News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1890-10-02

stores, the severing of communications,
and the gain of valuable information about
the opposing force. The Peninsula raid
was made by two regiments of about 100
men, and ended in a scare for the Union
camps, the temporary obstruction of the
railroad supplying the Union army, and
the wanton wounding of some soldiers and
passengers by volley fired into moving
train. However, it made Stuart famous,
and no doubt suggested to Gen. Lee the use
that might be made of such expeditions in
campaigns favorable for incursions across
the lines.
A tempting situation was noted some
months later, after the battle of Antietam
The armies of Mcclellan and Lee lay on
opposite sides of the Potomac river, above
Harper's Ferry. Mcclellan was reftting
and recruiting the Army of the Potomac,
and, with a depot of supplies at Hagers-
town, was dependent for rapid communi-
cation with the north on the railroad run
ming thence from Harrisburg, Pa, by way
of Chambersburg. The latter was from
thirty to forty miles inside of McClellan's
lines. On the Sth of October Gen. Lee in
structed Stuart to take 1000 or 1,500
mounted men and proceed to that point,
destroy the railway bridge over the Como
cocheague and otherwise damage the Union
transportation, making any legal captures
within his power Stuart selected 1,S00
men and a battery of flying artillery His
subordinates were Wade Hampton w. H.
F. Lee and w. E. Jones. When the troops
were in line, ready to move off in dense
darkness, the following order was read to
them:
SoLDIERs-You are about to engage in an enter
prise which, to insure success, imperatively de-
mands at your hands GOODNESS, decision and brav-
cry implicit obedience to orders without question
cavil and the strictest order and sobriety on
the march and in bivouac. The destination and
extent of this expedition had better be kept to
myself than known to you. Suffice it to say that
with the hearty cooperation of officers and men
have not doubt of its success-a success which
will reflect credit in the highest degree upon your
arms. The orders which are herewith published
for your government absolutely necessary
and must be rigidly enforced.
J.E. B. STUART
The cavalcade moved silently to McCoy's
Ford, on the Potomac, between Williams
port and Hancock, seized the picket post
without alarm, and after pressing on some
distance Union signal station with all its
detail was surprised and captured. At this
point Stuart learned of the presence of
Gen. J. ID. Cox's Kanawha division, which
was marching toward West Virginia, and
had gone but an hours march from the
road he was pursuing. Inc raiders
then made detour and pushed on to Mer-
cersburg, Pa, ten miles from the point of
crossing and half way to Chambersburg.
The latter was reached after dark, and
Stuart Immediately took possession of the
place, appointing Wade Hampton military
governor No officials could be found who
would treat with the invaders, and Stuart
sent his men to perform the work as
signed.
1t was raining steadily, Il cold, dreary,
autumn storm, and as far as possible con-
sistent with orders the troops sought to
get some comfort out of the situation.
Strict orders had been given against pri-
vate plundering, but the men threw them
selves upon the mercy of the people for
creature comforts. Before entering the
town an inspection of canteens had been
made, and all liquors found therein had
been emptied. Citizens were warned
against treating the men with liquor, as a
spark of anger among intoxicated men
might lead to terrible results. The people
were a long time finding out who the
strangers were. Their hands were open,
they said, to supply the wants of soldiers,
but while they were passing out their good
things they often inquired who was in
command. The men in bravado would