Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-21
TALKS WITH EARLY.
'Ns1nEr CAMPAIGN AND MOVEMENT
on WASHINGTON.
SOME THRILLING INCIDENTS.
su 1uterest1ns Paper by Dr.. VIM. b.
ouuw.y, Of Company c. 4th ReEi-
uent. virginia Cava1ry-E1cite-
meut fn FEDERAL Cnpita1-othcr
atsBIz-t-J8
Confederate Matter.
:, ~. gator Of the dispatch !:
Confederate Matter.

m the Editor Of the Dispatch
General Early's Shenandoah Valley
campaigns of 1864 were most remarkable
In many respects, and many unsatisfac-
sorv reports come to us through Confed-
.ra+. histories concerning these cam
paigns.
/ have read a, few Of these magazine ar
.icles from Federal officers giving their
side of the question. and at times at Varl-
ance with many things that came under
NV own observation, as well as from what
I have heard from General Early's own
lips. ST. y 1a7t'3iii p759h
During the latter years Of his life the
general spent most Of his summers at the
yellow Sulphur Springs. in Montgomery
County, Va, and he was frequently ac-
rompanied by General Beauregard, the
hero of the first battle Of Manassas. The
old general was very fond OF recountlns
to others his campaigns and battles. l
remember Of meeting him on several &C.
casions ct the Yellow Sulphur, and would
sit for hours listening. while he discussed
with General Beauregard and other V1sl-
tors a. the Springs the plans and ma
noeuvres of his many battles; especially
those about his valley campaigns. 1t was
there that met for the first and last
time, that accomplished daughter OF the
confederacy, Miss Winnie Davis. The
general turned to me on one occasion
and said: Conway, you lived in that
section of the State. give me the names
of different fords along the RapIdan
river from Liberty Mills down to the
Rappahannock." But before could name
them over, he commenced repeating their
names, calling them as accurately as
though he had the map laid out before
MIN His discussions were animatlng anu
enlivened by anecdotes. Those small
sharp eyes would flash with enthusiasm
and his face radiant with expressions OF
delight and ecstacy. He was5a fine con-
yersationalist. His language chaste and
mingled with flashes OF wit and humor.
When on subjects of cruelty and inhu-
mainly to our citizens in the valley by
the Yankees. his language oftines be-
came more 4 profane than sacred He
never INDUCED in extTaNaEance, but was
truthful and honesty General SRebert IT,
Ice considered : him one Y OF his most
staunch and trusted lieutenant generals
His characteristics were those of a man
of sternness and independence, One day,
while in the valley, my regiment was on
the march. We We're on that famous
turnpike road that runs from Harpers
Ferry through the whole length of that
beautiful valley of Virginia.
THE BOYS QUIET.
Our boys were unusually quiet, not
sven a song from those unsteady iIlctn-
ed The day before Yankee earn-burn-
ers had been executed, and you would
now and then hear in low tones Of voice
among the men, the remark: Look out
for retaliation by Sheridan A little
further on up the turnpike we met eight
or ten brand new cannon, drawn by fresh
horses They came numbering down the
pike. urged on by the drivers. Our boys
began to~cheer,a but beingsnear the enemy
we were called down. Just as we passed
tho last piece ] noticed a large card
had been tackled on the rear of the cais-
ton, and on 1t the following, in big black