The evening times., 1899-03-18
HAYES WAR STORY.
A Thrilling Incident of the Retreat
From Lynchburg.
From the Chicago Tribune.


The following incident of the great civil
war was related by the late r. B. Hayes
while en- route from Chicago to Indianapo-
lis in the fall of 1870:
Il have frequently been asked" said
General Hayes Ito tell the most thrilling
experience that occurred to me during the
four years in the volunteer army. 1t was
in 1864 that the Army OF West Virginia
tried to capture Lynchburg, Va, but Cen
eral Lee repidly sent heavy force to
drive us back, and it was thought best TO
fall back to the Kanawha Valley, where
food and clothing could be had, and then
go by the railways to Winchester again.
Gen JubaI Early's army was pressing
our forces at every point. and | was or
dered by Gen. George Crook, who COM
manded the division, to check the enemy
until our wagon trains and artillery could
get out of the way. A gap was chosen in
the mountains, two or three regiments
were ordered TO build barricade across
the road in the gap. one regiment was
sent up the mountain on the right and
another on the left of the gap TO protect
the nanks; these regiments selected were
accurate in firing as rifiemen could be.
1t was dark by the time all these pre-
parations could be made; General Crook
was careful TO give his instructions that
the point must be held until the artillery
reach OF Early. Darkness, stiffness and
the mountains enyeloped us. Finally an
order came to march. to follow the army.
Gen Russell Hastings. my aide, was sent
up the mountain on one side TO direct the
regiment to come down and take the pike
in the rear of the brigade and march rap
idly after the artillery.
Another of my staff. Major William
Mckinley (the President was ordered to
% nm he. nj a in m ha nt her
direct the regiment to come down careful
ly and take the road in the rear of the
breastworks. The duty was so perilous and
of such great Importance that the instruc-
tions were repeatedly given with the great
est care not to come down the mountain in
front of the barricade, as in the darkness
our men would fire into them. Colonel
Devol who commanded the men behind
the breastworks. fully understood the sit
uation. 1t seemed hours while We were
waiting for the two regiments to come
down the mountain.
Il was walking from my horse to the
line of men lying down with guns resting
across the pike. All at once the clear
ringing command of Colonel Devol was
heard Ready, Aimn A thousand thoughts
rushed upon me, Our men were coming
down the mountain, and in the darkness
were marching in front of the barricade
| | tried to cry out to Colonel Devol: They
are our men-dont fire. I rushed toward
him and the line, ready to grab him and
| the men who were ready to fire. My soul
was on fire. | was too choked to cry out:
Our men, Our men, Don't fire! Don't
| fire. but l was toe late. Devol gave the
order Fire. and one vast volley of guns
roared out in the darkness Groans and
cries and curses followed. l jumped over
| the barricade, shouting to our men, load
| ing their guns; Those are our men; don't
| fire!' But Colonel Devol and his men tried
| to seize me, saying: They are rebels,
| Colonel; do not go over the breastworks
| hurled them off, and seized the first
wounded or dead man. yelling: To what
regiment do you belong?' No answer. 1
grabbed another by the neck, turned him
| over and shouted: What regiment?' The
| road was full of them, and the man was
| wounded, but family answered, t-th Vir-
| ginia; Early's armyi' Our men had come
| down the mountain under the guidance of
| Hastings and Mckinley, and gone on after
| the army.
| "Early's army had left us and gone to-
ward Staunton, but the stragglers Of his
army had taken the wrong road and fol-
| lowed us. Some of them were killed and
/ wounded, but l learned afterward that it
| was severe lesson. their men not keep
| ing up with the column; it was valuable
! to us, in showing the danger of moving
| soldiers at night"