Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-05


know"
about two miles below Mooreneld. in
Hardy county. The Yankees under Ave-
rill had been close after US. and OCCASION
ally small brushes would take place be-
tween our rear guard and their advance.
our object being only to check them until
the brigade could get further on.
The many days of weary and exhaust
i've marching had nearly worn out the
men and horses-no sleep or stop for
three nights-and the horses were unsad-
died and turned out to graze-not dream
ing Of molestation by the Yankees. But
in this we were deceived. They had kept
close up to us, and towards morning they
captured our outposts by Disgusting them
selves as Confederates and stating they
were sent TO relieve them.
FIGHT AND FLIGHT.
This left the road open and clear TO
our camp. Just as daylight began 10
show itself over the mountain the sleep
ing camp was aroused by volley after
volley in quick succession, and the
whistle Of thousands of bullets greeted
the ear. Averilrs $500 cavalry were in
our camp. AS soon as our men under
stood what was the matter a general
fight commenced. the horses stampeded.
and n scene Of confusion took place not
easily described. The Federals had as
their war-cry, Remember Chambers
burG!"
II was a prevalent story in camp that
Averlrs men were instructed to take
no prisoners. We lost 100 men by cap
ture and largo number killed-hoW
many / don't know. l was sleeping near
the battery, and had an opportunity 10
see the awful destruction II did when
Averill attempted TO force the ford. IN
five minutes the water was blue with
floating corpses.
Lieutenant Alfred Mackey, Of Rock
bridge, was killed instantly; a brave and
good man, who refused TO surrender, and
was shot through, the ball entering UNI
der his armpit l was more fortunate
than many; rode a horse that could not
be turned out TO Craze, as it was difficult
70 catch him. l had picketed him. and
about five minutes before the attack he
woke me up by stepping over me- habit
he had. Noticing that he had consumed all
the grass in reach. l thought / would
move him where he could get more.
While doing this I heard the first shot
and then a number IN quick succession.
l understood the situation at once. In
two minutes men and horses were run
ming in every direction.
After the Yankees had covered about
half of the camp / saw some men run
ming toward MoOreheld-a general stam-
pede. With nothing but q halter on my
horse and no saddle / turned I'm the same
direction, and away I went at 2:iO speed,
a number Of Yankees close behind me.
shooting all the time. Ny route lay mp
through a cornleld, the high corn at
times hiding me from my pursuers. /
thought my fate was sealed when 1 had
gone about a mile and saw a high Jefier-
son fence directly across my path. But
my dear old friend, who had carried me
ont of many difficulties. seemed 10 gather
new strength, an inspiration born Of
despair. as he got closer TO the Obstruc-
ton, and when at IT, 10 my surprise and
relief. he leaped over like a deer, never
touching a rail or Stacking his gait and
sped on with the swiftness Of the wind
until Moorcfeld was reached.
| glanced back to see what had be-
come of my pursuers, but they never got
over the fence. In a few minutes. on the
southern side Of the town, number Of
our command had collected, determined
TO hold the Yankees i'm check, but they
n,ver came in any force farther than our
camp. / lost my saddle and bride and a
small ham Of meat that | mad kept as .
reserve when nothing else could be had.
This completes the story OF the burning
of Chambersburg, and is written entirely
from personal recollection. Others may
have seen it differently, but I have given
the truth as l saw IT, Nothing, 50 far
as know. has been written by Contede-
rate on the subject. and yet II was one
of the most daring ana reckless uhdeF-
takings Of the war.
WANTS NO NEW GRAVE-KEEPERS
What can | say Of these daring riders.
and in general, Of the confederate SOL
dier2 He stands alonel Scorning a PEN
sion. too proud 10 beg, too honorable 20
steal and periure himself by swearing
that his poverty came from being In the
armvi What a contrast to those who op
nosed him-963 900 Of them living as gov
eminent paupers, and $200OO0,O0O wrung
out Of the South to help pay these mendi-
cants. And yet the Confederate Is more
loyal TO the United States Government
than these cormorants at the public crib.
No doubt there are many deserving pen
sioners. who ought to be recognized by
the government in the shape OF an an
nuity. who actually received wounds
and had their health undermined by the
war. The Confederate says. cheerfuily'
pay him.
This is a time of "gush." but you viii
never get a Confederate who stood on the
Fiery fringe OF battle" 10 say that ne
wants a pension. We are able and willing
10 work and make a living. and II we
are can't the state and local authorities
will see that we do not starve. AS fer our
graves and cemeteries being attended TO
by others than ourselves, We demur we
have kept them green for forty years
why not forty years longer? They hee9
no care, except such as can be rendered
by our fair daughters. The memory or
the dead will always be precious to us;
for was there ever such an army That had
such dauntless courage, such unwaVerlhs
fidelity, and made 50 many herolc 5s'i'-
fees? J. SCOII Mooa.H'
Fourteenth Va. Cavalry. c. S. A
Lexington, Va.