Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-02-08


clined to believe us. We told them
their doubts would vanish when dur
ing the day they saw Colonel Mauls-
by's Regiment march in paroled men
have not said anything about the
defense of Harpers Ferry during the
bombardment. There was none
there could be none-except an artil-
lery one, as the infantry were in pen
or basin surrounded by frowning
heights. All they or cavalry could
do was to bear the storm quietly the
best tlley might OF course, our guns
from the works on Camp Hill and
other localities replied TO the Confed
crate guns with great spirit, but en-
dured more loss than they could posi-
bly, inAiet on a foe within the shelter
of high mountain fastness The de-
Tense of Harpers Ferry could by no
possibility have been more wretched-
ly conceived than it was-if any de-
Tense were conceived at all.
In the fight at Leesburg our cavalry
was very fortunate in not losing more
men. The enemy must have thought
lin our SO boldly marching on them
(which we did ignorantly)-that we
were only the advance of a much
larger force, and forbore therefore to
press us rapidly and vigorously as
they could have done. 1t is wonder
that one man escaped. Our loss in
killed, wounded. and captured was, if
/ recolleet Alright, less than one-third
of the force. l cannot give data.
As regards wounded men, some
singular things occurred in our late
war, as perhaps they do in all wars.
Men who seemed to have but trifling
wounds frequently died from them,
while others who seemed SO terribly
mangled that it would be scarcely
possible that they could live many
hours survived. One comrade in the
fight at Leesburg was shot clear
through the body with rife ball. the
ball passing through his lungs, and
fell into the hands of the enemy, who
took him to the house of citizen near
the scene of the fight. Later he was
paroled and removed to the hospital
at Frederick, Nd, and the comrade is
alive to this day I believe. On the
other hand, once saw a strong man
wounded in the little finger of his left
baud by bullet. in skirmish near
Halltown, who was dead from tetanus
in less than twenty four hours.
At Frederick our party gave each
other good by and separated, each go
ing his own way. We could not serve
any more in the ranks of the Army
until we were properly exchanged,
which we were about midwinter, when
we again joined our command. In the
meantime | went to the home of a rel
alive near Gettysburg, Pa, where |
arrived quite worn out by fatigue and
exposure, and was soon Frustrated
with severe Illness. Had / NOT had
the best of nursing and care l would
surely have died.
l certainly feel glad that ! was privi-
lodged to see Stonewall Jackson and
hear his voice. From the rapidity of
his marches and the boldness of his
exploits. l had formed the opinion
that he was a man of fiery and dash
ing mood and a very thunderbolt of
war in appearance On the contrary,
he had a mild and sweet face, was
gentle in his manners, and somewhat
backward. His voice was musical and
pleasant, and there was an indehnable
something about him that drew men
to him and made them believe in him.
have not yet and never will forget
his appearance. I formed very great
respect for him then and there, and
when, later on, was privileged to
stand beside his grave in the Cemetery
at Lexington, l obtained few splint-
ers from the pole that stood at its
head and sent them home by mail to
various friends. No man who ever
looked on his face would think of say
ing he was insincere or dishonest.
l will close my narrative with lit
tie incident that occurred near the home
of my relatives. When had sufficient
ly recovered to be Up and out again,
Stuart's Confederate Cavalry were
engaged in an invasion of Maryland
and Pennsylvania, and were picking
up horses for the Confederacy. Some
OF them penetrated the region where /
was. All the men of the neighbor-
hood were either absent with their
horses or in military service with a
local cavalry formed for home use.
Among the absentees were the male
portion of the inhabitants of a neigh
boring mill and farm, with whom and
their families was we'll acquainted.
| walked over one afternoon to see
how the ladies were faring in their
loneliness. l found them in pretty
good spirits. but a little nervous at
the approach of night with no pros
pect of the return of the men. They
asked me whether / would not remain
with them over night said / would
very willingly do SO after had gone
and informed my relatives as to my
whereabouts. did SO and returned
f Just as darkness set in. We had a
very ENJOYABLE evening tilltimecame to
retire. One of the ladies had an errand
in the yard, and hurried in under
some excitement, saying she heard
noises over in the mill and feared
thara x-ors Pahale or rnhha-S fhera