The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-03-08

head, bring out the big black mare, and
be quick about it, He soon appeared
with Saul and the horse and a lantern,
and helped to exchange the saddle and
bride. As I climbed from the fence on
the mare and rode away be threw the
light of the lantern on my face and said,
in tender voice: "Good luck, fer have
boy, may be sbout yeur age, with
Stonewall Jackson"
My new beast was as tall as drome.
dary, as I steered her through The deep
mud she seemed to plough 1t like gun
boat and knew just as little about rid.
ing bride. Madison Courthouse WAS 10
miles from standardsville and by the time
we reached it she was worn out. There,
fortunately, was q courier station and I
exchanged her for little gray horse.
Gathering through the streets OF that
slumbering town was soon in the open
country and on another deep mud road.
Suddenly my horse slipped, gave groan
and was down, and rolled off into the
mire. Jumped up and asked him to do
the same, but he never moved and was
apparently dead. Taking off the saddle
I stood by the roadside in hopeless be.
wilderment. I locked about me and
could see no habitstion, no light, moth.
ing. Just then little imp jumped into
the road on the opposite side with 8
"Good Lordy, what's datf" Explans-
tions followed. he was on his way to
town for the doctor "for ole missus. .
He said it was "a mile or mo- from town
around de road, but cutabias 'cross de
fields not more'n half a mile-not dat"
I bribed him with q dollar to hurry to
the tavern and tell them to send me an.
other horse, and be disappeared like q
rabbit in the dark.
sat upon the fence and waited. The
rain was pouring dewn, I was covered
with mud and water, my little horse gave
no sign of life, the night was waning and
my spirits were sinking rapidly. But the
little darkey came, the forerunner of an
other white horse, which soon made its
appearance. I was soon mounted, and
as my little black angel received the dol.
lar and let go my bride he cried, "Golly,
I mos forgot, I mus run back after de
doctorp
ARRIVAL AT cULPEPPER COURTHOUSE.
After nine miles more of spurfing and
splashing l ran into James City, where |
changed to tall gaunt roam that carried
me valiantly the II miles to Culpepper
Courthouse. As I approached the town
there was a suspicion of light in the di>
rection of dawn, and the rain had par.
tally worn itself out. In all directions
heard the drums of an early reveille
and encountered group of horsemen sit
ting on their horses in the cleaning. l
found it was General Dick Taylor and
his staff, of Ewell's command. Learning
that he was ordered to march, and evil
dently in the wrong direction, suggest
ed to him that he should not move until
he heard from General Ewell, who, he
said, was encamped beyond Brandy Sta
ton. One of the staff kindly offered me
q fresh horse and General Taylor ordered
courier to lead the way and "ride like
the devil" This the courier did and 80
did I, but as had been doing that thing
all night it was no novelty to me. We
rushed along like pair of John Gilpins,
and it never seemed to occur to my guide
that might be nearly worn out I didn't
mention it.
But we soon made the six miles to
Brandy Station. After several miles
more. I'VE drew rein at the Generals quar-
ters, just as I was beginning to be ex-
hausted beyond endurance. The General
was just up, aud dismounted and hand
ed him the crumpled and saturated dis
patch. he read it aud quickly turning
to me said, "You don't Say" But
the sentence was not finished. Seeing
me totter and about to fall he caught me,
led me to cot and laid me there; and
then the dear, rough old soldier made the
air blue with orders for brandy and coffee
and breakfast-not for himself, but fol
me.
JAcKsoN's COOL RECEPTION.
NV ride was done and nature asserted
itself by reaction and exhaustion. In less
than 20 honrs I had ridden about lO5
miles, and since left General Jackson
had passed around the Massanuten, over
the Blue Ridge, and, through rain and
mud and impenetrable night, had been
on the strain of a cavalry charge fol
more than 80 miles.
When 1 revived and had dsomething to cal
and drink the General sent me in his am
bulance to Culpepper Courthouse, where
went to bed in hotel. There re
mained for "a hours and began to retrace
my steps to the Valley of Virginia. Il
was weary ride, taking up my horses at
went, and at 10 o'clock the second
night rode up to General Jacsson'i
headquarters, near Conrad's store. 1t had
not ceased to rain for an hour since
left, and, except when in bed, had been
clad in soaking garments from start te
finish.
went into General Jackson's room te
report. 1t was empty of furniture ano
on the hearth were some dying Goals OF
wood fire. He was lying on the floor
upon thin mattress, wrapped in 6
blanket and asleep. I awoke him and
made my report. He listened politely
and then, with Every good you did gel
there in time; good nightl" he turned