The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-07-25
GEN. CROOKS CAPTURE.
Thrilling Episode of the Civil War

Iprilling Episode of the Civil War.
among the many daring deeds
Tlormed on either side during the
{Vli War perhaps none can excel for
ling conception and successful pX-
HttlOn the capture of General Geo.
1'Fook and General Kelley at Cum
'efland, Md, in February, 1861, 10y
pand of COnfederates known as
HtNeil's Rangers. This body was
imposed of as reckless set of young
nAfylanders and Virginiuns as ever
ofew sabre. They We're commanded
ny q Captain Mcneil, from whom
they derived their name. He was a
iaan of unfiinchingi.courage and led
men IN inany bloody encounter.
Nss eventually killed in a des.
rperate fight near Mt. Jackson, in the
Valley of Virginia.
McNeil's rangers carried free
lance and were generally found hov.
ering near the Federals, watching
their movements. destroying wagon
trains. capturing horses, munitions
of war, ETC.. all of which were turned
over to the Confederate Government
fora consideration,
In February, 1864. New Creek
was captured by General Ro,ser. and
McNeii's Rangers were advanced to
within thirty miles of Cumberland,
Md. One night around the camp
fire two of the boys, John Fay and
Sprigg Linn, whose homes were in
Cumberland. were relating the ad.
ventures they had encountered i'm a
visit to their homes, from which they
had just returned, and in the.course
Of conversation expressed the belief
that the town could be penetrated by
small body of men and Generals
Crock and Kelley brought safely off.
The suggestion instantly took root
among those wild boys, and in less
fifteen minutes it was determined
that. the attempt should be made,
and Major Joe Vandiver volunteered
to lead them. with the dashing Kuy-
kendall second in command.
1t was well known to the rangers
that General Crook had just succeed
ed General Kelley in the command
of that department, and had estab.
lished his headquarters at the Re.
we're HOuse-at that time kept bv
Mr.. John Daily, of Oakland. and
whose daughter is now General
Crooks widow-while Gen. Kelley
still fingered at the st. Nicholas, 4
short distance from the Revere.
About dusk of cold February
day, with two feet of snow covering
the ground, the command started on
their perilous journey. Moving rap.
! idly, they crossed the South branch
| of the Potomac and reached KnObby
Mountain, where they were hospi'
tably entertained by sympathizin2
friends, who were much surprised
when they were told the object o
the expe ,lition. and every argument
was used to induce them to retrace
their steps, at which the boys only
laughed.
After hastily refreshing themselves
and horses the command moved sill
emily on until the Potomac was reach
ed, which they forded. every mar
being wet to the waist by its icy wa
tiers. On through the darkness they
sped. nots knowing,!whatta minute
might bling forth. for they were sat-
isfied they must be in close prOxim
ity to the enemy. And neither were
they mistaken. for suddenly ths
sharp command: "Who comes
there ?" convinced them that they
were upon the Union outposts. There
Was no.time for words, and in an in
slant the uniucky picket post, com
posed of three men, were captive
The password was now to be had a
any cost, but it was not until a bride
rein had been placed around the neca
of one of the unhappy pickets that hi
blurted out, "Bull's Gap"
Moving now more cautiously, tht
Rangers .approacheds a light in th'
distance, and again the cry, "Wht
comes there ?' greeted them
"Friends with the countersign," re
piled Vandiver. "Dism0unt, ad
vance one. and give the countersign.
came back in clear,!.ringing voice
But. instead of complying, Vandive
orderedShis men. "Forward J" ant
they dashed into the midst. of abe u
forty Union infantrymen, who sur
rendered without firing shot. Thei
guns were broken, to effectually dis
arm them, and upon being told they
were surrounded by large Confed
crate force they accepted a parol
and agreed to remain where the.
were until morning. Matters wer
now getting warm, for Vandiye