Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-12-14
Written for the REcIsrER.)
Some Adventures OF A Little "C0nfed."


Some Adventures OF A Little "Confed."
NV recollections of the War be-
tween the States-misnamed Civil
are very vivid. A slender, curly
pated, pug-nosed, fair'skinned boy OF
eight spring-times when that terrible
struggle began, my memory has faith
fully retained scenes and incidents oc-
curing in my own community. The
quiet, steady, sturdy German traits OF
the paternal ancestry, with the vlm'
shrewdness and assurance of the ma
ternal, wn.east, Connecticut Puritan
stock, gave me chlld's venturesome
interest in the events OF the times.
But the compass of those four years
of horrible war were more than sufh-
cient to satisfy the ambitions of Gen.
tury in that direction.
Our quiet home was on the great
Valley Turnpike in the village OF Mt,
Crawford, almost in the heart Of the
great Shenandoah Valley Of Virginia,
Less than ten miles eastward the con-
junction Of North. Middle and South
branches form the classic Shenandoah,
and but little further east stretches
the long, low line of the historic Blue
Ridge, with an occasional peak loom
ing into prominent view. A dozen
miles west of our town begin the out
lying ranges Of the great Alleghanies'
rising like vast pillows to vaster
heights beyond the reach of human
vision. This was the tramping and
camping ground of both armies very
much of the time the war continued.
Being section of wondrous fertility,
it was constantly raided and foraged
for supplies Of subsistence for man
end beast. The battles Of Gross Keys,
Port Republic, Piedmont, New Mar
ket and many other lesser engage
ments occurred near this locality.
Scouting parties and skirmishss wers
frequent. Here the gallant Confed-
crate general, Turner Ashby, fell
when leading a charge, and, nearby,
the talented and beloved Meigs, of
great value to Grants engineer corps,
was killed in exchange of shotts be-
tween two scouting parties. Many
years after, the handsome recumbent
bronze statue of Meigs in Oak Hill
Cemetery, West Washington, attract
ed my attention.
A little hunting jaunt of my faith.
er's occasioned my first fright from the
Yankees. Some wild ducks had been
seen nearby, and father, shouldering
his trusty old long-barreled hunting
rife, inviting me to accompany him,
started in quest of the fowl. AS the
suns rays were just flushing the east
ern horizon we st1olled toward the
creek. A brief walk brought US in
sight of several ducks; a well.ai med
shot secured one, and, proudly bear.
ing the trophy, trudged homeward,
keeping close to fathers side. As We
stepped from the lane into the pike
almost at our own door-what sud-
den apparition burst upon our gaze.
A blue-coated cavalryman, entrapped
in all the accoutrements of war, came
riding by US. Not having heard that
any Federal troops were near, the
sight was astounding. Father, pal
ing, slightly bowed to the horssman.
I, scared and quaking, mentally ejac-
ulated, "Ohi He'll take my father
prisoner because he has gun" But
the soldier said pleasantly, you've
been out hunting early, sir. Ny
father, doubtless much relieved, cheer
fully replied in the affirmative. Some
skirmishers had been exchanging shots
on our streets and it was the part OF
prudence to remain indoors. In a
short while all was quiet, and no SOL
dier of either party appeared to view.
Our neighbor opposite. whose husband
was absent, called me to 60 with her
to see whether their hogs had been