Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-09-27
Lieut.. Russelrs Visit TO Sheridan.
As supplemental to the account we

1
give of the proceedings of the unveil-
ing OF monument to Mosby's men
at Front Royal, we publish the mar
rAtiyc related by Lieut.. john s. rus
sell, of this county, of his visit to
Gen. Sheridan's headquarters to de-
liver TO that officer the letter notify
ing him of the hanging of some of
Clusters men and of how Col. Mosby
intended TO protect his men.
Col. Mosby, after writing the letter
he decided TO send Gen. Sheridan rel
ative to the retaliatOry measures he
proposed 20 enforce, asked one of his
command if be would be the bearer
of the letter, when the man replied
he reckoned not. The Colonel then
called to Lieut.. John $. Russell. and,
handing him the letter, remarked:
"Here, Russell, know you are not
afraid to carry this letter to General
Sheridan"
The Lieutenant did not relish the
undertaking, since it was known in
the Federal camp, through the escape
Of one Of those chosen as a victim of
retaliation, that Col. Mosby had adop-
ted measures of reprisal to protect his
men, bat the Lieutenant knew that
1t was the duty of true soldier 10
obey orders despite the consequences,
so he mounted his horse aud proceed
ed toward Winchester in order to find
Gen. Sheridan.
The first pickets the Lieutenant
encounted declined to respect his
white flag, and told him if he did not
want to get hurt he had better move
off. Lieut.. Russell needed the warn
ing by retiring SOME distance and
hiding iu some bushes. where be re-
manned about twelve hours, when he
decided TO approach the pickets
again. BY this time a new set Of men
were in charge of Tia, outpost, aud he
was received and carried into the
Federal camp.
Now occurred the most irving or
deal t. which he was subjected while
engaged I'M tai, disagreea0ie as we'll
a. pcrilons errand -periious. because
the incident OF the hanging Of Gus
tcr's men Oy Mostly WAS quite fresh.
aud their companions were filled with
bitterness toward every member of
the partisan rangers.
1t happened that Russell struck
that portion of the Federal lines
guarded by Clusters men, and as be
passed through them and they learn
eel of the command with which he
was connected, they began to cry out
with great vehemence. Kill him.
"Shoot him." Hang the d bush
whacker." These and other threats
assailed his ears all the time. and
some men more frenzied than others
made rushes towards him as if they
intended to seize and rend him into
pieces, despite the protection vouch-
safed 10y the presence Of the guard
that accompanied him.
1t was one of the most trying ex-
periences Lieut.. Russell ever encoun-
tered, and in speaking of it he re
marked that he felt more trepidation
on that occasion than he did in any
Of the hot engagements he had dur
ing the war. At last he arrived at
Gen. Sheridan's headquarters, into
which be was taken, when one of the
staff observed, young man. YOU seem
frightened" to which Russell replied.
IF You had undergone what | have
: since entering your lines YOU would
be more frightened than am. ="
The first mark of kindness he re-
ceived was from Gen. Sheridan. He
took the letter sent by Mosby and
read it, after which he issued orders
that the Lieutenant be given some
thing to eat. As he was hungry be
enjoyed the meal placed before him.
Having completed it, he was taken
through camp by different route
from the one he entered, and he sup
poses from the fact that he was seen
to issue from the Generals headquar-
tiers he was treated with much more
consideration on leaving than on en-
tering the Federal lines.
/, CHRONIC DIARRHOEA CURED
This Is to certify that have had
chronic dlarrhOea eyer since the war.