The record-union., 1893-03-13
A RIDE FOR STONEW ALL.
A Confederate Officers Wonderful
Record.
How the Order by Which jackson and
Ewell Concentrated In the Campaign
of 1862 Was Carried Through
Night and Rain by Boy.

The battle of Keanstown was fought on
March %, 1862, and for the only time in
his military career General Jackson was
beaten. True, he contended agains,
heavy odds, accomplished his purpose OF
retaining Banks and his army in the val
ley and was thanked by resolution OF
the Confederate Congress, but the fact re-
mains his marvellous record contains this
one defeat.
The army returned to its former camp,
south of Mount Jackson and near Rude's
hill. 1 was young and still younger
looking Second Lieutenant in the Second
Virginia Regiment, Stonewall Brigade.
One raw, cold day near the middle OF
April was ordered to report at once at
headquarters for special duty.
At army headquarters was introduced
to General jackson, who received me
with his characteristic politeness and
few words. After dinner ne withdrew to
his room and saw no more of him that
day.
For several days 1 was engaged with
colonel Bayler arranging the conscripted
militia and assigning them to old regi-
ments.
On April 18th General Banks advanced
and General Jackson broke camp and
moved further up the valley. l was left
behind with the cavalry.
MESSAGE FOR GENERAL EwELL.
The next day we reached Harrison
burg, and about the time of setting sun
General Jackson called for me. The
heavens were covered with black clouds
and the rain was descending in torrents.
The General handed me a paper from un-
DER his rubber cape and requested me to
take 1t to General Ewell. Surprised to
hear that Ewell was in the vicinity, l in
nocently asked where l would find him,
He quietly replied that he was on the
other side of the Blue Ridge Mountains,
somewhere near Culpepper Courthouse,
and, while my heart stood still with
aInazement, he told me the contents of
the paper, and added that as it was yery
important he did not care to send it by a
courier and wanted it delivered by day
light in the morning.
For moment l was stampeded, par
alyzed. had never been over foot of
the intervening country, had only
vague idea that Culpepper was some
where beyond the mountains, but how to
get there l could not imagine. And then
night was upon us, it was raining like
the deluge, and had already ridden that
day to and fro twenty-five miles. But a
young man soon rallies, and | quickly
pulled myself together. 1 was being
weighed in the balance right there, and I
determined to throw all nv weight in
the scales.
General, will start at once if can
get a horse"
Take my mare" said generous Kid
DER Meade OF the staff, "and strike for
Stanardsville first"
RIDE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.
AS / rode away on Meade,s beautiful
n 81
lowed me-''A successful and pleasant
trip" 1t was kindly meant, but it
sounded strangely like sarcasm. For
ward l went into the mud and into the
night, every minute growing darker and
wetter. All WEAKNESS was gone, and |
felt as fresh as my melted horse. In
little while L was rounding the base of
the Massanullin Mountain, where II
breaks as abruptly down into the valley
as it rises from it at Strasburg. The tow
ering mass only Mortified the night.
Then on through McGabeysville and
across the south fork of the Shenandoah
TO Conrad's store. Here, as approached
the Blue Ridge, 1 felt almost helpless i'm
the impenetrable stormy night. / stopped
to make some inquiries and procured a
small bottle of whisky for an emergency.
Then into and up the black mountain.
Vision was hopeless, but fortunately the
road was solid and fairly good, and my
hOloO COulQ ASCp W L COulu TeaCl out
and feel her neck and ears, but could not
see them. Ny speed was necessarily
slackened, not only because horse cam
not climb mountain like a goat. but
safety required some caution. At times
l heard the water rush under us and
across the road and tumble in torrents so
far down below that | knew we ware
travelling along perilous edges. The as
cent seemed very steep and very long.
At last we reached the summit of Swiit
Run Gap. 1t was from this summit and
through this gap that Governor Spots
wood and his knights of the Golden
Horseshoe, in 17I6, obtained the white
mans first view of the Valley of the
Shenandoah. From the same point of
view did not partake of their enchant-
ment.
But just here 1 met knight of less
romantic order. He was a belated,
drowsy, bedraggled courier plodding his
way from Ewell to Jackson. From him
/ extracted some useful information as to
my route, and in return gave him a pull
at my flask. 1t was vile stuff, but as he
seemed TO like it l gave him the bottle
and left him on the summit.
ON THE WRONG ROAD.
The descent was quicker and I went
plunging into Stanardsville, having done
Ihirty-seven miles on that blooded mare.
Here l tried to get another horse. buI
failed. My efforts cost me half an hour.
and then 1 moved on. Anxiety for INV
noble beast added another horror to the
night, Just out of StanardsyilIe the road
forked in the middle of broad and shall
low stream, and of course I took the
wrong one. A half mile beyoud I
aroused the inmate of a cabin and learned
my mistake. Retracing my steps found
the right road and was soon in front of a
white farmhouse. a few well-directed
l..
head out OF an upper window. | ap-
pealed to him for horse. l fancy l saw
him smile satirically as he declined, but
he politely urged me to dismount and
come in out OF the wet" / then knew I
must play trumps, and said plaintively:
"My dear friend, | am an officer of Stone
wall Jackson's staff carrying an import
ant message, and I must have a fresh
horse"
''The devil" was all the response 1
had, and down went the window. But
Immediately heard again, at the back of
the house, with rising infection: saul,
Saul, l say Saul-drat that sleepy niger
there you are-run, you woolly head,
bring out the big black mare, and be
quick about it.r
he soon appeared with Saul and the
horse and lantern and helped to ex-
change the saddle and bride. As /
climbed from the fence on the mare and
RODE away ne tnreW tne nght OF the IAN
tern on my face and said in a tender
voice: GOOD luck, for l have boy, may
be about your age, with Stonewall Jack
son."
My new beast was as tall as a drome-
Diary, and as l steered her through the
deep mud she seemed to plow it like a
gunboat and knew just as little about q
riding bride. Madison Courthouse was
fourteen miles from Standardsville and
by the time we reached it she was worn
out. There, fortunately, was courier
station and 1 exchanged her for little