The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-07-24
60 . Martha \" Hla . so0ut.

Messrs Edttors.-It shall be my aim
to give a glimpse Of the c3loIed people
# Virginia in light not expected oy
Northern readers.
While General Gregg was command
ing the cavalry about Warrenton' va
| was informed that he had sent TO
Washington city for the purpose OF OBJ
tanning supplies for his own headqu Af''
er, and that he also expected very ine
horse TO be forwarded him ct the same
time. The probabilities were that an
escort consisting Of at least one company
Of cavalry would accompany the morse
and ambulance. Notifying Colonel
Mosby OF these facts. force was im-
mediately sent TO capture the prize.
There was no official connection be-
tween Colonel Mosby's men and mine.
as he represented the partisan depart
ment and | the scouting; bat when 1t
hsppened that there we're not enough oE
my own men in reach, I couia always
borrow what needed from his com
maud
When horses we're captured If / fur
nished the information. would have
first choice, and he the secord the
third. and so on until the horses were
divided out. By this arrangement
General Gregg's horse would fall to my
lot-if captured In few hours MOS
by's men had Joined me. and We were
on the way to point which had been
selected for attack The ambulance and
escort did not arrive at the time we ex'
pected It. aud 1t was very difficult to
bold the hungry men in the pines ell
through that evening. night, and until
late in the evening Of the following day
A snow fell while we were waiting in
the pines, and it did not contribute 10
our comfort. After many, many hours
Of waiting, the coveted prize approach'
ed, the order was given, mild charge
was made. the ambulance was captured,
General Gregg horse fell into our pos
session, together with other horses and
prisoners. Colonel Mosby conducted
this fight In person, and, as we lost
nothing, it was considered success.
Returning from this expedition, we
crossed the Warreuton turnpike at
Chestnut Fork, about Two miles north
of the town AT this place we came
very near the enemy's picket line' and
our locality was fixed. Immediately o
pursuit was commenced by regiment
Of cavalry. We passed through the
farm of Mr.. Blackwell Smith, and l
rode through the yard to the porch TO
report to Miss Nettie Saunders, one Of
nv friends. the result Of our raid. 1t
was now day and raining, and, as came
out Of the yard gate, rode through
eight oavalrymen. whom took to be
the rear guard Of Mosby's command but
who were really the advance guard OF
the enemy. was not halted by them +,
az they. no doubt, took me to be scout
for their own party. The next b-use TO
which we came was Mr.. James Skink-
er's had a few days before received
an invitation from Mr. and Mrs 5kink-
or to stop there with my men. when
ever convenient to do so. With true
Virginia hospitality, they had invited
nv command to call upon them at any
time, Offering to entertain us and to feed
our horses. Recalling this invitation,
invited Captain Richards. OF Mosby 8
command, TO stop and spend the night
with me at the Skinker's. He suggest
ed that II might be too risky, as we
were probably being pursued by large
cavalry force. In discussing the matter
with him. used several arguments
which seemed to counter-balance the
reasons for going on. l told him that
as for our horses, there was an ample
supply of hay and corn which had been
placed at our disposal This met the
pressing need Of our hungry horses, and
the fine supper and the four pretty girls
with the hospitab1e heads of the family
provided inducements too strong foi
many soldiers 20 disregard.
The first fed our FIVE horses, among
which was General Gregg's, If she
prisoners reported correctly. Going NJ
to the house. the young ladies immedi
ately began preparation for our sup
per. l had taken the precaution to pm
little colored girl In the front porcs
az picket, and had instructed her. 4
she heard cavalry advancing from an
direction, to notify me Immediately
AZ two Of the young ladies entered tn