South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1890-09-19
THETNTELLIGENCER
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 10. 1890.
. he Last Man Killed.

Al IA Der TAN ana mluulesaEeN mhDt
somewhat bald, Of pleasant address,
stands behind the desk and greels the
guest on bis arrival At he Norvell-
Arlington Hotel at Lypeliturg, Va.
His name is X. StUckwe.l Terry. and
he has the reputation OF having killed
the last UniC n soldier who fell in the
rebellion.
The circumstances attending aud
following this event are peculiar and
dramatic, AMI l repeat them as they
were related to me not long ago by
one Of Terry's friends.
When the war broke out Terry was
somewhat adventurous STRIPPING of
l6, and together with two other
Lynchburg boys, Cleytur and Smith
by name (the la ter, by the way, now
the partner Of a Massachusetts, man,
George De Wit, formerly of Green.
field, and leading tobacco manufac
turers In Lvnchburg), left home and
joined Mosby's notorious band OF
troopers.
At The time OF Lees surrender al
Appdmattox and the final proclama-
ton 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 him self. on return
ing from this expedition, In the vicin-
ity Of his bomc, and, partly because
OF little affair Of the heart and part
ly for other reasons, asked and OBJ
tanned few days leave of absence TO
visit Lynchburg.
AS he logged along 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,
horse which had formerly heen his,
hut which had been captured by the
enemy some mouths before. 1t was
hItched to a tree, and its rider was
evidently 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
demonstrations OF joy in spite Of eve
~ effort OF Terry's 10 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
bru4hwood parted q 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 a few minutes
within the Confederate lines. Out
into the road after him rushed the
cavalry, man, who, leveling bis gun.
fired after the fleeing trooper. The
bullet buzzed by Terry's head and
sped by on a blOodless mission; the
guerrilla turned 10 his saddle, and
pe-ceiving his pursuer standing ir
IN the read preparing TO fire again
brought his Iesdy rife to his shout
der, and with precision, acquired by
long experience, returned the shot.
Crack and the one quick glance
sufllced for Terry. He SAW the SOL
der stagger and fall, but at the same
tue saw number of Federal sol.
diers rush out from the WOODS. doubt.
less to discover the cause OF the FIR
ing. On went Terry at the top OF
his bent, and as he urged his pant.
ing beast up the ascent leading into
| LYnchburg, he turned again and saw
several mounted men, evidently COM
rades OF his luckless victim, pressing
after him in hot pursuit.
As he neared the city he began to
have serious misgivings. No Con-
federate guard bsrred his way, and
his anxious eye deserted the Federal
flag floating from the top OF the Court
House, signal of conquest. But re-
treat was impossible, aud with the
dare. devil courage for which he was
conspicuous, he determined 10 press
on and trust TO fate.
Through the paved streets OF the
war-scatred city rushed pursuer and
pursued, the foam dripping from the
horses, and their flying boots strik-
ing the fire from the 6inty surface
At the door Of his future father-in-
law Terry dismounted, and In the
house sought refuge. Scarcely bad
be time to make a hurried explanation
before a tumult arose without, and
angry voices emphasized with soul.
curdling oaths. demanded that the
ID rebel be dragged out and
hung
II was one OF those terrible exigen
cies which try mems souls, but the
master Of the house was quick 70 act,
Turning bis beleaguered guest over
/ TO the other members Of the family
he rushed 10 the door and found him
self face TO face with the comrades Of
the dead man aud q mob Of the enra'
ged soldiers, who had learned Of the
affair and crowded into the street
from everywhere all desirons Of a.
vepging the death Of the Union GAYS
alryman. An officer advanced up the
steps and demanded of Mr.. Hoag the
surrender Of the man whom be was
informed was concealed In the house.
The old gentleman donied any knows
edge Of the fugitive, and refused any
oIe admistance, falling back upon bis
rights as a citizen to deny admission
TO anybody not armed with an order
from the provost marshal. The Off.