Saint Mary's beacon., 1900-08-16
A CONFEDERATE RAID.
From Phnaaslphla Record.


General William E. Jones, who
commanded she Confederate forces
in the Shenandoah Valley, began
preparations for an expedition to
Western Maryland and West Vir-
ginia, which had for its object the
destruction of so much Of the Bal
timore q Ohio Railroad aa was pos
sible. No,dstails we're omitted in
fitting ont the expedition to make
it ; suecess, and IT, 6sss
much depended upon the celerity
Of ito movements. Every horse
and man was critically inspected,
and those not perfectly fit we're or.
dered left behind, for the trying
ordeal Of rapid marching over the
precipitous mountains of Western
Maryland and West Virginia was
one to tax the endurance Of both to
the utmost.
The best horses we're carefully
shod, horse litters provided and
ammunition prepared for blowing
mp bridges and culverts along the
railrosd. This was to be packed
on the backs of led horses. for not
q wheel-not even an ambulance
-was to accompany the expedition
beyond Mooreield.
Much was expected from the ex-
petition by the Confederate author
tiles, should It prove successful,
for already General Lee was per-
fecting his plans for the invasion
Of Pennsylvania. and the crippling
of this great artery was thought to
be an essential part OF the program.
1t was q stupendous undertaking
and the difficulties to be overcome
we're many and varied, but no bet
ter officer could have been selected
to command it than General Jones,
q man Of great courage, persistency
and resourcefulness.
The First MARYLAND Ratallion OF
Infantry, Baltimore Light Artill-
cry and Ohew's Battery, were to &C.
company the cavalry, about three
thousand troopers, 90 far as Moore
field, to see them well across the
Potomac River, and then they were
to return to the valley of Virginia
with the many wagons taken along
to Moorefield. As this was q rich
and fertile country, and had felt
the devastating effects of the war
but little, it was hoped to Gil these
wagons with provisions, Of which
the troops in the field stood greatly
in need.
On the 21st day Of April the ex-
pedition started, sLd the start was
made under most favorable aus
pices. 1t had rained but little for
many days, and we felt, therefore,
that there would be no difficulty in
crossing the many mountain streams
which were then mere rivulets, but
which became raging torrents after
q few hours downpour.
After q march of about 90 miles,
the command went into camp. and
that very evening q change took
place in the weather which BODIED
no good for as. Rain began to
pour, and it continued to pour for
for three days.
When the march was resumed
next day swift-running streams Of
chilly water were encountered every
three or four miles. the beds of
which were dry the day before, and
into these streams the infantry were
compelled to plunge waist deep.
This continued until the third day,
when the vicinity of Moorefield was
was reached, the men being CON-
rlfeatalS aigg-.p. .pssaao saaorgg ggp.D IN. for aH8p, qtMp
n. Tennison.
2nd iistrict-John A. Price, Thol
w. Aud, VIM. z. Watts. John r. W
len.
&C 3rd district-Bcnedict !. Thomps
er James +. Mattingly, Henry T. Bar
a. James L. Branson, VIM. Fl. DAVIS
n, George II. Heard, @. Oscar Watl
Is Frederick Fl. Guy. J. Thomas Abel.
he 4th district-Philip o. Budd, Web
nj B. Herbert, John B. Lyon, Aloysin
SIS Welch, Thomas @. Edwards.
d. 5ih dissrict-James w. Chapel
On Aloysius Z. Bowling. Isaiah Can
n Clarence d. Sasscer, VIM. +. Buckle
1<rscT gvzus ausv Camp 4 v0urc
not resist the temptation to ride
into Mocrefeld. Il 10 true / had
no business there, and only the
hope Of getting something TO salts
~ the cravings Of hunger prompted
me to go. 1t was selfish on mi
part, / will confess, and I was Sc