Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-08-29
THE LAST MAN KILLED..


somewhat bald, of pleasant address,
stands behind the desk and greets the
guest on his arrival at the Norvell-
Arlington Hotel at Lynchburg, Va.
His name is II. Stockwell Terry, and
he has the reputation of having killed
the last Union soldier who fell in the
rebellion.
The circumstances attending and
following this event are peculiar and
dramatic, and / repeat them as they
were related to me not long ago by
one of Terry's friends.
When the war broke out Terry was
a somewhat adventurous stripping of
16, and together with two other
Lynchburg boys, Claytur and Smith
by name (the latter, by the way, now
the partner Of a Massachusetts man,
George De Witt, formerly of Green
field, and leading tobacco manufac-
turers in Lynchburg), left home and
joined Mosby's notorious band of
! troopers.
At the time of Lees surrender at
AppomattoX and the final proclama-
tion Of peace Terry was for several
days detailed with squad upon some
special duty in the interior, and had
heard nothing of the collapse of the
Confederacy and the cessation of hos
tilities He found himself, on return
| ing from this expedition, in the vicin-
ity of his home, and, partly because
of little affair of the heart and part
" for other reasons, asked and OBJ
tanned a few days leave of absence to
visit Lynchburg.
AS he logged along alone on the
outskirts of the city, he was aston
| ished to see standing before him in
the forest road over which he was
travelling, and but few rods ahead,
! a horse which had formerly been his,
but which had been captured by the
enemy some months before. 1t was
| hitched to tree, and its rider was ev-
identity not far off.
Terry urged his horse, and was soon
at the side of his old charger. The
latter recognized his voice, and COM
menced to whinny and make loud
demonstration of joy in spite of every
effort of Terry's to silence him. The
soldier in the woods evidently heard
! him. and was Fastening TO learn the
cause of the commotion, for just as
Terry loosed the bride rein by which
the horse was hitched, and started
ahead leading his prize, the brush
wood parted few yards ahead of
him. and a Union soldier, carbine in
hand, appeared. Driving the spur
deep into the flank of his mare, he
dashed up the Lynchburg road, eX-
pecting to arrive in n few minutes
within the Confederate lines. Out in
to the road after him rushed the cav
! alryman, who, leveling his gun, fired
after the fleeing trooper. The bullet
buzzed by Terry's head and sped by
on bloodless mission; the guerrilla
turned in his saddle, and perceiving
his pursuer standing in the road pre-
pairing to fire again, brought his ready
rifle to his shoulder, and with a pre-
ciSion, acquired by long experience
returned the shot.
Crack and then one quick glance
sufiiced for Terry He saw the sol
dier stagger and fall, but at the same
time saw a number Of Federal soldiers
rush out from the woods, doubtless to
discover the cause of the firing. On
went Terry at the top Of his bent, and
as he urged his painting beast up the
ascent leading into Lynchburg, he
turned again and saw several mount
ed men. evidently comrades of his
luckless victim, pressing after him in
hot pursuit.
As he neared the city he began to
have serious misgivings. No Confed-
crate guard barred his way, and his
anxious eye deserted the Federal flag
floating from the top of the Court
House, a signal of conquest. But re-
treat was impossible, and with the
daredevil courage for which he was
conspicuous, he determined to press
on and trust TO fate.
Through the paved streets Of the
war-scarred city rushed pursuer and
pursued, the foam dripping from the
horses, and their flying hoofs striking
the fire from the flinty surface. Al
the door of his future father-in-law "
Terry dismounted, and in the house
sought refuge. Scarcely had he time
to make hurried explanation before
a tulnult arose without, and angr!
voices emphasized with soul-curdline
oaths, demanded that the "d-C
rebel be dragged out and hung"
1t was one of those terrible eXigen
cies which try mems souls, but the
master of the house was quick to act
Turning his beleaguered guest over tc
the other members of the family, h'
rushed to the door and found himsel
face to face with the comrades OF the
dead man and mob of the enrageC
soldiers. who had learned of the af
fair and crowded into the street from
everywhere, all desirous OF avengint