Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-02-05

lett, we tOOk IdllIcI SCCludVb
route, hating occasionally for the
report of scouts, | presume. The
night was exceedingly cold, and
during these stops we would keep
from freezing by running and jump
ing. With the town on our left
and near two or three high mounds
we left our horses in care of de-
tail of men, and charged the place
where the men were quartered.
The surprise was complete, and be-
fore the gray light had dawned,
500 prisoners had been taken. A
few fell in the conflict one, by the
name of Gregg, from Frederick Co.,
Maryland and Of Company G., 9TH
Va. Cay, while others fed across
the river and kept up an occasion
al firing during the day and night.
The Brigade and prisoners halted
two miles up the river and remain
ed until the next morning, when the
line of march was resumed. Dur
ing the night, by a false alarm,
the available men were called out
in line of battle. The next night
was spent on Elk river near the
dwelling of a Mr.. Gibson.
While walking my beat, guard
ing prisoners chilled by the cold,
northwest wind and overcome by
the loss of sleep, | would find my
self involuntarily sinking down,
when | would wake to the realiza-
ton of my responsibility.
During the afternoon Of Jan. IA,
we passed through the town OF
Huntersville. The next days
march lead us within four miles of
Warm Springs, in Bath county,
which had furnished the 18th Va.
Calvary two of its most gallant
companies.
Taking up our line of march by
way of Deerfeld, we arrived at
our old camping-ground onJan. Is.
Thus in II days was performed,
considering the number of men who
participated, one of the most dar-
ing adventures Of the Civil War.
Few events manifested greater pat
riotism, deyotion, sacrifice and pa
tient endurance. While the suffer-
ing of the prisoners is almost be-
yond description, many of them
had been run out of the quarters
barefooted and without coats, caps,
shoes, etc., while men were detailed
to gather up the clothing, yet there
were many misfts and restitution.
Some mad their feet so badly frozen
that they had to be parolled. Oft
en- a warm attachment would
spring up between captor and cap
tive. The writer became very
much attached to Mr.. Sims and
a comrade of his, and would carry
them behind him over the streams.
By reference to my diary, this
article has been written.
There has been no intention of re-
fecting on the brave men who fol-
lowed Grant. The asperities of the
conflict, the heart-rending scenes in
which brother was often arrayed
against brother, separation of
friends with all unhallowed memo
ries, we gladly consign to oblivion.
He who Intentionally stirs up
the animosities incident to that UNI
natural period in our National life,
is as much an enemy of God as OF
man. But the deeds of sacrifice,
patriotic devotion, privations, pa
tient endurance and suffering we
will ever cherish, talk of them
around the family circle and teach
them to our children.
The North and South stood side
by side IN the strugglefor independ-
ence in 1776, and it should be the
desire of every true patriot that, as
the 18th day of February is the
centennial anniversary of Mr.. Lin
coins birth, the two sections may
be more firmly united than they
have been since 1861.
LESLIE H. DAVIS.