Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-03-24

byron.
In the winter of 1868, our brigade,
then under command of Gen. Wm. Z.
Jones, was encamped near New Mar
ket, and after lying idle there several
weeks some Of our boys became very
restive and longed to be on the move.
Permission was asked Of Gen. Jones
for the company to make scout In
the lower valley, and the request was
refused. Plans were then set on foot
by a number Of the men, including
Lieutenant Rouss and myself, to out
general the General. The camp-itch,
a disease peculiar to soldiers living on
hard tack and mess pork, was then
prevalent in our brigade. Taking in
to our plot our regimental surgeon,
DR.. Burton, one morning about a doz-
en- of us appeared before the surgeon S
tent and made application to be sent
to the hospital at Harrisonburg to be
treated for this disease, and certificates
were accordingly granted US.
Reporting to surgeon in charge OF
hospital, DR.. Waddell, our certificates
were presented and we were booked
as patients at that institution. With
out critical examination, some anolnt-
ing ointment was furnished each Of us
and permission granted to stay with
friends and acquaintances in the neigh
| borhood, with directions to report oc-
casionally. Having now arranged our
program satisfactorily, the following
morning started down the valley, de-
termined to try our hands on the
Yanks in this section, assured that
success would be sufficient excuse for
our little deviation from the line OF
military rectitude.
Our little band, Of some baker S
dozen, was composed of Lieut.. Rouss,
John Chew, Billy Manning, Charlie
Henderson, Charlie Crane, John Yates,
John Coleman, George Crayton, Billy
Gibson, Up. Manning, Joe Crane, Duck
English and myself.
The 10Th of February found us at
Summit Point, where information was
received of small scouting party OF
the 10Th Penn. Cavalry, numbering
q men, passing short time before
our arrival, going in the direction OF
Middleway. Off we started after them.
Passing Happy Retreat, the abode
of one of our sweethearts, were urged
not to pursue, as the enemy was too
many for US; but we had travelled
about sixty miles in hunt Of tracas
and nothing could dissuade US. In
fact we were spelling for fight.
As Middleway is approached from
Summit Point, there is a straight
]
stretch of road Just before entering the
town. Here the enemy was in full
view, slowly sauntering along, nearing
the hill just south of the place. Our
gait was now accelerated, our pistols
made ready, and we struck the rear,
with the head Of their column Just
over the hill. So intent were they in
conversation and so unmindtul Of our
presence, that the rear file was shot
down and We were pressing into the
column before they were aware of dan
ger.
No resistance was made, but pell-
NELL down through the town they ran,
with our little band, yelling like hy-
enas, in close pursuit, suffering mostly
from their mud-pelting, and closed
the race at the toll-gate Just north OF
town. As the result OF the fight +
were killed, 8 wounded, and prison
ers, II horses and equipments cap
tured. No casualty on our side. The
dead and wounded were left on the
field, and with prisoners and horses
started back TO Summit Point, thence
down to Locke's shop, where a stop
was made to let Rouss have his horse
shod. Fatal stop The smith was
completing the JOB when a body Ot
Yankee cavalry was seen approaching
from the direction of Charlestown
Prisoners, with horses and small guard
were hurried down Lockes lane, and
with a handful of men a dash was
made on the advance of the enemy:
column, to hold it in check few no.
ments, to give prisoners, captured
horses and guard little start. The
movement was more successful than
anticipated, the head of the column
was broken and thrown into confusion
In this charge Chew and Charlie Crane
displayed conspicuous gallantry. The
prisoners and horses had now gotter
! pretty good distance in advance