Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-05-19
p X.

No part of the south witnessed so
much of the wreck and misery of war
as the Shenandoah valley. Its high
ways, fields and forests, its houses, barns
and sheds, its every breeze by day and
night for three long years, echoed the
fierce shouts of contestants and the
groans of wounded men. Nature made
it a garden. War converted it into a
vast graveyard.
The Federals had begun their march
up the valley from Harper's Ferry.
Jackson was ordered over to bar the
way. Historians may write with pref
udiee and politicians speak in bitter
ness. Let us be fair and conscientious,
ever il we cannot be neutral. jack
sons first battle was on the broad fields
of Kernstown. All historians who have
written for the future have pronounced
him a wonderful man in the science of
war. Before his command was fairly in
the valley Royal Kenton and others
were far ahead, scouting for informa-
ton. Their reports decided Jackson on
moving swiftly up and attacking the
Federals as they reached Kernstown.
He was beaten back and fairly routed,
but that was to be the first and only
time.
As Jackson's W brigade swept for
ward into the fight Kenton was in the
ranks of the Shenandoah guards. On
his right was Steve Brayton, on his left
Ike Baxter. He had known but little
of his company since detailed for scout
duty. He OWNED that Captain Wyle's
bitterness had intensified, and that the
prejudice against him among his COM
rades had rather increased with his alb
sence. He had been detailed from his
company, and his return to it as jack
son ordered an advance and everybody
knew that a battle would be raging
within a couple of hours proved his
metal In the eyes of all. And yet not
over a dozen men in the company mad a
nod or a word for him. Ike Baxter, I'M
der the tutorship of his master, was car
rying out a plan to drive him out in dis
grace.
HE ms yere fur no good, and yo'
kin lay to that" Ike had whispered
from mar to man. sJist yo' fellers
keep yo'r eyes open! I'm gwine to do
it. and If he IN tries to play the traitor
III put a bullet straight into his car
cass! Mebbe he I'm kin fule Gineral
jackson, but he un can't play no YAM
kee tricks on mel"
As they marched forward on the high
way Steve Brayton found opportunity
to say:
Look yere, Kenton. Ike's goin to
play yo' some emery trick if the chance
comes, and yo'd better be ready fur him.
He IN hates yo' like pizen, and be un's
tryin TO make all the rest do the same"
II am aware of that, replied Ken
ton, "but can you tell me the reason
for it,"
Reckon thar ar several. In the
fust place. yo' didn't happen to be BON
down yere, while Ike Baxter and the
rest of US critters did. In the second.
yo' took the shine out O. the officers at
Bull Run. In the third, as nigh as l kin
make out, thar's a gal in the case.
Looks to me like Ike had been hired to
talk agin yo'. AT any rate, he's got the
boys all stirred up, and yo'd better be
keerful not TO git too fur ahead of the
crowd in case we hev a fout down yerel''
How does it happen that you are
not down on me with the rest?" asked
Kenton.
Reckon thar ar several reasons In
that too. Fustly, yo' could hev got
away to the Yankee army if yo' had
wanted to. Yo' didp't, and that's q
purity good sign yo' m ar ali right.
NsSflyt yo,ye RI 1laek. nd 8 lIkS :