The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-03-08
A RIDE FOR STONEWALL.
\ Confederate oflcor's Wonderful Record
Philadelphia Times.

on March %, 1862, and for the only time
in his military career General Jackson
was beaten. True, he contended against
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
remains his marvellous record contains
this one defeat.
The army returned to its former camp,
south of Mount Jackson and near Rude's
Hill. I was a young and still younger
looking Second Lieutenant in the Second
Virginia Regiment, stonewall Brigade
One raw, cold day near the middle of
April I was ordered to report OF once at
headquarters for special duty.
At army headquarters I was introduced
to General Jackson, who received me
with his characteristic politeness and few
words. After dinner he withdrew to his
room and / saw no more of him that day.
For several days I was engaged with
Colonel Bayler arranging the conscripted
militia and assigning them to old regi-
ments.
On April II General Banks advanced
and General Jackson broke camp and
moved further up the valley. I was left
behind with the cavalry.
A 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 paper from
under bis rubber cape and requested me
to take it to General Ewell. Surprised
to hear that Ewell was in the vicinity, l
innocently asked where I would find
him. he quietly replied that he was on
the other side of the Blue Ridge Noun
tains, somewhere near Culpepper Court.
house, and while my heart stood still
with amszements he told me the contents
of the paper, and added that as it was
very important he did not care to send it
by carrier and wanted it delivered by
darl;rbf l., tho morning
For moment I was stampeded, par.
alyzed. had never been over foot of
the intervening country, had only q
vague idea that Culpepper was some
where beyond the mountains, but how to
get there I could not imagine. And then
night was upon us, it was rc:2ing like
The deluge and bad already ridden to
and fro that day about 25 miles. But a
young man soon rallies, and I Iquickly
pulled myself together. was being
weighed in the balance right there, and |
determined to throw all my weight in the
scales.
General, I will start at once if I can
get a horse"
"Take my mare," said generous Kid.
der Meade of the staff, "and strike for
Standardsville irst."
RIDE OVER THE MOUNTAINS.
As rode away on Meade's beautiful
dun mare the voice of the General fol-
lowed me-"A successful and pleasant
ride" 1t was kindly meant, but it
sounded strangely like sarcasm. Forward
I went into the mud and into the night,
every minute growing darker and wetter.
All WEAKNESS was gone, and l field as
fresh as my mettled horse. In little
while I was rounding the base of the
Massanulin Moutain, where it breaks as
abruptly down into the valley as it rises
from it at strasburg. The towering mass
only Mortified the night. Then on
through McGaheysville and across the
South Fork of the Shenandoah to Con.
RAIDS store. Here, as I approached the
Blue Ridge, I fell almost helpless in ths
impenetrable stormy night. I stopped to
make some inquiries and procured q
small bottle of whiskey for an emergency.
Then into and up the black mountain.
Vision was hopeless, but fortunately the
road was solid and fairly good and my
horse could keep to it. 1 could reach out
and feel her neck and ears, but could not
SEQ them. My speed was necessarily
slackeued, not only because horse can
not climb mountain like goat, but
safely required some caution. At times
I heard the water rush under as and
across the road and tumble in torrents so
far down below that I knew we were
travelling along perious edges. The as
cent seemed very steep and very long.
At last we reached the summit of Swift
Run Gap. 1t was from this summit and
through this gap that Governor Spots
wood and his Knights of the Golden
Horseshoe, in 17l6, 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 l met knight of a lees
romantic order. He was belated,
drowsy, bedragged courier ploding his
way from Ewell to Jackson. From him
extracted some useful information as to
my route and in return gave him pull
at my flask. 1t was vile stuff, but as be
seemed to like it 1 gave him the bottle
and left him on the summit.
ON THE WRONG ROAD.
The descent was quicker and went
plunging into Standsrdsville, having done
81 miles on that blooded mare. Here /
tried to get another horse, but failed.
My efforts cost me half an hour, aud then
I moved on. Anxiety for my noble beast
added another horror to the night. Just
out of Standardsville the road forked in