Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-21
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
OF THAT RAID ON CAihhii
STATION.
THE WIRE = CUTTlEa iSCIDGS
One who Was Also There Makes "a
observation-disclosures Guilty 10 Cain
airing In PIunder-Other COnfedc-
rate Matter.


To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
l have just read an article in the sun
day's Issue Of April 18th. headed, Rad
on Catletts." which contains both fact
and fiction. have never before attempted
TO write anything for publication. but as
the writer has given an inaccurate ac-
count Of some Of the events OF that
memorable night. i am inclined to give
another and, l think, q more correct YER
sion Of a part Of the events he relates.
The writer says he was n member Of
Company G, Fourth Virginia Cavalry
and has a good memory Tor circum-
stances. but | am inclined TO think his
memory failed him. or he intended that
part Of his narrative about the wire
cutting episode as fiction. The facts are
that the regiment. Immediately after
reaching the camp or wagon park, WIS
faced TO the left in line between the
woods and wagons. Major Won B0cck,
Of General S,uarts staff, came down the
line calling for volunteer TO 90 TO the
railrOad and cut the telegraph wine. As
he Ieached Company G Captain W. y.
Newton rode 70 the end Of the line with
him. calling for volunteer with no re-
Spouse until. returning up the line cap
tain Newton halted in front Of his com
pany and exclaimed: Attention! Isn't
there a man in Company G WHO will
volunteer to climb a telegraph pole and
cut the wire?" Just then a member Of
Company G. RODE TO the front, ana Cap
tain Newton ordered him to follow him.
and rode up the line until he found
Major Won Borck, who then returned and
ordered Captain Newton TO take his COM
mand and escort them to the railroad.
Captain Newton ordered his company for
ward. and he and Major Won Borck rode
side by side, with this volunteer just be-
hind them. until they reached the rail-
road az a point accurately described by
the writer. The company was then
formed into line just under the embank
ment. about ten steps from the road,
and the volunteer was called up between
Captain Newton and Major Won Borck,
and told in a suppressed tone that he
was to cross the railroad, find tele-
graph-pole, and cut the wire He natu-
rally asked with what?" and was tod
by that brave old Prussian giant that he
was to cut it with his sabre. He crossed
1.-THE road. and by the frequent flashes of
lightning found a pole and ascended it.
and proceeded to shower frequent but in
enectual blows upon the wire, when Il
volley was fired so accurately that seVe-
raj bullets struck the pole beneath him.
In casting his eyes in that direction he
saw by the next flash of lightning that
there was company of Yankees about
fifty yards out in the field, with many
tents just in their rear.
The writer says The man up the pole
dropped with thud and they all thought
he was killed; but l am sure the most
timid animal never descended a tree more
steathily than he did that pole. and when
he recrossed the road and called Captain
Newton. the Captains first remark was
81 am glad you are safe. l thought you
were killed" He then reported his failure
and told them that in his opinion
the only way to cut the wire was TO re-
turn TO the wagons and get a file and lei
him renew the effort, or get an axe and
go down the road below the camp and cut
q pole down and then cut the wire. This
Major Won Il. decided to do. On the
way back TO the wagons we rode up or
several soldiers on guard, and in the
darkness Major Won b. thought one OF
them was about to use his bayonet. II,
made a cut at him with his sabre anC
struck his >rnusket and then took him
musket barrel was almost severed by IN,
blow. We returned to the wagons. anC
i suppose Major Won Borck got another
detail to cut the wire, or j would thinl
that there was another effort to cut it il
which the Gloucester man figured, but
for the fact of the writer's saying he so
permission 20 do little plundering oil
his own hook. l am quite sure no plumber
Ing was done until after the return from
the railroad. My impression is that W,
were ordered 20 destroy the wagon train
after our return, ana as the wagons wer,
too Wet 10 burn and contained so mucl
plumber. We could not resist the tempta
tion TO pllagc. l own 10 being "particep
criminis.' for the writer says he threw
a trunk out of a wagon and the top an,
bottom parted company. l have on my
bureau at this time a clothes-brush tina
probably came out OF the same trunk
with Catlett's Station, 1853, carved upon il
l did the carving the irst day we wer,
IN camp after the raid, ! had secured ,
fine horse and new McCleliand saddle an,
had Strapped my store of plumber to tn
saddle. This store consisted of a splendi,
set ~ buggy harness a bolt OF bleache,
cotton, and various other articles. | h,
taken fIOm a trunk TWO beautiful sill
dresses, and was contemplating the pro
bab,e character OF the owner. but con
Guided that they wouldn't DO for any o
my sisters. and dropped them In waeoi
rut filled With mud and water and put m,
foot on them to send them 10 the bottom
NJ that moment a voiley Of musketry wa
fircd at us. / sprang for my animal an,
had not time to set my right leg entlreh
over the saddle. TO avoid a bayOue
thrust ] brought my spur down on hel
back behind the saddle.
With a bound she cleared several wagon
tongues. and We ran up the roat
we came. We met General Stuart VIII,
halted us and made us form by fours an,
charge back We went yelling like de
mons and firing our pistols until ",
reached the point where the Yankees ha,
nred upon us, and were then dlsmounte,
and mace 10 hunt through the woods. bu
not man could we find. / returned an,
looked for my horse and plumber. bu
round nothing but part OF the haltei
ued TO the tree. Not long after this ",
wsre started on our return.
me next morning another little Incl
Gent occurred which made a lagtlne i'm