The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-05-14
Hunters Raid to Lyuchhurr.

EDITOR NATIONAL TIBUNE: In the
first days fight at New Market, the John
mics gave US good licking and drove
us back. but the next morning we went
after them again, and that night We
camped on the battlefield. a man,
will not give his name. deserted the John
MES at the battle of Gettysburg. and
took the oath of allegiance and at once
enlisted in my company, and that Winter
when we reenlisted, he did the same. His
home was at New Market, and that even
ing after the battle he asked the Captain
Tor pass to go to the town to see his
parents. He got the pass and went home
lie Knocked at the door. His father came
TO the door, but did not know his boy
with the blue Clothes on. He asked for
something to eat, but was told he could
get nothing there Then the mother came.
and he asked her. ''Well," she said
I'VE are all eat out" He asked if she
would only give him crust of bread.
She told him to come in and babe him
sit down to the table where there were
bread, apple butter and water He
ate very little as he expected to get bet
ter, so talked to them. Still they did not
recognize him. Finally he asked his faith
er if certain family still lived there
iiiS dShtu. w nat 40 you KNOW
about peop,e here? Were you ever here
before:' Yes" he answered with n
laugh. Then his sister spoke: my God,
it is Brother Randall,' And it was not
long before sister and mother had their
arms around his neck. and his father
asked what he was doing with those
clothes on. Why. you know. | was al
and sister cried: "GCd bless you; you are
right"
Now. the family was divided; the faith
er was with the South but the mother
son and daughter We're for the Union
The son had been pressed into the rebel
army. He went with us to Appomattox,
and was discharged July -, 1865.
To continue my story, he got Il sup
per and good bed. and in the morning
he had good breakfast and his haver-
sack well filed. He came to the camp
when l was cooking my coffee, and called
to me: Il have something for you" He
had chickens, ham, cakes. pies. and lots of
good things. and you can imagine me do
ing justice to the feast.
The bugle sounded; we marched through
the town. and when we came to the house
his people were on the porch. He told
them this was his company, and they all
waved us goodbye. | have never met my
comrade since. as he had changed his
name in our army, so do not know what
HIS rlSnt name was.
On the Piedmont, where we fought all
day. At p. m, our regiment made
charge across the wheatfe.d. and took GOO
prisoners. l saw there Johnny pinned
to a stump with piece of rail: a shell
must have struck it and driven it through
him.
On Monday we drove the prisoners to
Staunton, and on Tuesday we came back
for the wounded We started in the even
! a do md
out on each side of the road: Nos. 2, 3,
and had to walk, while No. 1 led the
horses. We were about II feet apart
and going over the battlefield and through
the woods we felt our way over dead
horses ard dead men.
The next morning we went back to
Staunton. went out fora aging. and cap
tured Il big turkey gobbler.
When we first marched into Staunton
the boys got all the tobacco they could
carry. We passed n slaughter pen where
the rebels Were imprisoned, and they
called to us: "Yanks. throw us some to-
bacco." So we threw it among them, and
such scramble as there was TO get to-
bacco. Next we passed tobacco store
kept by Jew. He had the store open.
and was bidding us good-day. As 1 had
no pipe, 1 went in and asked for one. He
had some nice meerschaums. I got two,
and two bags of tobacco. asked him
how much, and he said: $50" ] told
him to charge it to Uncle Sam. 'Mine
Got! 1 cannot do dad" but l went out
and do not know whether he charged it
Or not. As ! went out the other boys
came in. and I guess cleaned him out
We then started for LynchburG, com-
ing in sight of it Saturday evening, after
fighting every day of the march. Our
regiment was at the head. and Gen. Hunt |
er and staff were in front OF US. The |
bugle sounded for us to file to the left |
and camp. Gen. Averell, who was just |
back little. put spurs to his horse. rode |
up to Hunter. saying: ''My God. Hunter!
You are not going to camp" Yes" was
the answer. Averill said: 'Let us take
Lynchburg tonight" NO" Hunter re-
Piled eve will wait till morning"
well" said Averill, eff you do you viii |
lose many men. and then maybe not take
it. as they will be reinforced. About . /
o'clock the trains began to come in. troops
cheered and bands played. The next morn
ing, in front of our line We're fort and
breastworks, and about the time we tried
10 cook some coffee the rebels commenced
10 shell us. We fought all day until 6
>. m. when we started on the retreat.-H.
B. HALVES, Grant. Pa.