New-York tribune., 1899-03-12
HAYES'S WAR STORY.
A Thrilling INCIDENT OF y NIGHT ATTACK
From Tho ChlcagO Tribune.

From The Chicago Tribune.
The following incident Of the great Civil War
was related by the late President r. b. Hayes
while route from Chicago to Indianapolis in
the fail of 1870:
Il have frequently been asked" said General
Hayes. ITO tell the most thrilling experience that
occurred TO during the four years in the vol
unteer army. 1t was in lSG4 that the Army OF
West Virginia tried to capture LyncnburS, va,
but General Lee rapidly sent heavy force TO
drive back, and it was thought best to fall
back to the kanawha Valley. where food and
clothing could be- had, and then so by the rail-
ways to Winchester again.
General Jubal Eary's army was pressing our
forces at every point, and was ordered by Cen
eral George Crook, VINO commanded the division,
TO check the enemy until our wagon trains ana
artillery could get out Of the way. gap vas
chosen in the mountains. two or three regiments
were ordered to build barrcade across the
road in the gap, one regiment was sent up the
mountain on the right and another on the LETT
Of the gap to protect the TANKS: these regiments
selected were accurate IN firing as riiiemen
could be.
1T was dark by the time all these prepara-
tions could be made; General Crook was careful
10 give his instruction that the point must be
held until the artillery and long wagon trains
were beyond the reach Of Early. Darkness, Stlil-
ness and the mountains enveloped us Finally
order came to march, to follow the army
General Russe Hastings my aid was sent up
the mountain side to direct the rtSl-
ment to come down and take the pike in the
rear Of the brigade and march rapidly after the
artillery. .
"Another Of my staff Major William McKin-
ley Uhc PrcsidcnO, was ordered to go up the
mountain on the other side and direct the regi-
ment to come down carefully and take the road
in the rear Of the breaStWOrks. The duty was SO
perilous and Of such great importance that the
instructions were repeatedly given with the
greatest 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 brcastworks,
fully understood the situation. II seemed hours
while we were waiting for the two regiments to
come down the mountain.
II was walking from my horse 10 the line or
men lying down with guns resting across the
pike. All AT once the clear ringing command or
Colonel Devol was heard Ready, Aim" A
thousand thoughts rushed upon me! our men
were coming down the mountain, and In the
darkness were marching in front OF the larrl-
cade I tried to cry out L. Colonel Devol: They
are our mcn-dont fire. ! rushed toward him
and the line ready L. grab him and the
who were ready to fire My soul was on fire. L
was too chokcd 10 cry out. our men! our men!
Don't fire! Don't fire: but was TOO late.
Devol gave the order Fire. and vast voey
Of guns roarcd out i'm the darkness Groans and
cries and curses followed. | jumped over the
barricadc shouting TO our men, loading their
guns: Those are our men; don't fire. But
Colonel rcvol and his men tried to seize me,
saving: They are rebels Colonel; do not 60 over
the breastworks.' | hurled them off, and seized
the first wounds, or dead man. yelling: To what
regiment do YOU belong" No answer grabbed
another by the neck turned him over and
shouted: What rcgimcntY The road was full OF
them, and the man was wounded but family
tn Virginia; Early's Army our
men had come down the mountain under the
guidance Of Hastings and Mckinley. and gone
on after the army.
"EarIv's Army had left us and gone toward
ctourtnu hut the stragglcrS Of his army had
taken the wrong road and followed Us. Some OF
them were killed and wounded. but learned
aftcrward that il was severe lesson. their men
not keeping up with the column: it was valuable
H. us i'm showing the danger Of moving soldiers
at night"