Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-10-07
WAS WITH GENERAL RENO
DAY BEFORE BIG BATTLE
Col. Towner Schbey Witnessed En-
oagement at Antietsn1-Taik
Of aye OIden Days"

The recent death Of Admiral Schley
calls t. miad another member Of that
same family who is well known to the
people of Berkeley county, and ~
cent sketch published in the Frederick
News is reproduced, which gives some
OF the life history of Col. Towner
Schley.
For the first time in nine years, G !.
Towner Schley, of ShepherdstoWn, w.
Va, last week paid a visit to Fred.
serick the home of his ancestors. He
came TO attend the funeral OF his
cousin, DIR. Steiner Schley. Col. Schley
is just recovering from an attack OF
muscular rheumatism from which he
has been suffering. He is a gentle
man OF the old school, genial and COM
paniable and well inf crmed on all
topics OF the day. He talks interest
ingly of the happenings of the present
and is especially entertaining with
"reminiscences of eye Olden Times
Col. Schley was bora at Shepherds.
town, Jefferson county, w. Va, the
Oldest child of the late Col. John Il.
Schley, who was son of Major Henry
IEchley, an uncle OF Admiral Winfield
Scott Schley. His grandmother was
MISS Maria Worrell. Of Kent county.
n daughter of Judge Worrell and a
granddaughter of John Hanson, presi-
dent of the Continental Congress.
During his recent visit to Frederick
Col Schley visited The News Office
Speaking of his rem niscenses of Fred
erjck he said: IL see many changes
IN the city, which has improved very
much. but | miss many familiar faces.
RiehPs Spring Favorite Place.
81 have many recollections of for
iper days in Frederick. While here
s'rolled up to the famous spring Gu
West Patrick street known as the
PiehFs Spring, almost opposite to the
h>'ne OF barbara Frietchle, where
VIXEN a small urch'n grandmother
would take me by the hand fer a
walk. They would invariably go to
the above-named spring. get cup of
ginger beer and a cake for a penly.
This was long before DE Cruel Wah.'
Opposite the spring could be seen al
ole lady sitting on the porch. almost
helpless with cain, this was no one
else save Barbara Frietchie Whe7
the Civil War was raging she was too
old and feeble to attempt to insult
Stonewall jackson, and even IL she
was not he was too brave a gentle
man to resent. | do not really be-
feve he ever saw Barbara Freitchie,
i lcok upon her as a myth
Col. Schley's father.v~the late Col.
John Edward Schley, was one of the
promoters CT the progressive and
growing state OF West Virginia. He
was an active and useful member OF
the Republican party was delegate at
large to half dozen National Republi-
Van conventions and was a personal
friend of President Grant.
Col. Tcwner Schley was a member
OF the staff OF the first Governor A. ].
Bowman. of West Virginia, with the
brevet Of colonel, being at that time
<sly 10 years of age, being the young
est staff officer in the United States.
He was also U. S. Marshal for West
Virginia fer years. both terms Of
President Grant He was Chief Mar
shall for the great state fair OF Mary
lard, held at Hagerstown in 1896. He
was close personal friend of the late
HoH Louis F. McComas, AID de-
voted friend of the late Judge Edward
Stake, who read law with the Hon. A.
X. Syster. late Attorney General OF
Maryland. in an office where the Hotel
Hamilton now stands.
Witnessed Antietam Battle.
Col Srhley was at supper at his
-aunt's. Mrs. Edward Schley, the even
iuc 9afore the battle of Antietam.
g Rano was also there. being al
a. officer with the late Col Schley.
" Vt morning Col. Tow1er Schley
, led that if possible he would
v - the battle On the road as he
--~ r'tmbng South Mountain he met
fodv a Gen. Reno by bayonet a1d
Col. Schley witnessed the cut
Of Mcclellan gap and saw the
< le from the spct where now stands
hn nh