co. ], Goth Ohio. | was under
the impression that we were brigaded with
Tyler, but see Comrade Young says nay, and
would like to know from someone officially
about it. After driving Jackson beyond Mt
Jackson and the Valley, l was taken with
measles and left at the Strasburg field hospital,
in the meantime. From that time on / know
nothing of the movements of the division.
had been at the hospital about week, and
asked the Surgeon in charge for permission
to go to my regiment which was granted.
was told we would have to go via Harpers
Ferry; that wagon was to leave in the morn
ing, and TO get ready to gowith it, which | did,
with six cOnvalescents, one of which belonged to
the 9TH Ind. We had gone as far as NeWtown, on
the Winchester pike, when we were captured
by Ashby's cavalry, and l think we can there
fore claim the honor of being the first prison
ers captured on that famous retreat of Gen.
Banks.
After unhitching and cutting the mules
loose from the wagons, which were left, we were
hustled off to the mountains. Being still weak
from the effects of the measles, and the others
in no better condition than myself for such a
race we were al used up. Finally, through
the guards great Kindness we were ordered to
mount the mules; and such mule as fell to my
lot Well, talk about the wild razor-back
hogs-they were no comparison. The boys
wondered why didn't sit down for two days !;
wondered if | would ever be able to sit down.
Our numbers increased daily. The 1st Nd
after making bitter fight, and being sur
rounded, were nearly all captured.
After four or five days famine we were
taken to Winchester passing over the ground
where the 1st Md. had made Thoir gallant stand,
the sight of which is engraven on my memory.
Those men lay as they had fallen, partly
stripped, and so swollen as to be hardly recog
nized. If done purposely ! cannot tell, but if
done to inflame those Marylanders they sue
ceeded. A band that came out from Winches-
ter to escort US into the town had its music
completely drowned by them singing Yankee
Doodle" aad the Star Spaugled Banner"
which our guards tried again and again to stop,
until the band was called off.
On arriving at Winchester we were put into
the depot building, and confined there until,
the enemy fearful of being hemmed in, we
were all ordered to fall in to march to Rich
mond. We had some sick and wounded who
were unable TO walk. An officer rode along
the line, ordering those who were unable to
walk to step out Of the line. Thinking that
if there was a chance to ride to Richmond |
would take advantage of it, Istepped out. We
were taken back to the building and remained
there until Fremonts cavalry Il think it was)
dashed i'll and captured our guards and several
of their wounded and stragglers. We were
then sent to Washington and after visit from
President Lincoln and SuEg.-Gen. Barnes were
discharged by orders from the War Depart
ment.
After bracing up enlisted again in the Fall
of the same year in Co. NJ, 9th Ohio Cav, and
did no hospital duty afterward, with the ex-
ception of few weeks from wound in arm re-
ceiyed at Malvern Hill in a cavalry skirmish
and carried our colors from Petersburg to APP
pomattox, and was again discharged by orders
from the War Department on account of close
OF war. The 9th Ohio Cav. was gallant regi-
ment and did some fiue work, of which should
like to hear through the pens of Adj't A. w.
Fenton, Cleveland, o., or Maj. NJ II. Cryer,
Philadelphia, Pa.-E. NJ. SUPPLEE, Co. /, 29th
Ohio, and Co. III, 9th Ohio Cav, Camden, N. ].