Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-04-11
A Charge to the Rear, or How Johnny
Saved the Bran.

1868, to encamp for the night. Shortly
after the cavalry was dismounted a
private, who for the sake Of brevity
and other reasons We will call Johnny
D, presented himself to his cap
tain and requested permission to go
after a bag of bran for their horses.
The permission being granted, Johnny
mounted his fine grey, and cantered
brisklv down the road to the mill.
In some mysterious manner it was
always Johnnys good fortune to be
well mounted. Many of the horses
ridden by the boys of Company -
could be traced to Johnny's fine tac-
tics. In fact, he did more towards
keeping the company well mounted
than any other ten men init, but how
he cot his horses is another story.
Among the members of Johnny $
company were two soldiers who We
will call Corporal H and Private
A. They messed together, fought
side by side on many a hard contested
field, were always ready for duty, well
mounted, and had earned the reputa-
ton of being among the best soldiers
in the regiment 1t Glanced, also
that they were both Of humorous
disposition. Nothing seemed to es-
cap. their observation. They were
constantly laughing and joking, even
under the most trying circumstances.
Every shell that dropped near them
caused some humorous remark. They
were particularly amused to see their
comrades dodging musket balls, "dodg-
ing bumblebees, they termed it. In
fact, they were the life of the compa-
ny. Johnny D was good soldier
too, but of different type.
Before Johnny returned with the
bran the alarm was given that the
Yankees we're advancing The regl-
ment was quickly mounted, and moved
rapidly down tn road in the direction
of Aldie. A battery was placed In
position and opened brisk fire upon
the Yankees, to which they replied
with much spirit, bringing on a sharp
artillery duel The First Virginia was
ordered to support the battery, and IN
that position came in for share of the
enemy's shells, which were dropping
thickly around.
While the regiment was engaged IN
this manner Johnny had reached the
mill, bought the bran, promised to pay
the miller when he returned, and came
cantering leisurely down the road IN
the direction his regiment had taken
When a short distance from the com
mand she'll from the enemy 5 battery
struck in the road in front Of him.
Quick as a fash Johnny wheeled hls
horse and went up the road in dead
run.
away. away he scudded, like
4 ship before the gale.
The quick eye Of Corporal H
had taken in the scene, and calling to
his captain, said Look captain, Johnny
is charging to the rear. The captain
looked back Just in time to see Johnny
disappear over the hill at 2.4O gait.
Private A said, He is only falling
back to save your bran" The cap
tain looked black as a thunder cloud
and said, "Ill attend to him when he
comes up.
Shortly after this the firing ceased.
and the regiment moved back beyond
Middleburg to encamp for the night.
After the horses were unsaddled, and
the camp had quieted down, Johnny
made his appearance, and was heard
inquiring for his captain. Corporal
H, Private A and several Of
the company followed Johnny to the
captain, whom they found sitting on a
log. to see what would be done with
him. They all well knew that a SOL
der running away from his company
in time of action had committed a
grave ofense indeed.
When Johnny appeared before he
captain the officer said, Young man,
are you not aware that in running
away from your company in time Of
action you have committed very
grave ofense, and that it is my duty
to prefer charges against you, have
you court-martisled, and shot2
why d-n it, captain, didn't you
want me to save your bran 2
If shell had exploded beside the
captain he could not have looked more
surprised, and with sickly attempt
to smile said, John, go feed those
horses" "
TIE boys gave such yell at tbii
unexpected termination Of the sfal
that the rest Of the regiment tnoughi
the Yankees were advancing.
Johnny, did you keep your prom