Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-01-18
SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON.
OnAnL1s TowE, JE1ransoS COUNTY, W. Va.
TUESDAY MORNING. JANUARY IS. 1s98.
/" Co. B" flakes Another Draft in
FIuIes.
BY CAPT. GEORGE BAYLOR.

FROM my last letter II VIII be seen
that Co. B . had little aptitude in mon
etary affairs; were as poor fnancicrs as
the Palmer -bucknerites of the present
day; better capacities for handling mules
than finance. recognizing our natural
abilities, we made another venture in
the former branch of trade.
Having rested our horses and selves,
and receiving information that the Fed
eral post at Summit point was engaged
in cutting and hauling off the timber of
citizens in that vicinity, on the roth day
of December, 1864, with some twenty
men, a dash was made among the wood
choppers and hauIers about half mile
west of the station, and without any re-
sistance twenty prisoners were captured
and like number of mules and harness,
in full view of the infantry force of the
enemy, which, instead of coming to the
rescue of their comrades, took refuge in
the block-house near by and permitted
us to ride off unmolested with our booty.
The boys had some fun on retreat at
the expense of one of the prisoners. Sew
eral inches of snow covered the ground,
and to expedite our march the prisoners
were required to ride the captured mules.
Among the number was one that soon
gave evidence of strong rebel propensi-
ties, by refusing to act as war steed for
yankee. and scarcely had the blue-coat
landed across its back, than with hump
and few broncho jumps, it landed its bur
den in the snow, The fellow was rather
averse to trying the steed again, but
few not very mild persuaders from our
boys soon changed his mind and he was
landed on his mule, and in turn with
same circus antics, he found himself
fioundenng in the snow. The poor fell
low now begged heartily to be excused
and EXPRESSED decided preference for
walking, but his scrup1es against mule
riding were soon forcibly removed and
he backed the animal again. This time,
with a determined resolution, he clinched
his feet under the mules belly, grasped
firm hold on the harness, and successfully
resisted every effort of the beast to dis
lodge him, winning the plaudits and com
mendations of friends and foes alike
The booty was brought off safely, pris-
oners sent South, and mules apportioned.
Christmas week was spent among friends
in Jefferson and Loudoun counties, en-
joying the hospitality of a generous and
patriotic people.
On the 27th of December Charlie Hen
derson, Willie Mason and myself, spent
the night with our friend, Mr.. Henry
Castleman, gentleman in whose house
every Confederate soldier met warm
welcome and royal entertainment for
the time and resources. Having spent
an agreeable night, as we were taking
leave in the morning, our host informed us
as a profound secret, that at p. m. on
that day he was invited to dine with
some neighbors and friends at Mr.. r.
H. Butchers, (who lived a short distance
across the fe1d,) and suggested it
might be agreeable for us to happen in
there about that time and enjoy a good
square meal We gladly accepted the
tempting suggestion and promised faith
fully not to betray him. The morning
was passed in scouting around Summit
Point in quest of an opening for a raid,
arrived at Mr.. Butchers little after the
appointed hour and found the neighbors,
inclusive of our friend, seated at the ta-
bic enjoying a royal feast. We were in
vited, of course, to Partake, and with as
much modesty and surprise as we could
assume, reluctantly accepted. The Fed
eral cavalry, at that time, were in the
daily habit of making scouts in this
neighborhood,a and the host and his guests
were apprehensiye lest we should be dis
covered at the banquet and occasion the
arrest and imprisonment of the whole
party. This fear produced very unap-
petizing effect upon them all, except our
friend and colluder Mr. Castleman, who
seemed really to enjoy the occasion and
the discontinue of his neighbors Fill
ing up ourselves, like camels about to
cross the Great Sahara, we mounted our
horses and bade adieu, apparently much
to the relief of those we left behind.
Nearby field of corn was discovered
and we entered a woods adjoining, IN
bridled, gathered some corn and fed our
horses. As we lolled around, awaiting
until our steeds finished their feed, riding
in our direction up the road by the Old
Mcpherson Mill we noticed four cavalry
men. At first view, Judging from ac-
ton and manner of riding, Mason and
myself pronounced them Jesse Scouts. "a
name applied to yankees dressed in grey
uniforms but our comrade, who was al
ways inclined to the other side on every
question, asserted they were our men
When they had approached, however,
within zoo yards, Henderson was con
vinced that Mason and self We're correct
and we quickly proceeded to bridd1e our
horses and prepare for action. The fight
before US was not underestinated.-
Three to four, and Jesse Scouts were
generally brave men, selected for peril
Gus duty. Retreat was impossible; a
high fence surrouded the woods. and ou1
opponents had possession of the gate
We must fight or surrender, The latter
idea could not be entertained for a mo-
ment- Riding boldly forward, facing
our antagonists, striving to conceal on
our part any movement or feeling OF
fear, we soon noticed little trenulous
movement on the other side and took
/ - II - .,-,r,roacI1ed within fifty