Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-03
THE ENEMY WERE SURPRISED.
GEN. pIcKETT's APPOINTMENT.
An Interesting Letter from HIS
Wfdow-Generai Grants censor
uos,.r of the Kin. william ATtil-
Iery-Boydton Cavalry survivors
For the Dlspatch)

For the Dispatch)
Veterans OF the cavalry who followed
jackson on the raid to Romney IN the
carly mart Of the struggle between the
States. say that for the space OF the
time the privatlons and suffering eX-
perienced on this trip were by far the
severest Of their four years OF service
1t was winter, and both armies were
peacefully and quietly awaiting the open
ing of spring. and Of the great cam
paien that would follow. when the inven-
tive brain Of that grave and silent man
of war planned and obtained permission
from the authorities at headquarters 10
march across the mountains TO surprise
and capture the eoldiers quartered along
the proposed route, and TO destroy the
immense quantities Of supplies that the
enemy had been gathering all during the
fan. When the van of the first com
pany wheeled and faced toward the noun
talns the weather was as beautiiul as
Indian SUMNER and continued thus for
several DAYS. Then began a spell OF
weather that even the old men Of that sec
ton had never experienced. The mer-
curry sank hourly. and the snow be-
gan 20 fall Scouts brought I'm the IN
formation that so far our advance was
completely unknown to the enemy anu
I'm spite of the increasing severity OF the
weather the van pushed on across ule
snow-covered hills of this rugged ana
wintry country toward the lines OF the
unsuspecting enemy Some or the SOL
dlers even officers, murmured at the
severity of their privatiOns, and talked
q a. Of
lessness OF such a march. Conscious OF
the murmuring and the dissatisfaction or
his soldiers. the great man rode silently
on AT the head of the column more re-
solved than ever to carry out the pans
and instructions of the undertaking. one
evening the scouts reported that the quar-
tiers of the enemy were near, and' 10 al
appearances, that our advance was sun
unknown. The next morning at day
break the outposts were attacked ana
driven I'm, and in very little time soldiers
quarters and stores were in the hands Of
the Coniederates.
BUT FEEBLE RESISTANCE.
Owing to the completeness Of the sur
prise the enemy made but feeble re-
sistance and comparatively no loss was
sustained by the attacking party. But
unfortunately, some Of the enemy were
allowed TO 20 I'm their quarters, and, nav
ing obtained some arms. hred INTO the
ranks OF their captors, killing and wound
ing a number OF them. This rash and
foolish act they had ample opportunity
TO repent Of for after this the prisoners
were not allowed to enter their quarters
10 prepare themselves 10 the rlgor OF the
return march.
Soon the great mass Of stores and camp
equipage, which the enemy had taken
mas IA
mass OF cinders, and the soldiers, stand
ing proudly and triumphanuy In the
warmth OF the clouds Of wreathlns
smoke. realized little what they bad TO
endure on their homeward march. Many,
accustomed to the comforts OF the Ola
southern life. inspired with PATRIOTISM
and a desire TO defend their homes anu
dresjdcs from the hand OF the invaders,
had recently enlisted aud We're not Injured
10 the hardshlps OF a soldiers He.
THE RETURN MARCH.
ON the morning Of the next day the
return march was commenced, ana the
weather again turned colder and II be-
gan 10 snow heavily. Encountered as We
were by a number OF prisoners on ioot'
the march was necessarily SLOW, anu
besides the prisoners hurriedly rusheu
from their burning quarters were but
All the rivers and streams were crossed
ON the ice. which had TO be cut TO furnish
water for both soldiers and horses.
ON the resumption OF the march, in the
mornings. around each campfire, groups
of the prisoners could be seen, unable TO
travel further and hoping for death 10
relieve them OF thcir sunerings. The snow
BEGAN 10 drift and render their march
still more difficult. The people or the
country were not In sympathy with the
South. and offered but little hospitality
other than that which was forced from
them.
A captain of ono Of the companies OF the
Seventh Virginia Regiment tells an
amusing incident that happened on the
homeward march He says that one
morning one OF his prisoners was almost
entirely without shoes. and al the same
time he noticed an old woman Of tremen-
dous size sitting In door by the roadside
displaying very temptingly TO the poor
fellow a large. heavy pair OF shoes. and
pair OF warm yarn stockings. 1t occurred
10 him that the poor soldier needed the
shoes more than the old woman. So he
told tho prisoner II he could take the
shoes he might have them. A second In
vitation was not necessary. and after a
tremendous scufhe the prisoner bore off
the shoes and stockings I'm triumph. leav-
ing the old woman the remnants OF his
own which she angrly threw after him.
As the distance from the mountains in
creased the march became somewhat
easier and faster though the severity OF
the weather abated but little. One day
| toward noon the van OF the command ar
rived IN front OF their quarters, but the
haggard soldiers little resembled the gay
squadrons that had ridden so proudly
away. III. A. H.