The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1899-02-15
Hayes War Story.

The following incident OF the great
civil war was related by the late Presi-
dent R. B. Hayes while euroute from
IChIcage to Indianapolis in the fall of
|iaG
q have frequently been asked" said
IGeaeral Hayes. ito tell the most thrill
linz experience that occurred to me
.during the four years in the volunteer
.army. 1t was in 1854 that the army of
West Virginia tried to capture Lynch
burg, Va. but General Lee rapidly sent
heavy force to drive us back, aud it
was thought best TO fall back to the
Kanawhs valley. where food and cloth
'iug could be had, and then go by the
railways TO Winchester again.
General Jubal Early's army was
pressing our forces at every point, and
was ordered by General George Crook,
who commanded the division, TO check
ths enemy until our wagon trains aud
ariillery could get out of the way. A
gap was chusen in the mountains, two
pr three regiments were ordered 10
build barricade across the road in the
|ap one regiment was sent up the
mountain on the right and another on
The left Of the gap to protect the TANKS;
|bese regiments selected were accurate
Iin firing as rihemen could be.
ut was dark by the time all these
Preparations were made;General Crook
was careful TO give his Instruction
Aat the point must be held until the
artillery and long wagon trains we're
beyond the reach OF Early. Darkness.
|sllllness and the mountains enYel0ped
|u' Finally an order came to march,
/ 70 follow the army. General Russell
Hastings, my aid, was sent up the
mountain Gu one side To direct the regi-
Enent to come down apd take the pike
- The rear of the brigade and march
iapidly after the artillery.
"AuoCher of my staff. Major William
Mckinney 1.-THE president), was ordered
70 90 up the mountain on the other side
and direct the regiment to come do wn
carefully and take the road in the rear
|oI The breast works. The duty was Sc
|perilous and Of such great Importance
'nat Inc instructions were repeatedly
|g'sen with greatest care not to Come
|eoWn the mountain in front OF the
|o'rrlcade, as in the darkness our men
'"uuld IRE on them. Colonel Devol
VINO commended the men behind the
l0'easlworks, fully understood the sitd
avon. 1t seemed hours while we were
waiting for The two regiments to come
ypwn the mountain.
l was walking from my horse to the
l'oe Oh men lying down with guns rest
|ag across the pike. All al once The
s'sar' ringing command of Colone
De'ol Was heard: Ready! Aim A
'uOuSand thoughts rushed upon me
'oar men were coming down the noun
a'u and 10 the darkness we're marching
y ironl OF the barricade. 1 tried L
Ivy OUT to Colonel Devol. they ar,
III men-don't tirev / rushed TOWARD
'I ana the line, ready to grab hin
!, W. Tue men who were ready to fire
'Oui was on fire. j was too chokeC
a. .ry out Our menl Our men! Dan'
nv Don't firer but | was 100 late
D"o' gave the order Fret and on,
~ 'oliey OF guns roared out in tn,
slrK9esa, Groans and cries and curse
.nowed. jumped over the Darricade
1'ullng 10 our men, loading thei
|tuus, Those are our men; don't firel
~ Colonel Devol and his men tried Il
~ 10y me saying, They are rebels, col
1si 20 not go over the breastworks.
uu'led them of and seized the frs
ISuuaed or dead man, yelling. 4,
-a' regiment do you belong?" No an
|,n, grabbed another by the neck
1''eu him over, aud shouted, 'Wha
s'~entr The road was full OF then
a que man was wounded. but faintl
|Dn,s -lh Virginia; Eally's army
= @sp nad COME down tie mountal