Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-03-09


3Oth Of June, 1862, cannot be forgotten.
McClellan's army was struggling to
shake oil the persistent attacks OF Lees
victorious battalions, which, flushed
by their successes north OF the Chicla-
hominy and White Oak swamp, re-
NAMED In daily contact with our rear
guard. The seven days battles were In
progress, and our army was in full re.
treat for the James river aud the shell.
tcring aid Of our gunboats
Each day was full OF fighting, and
each night OF hard marching. There
was no rest for man or beast, In tho
evening the troop TO which Murphy and
/ belonged was assigned theduty OF pick.
citing one Of the numerous roads found
In that country, but which could not be
found on any mnp II left the Quaker
road near Glendale and stretched out
southwesterly; where II led 10 or ended
none OF us then knew. A little before
sunset the troop, or rather half troop,
which commanded was pushed out on
this road beyond the infantry, with In
structions 10 proceed until the enemy
W as met, and 10 establish vftettes US
close 10 him as he would permit, and
so remain during the night
1--WE had gone but n short distance
when the advance guard was fired
upon, one man being wounded. After
ascertaining that IL was the enemy's
infantry which occupied our front,
videttes were posted aud the place for
the reserve selected
The men had not been on post long
when n detachment Of regular cavalry,
co mmanded by u sergeant, attempted
| TO pass ON our road. IL was halted, and
| explained to the sergeant that hos
tile infantry held the road Immediately
In front, and that he could not pass
through their line. lie said his orders
to find Gen. Sykes command were inn
| perative; that he had some dispatches
and an important message for the gen
eraL Difficulty In getting TO him had
been anticipated, and the message had
been memorized by each Of the men,
hoping that some OF them might get
through and deliver II.
"IIe deployed his men in small
groups, at wide intervals ut the right
/ OF the road, and taking brisk gallop,
they disappeared in the woods. In a
/ few moments n heavy muskctry fire
was opened on them, and an hour later
I one OF them came back badly wounded,
having escaped In the darkness from
his captors. lie said that several OF his
companions had been killed and that
lie feared none had gotten through.
The night was dark and very still.
The road ran through forest OF large
..fI al. In rla dat
locked above IT, and from the outposts
could be heard the steady tramp Of
marching troops In front OF MS. We
learned nfterward that they were on
the River rond, into which ours led,
and were moving toward Malvern hill,
with the intention Of preventing our
people from reaching the river,
ITO sit on horse In the woods dur
ing dark night near an enemy whose
purpose Is unknown, and whom he can
hear moving but cannot bee, Is not one
Of the most enjoyable occupations
that falls 10 the lot Of a cavalryman.
'The incidents Of the early evening
IA man Of our own party shot down
on the ground we now occupied, the
apparent humiliation of the detach-
VI iNkhNhlol Aib nun ~
moving column Of the enemy's infantry,
the recollections Of the sanguinary
struggles which had been witnessed
during the past few days, TO which
must DC added the effect Of exhaustion,
due 20 overworlt, loss OF rest and lack
OF proper football had contributed to
make this little command somewhat
nervous and shalty
1.-THE men who were not on post
slept TO horse'-that Is, laid down in
front of their horses, fastening the
bride reins Ia their wrists or belts.
Recognizing the spirit of nervousness
plainly apparent on the ontposts, | was
almost afraid 10 dismount; but at
length, overcome by fatigue, did so.
/ had not boon seated long when |
h-~rS y sr--A E-alasv 4.slIg on VI