Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-04-17
New Advertisements
Local Correspondence.

The large walnut tree that stood directly
on the left bank of Owens Creek, and quite
adjacent to the F. & f. pike where 1t crosses
that stream, and which had tor century
afforded shelter for many wayfarer and
weary body, has been cut down, the trunk OF
which is now well on its way to the Euro
pean continent. A bit of civil war history,
or rather an incident of the Gettysburg cam!
paign Ia attached to this old landmark and
sentinel of the Franklin Mills settlement,
which may interest number Of THE CLAIR.
IONS readers. 1t was in the shadow Of its
boughs and foliage that on Sunday, July 9th,
1863, Gen. j. E. B. Stuart, commander of
Cavalry Corps, G. s. A e, surrounded by his
staff, sat, weary and worn, upon his horse,
from the hour of 10 o'clock in the morning
until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, seemingly
not knowing in which direction to proceed.
Finally the order to "fal in" was given and
his command moved off and up through
Owens Creek gap to join Lee, whose left
flank he was protecting in the retreat from
Gettysburg, beyond the Blue Ridge and in
the vicinity of Wiliamsport. On this occa-
sion Stewards command numbered between
1900 and 1000 men, and during the 4 hours
halt here a strong picket was maintained,
couriers out in every direction, squads scour-
ed the community roundabout looking for
"Yanks" and incidentally a nice horse or
mule, the main body doing camp duty, salts
fyug the inner man, feed their horses, etc.
For feeding the horses the bed of the pike
was utilized as trough in the centre of
which grain, wheat, oats and rye, taken from
the mill was strewn in plenty and to spare.
The loss to the community IN live stock was
hardly as great as might have been expected
under the circumstances. In this and per-
haps in all othe. respects the late VIM. Z.
Landers, who was at that time owner and
proprietor of Franklin Mills. and also one of
the greatest benefactors who has ever resi-
ded in this community, suffered the greatest
loss resulting from Stuarts presence in our
midst From him were taken team of six
stout mules, one or two work horses and
pair OF matched iron grays, the latter valued
at about 5000, One of these. however, thro
the ntcrcession and pleading of his daughter
Miss Julia-a noble young lady she was
now Mrs. Isaac s. Amman, Emmitsburg, was
later returned to her father. To all of the
foregoing the writer was an eye witness and
to the best of his memory the story as related
is strictly in accordance with what actually
lranspired on that eventful Sunday.
Other incidents in connection with the
arrival, halt and departure of Stuart's cav
airy, one especially exciting and interesting
in which a number of the citizens, VIZ, in
part Josiah and VIM. II. Damuth and Sam'l
Ldie, living, JOS Rowe, Jacob Damuth and
John Flgenbrode, decd, though quite in OPP
position TO their inclinations and will, figure
conspcuously, might be mentioned in con-
nection with Sluart's dolngs at this place,
but that "bit of civil war history" says
enough.
The seeds in the bag, the oats in the bin
and the potatoes in tie cellar; enough of this
cold. clustering weather.
Mr.. Henry A. Sipes has just completed, in
the yard of his elegant home, about So feet of
main and lateral flag stone walk, which is
assuredly thing of fizedness and beauty.
The man who failed to plant tree ON
Arbor Day need take no thought of "what
will the harvest be-"