Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1906-07-24

whelming force fell upon Jackson anf
where the nearest approache to route
and defeat ever suffered by that intrepid
leader and mastery military genius wa:
met and from which he was saved b,
darkness. 1t was in that route and
humiliation of Banks army when nearly
1000 prisoners and nearly all of bis
stores. ammunition and artillery were
captured. 1t was with Jackson when
Fremont and Shields. the one in the man
valley up the Winchester pike. the other
in the Luray valley. each with force
outnumbering Jackson. SO holly pressed
him to recoup the losses suffered by
Banks. In this position that wonderful
army found itself in the latter part of
May, 1862, defending great wagon train.
guarding these a. 600 prisoners. and dis
putting every inch of ground as it sullenly
retreated before Fremont. Then 1t was
that every moment almost of day aud
night found these men in actual combat
The sound of musketry if not cannon was
heard almost necessarily. AT last jack
son reached Harrlsonburg. The priso-
ners had bean hurried forward to Waynes-
boro and were safe, his wagon train with
good roads on which to move, had been
pushed toward Stauntcn, and at Harrison
burg he turned to the east in the direction
of Keezletown and Port Republic. holly
pressed by Fremont. Here Ashby was
killed, and the next day at Cross Keys,
about S miles north of Port Republic, a
battle was fought. All the day before
killed or wounded. but there were sad
hearts and dep gloom when it became
known that Ashby was dead. On Sun
day morning. the 6th of June, 1862. the
battle of Cross Keys began, and all day
until late in the afternoon the battle
ragged. Then Fremont's forces began TO
retreat and later his rout became precipi-
tons. Jackson could not follow him be-
cause Shields was pressing toward Poit
Republic and would soon be in his rear.
That night he retired TO Port Republic
and the next morning was attacked at
daylight by Shields and that day, June g.
1862. was fought the memorable battle of
Port Republic.
This depression is only made to show
how terrible were those days. In the
battle of Cross Keys Lieut.. Clinton King
was killed. His regiment had been in
the thickest of the fight. and had sacri-
feed him aud others of its brave men TO
the cause. William Parent, member
of his company, who was near him when
he fell, succeeded in bringing away the
body. and placing it in little one-horse
wagon on some hay, with an army blank
ct over 1t, travelled all night on his way
to Waynesboro. At daylight he reached
the home of my grandfather. Col. Geo. G.
Robertson, two miles south of New Hope.
Here he stopped. and was given break
| fast and his horse was fed, and he told us
of the battle, and in the wagon we saw
the body of Lieut.. King. This was the
| first Confederate soldier I had ever seen
dead. There had been no time to pre-.
pare the body Tor burial, but wrapped in
his own blanket with his sword lying by
his side, was the young hero. who had
poured out his life's blood as lbation
on the altar of his country. The inci
dent, as he lay there cold in death, made
deep impression on US all. and has beer
ever since fresh in my memory 1t wa.
an introduction to scenes brought home
to us year or two later with increasing
frequency. but never more touchingIv
After resting short time Mr. Parent, the
faithful friend pushed on TO Waynesboro
seyen miles away, and delivered his
charge to the family. / was not at the
funeral. but heard of the deep gloom il
cast over that community where he wa.
much beloved aud where there was I
feeling of personal loss in every house
hold. Lieut.. King had married Mis-.
Mary Reeder. daughter of Mr.. John w
Reeder. who was then and for years be
| fore postmaster of the town. and it wa.
to his house the body was taken and from
| it buried. followed by his young wife
three infant children. of whom A. Lynr
King was one. and he only three years O
age-and almost every citizen of the towr
then at home. 1t was among the frs
funerals of the boys who went from Way
nesboro into the army, but of all which
occurred in those eventful days none wa.
sadder. and none wGs held over noble
TYPE of Virginia manhood.
-Wm. Parent. who carried the bod,
from the battle field. was the son OF
blacksmith, Saml Parent, who died som,
years ago at Hermitage. He belonged
to class of citizens who never ownet
slaves. and we are often asked by North
ern people What had these men to figh
for7" doubt if Clinton Kings peopl
owned slaves. But those who ask sucI
questions are those who never kne,
the spirit that inspired the young men 0
the South. They were not fighting t
further slavery. They fought becaus