Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1910-02-15
Col. Angus Mcdonald.
From the Confederate yeteran.l
BY r. D. BEAL


and QUE OF the first prisoners recosn'z |
as an addition 10 cur crowd was Col
Angus W. Mcdonald, Of Winchester,
Va. He was colonel of Turner Ashby's |
command before it was brigaded. and at
the time appeared to be about seventy
years old.
At the breaking out of the war he was
a LAWYER in extensive practice and one of
the most influential men in his section.
His personal appearance was striking.
being a man of heroic stature and every
inch a soldier. Colonel Mcdonald had
been sick and was getting out of the way
of the advancing enemy, accompanied
by his son Harry, youth of scarcely fif-
teen years, when overtaken by squad of
Hunters Cavalry between Lexington and
Buchanan. Despite the overwhelming
numbers of the enemy. Colonel McDon-
aid and his son Harry made brave re-
sistance, and the former was shot in the
hand before surrendering
When | met HIM at Buchanan and in
troduced myself. Colonel Mcdonald had
his wounded hand bandaged and in a
sling; but despite his wound and his VEN
cradle years, he was accomplishing, par.
took of the same fare that was dished out
to us, and by his cherry words encouraged
others who had become faint hearted un-
der the depressing surroundings. Ra-
tons were scarce and inferior. and at
best there was a long and exhausting
march before us.
The next day we marched from Buc-
| hanan to the Peaks of Otter. Bedford
county, Lynchburg being General Hun
ter's objective point. Colonel Mcdonald
abundance of conveyances in which he
might have ridden had the Federal tram
master SO ordered The following day
was repetition of the previous one. and
we went into camp on Otto River, seven
teen miles from Lynchburg. That night
| found Colonel Mcdonald ailing consid-
erably. He was greatly exhausted by
the long march and suffering from his
wound, but his spirit was as proud as
ever.
The next morning bright and early a
mounted staff officer rode into the prison
ers' camp and ordered Us to get ready to
march to the rear. Then addressing
himself to the venerable Colonel Melon
aid, this coward in the uniform of a sol
dies said: You will go with us, you old
clded what he will do with you-whether
he will shoot or hang YOU"
AT this outburst Harry McDonaid-as
brave and noble a boy a. ever lived-ad.
vanced a step and begged to be permitted
to go with his father. urging his request
on the geound that his father was aged
and sick aud wounded and needed his
ministratIons. But the Federal officer
was obdurate; SEER & which, Harry com
menced shedding tears. AT this point
Colonel Mcdonald addressed Harry in q
fatherly but firm tone. saying: Harry
my son, do not shed tear, but if neces
sary shed your blood in defence of your
country"
That scene | shall never forget as long
! as memory performs lis. Cffice The Ro
man firmness of the old Colonel vexec
the Federal officer. and he ordered The
guard to march him off But here Col
, McDona,d's superb courage again assert
ed itself, and he said not one foot would
he march, that he was foot sore and ex
hausted. Then the order was given t.
assist HIM to march by an application OF
the point of the bavonet. whereupon the
old Confederate hero threw open his vest
exposed his bosom and exclaimed: "Yor
may shoot and kill me, but you cannot
make me march. Now do your worst"
The Federal officer quaied under TIL.
superb exhibition of Scotch courage, and
he relented to the extent of ordering III
''the toughest wagon in the tram" into
= which the guard was directed to throw
what he termed 1.-The Old scoundrel." bu
who was in fact one of the bravest of the
brave, Confederate colonel. md one o.
the most high toned and respected gen
: tlemen in the State, IN whose defense BIZ
: had enlisted.
: | never ascertaned fully the reason:
for this inhuman treatment, but heard i
minated that one OF the members o.
General Hunters staff claimed that hi,
father had been unkindly treated by Col
onel Mcdonald while the latter was il
command on the northern border of Vir
ginia in the winter of 1861 OF But i
such was the reason, am sure it had NJ
foundation i'll fact; for while Coione
Mcdonald was man of sodierly in
st'ncts and bearing. he was a gentleman
of genial and kindly feelings, aud know
that be was never Intentionally harsh OF
unkjnd to any one whom the fortunes o.
war paced in his power.
never saw Colonel Mcdonald afte,
parting with him that morning on til.
Otter River. When Hunter was hurled
back from Lynchbuvg by Jubal Early,
veterans, he struck for the Kanawha Val
. ley, taking Colonel Mcdonald with HIM
t heard afterwards that this venerable
t gentleman was subjected to great hard
ships and crueltles on the march and af
forwards in the Federal prisons, and hi.
Is partially borne out by letter received
from bis son, Capt>Wiliiam N Mcdonald
who resides in Berryvl.le, Va, who