Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-01-09

WOuiu ndFG OSSiA uppi eSSlvs nau
it not been for the enchalting
scene below, on the plains to
the south where an army oiCon-
federate soldiers encampedtheir
tents spread over the ntire
plain on either side of thetoad.
AT this hour they were sleping.
perhaps dreaming of theloved
ones at home, of the preoara-
tons made for Christmas, and
their meeting of sweetharts
again when the furlough anne.
Away to the east was I'll, city
of Wa hignton, the capitol of a
once united people, but nov the
seat Of fanaticism and sectbnol-
ism. Under such inhuenc, the
vast and increasing army Of the
north was to overrun the south.
But low looking to the cas- the
sun was just casting its gdden
rays over sea and land, drilling
back as it were the silvery sars
intoIthe blue vaulted heavens.
The bugle sounded, awtke,
and prepare for breakfast.
Where silence reigned the emp
sprang into rigorous life, SINE
preparing the johnny cakes and
roasting on forked sticks toor
army beef and salt pork. Msny
Others going to the cool and
sparkling brook that weudedits
way thro the camp for tleir
morning bath. filling their AN
teens with delicious spring w:ter
that arose from the base ofthe
mountain and flowed eastward
to the Potomac. This wa; to
serve in place of tea or coffee
for the aroma of that delitht-
full beverage was absent. Break
fast. over, tents were strlck,
blankets folded, knapsacksand
rifles stacked, prepared to mve.
Again the bugle sounded: Form
ranks, prepare for inspection.
| Corps after corps with theirsub-
divisions quickly responded cav
ing space between each until the
plain was covered with soldiers
and their glittering arms. There
General Lee and staff was seen
to emerge from a small grove
md ride forward with hats in
hand thro the lines amid.t ten
thousand cheers Of welcome that
might have been heard on the
plains of Gettysburg, after
which there fell a deep silence
those old veretans standing al
attention.
Again the bugle sounded echo.
ing and reoching over mountain
and plain, forward march. Each
corps with its subdivisions with
banners flying, bands playing
formed column of tours flee
into the road with General Lee
and staff in the van vending
their way slowly up the eastern
slope of the mountain, and away
to the south. The artillery wag.
CONS and ambulances could be
seen taking their places in line
of march. How long l stood en-
raptured at the scene, l do not
know, but presently my faithful
black threw up her head and
neighed, | mounted and rode tc
the gap, and found myself in
the presence of that awe inspir.
ing and great soldier General
Lee. | saluted andwas turning
to reioin my right near Berry.
vile when | was halted and ask
ed what comamnd belonged to:
| salued and answered. Then
General Lee gave me an order
to General Jenkins to move for
ward with dispatch to Hagers-
town, Md. Down that steep and
rocky incline l rode across the
Shenandoah, and on thro one of
the most picturesque spots of
Virginia. The dew on the grass
and flowers hung suspended
like pearls in the morning sun,
the larks from the meadows
circled away or overhead with
songs greeting the morning sun,
bob white sitting on the fence
was calling loudly for his mate
and little ones in the harvest
field. l had given my faithful
mare the rein and the bit, and
in that even canter of the train
ed horse l rode on What a con-
trast to the ride / had with my
sweetheart in years past. Just
before doning the soldiers uni
form had she not plighted her
hand ana lie to me. Had | not
solemly vowed to be true to that
plighted faith, and with the as
surance of her falthfulness to
her vows, and that had an in
uerest in her daily prayers.
On l rode until the sentinel at
headquartershalted me. Deliver
ing the order to the general. The
command moved forwad. When
near Martinsburg our advance