Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-28

TIE MARCH FROM WINCHESTER ACROSS THE NOUN
TAIN-FRIeHTENINa THE INHABITANTS WITH
skIRNIsH DRIIL-A GIRL WHO THOUGHT THEY
WANTED PINE TOP INSTEAD OF WATER.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
round HILL, Va, July ~, 1891.
Winchester is thing Of the past for cavalry
troop A on their march. Yesterday afternoon
at O'Clock the troop passed down the main
street and out on the road, the bugles now and
then awakening the Sabbath stiffness. 1t was a
wrench to part from Winchester. The boys had
spent many pleasant hours enjoying the hospi-
fahty OF the citizens, the charms of the citi-
zenesses and in inspecting the many historic
points in the neighborhood. To men inter-
ested in military tactics the entire surrounding
country presents an aspect we'll worth study
and the cavalry boys in the intervals Of the re-
ceipt OF hospitality or the agreeable task of dis
pensing the same paid visits to fields where
some OF the tiercest fighting of the late war &C.
Cured.
ONE IMMENSE BATTLE GROUND.
The entire country, in fact, is one immense
battle ground. The heights are pointed out
where the confederate batteries were situated
and whose capture turned Winchester over to
the federal forces. In the town itself are many
houses marked by the scars of shot and she'll
just on the outskirts stand the confederate and
Union burying grounds, containing the remains
OF many heroes of the great struggle, and the
former also the scene of one of the most bit
teriy contested of the fights around Winchester,
On the main street of Winchester, the site being
IN part occupied by the buildings of the Valley
Female college, are the remains Of the fort
built at this point by Washington in 1855,
and Indians. A portion of the bastion walls
are sun standing and are being carefully pre-
served by the hospitable president of the in
stitution, Rev. John p. Hyde, who is also
chaplain of the second Virginia regiment, the
headquarters for which are located at VIM
CHESTER. DIR. Hyde was most cordial in his at
tentlons to the troop, although the malicious
doubt has been expressed that if the girls col
lege. over which DR.. Hyde presides with such
dignity, had been in session the boys would
not have been allowed such free and unlimited
roaming over the premises. The view from
the college observatory is magnificent one
ana takes In over seventy miles Of country,
comprising half . dozen OF the battlefields Of
the civil war
THE CoaMrssARY DEPARTMENT A SOFT THING.
Yesterday the troop marched about twelve
miles and camped in a stubble field with the
sky as canopy and the cold night wind as a
covering, Capt Neumeyer and Sergt Spring
man, however, slept i'll tent. 1t is a remark
ABLY emily and ''freezious evening, as the col
partmeht gets left either in furnishing remark
able meals under the circumstances or in max
ing themselves comfortable. Mr. Ed ApplinR
Is also connected with the commissary depart
ment and has rapidly picked up the inherent
tendencies of the other members of the DEPART
ment Private Donovan last evening had a
marrow escape from being shot in mistake for
o Wild and untamed savage. He rode into camp
with a halo of feathers, blanket and q
blood curdling yell and the guard
OH
woods. The boys slept well at the improvised
camp, although the horses had been turned
loose and roamed rather freely among the
sleeping men. One large-sized mule in especial
look tremendous fancy to Lieut.. Perry and
was seen to jump over him eleven times, how
ever, without disturbing in the slightest the
peaceful slumbers of the lieutenant The In
dian campaign, which Lieut. Perry has lately
enjoyed, has caused his sleeping capacities to
be Of the finest doube-back action quality. He
full slumber with rapidity and grace which
causes Capt. Barbour and Lieut.. Ferguson to
blush with shame.
This morning the command marched to
Round Hill through a most beautiful country.
The well cultivated fields were generally marked
by substantial stone walls, and the breed Of
horses and other stock seemed of high grade.
At the Shenandoah, which WAS reached about
~ CLOCK, the scene was well worthy OF an
artist. The river was struck at Castleman 9
ferry, but disdaining the rather clumsy ferry
boat, which is navigated by means Of q long
rope and tackle, the troopers plunged into the
water at the ford and pushed steadily across
The water reached the saddles and the boys
chung to the horses in numberless more or less
graceful attitudes in the attempt to keep the
water out of boots. The long line of horses
splashing through the swift current, with here
and there a desperate attempt to lie down, made
q thoroughly typical army scene. although AZ
Capt. Newmeyer said it would have been an |
moving to have had number OF sharp shooters
On the opposite bank disputing the passage
The passage of the river was followed by the
passage of the mountains. The troop passed
through Smoker S Gap. marked during the war
by the passage OF more than one army. From
the top the view was striking one, the two
valleys being stretched out in full view, backed
up by the long lines Of blue mountains.
FRIGHTENING TUE INHABITANTS WITH sKIRMIsH
DRILL
Going up the mountain the troop went
through very pretty little skirmish drill and
the sharp crack of the carbines and clear notes
from the bugles caused a number of peaceful
citizens to take to the woods in hot haste The
inhabitants along the mountain ridge are of the
primitive order, many Of them subsisting
manufacture of what is locally known IA "pine
top, being whisky of certain order to
which the revenue officer has not received an
introduction Many cabins were closed M
suddenly as the advance guard of the bows we're
perceived. At one house very pretty girl.
whose only drawback seemed to be the
cute little habit of chewing snuff, was
almost frightened into palpitation of the
heart by the advance guard stopping
at the house. After being partially re-.
assured by Sergeant Springman's winning
ways and solemn oaths that not pine-top but
water was all that was desired she gradually
melted sufficiently to ask, What sort of mems
are youse, anyway She was informed that
they were all perfect gentlemen but when
told that seventy more of the same kind were
behind expressed her determination to lock up
and move back into the woods. She impaired
the valuable information that the boys didn't
hang around there much on account OF "pap."
but that she managed to have frst-rate time
anyway. Pressed as to particulars as to the
good time she said dccisively, ..Going to
church" After that the advance moved of
pensively.
THE RIDE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
Down the mountain moved the column, hats
being raised every few yards in answer TO the
numerous greetings. The troopers, by the
way, are getting SO much practice in using
their hats that the action is becoming merely
automatic and can be done as we'll asleep as
awake
About u o'clock the troopers reached their
camping grounds, just on the outskirts of
Round Hill, which is assuming the nronortiops