Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-07-09

quite dark, and the command WAS
formed and moved upon, Harper's
Ferry, which place was occupied by
United States troops, seat from Wash
ington.
About two miles from there the
men heard their first hostile c challenge
in the. field. "aaltl who comes
there?" sounded loud aud clear. upon
the dark and frosty night air. At
once the answer came from Col. Al
len; battalion, halt, load with ball
cartridges. Losd?" and the ramrods
ratified IN the guns AS the orders obey
ed. The men were in fine spirits,ex.
cept one poor fellow from Berryvillr,
who was melted to tears, and was
heard to say, al had no business to
come here. ] was sick before left
home" His officer, in disgust. order
ed him to leave the ranks, and a cit
lien of Clarke who, with many others
had followed the troops, rode up and
offered to take his place. The offer
was accepted, and the citizen. at the
officers direction, put ON the man s
uniform coat and hat. and shoulder
ed his musket.
Please remember that there were
not many men from Clarke like the
"sick man in the army. Time will
not admit on account of the capture
of Harper's Ferry, and the retreat of
the United States soldiers across the
Potomac, and the occupation Of it by
the Virginia troops. Remaining
there nearly two months, during
which time the "Stonewall Brigade"
was gained, disciplined and drilled.
under the soldierly eye of its grea;
commander, General jackson. ,hey
were not forgotten bv their friends at
home. There WAS not dav that sup.
plies dnd delicacies of every sort did
not arrive from Clarke. brought by
the fathers. mothers and sisters. and
sometimes the sweethearts of the bows
from the county.
On the 18th of June. when Gen.
Joseph +. Johnston retired from
Harper'S Ferry. 1t was understood
that he intended tn pass through Rer
ryville, on the way to Winchester: and
when his army halted for the MIC h,
about three miles this side of Charlie:
Town, several of the men from her,
were allowed To come on, aud spend
the night with their friends. with
orders TO rejuin their commands II,
they passed through town. OF cours,
they spread the news that the arm,
was coming, and not many of TIA,
good people slept that night. Tn,
next morning sidewalks were occu
pied by tables, piled up with pro
visions OF every sort, and barrels of
ice water, while the ladies. in their
attire, stood ready to entertain the
soldiers. But alasl what disap.
pointmentl A single courier arrived
with orders for every man TO report
at once to his command, which would
be found at or near Summit Point
IL seems that General Johnston had
received information in the night
that General Patterson had crossed
the Potomac at Williamsport, and
was moving on Martiuseurg, ant
Johnston WAS moving to take a posi-
ton between him aud Winchester
Thus the kindness and hospitality OF
the Clarke people came to naught
that time, and they had to eat up a
that they had prepared for the sol
diers, and the latter had to be con
tented with camp fare.
The spirit that prompted thes,
good deeds never ceased to dwell il
the hearts of the people of Clarke
The old men, and the women and
children welcomed the coming of tn,
Confederate troops whenever they
came here, and grieved at their de
parture, and the noble women OF
Clarke, never ceased to work and pra,
for them TO the end.