Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-02-10
from the Spirit of Jefferson.
THE LOUDOUN RANGERS.
BY CAPT. GEORGE BAYLOR.

February, like January, Q8650
was exceedingly cold, and we and our
enemies were busily engaged in keep
ing warm. March followed with more
genial skies, and the armies began to
stir. Sheridan moved from Winches-
ter with two divisions of cavalry via
Staunton and Charlottesville to the
James, and joined Grant in his move
ments around Richmond. Hancock
succeeded in command at Winchester
and lower valley, and made new ar
rangement of military posts.
On March 18th, with seven men,
crossed the Shenandoah, then very
much swollen, swimming our horses,
struck the Berryville pike, about
mile and a.half south of Charlestown,
about 10 p. M, and moved cautiously
in the direction of the town, then gar
risoned as Federal post. At the old
toll-gate, then located within the pres
ent corporation limits, we were halted
by the picket, single soldier, who
demanded: "Who comes there p to
which we responded, Friends to Abe
Lincoln" The picket then directed,
advance one and give the counter
sign" Advancing until within a few
feet of him | discovered he was cover
ing me with his carbine. Was riding
at the time little sorrel horse, "Jeb,
perfect cavalry steed, and would
rear whenever wanted. Saw some
thing must be done to disconcert pick
cts attention, so up rose Jeb on his
hind legs, and as he did so | shouted
Take down your gun, you frightened
my horse. Down it went, and in d
second my pistol was at his head with
demand, Surrender, you son-of-a-
gun" This was my favorite salute to
the Yankees on such occasions, and
was as near swearing as reached by
me during the war, and believe it had
as much effect as something stronger.
Down dropped the soldiers gun on the
ground and up went his hands. My
comrades now coming up, the counter
sign was demanded of the prisoner and
given us without hesitation. Death
was the penalty threatened if proved
to be wrong The prisoner then di-
rected US to the next post westward,
where the countersign proved genuine,
and that picket was gathered in. The
circuit of the town was made and all
the posts relieved without trouble, un-
til the last was reached. This post
was lust east of the one first taken, on
the hill in rear of the Academy. AS
now remembered, there was with me,
on this occasion, Douglas Mason, How
ard Kerfoot, (now the distinguished
Baptist divine,) jim and Shannon Gal
laher, Ike Anderson, Bob North and
Willie johnson.
The pickets, up to this ore, had been
relieved by me without trouble. Doug.
Mason requested and was granted per-
mission to relieve this last fellow. To
the picket's demand Mason respond
ed, Friends with countersign. ." The
usual demand of advance and give the
countersign was then made, and Ma
son moved forward until in close prox-
unity, when picket ordered him to dis
mount. This fellow was evidently
more cautious than the rest, and we
were little fearful Mason would have
trouble, and awaited the outcome with
some suspense. Suddenly two shots
simultaneously rang out on the night
air. Dashing up We found Mason and
the Yankee lying on the ground, Ma
son shot through the shoulder and the
Yankee through the stomach. No dis
turbance had been made until the cap
ture of this picket, but now the alarm
was given, and we had to hurry of,
for the reserve would soon be after us.
Putting Mason on his horse We started
up the Berryville pike. Mason, pris-
oners and small guard in front, and
some three or four in rear to protect
them. The enemy pursued only a
short distance, and very cautiously.
Hating at each favorable point we
gave the advance little volley, which
seems, from the enemys account, not
to have been without effect. After