Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1913-08-15

to move OH and destroy Hanove
Junction on the Northern Contra
Railroad and all bridges in tina
vicinity, then unite with Genera
Gordon at York, destroying en-
route all intervening bridges; OF
the 28th they moved on Wrights
vile, for the purpose of securing
Columbia bridge over the Sus
quehanna at that point (Which
was l Ia miles long) that Early:
division might cross on its way
| to Lancaster and Harrisburg,
Upon reaching Wrightsville,
however, the militia regiment
fled across the bridge, destroy in g
it as they retreated, thus frustrat-
ing plans that beyond dispute
would have given us Lancaster
and Harrisburg, which would
have resulted in incalculable ben
eft to our cause and most likely
changed the final result; for with
| nothing but militia in our front
and Lees army between us and
the Federal army there was moth
ing to stop us.
On the 10Th of June orders
were received to rejoin the main
army then moving on the road to
Cashtown and Gettysburg. This
was accomplished on the MORN
ing of July l, when some of the
advance troops were engaging
the enemy and driving them back
on Gettysburg. With the three
days struggle all are familiar.
Though greatly outnumbered,
you will bear in mind that we
were the attacking force for three
consecutive days. On the fourth,
opportunity was offered the
enemy to attack us, but they de-
clined acceptance, and in silence
the two armies faced each other.
That night and the following
morning our forces leisurely
withdrew in consequence Of de-
pleted ordinance ammunition.
On the evening of the third days
battle, Col. White with three or
four men was ordered by Genera
Lee to penetrate the rear of the
Federal army and learn of their
plans, etc. Reaching the pike,
he sent the men back under cover
of some woods with the horses
while he concealed himself close
to the pike to watch their move
ments, and. to his surprise, found
every preparation being made for
retiring, some wagons and or
dinance having already started.
While watching them, day broke.
and he was for hours cut off from
his men and from returning to-
report. In the meantime Gen.
Lee receiving no news and think
ing Col. White had been captur-
ed, preparations were begun for
the retirement of our army and
the enemy learning OF it remain
ed on the field. At 2 A. M.
July 5th our army was on the
road with General Gordens bril-
gade of infantry and Whites
battalion of cavalry. as the rear
guard. They entered the enerny's
country as the advace lguard of
Lees army and now they occu-
pied the place of honor when
retiring, a station they may we'll
be proud off.
Subsequent events in which
this famous command partici-
pated with ever-increasing bril-
liancy are too numerous to de-
scribe on this occasion. They
form an unbroken chain of
achievements eclipsed by no
other.
At last, as the Star of Hope
was setting at Appomattox, Col.
E. v. White, commanding the
famous Laurel Brigade" cut
his way out, and, reaching
Lynchburg, disbanded his COM
mand. Well may every man at
tached to that command be proud
of it, we'll may every relative of
these men be equally proud, and
| well may the old county of Mont
geometry rejoice in claiming such
a hero and such a native.
A tablet is erected at Wrights-
| Vile, Pa, on which is inscribed
the following: "This is the
| farthest point north reached by
the Confederate troops.
Respectfully,
MAGNUS S. THOMPSON,