Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-05-16


dered to lie down, for it was impossible
TO go farther.
A few hundred yards beyond, masses
OF Federal riflemen were shooting, while
the cannon thundered and roared. The
bullets seemed to passed overhead in a
perfect storm, whistling and screeching
as they flew by. One of the boys wrote
afterward that pieces Of paper were caught
up and driven through the air, and the
branches OF a tree all streamed away in
one direction, as if caught in a violent
wind.
While the cadets were crossing the
orchard, the heaviest losses occurred, and
in few moments one-fifth of the COM
mand was wounded or killed; but when
they lay down behind the fence, although
their position was perilous, they were
comparatively safe, and their losses were
Slight.
AT about this time il seemed to the
Federal commanders that Breckinridge's
men were wavering, and they belieN ed
that vigorous charge would decide the
day. Accordingly, two regiments were
hurled forward. But the Confederates
were ready; the oncoming foe were met
with whitening fire, doubled up, and
driven back. In this fighting the cadets
bore themselves like heroes. A Confed-
crate officer who was lying wounded on
the ground near by says that il the gap
filled by them had remained open when
the Federal troops made their charge, the
Confederate line would have been brok-
en-, and the day lost.
THE CHARGE.
In little while the tide OF battle turned.
On the left OF the cadets, behind wood
covered hill, one OF the Confederate COM
mands had broken the Federal line near
the river. On the right reenforcements
had arrived, and long line of veterans
was moving forward. Once more the
cadets were up. Their leader, Colonel
Shipp. had been wounded, and Prof.
Capt. Henry A. Wise took command.
Afterwatd the boys made many jest
at his expense. Captain Wise was tall
and thin and stern-looking, but the frag-
ment OF shell had carried away his coat
tails, and he looked very odd. Moreover,
he was prim and puritanical, and careful
in his language, but in the excitment he
forgot all his usual decorum.
These things were remembered long
afterward, but what the boys saw at the
time was that their beloved commander
sprang out into the field, sword in hand,
and shouted TO them TO follow. The ef-
fectwas magical; the cadets came SWARM
ing over the fence and on through the
wheat-field beyond. On both sides Of
them the old soldiers, moved to enthusiasm
atthe sight, raced along with them. "They
yelled, we yelled with them, the onnsh
was irresistible"
While they plunged forward through
the mud and the wheat violent thunder
storm burst over the field. In some
places only the flash of the lightning
showed the way. The air grew dim with
the driving rain, and the battle smoke
hung low. The rattle Of musketry was
mingled with the roll OF the thunder
When the storm had passed and the
drenched fields were clear again, the
danger was over. All along the line the
Federal troops were giving way, and the
batteries were limbering up and making
for the rear. There was little more fight
ing. The weary Confederates took some
prisoners; one of the cadets is said TO
have marched twenty-three men TO the
rear.
Then the corps fired into the Gath Mas
sachusetts Regiment, which was making
a last stand, and helped TO drive il off the
field. The Confederates were too much
exhausted 10 pursue very far; therefore
SigeI withdrew his army without Difficult
ty, and after brief artillery duel, just be-
fore dusk got his men across the Shenan-
doah River and destroyed the bridge.
This ended the battle.
That evening some Of the cadets sought
out their comrades who had fallen. They
found them lying on the fatal slope and in
the orchard.
at was sad indeed" says one of the
survivors, to recognize all that remained
of Cabell, who but few hours before
had stood first in his class as scholar,
second as a soldier, and the peer Of any
boy that ever lived in every trait ofphys-
ical and moral maniness.
"a little removed from the spot where
CabeII died, and nearer TO the position Of
the enemy, lay Mcdowell. Itwas sight
10 wiring ones heart. The little boy was
lying there asleep, more fit, indeed, for
the cradle than the grave. He was bare
ly sixteen, judge, and by no means robust
for his age. He had torn open his jacket
and shirt, and even in death lay cluich-
ing them back, exposing a fair breast
with its red wound"
Out Of two hundred and twenty, nine
were killed and fony-three wounded.
The cadets were ordered 10 come 10
Richmond, and all along the way they
received an ovation. In Richmond the
Statelegislature gave themavote ofthanks,
the House Of Representatives commended
them, and a flag was presented to them.
The part taken by the cadets in the
Battle of New Market was small, yet
what they did was beyond all praise.
Happy is the land that bears such sons.
God forbid that ever again in this coun-
try schooIboys should be needed to fight
an enemy; but if ever the need is des-
perate and the want is great, may they
respond as nobIy as did the boy soldiers