The National tribune., 1890-09-04
LOUDOUN RANGERS.
Bullets More Effective Than the Word of God.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In my former
letter to your paper omitted stating that in
the fight with Col. White at Waterford we lost
two killed and six wounded, Lieut. Slater cling
among the wounded. The command then de.
voyed upon Sergt Webster, who, after hold
ing ont for two hours against regiment,
surrendered about 20 men to White. who i'm.
mediately parOled MS, rs stipulated in the
terms Of surrender. The rebels lost two killed,
but the number wounded was never known.
| We fought like tigers. and surrendered only
when obliged TO do 80 for want of ammunition
The Rangers consisted of one company: Co.
i was subsequently added in the year 1863.
The day following the fight Mt Waterford, Col
Cole and Capt. Means joined forces and pursued
White following him as far as Leesburg; and
there the Colonel was informed that Lees
entire army was advancing toward Maryland,
| but he refused 10 believe IL, until Col Mum.
| ford's regiment came dashing up on him, and
before we escaped from the town we had two
wounded, one killed and number captured.
Cole formed his men about one mile north OF
town, and attempted to give battle, but after
firing few rounds he retreated toward Point
of Rocks, Md. The rebels followed in close
pursuit, killing, wounding and making pris-
oners Of quite number of both commands
Capt Means came near losing his head-a rebel
striking off his hat, but he made good his
escape; 1ceing 10 the mountains and taking q
by-road 10 Maryland no arrived save at Point
Of Rocks.
The men behaved we'll and fought brayely as
long as there WAS any hope OF SUCCESS but IL
was impossible for two companies of nndis.
ciplined men 10 Withstand five times their
number Of well-armed and well-disciplned men
who had been used 10 fighting. / met a sol.
dier, who belonged TO Mumford's regiment, after
the war, and he told me he admired the
bravery OF our men, but saw that il WAS useless
10 try 10 Withstand such overwhelming num-
bers. After this fight Capt Means gathered his
scattered troopers and Joined Gen. Miles's forces
at Harper's Ferry, and remained there until
the surrender Of that place, but made his way
out with the cavalry who cut their way out
through Lees army aud joined Mcclellan ut
South Mountain.
SAW Webster dash into Point Of Rocks inst
rs about 40 rebels had left the town. The
same night witnessed corps Of the rebel army
cross the Potomac on their way to Harper's
Ferry, aud a dirtier more ragged set of men /
never saw in all my life. They resembled an
army Of tTamps.
An old rebel sympathizor Informed the rebs
that was soldier dressed In citizens clothea
| was arrested and put with number of pris
oners and with them marched to Winchester
and On arriving ] was placed on top an old
stage-cOach and taken TO Staunton and lodged
in jail and from there was taken 10 Richmond
aud lodged in Libby. l saved by myself from
being held prisoner during the war by telling
lie. That lie did me more good than telling
the truth.
Whenever go to Stanton look at the old
Jail and feel proud that was in there, because
Of my loyalty aud devotion to the Government
l returned to near Stanton after the war as
"a Minister Of the Gospel, but found that bul
lets were more efiectual in reforming rebels
than the Word Of Godfrey. j. w. FoRsYTa.
Gilmore City, Iowa.