Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-11-26


sion TO print the following letter re-
ceiyed some time ago from her friend
Mrs. Grim, OF New Market, Va, give
ing an account of the fight at that place
during the Civil War, when the cadets
OF the Virginia Military Institute &C.
Quilted themselves 40 bravery. Some
of the touchiag incidents OF that mean
orable battle are very beautifully de-
described by Mrs. Grim, whose letter
IL as follows:
My Dear Friend: Since my return
to my home in the beautiful Shenaa-
doah Valley | ind myself thinking
over the pleasant time we spent at the
grand Confederate reunion in the
"magic city Of Roanoke. II was one
of the most enjoyable visits of my life
and | will ever remember the dear,
good people of Roanoke. | will never
forget those fine speeches we heard in
that grand hall. cannot fiod words
TO tellyou my feelings when we sat on
the stage and could look over the house
aud see the gray heads OF our dear old
Coniederates, knowing 10 well that
many would 'cross the river before
we meet again. The ranks thin out as
the years 80 by, and in a few more
years none will be left to tell of the
stirring days Of the Confederacv.
"a few more years shall roll,
A few more seasons come,
And we shall be with those that rest
Asleep Within the tomb
My dear friend, / want 10 lell you
something about the LATHE of New
Market. | hope It will be OF some in
terest 10 you. The battle OF New Market
wa fought ON Sunday, May Is, 1854.
The eannonading commenced on Sat
urday evening. How we'll | remember
il all, and how 1t frightened my poor
old mother and the little children.
They were taken to the cellar for pro-
lection. On Sunday about noon three
Federal officers rode abreast down the
streets OF New Market and ordered me
TO the cellar. / told them they had
better go, as heard the old Rebel yell
and ! knew that our men were not far
away. The gsllent John G. Breckin-
ridge rode into town with the advance
guard. Oh, what fine looking soldier
he was. He was superb that day, and
handsomest man ever saw. He rode
fine bay horse and looked every inch
grand Confederate general. He rode
on down the street. The Yankee bullets
came up the pike thick.and fast, but
he rode on, IL seemed to me, into the
very midst Of death. A terrible shell
exploded quite near him, and the
spIinters Of the old gate post flew over
him. The old gate post stands today
or part Of IL, aud II has been a IN onu-
ment to him for many years, but we
have one now Of granite to mark the
spot where SO many fell that day.
The day Of the battle stood on the
doorstep. My little brother called me
coming down Sbirley's hill. This was
the fret time | ever saw the Virginia
Militsry Cadets. They looked so nice
and trim as they ran down the bill
yelled, "the French have come, the
French have comet We Will win the
day, we will gain the dsyw just then
a terrible shell exploded right in from t
of the line as they came down
the hill, and knocked gap in
the ranks. They just ran together ell
bow 10 elbow In an instant and closed
up so beautifully. / can see 1t now /
will never forget these brave boy sol
diers as they ran down the hill To VIC
tory and death. could see 1t all from
the big window, and the hand-to-haud
fight down in the old church-yard.
They commenced carrying the dead
from the field as the cadets passed on
down the road. They carried some Of
them by our door, aud the rel blood
dripped and dripped on the pavement.
! could not stay ia after / saw this.
ran on down 10 the battlefield to help
with the wounded. was the first
woman to 20 there. Some came after
wards and did noble work. Oh, what
q siekening sight after the battle. /
staid up all night &c help the wound
ed. A cold rain was falling and 80
IN any shivered with such severe chill &
We helped to carry the wounded into
the oiu Rice home. We M ade fire
aud gave them warm drinks but
many died that night. Our poor SOL
diers, how they suffered aud died that
day. Even nov it brings tears to my
eyes, and | can hardly see to write this
letter. Old DIR. s. +. C. HenkeI, cur
old WAR doctor, went to work, and
staid all night with the wounded.
saw pile OF arms and legs that were