The National tribune., 1900-03-01

| go farther; they left the road some 30 yards
and near Il little ridge dropped down on
$ me leaves and slept soundly. This was
| about midnight of the second day after
| leaving the Mennonite settlement.
\ SHARP FIGHT.
They were awakened in the morning a
short time after day break by two or three
shots. All Sprang to their feet. George
| cried out, Take the trees, boys, and fight
| them"
The order was obeyed Instantly, when
| they discovered some 10 or II Confederate
| cavalryInea in the road 30 or 60 Yards away.
| They had been followed closely, directed,
| no doubt, by Confederate SympathiZers, as
| there were many such i'll West Virginia.
| The leader of the Confederates, a Lieuten-
| ant. cautiously advanced few steps and
called out: Surrender, George Tisdale, or
we will shoot you all down, you - white
washed Yankees"
For reply the three young men opened
fire Oh the rebel Lieutenant, who fell, shot
| through the arm. The unequal battle now
| opened. the rebels using pistols and car
bnes and firing from behind trees. The
| rebel Lieutenant was practically out OF the
| figi; after the first volley, and soon another
| rebel was hit. The rebels then advanced
and fired voliey. severely wounding Henry
| T'isdale, the younger brother. At the
same time young Robertson. the school
| master, limped and fell, shot through the
| foot but rapidly emptied his revolver at the
rebels while lying down behind the tree
whence he had been firing.
But there was help at hand. The home
guards at Mill Creek had heard the firing,
and the cavalry rapidly marched TO the
scene of the unequal fight. followed by Il
squad OF nome guards infantry. George.
| in the meantime, had taken the pistols of
his wounded comrades and was peppering
| no raI,nic in fine Sh1un 1rtIIlIlV ma king
| them take cover, when an officer Of the
| rebels appeared from behind his tree and
called out: George Tisdale, surrender, or
we will shoot YOU TO pieces.
George Tisdale. from behind large rock,
| answered back, Never, you -- rebel;
take that" as he fired
! At this moment a bugle note long and
loud sounded the charge some 300 yards
| away, Just around the bend Of the road i'll
| the direction OF Mill Creek. The rebels
| sprang to their horses, except one or two
| who were unable TO mount. and went with
| lightning speed in the direction whence
| they came George emptied his revolver
at the fleeing rebels. and the next moment
| the home guards cavalry, some 80 or 40 III
number, flew past. charging after the fleeing
| rebs, with a mighty yell. Fearing an
| ambuscade, they returned, after following
the rebs half mile or so. The Infantry
squad halted where George was. and from
| him learned the details OF the fight.
The cavalry, returning, learned the
particulars, and all hands gave three
cheers" for George Tisdale, the hero of the
fight, who was known 10 a few OF the home
guards. Procuring IL wagon the guards
carried Henry Tsdale and the young
schoolmaster to the village, where all the
villagers were assembled i'll anxious walt
ing. After congratulations and refresh
| mentS for the refugees, Sergt Morris IN
sisted that the party should be taken to his
done, and all three We're introduced to Mrs.
Morris and Miss Helen Morris, the daughter
OF the household.
A country surgeon was summoned. who
pronounced the young SchOOlmaSter S
wound only slight, but Henry Tisdale, he
said. was badly wounded and the leg being
shattered at the knee il must be amputated.
This was done, while the young school
master was put 10 bed and his wound care
fully dressed. The fair Helen proved an
angel of mercy and gentle Kindness i'll
miniSteriug 10 every want oil The wounded
refugees.
MISS LUCY MORRIS" UNION SPY.
The following day smart-looking boy
rode up and dlSmounted at the Morris house.
when Miss Helen ran out, caught him III
her arms and huggcd and kissed him, and
calling TO George said: Come. Mr.. Tisdale,
want to introduce 10 you my splendid little
brother, and perhaps YOU mas know him.
Being duly introduced the boy said: Il am
glad TO meet you again; Mr., George Iisdale.
George replied that while he was delighted
TO know Master Charles Morris. he could not
remember ever having met him before.
whereupon the charming Helen laughed
heartily and said: Charlie, tell him who
YOU are"
am little Miss Lucy Morris. the spy who
visited your house near StauntOn nearly IL
wear ago and brought YOU letter from
Capt. MallOw.
George was utterly astounded. but in a
moment recalled the little maiden and her
pony of the Shenandoah Valley episode. |
The young schoolmaster rapidly i'm
proved, and the healing of Henry Tisdale's
limb progressed safely and well, but hardly
so rapidly as did the love affairs of the
charming Helen and the handsome George
Long conversations were held between
George and Helen beneath the broad old
oaks near the mansion. and none was more
pleased than. shall we say, little Miss Lucy
Morris" to witness these intimate interviews
between George and her sister Helen; for
Charlie" had really loved this gallant and
handsome George when he visited him in
the Valley as Lucy Morris, the Federal
spy.
| may say that the wooing proSpered and
at IA later period the writer passed many
happy days at the residence OF John Tis-
dale III the company OF Ieorge ana the 1alr
bride She was IA typical mountain maiden,
with brown hair blue eyes, and tall and
graceful TO Il degree.
A messenger finally carried the news of
his sons mishap TO the valley. Mr.. John
Tisdale applied i'll person to Capt. John
Avis. Provost of Staunton, for pass to
proceed To Mill Creek and bring his son
home, but was brutally refused the small
boon.
i may mention here that when Lee sur
rendered Gen. Cadwallader moved up from
Winchester, Va, and took possession of
Stamton with two regiments. While on
this march he met Capt. John Avis and his |
wife i'll wagon, proceeding down the valley |
to Charlestown, their old home. When |
some of the Federal soldiers recognized |
Capt. Avis they made a rush for him and |
cried out, Hang him, hang him; he hung
John Brown, "but through the intercession |
Of the officers and the pleadings of his |