Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-01-12

about fifteen inches long. About this
time fearful sound of advancing null
titudes was heard along the wooded
hillside, and Oden gave himself up for
lost, but soon discovered that nearly
all the population Of Orlean, headed by
DR.. Payne, having been notified by
the guard" Of the operation in prog
ress, had turned out TO reinforce him,
making the prisoners think the Black
Horsemen were indeed upon them.
After delivering the prisoners to Gen.
Ewell's provost, Oien started on an
other scout, accompanied this time by
Charley Ball. Oden's horse went lame,
and he got another, raw colt, which
proved very unserviceable, and finally
got him captured. As they came up
a narrow road they saw the Yankee
cavalry from Salem and were them
selves discovered at the same time, and
the trouble ripened Balls horse was
a fine one, and made good time, but
the colt was a failure-although Oden
contended that if Ball had held the
gate both could have easily escaped,
as they all saw the advancing party Of
Whites men, and the Yankees would
not have pursued beyond the gate.
As it was, the gate closed, and he
turned on his pursuers, killing three,
among them John Downey, Of Lou
doun, who was with Geary as a pilot.
Two others had been shot by him as
he came out from the narrow road,
making five in that affair to drop to
his fatal pistol, and jim" was famous
for accurate shooting and good nerve.
His last shot fired, a big Sergeant
grabbed him by the coat and for
time the match was even, both dong
their best, but finally their horses
sweryed apart and both men came
sprawling ina big mudhole where Oden
was soon oyerpowsred by numbers and
carried to Gen Geary's quarters at
Salem. On his way he got out his
beautiful bowie and handed it over to
the brave Sergeant who captured him,
evening up the honors with the infan-
tryman Of few days before
Gen. Gsary denounced him heavily
as a numbering guerrilla and the
Lieut.. in command OF his capturing
party told the General that Oden had
shot two men after he had surrender
ed, which the gallant Sergeant de-
MED, and upon Oden saying 1t was
gor tuet4te Lieut.. cariadHlm- a ala. II.=g .
upon which jim snatched pistol
lying on the table and fired at the Of
fcer, but his arm was knocked aside
and the fellows life saved.
Oden says that during the melee
the Lieut.. staid behiud il tree at the
top of the hill, not yenturug near uu-
til the Sergeant had him a prisoner
Gen. Geary ordered him chained to
cannon wheel and told him he
would be shot at six clock the next
morning. The gallant Sergeant still
stood by his friend and beggel to
know if he could do anything to save
him.
Oden told him that if news Of his
situation could be communicated to
Gen. Ewell he thought something
might be done and upon the Sergeant
declaring his Willingness to attemptit,
he told him the position Of the Con-
federate pickets, and his friend went
forward, syading his own guards and
getting within hail Of Col. Rsdford )
pickets, to whom he told his story
about midnight, and at daylight flag
of truce brought note from Ewell to
Geary, informing him that the thir-
teen prisoners captured by Oden were
still in his camp and that if Oden was
shot, as threatened, the whole lot
would be hung at designated point
in sight of Gearys quarters within an
hour.
That saved him, but he was heavily
ironed and guarded until he could be
sent to the 'OIi capitol Nashlng-
ton, where his irons were knocked off
and he was treated with soldierly
consideration by Gen. Wadswortb
He was exchanged in July and re-
turned to the army on the eve Of the
second Manassas, but having deter
mined never to serve within his old
company again he pushed on and
reached the main body. The first
troops he came up with were Long
streets infantry who informed him
they were Gen. Micajah jenkins
South Carolina brigade, and inqujring
for the General he was conducted to
him, finding him reclining against