Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-03-08

another white horse, which soon made its
appearance. | was soon mounted and as
my little black angel received the dollar
and let go my bride he cried, "Gclly |
most forgot, mus run back after the
doctor :"
After nine miles or more Of spurrlng
aud splashing ! ran into James City,
where changed to a tall gaunt roam HAT
carried me valiantly the eleven miles to
CuIpeper Court House As approach
ed the town there was suspicion Of light
i'm that direction of dawn and the rain
had partly worn itself out. In all di-
rectious heard the drums Of an early
reveille and encountered a group of
horseman sitting on their horses in the
cleaning. found it was General Dick
Taylor aud his staff of Ewel's command.
Learing that he was ordered to march,
and evidently in the wrong direction,
suggested to him that he should not move
until he heard from General Ewell, who
he said, was incamped beyond Brandy Sta.
ton. One of the staff kindly offered me
fresh horse and General Taylor ordered
courier to lead the way and "ride like
the devil" This courier did and so did
|, but rs had been doing that thing all
night il was no novelty to me. We rushed
along along like a pair of John Gilpins.
and rs it never seemed to occur tony
guide that might be nearly worn out
didn't mention il.
But we soon made the six miles to
Brandy Station. After several miles
more we drew rein at the Generals head
quartes, just as was beginning to be ex-
hausted beyond endurance. The Gener-
al was just up, and dismounted and
handed him the crumpled and saturated
dispatch. He read it and quickly turn.
ing to me he said "You don't say--"
But the sentence was not finished. See
]
ing me totter and about to fall, he caught
mo. led me to a 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 for me.
My ride was done, and nature asserted
| itself by reaction and exhaustion. In less
than twenty hours had ridden about 100
miles. and since / left General Jackson j
had passed around the Massasnutten, over
the Di.s niIs. ~ud through ram ann mud
and impenetrable night, had been on the
strain of a cavalry charge for more than 80
miles.
When | revived and had something to
eat and drink the general sent me III MS
ambulance to Culpeper Court House, where
went to bed in a hotel. There remained
for twenty four hours and began to retrace
nv steps to the Valley Of Virginia. II was
q weary ride, taking up my horses as
went and at 10 o'clock the second night !
rode up to General Jackson's headquarters,
near Conrad's Store II had not ceased to
rain for an hour since left and except
when in bed | had been clad in soaking gar
ments from start to finish.
! went into General Jacksons room to
report. 1t was empty Of furniture and On
the hearth were some dying Goals Of wood
fire He was lying on the floor, upon n
thin mattress, wrapped in blanket and
asleep. / awoke him and made my report.
He listened politely, and then with VERY
good you did get get there in time good
! nightp he turned over 10 sleep and lett
! the room. ! will not attempt to describe
INV chagrin and Indignation at this cool re-
ception. felt that my ride had been
blank failure. Refusing TO be comforted by
the staff, who knew the General better.
threw off my heavy, soggy clothes and re-
/, tired in grievous disappointment to an un'
! comfortable bed But after while tired
nature and youth took possession OF me and
/ selpt soundly.
: The next morning the General sent Tor
c me. He was alone, sitting on camp stool
a gazing into the fire. He arose, holding IN
q his hand dispatch, which he said he bad
lust received from General Ewell, and then
! remarked: "Mr Douglass, Colonel Baylor
leaves me to day to take command OF the
" Stonewall Brigade, and ! want 10 assign
II you to duty as assistant inspector general
e on my staff" What said Of thanks can'
&c not remember, but pride and qualification
IS healed all my wounds, and thus | entered
!. the military family Of Stonewall Jackson.
y The dispatch had carried from General
Jackson that night was the order TO Gener-
al Ewell to put his division in motion TO-
ward Swift Run Gap and be ready 10 unite
le with the Army Of the Valley west OF the
p Blue Ridge Under that order was made
/ the initial move in that great game OF war
/. in which Jackson sweeping down the val
a ley of Virginia from behind the Massanut-
ten. drove everything before him to the
banks Of the Potomac aud thundered at
Harper's Ferry until the threats seemed 10
~ Jar the Capitol at Washington, and then BY
u fighting, confused, defeating or eluding the
n armies Of Banks, Mcdowell, Fremont and
it Shields, he marched back again, laden with