Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-02-03

homes of our lady friends However,
we regret to mention that this raid
cost comrades Sadler and F. ]. Man
ming, after the war, under radical JUS
tice, about $500 each-dear pay for
their portion of the sack.
Resting for few days, We were ap-
pri.ed by one of our scouts that
Federal paymaster would pass west on
the B. & o. express on the night of
February 3rd, and as our boys had
not received any pay for some time,
thought this golden oportunity to
get little remuneration.
Gathering together about thirty
men we crossed the Shenandoah at
Keyess ford, passed the enemy lines
between Halltown and Harper's Fer
ry, and reached the line Of the B. &
O., Just east of Dufields, about 10 P.
m. Our horses were fastened about
500 yards from the railroad, and we
proceeded on foot to the track to
make preparation. The rails of the
B. & O. at that time were bolted to-
gethsr with wooden pieces, or stringers,
and not being possessed of a wrench,
found it impossible to separate them,
so prised up one side of the track,
stayed it with ties, and laid down to
await the expected train. A good
soft place had been selected to mini
mize the damage to life on the train
as much as possible. A few moments
after finishing our preparations
guard came along, and was taken in
without trouble or noise, as troops
were stationed at short distance on
either side. Our waiting was not
long, the rumble was heard in the dis
tance; nearer and nearer it came, un-
til the iron horse with his fiery nos
trels appeared in full view. All were
eager and excited. The prize seemed
in our grasp. The engine struck the
obstruction, a great crash followed
and the train stopped. But, alas! 1t
was only special freight, running on
express time. Our financial hopes
were again blasted. The train was
ransacked, abundance Of wine, cham
pagn, beer and other drinks, with
cakes, candies, cofees, sugar oysters
and other eatables was found and
taken in possession as far as our capac-
tiles would allow. Some Of the boys
got rather too much of the liquids and
trouble was apprehended, if opposition
should be encountered on our return.
The men loaded themselves and
horses, some carrying as much as a
sack of coffee, and we began our re-
treat. AS the enemy's line had been
crossed on our way over, between
Hailtown and Harper's Ferry, it was
prudent to pass back in the vicinity
of Charlestown, and we consequently |
passed just east of town, took the Ka-
bletown road and recrossed the river
at Myers's ford. How well and wise
ly we planned will be seen from the
Federal report.
BALTIMORE, Mp, Feb 4, 1865.
Hon. EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
feel it my duty to report that 3S .
rebels were again permitted last night |
to throw off and rob train, break
ing the engine and cars, within three
and a half miles of Harpers Ferry, |
in the immediate vicinity Of the re-
cent similar attack. May | ask that
such instructions be given the Com
mandant at Harper's Ferry as will |
prevent these frequent raids upon the |
road at points that can be certainly |
defended. The locality which has
been so repeatedly attacked and about .
which special vigilance is required IS |
where the road from Charlestown TO
Shepherdstown intersects our line
John W. GARNETT
Stanton then wires Sheridan, and
Sheridan wires Col. Reno as follows:
Col. NJ. A. RENO,
Charlestown, W. Va, Feb. /, 65
The country in your vicinity and
out for adistance Of ten miles Is full
of Confederate soldiers. With a regi-
ment as strong as yours you should
be able to capture many of them, and
will look to you to do So At every
house where you make capture drive
off all stock except one mich COW,
and notify the people that Will put
them out my lines and let their rebel
friends take care of them.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major General.
Col. Reno reports as follows:
SIR have the honor to report
that the party which ran the train
off the track on the B. & O. railroad,
crossed at or near Keyes ford, and
had timely information of this cross
ing and their whereabouts, and would