The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
EARLY DAYS
OF The. W AR
Recollections and Experiences
OF a Virginia Cavalry
man.
LIFE IN CoNFED ERATE ARMY
incidents and Details Of Battles
and Marches-From Grave to
Gay, From Lively to Severe.

Gay, From Lively 10 oeVere.
In the early part OF the war the county
bourthouses were the fayorite places
In Virginia for the citizens to assemble
and discuss secession, States rights and
other important questions
The people came from the mountains
and lowlands-men, women and children.
Mothers of these boys were present and
looked on with sweet, motherly, anxious
faces. The people thronged the streets
of these small towns. Stagnation Of busi-
ness was noticeable everywhere, Agri-
culturists, mechanics and mon In tie
professions seemed to have lost sight
of everything else save the defense Df
our native State.
My first vivid Impression of approach
ing war was In the spring Of 1850. i
was q mere boy, and was invited by
my father to accompany him to Madison
on the Rapidan River L was intensely
interested In everything military, and
eagerly discussed With my father mat
tiers bearing upon the subject. In his
conversation l noticed that my father
had a constant desire in his mind that
course. tended to check my boyish impg-
nation and disposition upon my part to
fight.
a1S 5TIE COMING STORM.
Day after day the breach grew wider,
and the mutterings Of distant storm
could be more and more distinctly heard.
When we arrived at our destination the
/ little town was filled With people Of overy
class and condition A tall pole had
been erected upon the public square,
from which floated the Confederate flag.
Excitement ran high. Captain Fry as
Care, had organized All infantry com
l1any, THE Richardson Guards" These
soldiers in uniform were walking the
streets. and for hours stood and waited
in expectation Of seeing grand parade.
Finally they assembled on tito Court
House green. and at the command at
tention.' some forty or fifty men from
every walk OF life--farmers. mechanics,
merchants. lawyers and doctors, fell into
line and answered to their names as the
roll was called by the orderly sergeant
Their muskets were the oid-style smooth
bore, and In their belts were stuck pls-
tolls and Bowie knives. the lattor made at
some neghboring blacksmith shop.
After marching and counters marching
up and down the public square. they hnal-
~ halted and an order was given: Right
dress; present, arms" Just then an
ii
ments dazzed the eyes and attracted tho
attention Of hundreds OF lookcrs-on, made
his appearance mounted on Il splendid
sorrel. with flowing cream-colored name
- COLONEL KEMPBR.
This officer looked every inch d trained
soldier. and was at ease Ia hts saddle.
He was Colonel James l.. kcmper, who
afterwards became distinguished ma
for general. and who was wounded at
Gettysburg leading his soldiers in the
memora BILE Pickett charge, and who after
the war became the honored Governor Of
Virginia,
This company was one among the first
organized In the State, The members OF
It volunteered their services to Governor
Letcher, and were present at Harper's
Ferry during the John Brown raid.
| have brother now IA citizen OF Rich
nond who was a sergeant In this com
pany. and was thought to be mortaly
wounded at the battle OF Gettysburg.
Soon after the company returned from
Harper's Ferry they lost their first mem
Der, Robert Burnett, who died OF typhoid
fever. and was buried with military hon
ors at his fathers home on the Rapidan.
Burnett had .eon my class-mate ut
Banks School. on the upper apidan,
and was q most excellent young man,
Had he lives he would have made his
mark as soldier and patriot
OTHER COMPANIES.
Besides the Madison cavalry company.
which was organized IN the county and
of which became member the cpunty
furnished All excellent artillery company,
commanded and equipped by Captain
George Bouton. This company was sta
toned during part OF the war near
Yorktown. The county or Madison did
not furnish q better, a nobler man than
Captain Bouton
While Fitz Lees brigade WAS In winter
quarters near Orange Court House, in
lS9S-i, ] received leave OF absence for
few days to so home. and on returning
stopped q Ien "a
tons. While | WAS being entertained by
the young ladies he secured my pistol and
carbiuc where had left them IN tic hall
and cleaned them thoroughly. When ]
was leaving he met me on tho front We
randa and ordered an inspection Of arms
I was always careful thereafter TO see
that my arms were clean before meeting
him.
believe II was during the summer OF
1888, while We were near FrederIcks burg,
that Fits Lees brigade was carnpcd for
few days few miles below that old
town on the road to I3owliDg Green FOL
the purpose OF grazing our horses on the
splendid grass along the river bottoms
] remember that the road was hanked
IN either side by long rows Ut cedar trees
--tunder the shade OF which, 1T our leis-
IRE, We measured off two hundred
foot tract for foot racing, One of the
In the race won the spurs oyer Dr.
George Sprinkle, now successful dentist
~ Cplpeper Court House who. ] an,
H & e .