Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-06-24

He leaped aboard a train which he seized
at Charlottesville, rushed in Ramseur's d.
vision and part of Gordon's and here he
is, having come eighty miles marching
and sixty miles by rail, while Hunter was
coming less than half the distance.
Just on time. Bang go the smooth bores
from the littleea works, pop, pop, go the
muskeis, and Ramseur's men meet Hunters
Just in time to set them back. And that
night the two armies-or rather Hunter
army and fragment of Early's-sleep on
the field.
THE 18th OF JUNE.
The anniversary of Waterlool The day
of Fate for Lynchburgl
The artillery hasn't come. Rode's oil.
vision is trooping along with it overland
from Charlottesville. The odds are ire
mendous.
In the center of his line beyond the toll
gate Hunter plants his artillery; on either
side are amassed his infantry divisions, and
on the wings the cavalry divisions.
Forward is the word and on they come
Seated on his horse near the Hickson House
| Gen. Early, and Ramseur's and some -, OF
Gordon's men are there in front, and the
two little smooth-bores are doing their best
now. Hunters shells are screaming over
College Hill, some fly way into the town,
one as far as Mems garden on Court
street. -.
| In the woods just to the right of the 1T
tie fort near the toll-gate the blow is struck
and the rattle of musketry and the thunder
| of cannon is making the glasses jingle IN
the Hill City.
| STEADY boys! steady! and steady they
we're. The cloud of smoke rolls over the
| woods-Hunter is beaten, the day is won,
old Lynchburg is saved.
| THE 10TH OF JUNE.
1t was Gen. Early's intention, Email as
were his numbers, to attack Hunter at dawn
on the 18Th, but Hunter took French leave
that night. On the afternoon OF the 18th
Early's infantry ran his rear guard through
Liberty-and on they went clear through
to the woods Of West Virginia.
OLD VIRGINIA NEVER TIRES.
Gen. Early had discretionary orders from
Gen. Lee.
| He could now return to Lees Army, or
he could march en- to threaten Washington.
When there was the alternative OF fight or
no fight, everybody knows which way Ear
ly would decide.
ssMarch and fight" was his decision.
Down the Valley he went. leaving Stauu-
ton June Goth, with 10000 infantry and g.
900 cavalry, and on July I'd he was at Win
chester, The flying column seems to know
no WEAKNESS, and now Washington, not
Lynchburg, is being stirred up by news of
a coming foe.
EARLY BEATS TWO ARMIES, BOTTLES UP A
THIRD AND OCCUPIES FOURTH.
On the 9th of July Early passed Harper's
Ferry, bottling up there Sigels army of g.
600 men, which took to its trenches and
guns on Maryland Heights, Leaving it be-
hind him he marched swiftly through the
mountain gaps aud on the 7th met Gen.
Lew Wallace with another army at Monoc-
acy River. He attacked right along, drove
Wallace to Baltimore after capturing zoo
prisoners, and then set out for Washington
WASHINGTON.
All was now commotion III Washington.
The Governors of States called ont the re-
serves. Two corps of Grants army were
shipped to save the capital. Already in the
Notifications were 90, 900 men and the forts
were manned with heavy guns.
On the nth of July, in the late afternoon
had you looked out from the Capitol you
would have seen the shells bursting on the
edge of Washington.
But it was impossible for 5000 Confede-
| TdLSS JU SbUTu anu carry A6hFf WoihS WiVh
nearly 40 900 mon inside Of them, so wisely
enough General Early did not attempt it.
THE GREATEST MARCH OF THE WAR.
He turned about and on July IA he cross
ed the Potomac into Loudoun county, Viz
ginia. He had marched $40 miles in thirty
days, beaten one army at Lynchburg three
!, or four times outnumbering his owp, won
against another at Monocacy, the only bat
tie won Curing the war on Northern soil
bottled up Sigel, and frightened Washing
ton.
He had broken up all of Grants plans
and there is no doubt that bis wonderful
feat of arms prolonged the war one year
He wound up this unparalleled campaign
at Kernstown by attacking and defeating
Crook who had been placed in command in
place of Hunter, Crook losing 1900 men.
In the subsequent Valley campaign against
Sheridan he and his little band occupied
nearly 90, 900 men. Sheridan had G9,0D0
men for duty when Early had but $4,000
under him after ne had been reinforced by
Lee with Kershaw's and Auderson's diVi-
sons--and besides there were 10000 in
| Washington City.
But enough.
| Lynchburg gives greeting today to Gen
eral Jubal Anderson Early.
Long live the grand hero ! Old Virginia
never gave birth to a Drawer man or trrer
son. The name and deeds of Early and his
men will live forever in the hearts Of the
! faithful.