Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-14
SOME SOUNDS OF REvELRY.
Toano. June 1. 1896

Toano. June 1. 1896.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch;
After the battle OF Malvern Hill the
cavalry turned its head north. and halted
ten days or more near Hanover Court
house. The Fifth Regiment, OF which
the James City Cavalry was part
camped in Mrs. Winston's field, which
was dotted over with wheat-shocks, az
fording shelter and food for an innu-
merable host of harvest-bugs. These
bugs put themselves upon terms Of great
familiarity with the men. crawling over
them and seeming TO have fancy Tor
exploring the depths Of the ears OF the
sleepers The shrieks and groanS OF the
sufferers oftimes made night hideous, ana
aroused the whole camp. The aid Of the
surgeon was invoked, and his skill was
tested In extracting the borers. While
here Colonel Rosser made the acquaint-
ance of the beautiful and classic Miss
Winston, and began the most successful
campaign OF an active and aggressive
soldiers life. Here, too, 1 was detailed
as Judge Of a court-martial, OF which
Stephen D. Lee was presidential man to
whom the coming reunion will give an
international fame. While we were sitting
upon an important case the cavalry started
upon a march, and we were ordered to
our respective commands
After an uneventful march Of many
miles we halted near the Rappahannock
upon an ideal camping ground-a high
dry. clean oak-grove. whose brown leaves
were SO inviting that many Of the
faded horses were lying down before their
saddles could be taken Off. There was one
man, e. NJ. Ware. who did not dismount'
but sought the favor OF going in search
OF better rations. He soon returned,
elated with his success He had traded
his uncooked rations for good family fare
and arranged TO have lOaf-bread, butter,
honey. and milk so long as he might need
them: but before these things came 10
hand boots and saddles" sounded and
we were on our way up the river, the
James City Cavalry acting as advance
guard.
After crossing the river and passing
through many villages, we came to war
renton. Here / stopped long enough TO
call out DIR. Joel S. Bacon, once president
Ol
and ask about Josie. of whom l had
pleasant "reminiscences. We turned down
the first street leading east. and were
halted about a half-mle from the town.
upon the brow OF a Hill commanding n
beautiful view. Cpon looking back, we
saw that the whole Of Stuarts Cavalry
had dismounted in the town, and there
was such a stir ana cOmmotion as TO ex-
cite ones curiosity. But looking to the
4 al o..
preaching US. Nearer and nearer il came
until 1 ordered four men TO capture IT.
and 1t proved 10 be q suffers wagon.
The wagon and driver were pat in charge
OF A. Il. Wilis-"K." is now marked
opposite his name on the roster. Wills
knew more about matchmaking than he
did about cavalry tactics. yet when he
brought his sabre TO a carry, refined up
his gray mare, and took command Of an
unarmed suttler. he looked every inch
soldier.
CAUSE OF THE STIR.
When Willis returned from the delivery
of his charge 10 the quartermaster he
explained the towns stir: The citizens
had ordered Stuart TO halt his column
long enough 10 eat the dinners prepared
for themselves, and handed around by
the ladies, who did not take time TO don
hats and aprons. II Is q pity to draw
the brush over this lovely picture but
truth demands that should say that the
watching. waiting. vanguard was forgot
ten. All that we got was pelting,
driving rain. The dinner over. the order
ly dashed up and said: 1.-THE General
orders that you push ahead and cross
Cedar creek, now swollen by the rain.
unless your horses have TO swim" Our
zeal pronounced the creek fordable al
though IL was angry. dashing, crashing.
and swollen much beyond its usual limits.
After a danger Gus struggle we crossed.
and sent back word tina. IL would be inn
possible TO get the artillery over All
who can tell what would have been the
result II the artillery could have crossed?
After marching a short distance. we came
20 a splendid mansion, on our left. whose
lawn was extended TO the road, and was
reached on foot by a stile. Here we
halted and called out the owner rudy.
hearty old man. In reply to our ques-
tons he gave unsatisfactory answers.
HIS MANNER CHANGED.
While the interview was going on he
was Joined by his daughter. whose
countenance was sad and downcast In
few seconds her face was Illuminated:
smiles rippled over her cheeks: she
clspped her hands and exclaimed "Oh.
father, these are our boys. Don't you
zee the gray beneath their overcoats?"
the old man leaped from the stile and
began handshaking and questioning, but
on was the word. and on we went
Next an orderly came. I'm fun gallop with
the order TO charge anything in our way
except artillery. On we dashed.
The shades of night were gathering
test' the rain was coming down
IN torrents. and We had no idea how far
from Us was our support; but we knew
IRON horse-tracks and an occa sional
Graggler that we were nearing the
enemy. About half an hour after sunset
our guide, who was every inch a guide.
ADVISED US TO charge an old Colonial
prick church. the headquarters OF the
enemy's pieket-post. With a rush tho
charge was made. with complete success.