The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-01-28


horses, turned off to the left and
pressed forward for Whites ford,
trusting this point vas left unguarded.
Ills worst fears were realized, for the
precipitous bluff overlooking and com
handing Whites ford was bristling
M.th Federal b~ayonets. The situa.
ton seemed so intense, Col. Lee
promptly requested the presence Of
Stuart. His reply was he was fully
occupied and Lee must take the ford
at all hazards.
Placing his gun in battery, Lee pre-
pared his column for a charge. How
ever, Lees mind reverted to a certain
game known to the cult as draw"
sometimes as poker" A permissi-
bic feature of that game is bluff"
Calling up a trusty trooper he directed
him to fix a white handkerchief to his
sabre, advance upon the enemy and
carry a formal demand for e. surrender
of the fort and it's garrison, strength
cniug the demand with the informa-
ton that Stuart was in the Federal's
immediate front with his whole force,
and IS minutes would be allowed for a
reply. The limit expired and no re-
ply. Dangers were thicken;ng around
the weary raiders. Action, prompt
and effective COW became absolute.
Forming his column for the charge, he
opened with his one gun upon the
strong position. Only a shell or two
and in good order, with drums beat
ing, the 39th Pennsylvania moved out
with skirmishers we'll to the rear aud
marched eastward down the river.
The gate was open, the way clear,
and at the ford and for the eminence
rushed Rooney Lee and his troopers.
There WAS no desire to bring the enc
my to bay or bring on an action.
What he wanted was simply the right
of way back to cole Virginny." AS
soon as the ford and its approaches
were secured, he rushed a courier back
to Stuart with the joyful intelligence.
Withdrawing from one position to an
other, the gallant Pelham with his two
guns, continued to keep Pleasanton
and Pennington at arms length.
Stuart had in the meantime dispatch
ed one courier after another to Butler,
who still held the post Of honor and
danger. On the advance Butler was
assigned the head Of column; Oh the
retreat, he brought up the rear. These
couriers we're dispatched with instruc-
tions for Butler to withdraw and meet
Stuart with the portion Of the raiders
under his immediate command, at the
junction Of the roads. o. Stuart's
arrival at the intersection Of the
roads, Butler had not arrived. Turn
ing to Captain Blackford, his chief
engineer, he remarked: "Ivery much
fear we will lose our rear guard"
Why SO? asked Blackford. because
| have sent four couriers to Butler
with orders to meet me here, and he
has not yet arrived" replied Stuart.
"Let me- try" then said Blackford.
Stuart paused a moment. then an
swered: "If you will; but I fear the
fate will overtake you. If you
will go, good-by." Dashing down the
road Blackford found Butler with his
one gun in battery ready to repel an
attack gathering around him. "Gen-
ezal Stuart says withdraw instantly at
q gallop, or you will be cut off," hur-
exclaimed Blackford. II don't
think the horses eau move the gun at
that pace" replied Butler. "Then
abandon the gun and save your men,"
calculated Blaokford. well, we'll
see what can be DONE coolly answer
ed the gallant Carolinian.
Ordering the gunners to timber up
and mount, he directed the men to
move at speed. To Buffers glad sur
the horses responded to whip
and spur at q gallop and down the
the command went at q breezy
pace. Pelham and Stuart held PEN
off, and as Butler rounded
into the road to the ford, his command
had to run the gauntlet Of FIRE. 1t
dashed through the fire into the river
aud were quickly on the other bank,
safe from further molestation.
Beside the stores and prisoners cap
at Chambersburg, the raiders
rounded up 1900 horses aud safely
brought them into the Confederate
lines.
Stnarts luck had been marvellous.
After leaving Chambersburg, he
marched ninety miles inside of twen.