Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-02-13

Jones lying where he fell. No wound
was apparent as he laid. and, dis
mounting, we turned his body over,
when a piece Of shell dropped out Of
OF his left temple, where it was EN-
bedded. Near by lay dying officer
of Georgia regiment. He called for
help and | went to him. He was
horribly torn by shell, and / won
dered that he was alive at all. He
begged me to get him sergeon. He
said that he had dependent young
family in his far away home, and
that he must not die. "Oh, for the
love of God, get me surgeon and he
may save MEL cried he. I told him
! would get him one as quickly as
could, and mounted and hurried
around to find one. The only one /
could find was one of our surgeons,
who said he was too busy with our
own wounded to do anything for the
enemy then. AS tar as could ascer-
tain, none ofthe Confederate surgeons
remained behind to look after their
wounded. The surgeon did come,
however, having followed me up. AS
soon as he looked at him, he said
"Hopelessl and SO it proved. for
the poor man was soon free from his
anguish.
One of the most affecting sights /
saw was that of very young man,
indeed, he was only boy, seated on
the ground, his back against tree.
his face was marble-like in its white
ness and very beautiful. At first I
thought he was only wounded. but
going to him found he was dead.
A pool of blood beside him told the
story. A book was firmly elapsed in
one OF his hands, which | found was
small copy of the New Testament.
No doubt he found comfort in it as
his life ebbed away l could not keep
back the tears while looking at him,
and thinking of his loved ones who
could look in vain for his return.
turned away and left his book beside
him. could not deprive him of it,
though he needed it no more. felt
that he was happier now than any
earthly home could make him. / was
glad to emerge from that "shades Of
death"
In the morning Of this battle an
incident happened wherein my anger
was stirred at the heartlessness of
woman. Our cavalry had made a
charge down lane on some cavalry
of the enemy, but were driven back
by masked battery, and followed by
the enemy i'll countercharge. When
they fell back, one of their wounded
an old gray-haired man--was left
with us. He was moaning pityfully,
and dismounted and drew him out
of the road to the side of fence, and
procuring some stones | raised his
head and doubled up his blanket for
a pillow. A comfortable looking
house was near, and l thought of
trying to get him into it. Just then
the door opened and woman looked
out. told her the wounded man
was Confederate, and asked her to
please help me to get him into the
house. She exclaimed in a harsh
voice, II don want any id wound
ed soldiers in my house" and in she
went and slammed the door. / was
compelled to leave the man and /
never knew what became OF him.
In the charge down the lane spoken
of Coles cavalry lost one of its best
men, who was killed instantly by
bullet through his head.
The result of this battle OF Piedmont
was to lay the city of Staunton at our
mercy, with only six-inile march to
it. We reached it with no opposition
except little guerrilla firing here
and there. 1t was place of consid-
cradle size, and was important to the
Confederates as a source of supply
for their armies, and besides they had
there goodly number OF cars laden
with stores Of provision and clothing
Besides, there was good deal such
material stored in the town. What
could not be appropriated was de-
stroyed and some wanton destruction
done. The men possessed themselves
of an abundant store of plug tobacco.
A cavalry force was sent from here
on scout into Buffalo Gap, but did
not meet any large body ofthe enemy,
and soon returned.