New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-22
FIRING ~ TIE BARK.
HAYEs.s STORY OF Ills MOST THRILLING WAR
EXPERIENCE

From The Chicago Times-Herald.
Here is a sto~y tod in my hearing by eN-
President Rutherford p. Hayes at Grand Army re-
II have been frequently asked said Genera
Hayes. 40 tell OF the most thrilling experience
volunteer army. It was in 1861 that the Army OF
West Virginia tried 20 capture Lynchburg, Va, but
back. and It was thought best to fall back TO- the
Kanawha Valley. where food and clothing coa.d DC
mad, and then go - the railroads To Ninchester
again. General Juhal Ear.ys army pressing
our forces every point. and | ordered by
General George Crook. who commanded the divi-
sOns, TO check the enemy until our wagon trains
and artillery could get out OF the way. gap was
chosen in the mountains; two or three regncutS
were ordered to build a barricade across the ROAD
on me right ana another on the Ieit OF the hap ~
proiec; the nanks, these regiments se.ected were
accurate in firing as rinemen could be-
1T very dark by the tine ali these prepara-
tons were made General Crook was careful 10 give
his instructions that this point must be- held untl
the artillery and long wagon trains were beyond tne
reach OF Early. Darkness stiffness and the noun
march. TO follow the army. General Russell Hast
ings. my aid. was sent up the mountain on one
the pike in the rear OF the barricade and march
@Another of my staf' Major william Mckinley.
ex- Governor of Ohio. was ordered 10 90 up sle
mountain on the other side and direct the o,ne e
regiment down carefully and take ROAD IN
rear Of the breast"orks. The duty was SO peri
Gus and of such great Importance that the nstruc-
lions repeatedly given with greatest car,
not to come down the mountain in front OF a ane
into them Co.one Duval who commanded the men
behind the breastworks fully understood the stu
alton. 1T seemed hours while were waiting TOT
the two regiments down the mountain
lying down with guns resting across the PIKE;
All at once the clear. ringing command OF Colonel
Duval was heard. Ready, aim" thousand
thoughts rushed upon me, Our men were coming
down the mountain and in the darkness were inaich-
ing in front Of the barricade. tried TO cry our 10
Colonel Duval, They are our men-dont hre. \
rushed toward him and the line ready TO srau
! him and the men who were ready to fire. MY sou.
| fire. too chOkei TO cry out our
| men, our men, Don't fire, don't fire. but was
| too late. Duval gave the order Fire. ana one
| vast volley OF guns rOared out In the darkness,
| Groans and cries and curses followed l jumped
| over the barrica1e. shouting 10 men. oahiiis
| their guns, Those our men. don't nre' pu
| Colonel Duval and his tried to seize me. say
ing. They rebels. Colonel; do not so over me
| breastworlS hurled them off and seized the hrst
I wounded dead man, yelling: To what regimen
| do you belongY No answer. | grabbed anotner ny
the neck. turned him over and shouted What regi-
ment? The road full OF them and the man
was wounded. but fant.y answered. til virginia
! Early's army our men had come down the noun
| tain under the guidance OF Hastings and Mckihiey
| and gone after the army.
"Early's army had left and gone towar.
Staunton but the stragGers q his army had tak,I
| the wrong road and followed us. Some OF tnen
! were killed and wounded but learned afterwIra
! that II severe lesson-their men Kept up
with the column; IL valuable 10 US, In showing
the DANCER OF moving soldiers At night