Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-10-28

by General Robert l.. Lee Tor gaI!antry
on the field.
was wounded in January, 1864,
near New Greek, when General Ros-
ser captured General Mulligans wag-
on train and stores, but returned to
my command on the lst of May,
crossed the mountains with our bri-
gade and Joined General Lee. We
were in the advance on the morning
of the 9TH of May and opened the
fight near Tod's Tavern, where We
successfully drove the enemy, routing
Wilson's Division of Cavalry with our
brigade alone, but We suffered a heavy
loss. Our company then followed the
fortunes of the Army Of Northern Vir-
ginia through the memorable campaign
and were actively engaged at the
Wilderness, Halves Shop, Ashland,
Trevillian Station, Charles City Court
House, Sappony Church, Ream's Sta
tion and cattle raid, where we aided
in bringing off $500 of General Grants
cattle. We were then ordered with
our brigade to the Shenandoah Val
ley, where we were engaged at Brock S
Gap, Toms Brook, Cedar Greek and
Middletown. These engagements had
sorely lessened our numbers, but the
spirit of the little remnant was un-
daunted. About the middle Of No
vember General Rosser sent me with
a detail of six men of our company to
ascertain the situation and number Of
the Federal troops in the lower valley.
After obtaining this information, we
concluded not to return empty-hand-
ed, and finding no spot more inviting
for adventure than company Of the
Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, doing
picket duty at Keyes Ford on the
Shenandoah, we determined to try our
hand on them. On the night Of No
vember 22nd we passed unnoticed
through the enemy's infantry picket
near Halltown, and got in rear of the
cavalry picket camp. As we numbered
only seven to about fifty, we arranged
to attack on the Gideon plan, blowing
of trumpets Much to our surprise
their picket force had sentinel on
guard in the rear, and as we aP-
preached, were halted about two hun
dred yards from their camp. To the
demand, "Who comes there !" | re-
spondcd, Friends Friends to
whom" was the demand. "Abe Lin
coin, replied. advance and give
the countersign," was the sentinels
demand. Cautioning the boys that
so soon as l fired they were to come
to my aid with all speed and noise
possible, l rode forward, but before
the sentinel was reached he fired his
gun and rapidly retreated to camp.
We read in the Bible, "the stars in
their courses fought against Slsera,
and on that still November night, as
we charged with the Rebel yell along
the river road, the Shenandoah and
the Blue Ridge echoing and re-echoing
our shout, magnifed our little band
into a mighty host, fought for US, and
we dashed into the enemys camp to
find only some fifty riderless horses
and thirteen men too much frightened
to run. The rest had sought safety
in flight. We gathered up thirteen
prisoners and twenty-six horses, all
we could conveniently manage, crossed
the river and passed out the lines
along the Blue Ridge mountain road.
Headquarters were reached in safety,
prisoners and booty disposed of, and
report made to General Rosser,
The Generals permission was then
obtained to take the company and
operate in the lower valley.
On the night of the 29th Of No
vember we attacked with thirty men
the camp of the Twelfth Pennsylvania
Cavalry at Charlestown. We passed
through the enemy's picket line in a
hollow Just east of town, under the
cover OF cloudy pillar Of fog, that
usually hangs on Autumn nights over
the little valleys near the river, unob-
served by the sentry on the adjacent
hills. Having safely reached the north
side of the town and the rear Of the
camp, we rode quietly to a point near
the enemy block-house, situated about
twenty yards from the camp. Here
we dismounted, leaving our horses in
charge of every fourth man in the file,
and noiselessly gained the block-house.
Here was a picture for Fitz-Greene
Halleck's poetical fancy:
AT midnight in his guarded tent.
The Turk was dreaming Of the hour. "
We then entered the sleeping camp