Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-10-12

successfully drove the enemy, rout-
ing Wilson's Division of Cavalry with
our brigade alone but we suffered
heavy loss. Our company then fol-
lowed the fortunes of the Army of
Northern Virginia through the men,
orable campaign and were actively
engaged at the Wilderness, Halves
Shop, Ashland, Trevillian Station,
Charles City Courthouse, Sappony
Church, Ream's Station and cattle
raid, where we aided in bringing off
> 800 of General Grants cattle. We
were then ordered with our brigade
to the Shenandoah Valley, where we
were engaged at Brooks Gap, Tom 5
Brook, Cedar Creek and Middletown.
These engagements had sorely les
sened our numbers, but the spirit of
the little remnant was undaunted.-
About the middle of November Cen
eral Rosser sent me with detail OF
six men of our company to ascertain
the situation and number of the Fed
eral troops in the lower valley. AT
ter obtaining this information, we
concluded not to return empty-hand-
ed, and finding no spot more invit-
ing for adventure than company of
the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
dol nc picket duty at KeYes Ford on
the Shenandoah, we determined to
try our hand on them. On the night
of November 22nd we passed un-
noticed through the enemy's infan-
try 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 approached, were
halted about two hundred yards from
their camp. To the demand. I" Who
comes there responded,
g Friends e Friends to whom"
was the demand Abe Lincoln,
1 replied. g Advance and give the
countersign, was the sentinel's de-
mand. Cautioning the boys, that so
soon as 1 fired, they were to come to
my aid with all speed and noise pos
sible. / 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 Sisera,"
and on that stillNovember night, as we
charged with the rebel yell along the
river road, the Shenandoah and the
Blue Ridge echoing and re-echoing
our shout, magnified our little band
into a mighty host, fought for US and
we dashed into the enemy'S camp, to
find only some fifty riderless horses
and thirteen men too much frightened
to run. The rest had sought safety
in fight. 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 IN ountain
road. Headquarters we're reached
in safety, prisoners and booty dis
posed of, and report made to Cen
cral 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 PennsYl-
vania Cavalry at Charles Town. We
passed through the enemy's picket
line in 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, unobserved 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's
bIock-house, situated about twenty
yards from the camp. Here we dis
mounted, leaving our horses in
charge of every fourth man in Che
file, and noiselessly gained the block
house. Here was picture for Fitz-
Greene HalIeck's poetical fancy:
''At midnight in his guarded tent,
The Turk was dreaming of the hour.
We then entered the sleeping camp
and aroused them with calls for sur
render. There was suddenly con-
fusion and scamperIng among the
enemy. About twenty of their num-
ber, lodged in a stone house near by,
just then opened fire upon u.s. Rec
ognizing the gravity of the situation
we rushed upon the house, and, seiz-
ing the door and windows, poured
several volIeys into the building.-
Just as George Cravton my
brother, Robert w. Baylor, Jr., Ga
boy of seventeen,) and myself, en-
tered the door. several shots were
fired by the inmates. one of which
mortally wounded my brother and
another severely wounded Crayton
A few moments after the cry of sur.
render came from the group huddled
together in the building, and the fir
ing ceased. My brother and Craytor
were removed TO the house of DIR
Mason, who had been for years ou
family physician and where L knew
they would be well cared for. Ml
brother died in n few hours, bu
Crayton rallied for awhile, but dice
soon after the close of the war. Th'
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