Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-10-12
Written for the Herald.]
An EsCapade.
Rv LANES A Scorr

By JAMES A. SCOTT
Once upon time at Harpers Ferry,
where fighting and skirmishing were
then going on, some of Coles Cavalry
had been relieved from the skirmish
line about dark to feed their horses
and get some refreshment. March
ing through Bolivar and on down the
hill into Harpers Ferry, they filed
Into the old Armory Grounds, and
tied their horses to picket ropes there
in. 1t was raining lightfy-the adj
vance of a thunder storn-and became
very dark. The river was higher
than usual. While thus engaged the
heavy guns on Maryland Heights
opened and sent shells screaming far
over their heads, and the crash of
volley of small arms was heard up
the Potomac. The men were of course
Startled at all this terrible pother in
the darkness, and feared the enemy
were trying to carry the place by a
night assault. 1t being no place for
cavalry to operate In such juno
ture, the captain said to us: swell,
men, we must get out of this. We
don't want to be caught here like rats
in trap" But the question was
hoze to get out. All agreed that the
Maryland side ought to be the OBJ
jectiye point. They eresoon mount
ed A shout was raised, "To the ford
to the fordp' The ford was a narrow
way over the bed of the river made
by mass of pig-iron. 1t had been
constructed before the war by the U.
/ S. Government 1t was raised to
such q height that at ordinary stage
of the river the water was not more
than three or four feet deep on the
ford but at each side the water was
too deep to be fordable. A line was
formed and the column marched under
the dark arches Of the railroad abut-
ments to the edge of the river, but
owing to the intense darkness the
front files missed the ford and at once
some of tie horses were struggling
in deep water, one man being dis
mounted and holding to the name of
his horse to keep from drowning.
This damped the ardor of the men for
the ford, and they soon all emerged
in safety from the river and were
back again in the Armory Enclosure.
Then a cry was raised, ITO the rail-
road bridget" Now the railroad
bridge was only temporary wooden
structure which it would positively
have been foolhardy for cavalry to try
to cross with their horses in broad
daylight, as the only path was mar
row plank one between the rails and
over the ties, and high above the
rushing river below An infantry
guard was on duty at the approach to
it. To the bridge the column dashed
double quick. The guard tried to
arrest their progress, but was told to
stand aside or take the consequences.
They stood aside, and that body of
some 200 cavalry, dismounted and in
Indian file, leading their horses, all
crossed this bridge in the deep dark
ness, and in heavy pour OF rain
(now and then lurid flash of light
ming revealing to them their perilous
position and then leaving it darker
than before, while the 100 FOUNDER bat
terry far up the heights Numbered its
missiles screeching over their heads),
without an accident, TO the Maryland
side. 1t was marvellous perform
ance, and was the result of panicky
feeling and determination not to be
taken prisoners under such circum-
stances. Marching couple of miles
on the road that led 10 Frederick,
they bivouacked for the night in
large barn, making a great fire out
side at which to dry their clothing
On counting noses" in the morn
ing, one Of the number was missing.
He was known to have been
with us in the Armory grounds. |
Many fears were entertained that he
was drowned at the ford or had fallen
from the bridge, his horse with him.
With the daylight came clear sky
and a bright sun, and the cavalry
marched back and recrossed the river
at the ford, and were again in the Ar
mory grounds. They shuddered as
they looked at the railroad bridge and
recalled the performance of the night
on that high and frail-looking struct-
ure. Still the comrade was missing
though there was his horse alone
at the picket line, which only added
to the mystery. One man while the
horses were feeding took a stroll up
the river, and saw something inside
an abandoned steam boiler lying in
front of one of the ruined shops which
attracted his attention. He investi-
gated, and behold it was the missing
comrade! He had crawled into the
boiler the night before to get out of
the rain and take nap, and there he
had slept sweetly and undisturbedly
through all the tribulations of the
night to the rest, and up to the time
of their return.
An Exceptional Offer.
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