Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-08-06
THE CONFEDERATE COLUMN.
The Battle of RosemOnt and the
Affair of EIlwO0d.

~ A@NH. Tvs. ~. NOiu. Win some
details as to prisoners, etc. from
partisan Life with Mosby.1 -
Editor.
In the latter part of August. 1864.
General Sheridsns army Law encamp-
ed along the Berryville and Summit
Point turnpike, the Generals head.
quarters being at Mansfield, about
three miles from Berry,ille. Gen.
Esrly's army was stationed at Win.
chester, or rather, his forces were
scattered along from Winchestr 10
Martiusburg. so that Sheridan could.
perhaps, have 'cut off the tail of the
animal before the head could have
turned To see what was the matter
as Lincoln enthusiastically express
ed it.
However he did not. He only
sent u considerable body of cavalry
under General Torbert, on recon
nO'tering expedition mp the Mlllv Ood
pike towards Front ROYAL, of which
more hereafter. Meanwhile, part of
his infantry force took possession If
Grindstone Hill and Ihrew IN
breastworks on the Rosrnionr side of
the pike, traces of which may Still
be seen by those who know where to
look for them.
Very early the next moaning. TIE
25th of August. Gen Il. II. Ander.
son, {. :. A., came down the
Winchester pike ito see what he
could see and stopped at Mr.. Garter
Blakemorc'S now Mis-. Twins.
asked if he knew .he whereabouts of
the enemy, Gen. Anderson Was
astonished and Snmeu hat di,mav,d
or. maybe delighted. fer he NAV
have thoaght 1t sweet To die for his
country, when Mr.. Blackmore point.
ed down the road towards Grindstone
Hill, showing the near proximity.
Preparation for an attack were made
and, So the story goes: Mr.. Blake.
more was requested 10y General
Anderson 10 attend HIM. This WIS
hardly pleasant duty TO 90 into
an engagement without weapons of
any kind, - but when the charge
was made and it was long. exposed
one, so carried away was he with the
enthusiasm of the moment that be
rushed forward, taking off his hat
and yelling like "A veteran. la after
years, Mr.. Blakemore told this story
with much relish.
But it took more than his gallant
charge to dislodge the enemy from
his good position, and it was only
after some sharp fighting that they
were finally dislodged and driven to
their camps on the Summit Point
pike.
The night before, Or. Kcrfoot.
then nineteen year old boy. had
been sent out AS n scout by General
Fitz. Lee, and watching from the
thick woods on his fathers place.
"Llewellen," had seen the Federal
Cavalry, under Torcert. 60 by on
their way to Front ROYAL. Full of
his information and eager for "some
small bickering," he met kindred
spirit at his fathers in Capt. sam.
Chapman. This gallant officer be,
longed to Mosby's famous Partisan
Corps, and with his squadron, had
that morning crossed the river at
Prices Mill, hoping for some advrn-
ture, which would weld him glory
and the cause profit. Hc and
hertoot agreed TO attack Torberts
rear. But fortune smiled on them.
for Torbert, hearing the firing at
Grlndstone Hill, thought it pru-
dent thing to return to Sheridan
before be should be entirely cut of.
His advau &c guard, the Sixth New
York Cavalry, far ahead of his main
body, trotting along the Wildwood
road when they met Chapman
opposite Ellwood, Mr.. Colds place.
Chapman made such sudden AMI
vigorous assault that the Federal,
were forced To retreat across tn.
helds. They hoped to Recover in tie
woods at the end of the field. .ut
high fence and closed gate wbi.h
they could not jump. WAS between
them and their place of suf,t.. and
they were thrown into the Utmost
confusion. because they all wanted
to get through the gate al once.
Several were killed here a.I Lis
gate aud IL hollow further ON il. a.,
woods where some others fe.. n...
eyer since been famous places TO St.
ghosts, and on windy nights groan,
can actually be heard. The FEEDER
ais rushed pell-melI through ill.,.
woods, past Mr.. Colds hoasp int,