Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-08-20


aud ch,valry stood side by sid'
with the 'falr women and brave
men of historic song. Would tn,
comparison 60 furtheif dared
not anticipate. Already the nut
terings OF the approaching storm
were heard, aud fearful, they knew
not why, the women gathered
about me Ueseechlng me to tel
them OF the danger.
SIS it true, Colonel, the Yankees
are approacbingP Colonel, is the
enemy Dealp What an ending to
our iuup Isn't it too dreadfulP
These and many similar cries,
taxing ny ingenuity as well as
gallantry TO Ieassurr the tlmid and
encourage the wavering. But, 10
Justice to the sex, | Am proud to
sa> that the sequel amply demon
strated their fortitude and courage.
With a devotion worthy of the
Spartan mothers Of old, they
volunteered to remain until the
battle should be over, that they
might minister to their loved ones.
G)d bless those noble women OF
dear old VIrglnial The encourage
ment their action afforded me that
night strengthened my faith in
womaDhood more than any other
occurrence of my life.
determined that the ball for
which so much had been expended
should not be interrupted and
although the frequency of the dis
patches from Gen. Lee indicated
that he was deeply c)ncerned tor
our safety, felt that we would
not be attacked before morning,
and hoped then to be able to take
care of my troops beyond pread-
venture. Still The position 10
which | was placed was TO say
the least embarrassing, and l de
termined to make assurance
doubly sure. Learning from my
ordnance officer that we had a
surp us of some 200 muskets aud
accoutrements, l determined to
reinforce the post, and directed
the officer OF tue guard to place a
picket on each road leading from
the town who should stop every
vehicle and send the male occu.
pants who were capable Of carry
ing arms to my headquarters,
where alter being provided with
arms and ammunition, they were
placed in the trenches. Iu this
way l strengthened my little army
by 200 men-and gallant soldiers
they proved 10 be.
The night, with its dark un-
certalnties, so typical of our lives
at that time, wore at last to morn.
ing and as the gray dawn ushered
in another day | gathered my
mounted force and with this and
section OF artillery went TO the
front, where was met by the adj
vance goaid of KAutz's cavalry.
On they came, flushed With the
pride of anticipated victory, and
in their bearing all the 'pomp and
rcumstance of war; A formida
BILE body, indeed; forcing upon me
for the first time the realization OF
my responsibility aud bringing
with them visions of blood
and carnage. Bat this mo-
ment was for action. Quickly
placing my artillery IN position l
gave the word to open upon them.
A we'll directed FIRE from my guns
brought the enemy TO II halt and
they formed line of battle. a
short delay ensued. when cheers
from my men announced the ar
rival of Gen. Bearings brigade Of
cavalry to relieve us. Returning
to the bridge l found Gen. Vale
Hampton and bis staff had arrived
and was Informed by the genera
that his command would soon lie
on the ground. Upon my invltat'
ion the general made sn Inspect
Ion of my lines aud the disposition
of the troops, when he turned 10
me and said: 'Garnett, you have
had all the disagreabIe part of this
post. l think your dispositions are
all right and | shall not assume
command here, but will protect
your hsnks. The credit, II any
shall be yours
Hardly had l acknowledged th e
generals courtesy by saluting
when my sklrmish line was vigor-
ously attacked by Kautz's men,
aud soon all my little force was
desperately engaged.
The battle cloud that settled
down about as almost hid them