Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-09-25

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watch-fires On the right of Sheridan's
line.
Soon after daybreak I leaped from
my broken-down horse at General
Clusters headquarters. The great
hearted young General furnished me
fresh mount from his train, and over
good breakfast gave me clear and
graphic description of the movements
during the previous day. 1t had been
a cavalry engagement entirely, and
had been forced on the enemy for the
purpose of turning his flank in antici
patton of more decided and complete
assault along the entire line. had
just arrived in time, for already Sheri-
dan had his three corps of infantry
moNhg, and there was every prospect
of a desperate battle being fought be-
fore the day was over.
During the whole of that day 1 saw
for myself the progress of that battle
which "sent Early whirling through
Winchester. I witnessed the several
desperate charges made during the
afternoon by the Sixth and Nineteenth
Corps, and was within stones throw
of General Russell when that cannon
ball carried away his head. was
present at the headlong dash made by
the cavalry under Merritt and Custer,
as they were hurled by Sheridan like
an avalanche on the enemy's wings; !;
and watched Little Phil" himself as
he coolly directed the movements of
his troops, and won the field which
gave him renown and promotion. In
fact, 1 saw all there was to see, and
was satisfied.
When the army entered Winchester
and pushed on in pursuit, it was almost
night-fall. Finding that Early's forces
were in rapid retreat, 1 knew that the
next thing for me to do was to get to
a telegraph wire and to tell my won
derful and exciting story.
I sat, in deep study, on my horse,
at the little stone bridge just outside
the town. The sharp clatter of horses
feet reverberated in the night air, and
I saw small detachment of cavalry
coming over the bridge. As it passed
i luQ ulTou lJS u6SbIubtlUu.
"Going to the rear with dispatches"
was the brief reply.
Here was my opportunity. Squirting
forward soon explained my wishes to
the Lieutenant in command, and he cor
daily invited me to accompany him.
At. a lively trot we covered the miles of
dirt road to Berryville, which village
we reached soon after midnight. Here
we found the supply trains securely
packed, waiting for the dawn to take
the road up the Valley. The strag-
Cling little town was crammed with
teamsters, and, as usual, they were
full of wild rumors and hidden dan
gers. They told us of midnight assas-
sinations by bushwackers, and desultory
attacks on their fanks by Mosby and
his men. in fact, every man was
afraid of his own shadow.
To my disgust the escort lieutenant
decided to remain in biveuac until day
light. This did not suit me at all, for
unless I reached the Ferry in time for
the regular Baltimore train, all my
work would be lost. So 1 frightened
the girth, reloaded my revolver, and
ret out on lonely ride. The distance
from Berryville to Harper's Ferry was
too long and hazardous for me to at
tempt, so struck out to the left at
the forks of the roads below the town,
in the direction of Martinsburg. I had
been fortunate during the afternoon in
being able to exchange the horse given
me by General Custer for one caught
while it was quietly grazing on the
battlefield; so I knew l could make
good time.
The moon shone bright and clear on
the road before me. cantered on un.
til daylight came and I reached Mar
tinsburg. Walking down to the trestle
bridge, I found the railroad construc,
ton party at work. To the chief oi
the party I presented an order from
Mr.. Smith, and requested him to send
me to the Ferry. He obeyed the order
and enjoyed another rapid ride on 9
locomotive.
I caught the Baltimore train, and