Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-11-20
Written for the Register.l
AN INCIDENT OF THE CIVIL WAR.
HOW A YANKEE ORDERLY SERGEANT GOT
THE BETTER OF TWO CONFEDER-
ATE OFFICERS.

ATE OFFICERS.
In March, '65, General Sheridan
with 10000 cavalry attacked Gen.
Early's forces at Waynesboro, Va,
capturing nearly his entire force. Ear
ly and his staff made their escape,
crossed the mountains and made their
way to Gordonsville, where the lst
Virginia Cavalry was encamped. This
force numbered about 156 men, and
was commanded by Col. W. A. Nor
gan.
Gen. Early took command of this
force for the purpose Of watching
Sheridan's command, which had
crossed the mountain, marched to
Charlottesville and thence to Gooch-
land G. II. Early, with MOrgans
small force, hung upon their rear,
watching their movements closely.
They burned the court house at Gooch-
land and moved in the direction OF
Richmond.
While we were passing through the
county of Louisa, the Adjutant of the
regiment obtained permission to 90 to
a house, a short distance from the
road. for the purpose of exchanging
horses with farmer. Upon his invi-
tation, l accompanied him. We soon
returned, taking shorter route, in
order to overtake the regiment as
quickly as possible, but in coming out
upon the road found that the enemy
had Just passed, and the lst regiment
had taken another route. insisted
on going back and taking the road our
regiment had followed, but to this the
Adjutant would not agree. He thought
it best to follow the road taken by the
enemy, as far as a small place called
Cuckoo. To this l finally consented,
although l thought it dangerous pro-
ceeding at the time-as / was un-
armed, having loaned my pistol to
member of my company that morn
ing, which left me in bad shape for a
fight. The Adjutant had a pistol
which was only partially loaded. We
travelled cautiously until we reached
Cuckoo. On the right of the road
stood large brick house with a por-
tico, upon which two ladies were stand
ing. We were about to salute them
when we saw a Yankee on the oppo-
site side Of the fence, not more than
two rods from us. The Yankee
proved to be an Orderly Sergeant,
armed with magazine rife, revolver
and saber, and mounted upon mule.
We were so intent looking at the la
dies, and the Yankee was leaning over
his mules neck in earnest conversa-
ton with negro, that We did not see
each other until we were face to face.
In front of the Adjutant was an open
gate which led into an inclosure where
the Yankee was. We saw each other
about the same time. 1t was criti-
cal moment. The Adjutant covered
the Yankee with his pistol. The Yam
KEGS rifle was lying across his lap, and
when he saw US he grasped it with his
right hand and brought it quickly to
his shoulder. l saw at once that we
had more than we had bargained for,
and called to him to surrender, with
all the force l could command, but be
wouldn't scare worth a cent. The
Adjutant got the first shot, seeing the
Yankee was determined to fight it out.
His revolver cracked clear and loud,
but the Yankee never batted an eye.
l felt little shaky when the Yankee
raised his rife to his shoulder. In an
instant there was fash and a loud
report. T felt relieved, seeing he had
made a clean miss. The Adjutant
was ready for another trial, and was
cool and deliberate. l thought the
Yankees time had come when the
Adjutant's pistol cracked, but the
Yankee was busy pumping IN another
she'll for the Adjutant. He did not
seem to know he was being shot at.
1t was now the Yankees turn. Be-
fore the smoke of the Adjutant's re-
volver had cleared away, the Yankee
was aiming at him again. The Adju-
tant sat upon his horse, looking