Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-07-08
Hon. VIM. L. Wilson.

A Chicago dispatch pretends to give
n true story of Hon. VIM. l.. Wilson,
of West Virginia, in which he is rep
resented as being q drummer boy In
Iongstreet's corps at the battle OF
Rails Bluff. Loudoun county; that
the head OF his drum was shot out.
whereupon Wilson retired from action
and was seated on the roadside; that
being questioned by Longstreet why
he was not in the fray, he replied
that he could not fight with leaky
drum. The story further states that
Wilson was given a gun winch dlo
not leak, and that at the surrender
he had risen to the rank OF captain
i'm the Confederate army. This story
wonld do very well but for the fact
that ii has not the slightest founda-
ton in fact. Neither General Long
street nor Mr.. Wilson heard the roar
OF cannon. the rattle OF musketry or
the shouts OF Confederate victory at
Balls Bluff, for they were many miles
away. Mr.. Wilson. accomplished as
he is, was never accused OF any special
devotion TO music, and 10 those VINO
know him the suggestion that he had
ever been a drummer boy VIII be
amusing.
But there is true story OF Mr..
Wilson's army life, which will bear
repeating, for it has already been
told in the Sun He was private in
Company b, Twelfth Virginia Cav
airy, Ashby's afterwards Rosser s.
brigade, Army Of Northern Virginia.
The company was made up OF young
men principally raised in Jefferson
county. with a sprinkling OF gallant
young men FROM Maryland. The
company was commanded by Capt.
Robert w. BAYLOR and Lieurs. Milton
Rouss. George Baylor and Bushrod
c.. Washington. The company had
the reputation Of being one OF the
bravest and most dashing in the cav
airy corps Of the Army Of Northern
Virginia, and on one occasion was
granted two-weeks' furlough and
highly commended by Gen. j. +. b.
Stuart for distinguished gallantry.
1t was in this company that Mr.. VIII
son, then a very young man, won
reputation for courage and all good
soidierly qualities equal TO that OF
anv man in il. He was the COM
missary of the company, which re-
lieved him from guard and picket
duty. but he frequently volunteered
and performed these duties. He was
not a captain or commissi oned officer,
but q private in the front ranks
whenever the company wa. called in
to action. The true story OF Mr..
Wilson is about as follows: In 1863
Gen. WIN. Z. Jones's brigade, to
which Company b was attached,
made an extensive raid into west
Virginia, penetrating as far as FAR
mont, Clarksburg, and other points.
Whilst passing through an intensely
Union settlement, Mr.. Wilson en-
countered a venerable Union woman.
who proceeded 10 ventilate her con
tempt and detestation in general for
Confederate soldiers, and particular
Nv for those composing the invading
command. There is a large vein OF
humor in Mr.. Wilson's composition,
and he proceeded to guy the old lady,
which made matters worse, and she
finally let loose her tongue with
abuse. Finally Mr.. Wilson INDUCED
in some laudatory language OF the
Confederates, referring to their
courage, good looks, etc, and cited
himself as an example OF those quail,
ties. This was more than the old
lady could stand, and she let out on
Mr.. Wilson, who was then small III
stature, with a sparse lnustache OF
very light color. You are oeautl,
full specimen, amt you?" said the oId
lady. If you are a specimen OF
good-looking rebel, the good Lord
spare me from seeing an ugly one,
Why, your mustache looks for all the
world like it had been dyed IN b,atcrmiN. .
Wilson could stand it no longer, and
for the first time beat retreat from
the Union forces. Sun.