Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-01-27

noticed four cavalrymen. At first view,
Judging from action and manner of
riding, Mason and myself pronounced
them Jesse Scouts, "a name applied to
Yankees dressed in grey uniforms J
but our comrade, who was always IN
clined to the other side on every ques-
ton, asserted they were our men.
When they had approached, however,
within 200 yards, Henderson was con-
vinced that Mason and myself were
correct, and we quickly proceeded to
bride our horses and prepare for ac-
ton. The fight before US was not un-
derestimated. Three to four and Jesse
Scouts were generally brave men, Sc
lected for perilous duty Retreat was
impossible; a high fence surrounded
the woods, and our opponents had pos
session of the gate. We must fight or
surrender. The latter idea could not
be entertained for moment. Riding
boldly forward, facing our antagonists,
striving to conceal on our part any
movement or feeling of fear, we soon
noticed a little tremulous movement
on the other side and took courage.
Having approached within fifty yards
of each other, one of the four called
halt. That call did me as much good
as the appearance of Blucher did Well
ington. 1t evidenced fear on their
part and made us feel bolder. One Of
the party inquired, "To what command
do you belong?' l responded, "There
are four of you and three Of us, tell us
to what command you belong?' There
was a pause and no reply. We real
lied the time had come to assume the
offensive, and calling to them, said,
81 will meet any of you" Again there
was indecision on their part, each ap-
pearing to desire his fellow to accept
the challenge. After a short colloquy
a big, burly-looking man, with "A red
nose, mounted on light grey horse,
rode forward to meet me as moved
towards him. Mason and Henderson
were cautioned to rush to my help as
soon as | fired. | was assured they
were Yankees, and acted accordingly.
But there seemed to be still linger-
ing doubt in their minds as to our
identity. We neared each other un-
til our horses heads met, both nerved
to the highest tension, when my an
tagonist again inquired ITO what com
mand do you belong" His pistol
was in his hand, under his coat-cape,
cooked and ready So was mine Real
izing the truth would give him the ad-
vantage, replied to the inquiry, First
New York Cavalry" That regiment
was camped near Berryville. The
same inquiry was propounded to him
and he responded, Twelfth Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry Just then, raising my
pistol rapidly, fred. l saw the bull
let had struck but not seriously wound
ed my foe. His pistol was discharged
from under his cape, and he turned
and fed. His comrades, seeing the
discontinue of their leader, turned and
fled also, and Mason and Henderson
coming to my aid we pursued the four
nearly to Myerstown, but, their horses
being too swift for US, they escaped.
A few days afterwards we learned from
some parties in Kabletown that my
first shot took effect in the right sboul-
der. This no doubt had prevented the
raising of his pistol aud possibly saved
me.
Was it iustifable to tell a story un-
der these circumstances Ny oppo-
neut told the truth and it served him
badly. Abraham, when in danger on
account of the beauty of bis wife, said,
"She is my sister" In scriptural wars
the untruth was frequent resort. In
fighting an enemy We have the same
right to fight with the tongue as the
sword. Ifin war killing is justifable
homicide, certainly lying is tustifable
falsehood. Is not feint falsehood {?
Lee and Jackson misled the enemy by
feints. However, on this occasion,
there was no time to consider the eth
les of the case; was assured that a
f4lsehood would be to my benefit, and
did not hesitate to avail myself Of 1t,
and judged rightly, as my opponent
Immediately relaxed his vigilance, ad-
vantage was taken of it and first shot
obtained.
Our little fracas caused considela-
bic commotion in the neighborhood,
and we rested on our laurels that night
with a widow lady near by, who
showed US no little kindness" She