The Washington herald., 1914-08-19

lam Sewers a column Of smoke con-
, frmed their information. The house
was infames and the family were
gathered, weeping and forlorn. in a
corner OF the yard. gazing at the blaz-
ing pile that had been their home.
Sewers was believed by the Federals
TO be an ally OF MOsbys
No Quarter Given.
The Rangers now set Off in pursuit
of the house burners whom they found
at the farm OF Col. Ben Morgan. AL
ready the barn. corncribs, grainhouse
and haystacks here were destroyed and
the house was in flames. This work
was being done by a detail Of fifty met
from the Fifth MIchigan-of which Col.
Russell A. Alger was commander-as an
act OF retaliation for attacks on Fedora!
pickets.
A part OF the detail was about the
house when the Rangers, numbering
about 100. rode furiously up. charging
them. Taken by surprise, the Federal
cavalrymen, most OF whom were dls-
mounted, could make little resistance
They broke and fed in confusion.
The fields near the house were crossed
by numerous stone walls, which impeded
their flight. The road, their only ave-
nue. OF escape, they had barricaded for
protection, and this was now closed to
them.
The only way around the barricade was
through a gap in a steae wall, through
which but one horse could pass at a
time.
While crowding about this gap the
Federals were ridden down by the
Rangers. They tried to run along the
wall. but were overtaken and those not
shot down surrendered. In every in
stance the men who surrendered were
shot down.
When the Rangers rode on they left
thirteen dead and two mortaly wounded
men among the score or more who had
fallen by the wall. The rest Of the Fed
erals had escaped.
One incident OF the attack is thus told
by a Confederate writer: William c.
Patterson. a Ranger. pursued three Fed
erals. two Of them jumped their horses
over wall. Patterson was close be-
hind the third when his horse STUN
bled and fell. The Federal wheeled and
fired with his carbine, sending a bullet
through PattersOn's hat. He then start
ed to ride the Ranger down, but Pat
terson fired at him with a revolver. kill
ing him. The man acrried a bundle in
which. wrapped in some bedcIothing. was
quantity OF siIverware and jewelry.
AccusntIOns of Cruelty.
AS a result OF this affair. Gen. sher-
idan determined TO carry out a severe
program against the residents of the
valley who gave aid or comfort to Mos
by. HouseholderS between the army's
rear and the mountains were now never
free of apprehension. They attributed
their harsh treatment to natural ruth
lessness in the Yankees. Their reports
Of the activities OF the Federals were
filled with bitter accusations. The events
about Berryville here described in part
fixed the men OF Sheridans cavalry in
their minds as thieves and oppressors.
A distinction between military necessity
and unrestrained license does not appear
to have been made by all the Federal
troopers from the evidence presented by
the residents OF that section of the val
ley.
A correspondent OF a Southern paper
reported the visit OF the Federal cavalry
as follows:
I'm Clarke County they arrested and
carried of every male citizen of Berry
willie, the county seat, except FIVE, and
they burned the fiae mansion OF Col. Pen
Morgan and Messers. Province McCor
mick, Carter Shepherd and William
Sewers. They arrested Rev. H. Suter
and paroled him. and they went into his
house and destroyed and carried OF
perfectly destitute OF all their personal
effects.
They treated Rev Charles White and
family Cwho reside near Berryville) in a
similar manner. Before they applied the
torch 20 Mr.. McCormick's house Mrs.
Brown Chis daughter) started upstairs 20
get her infant, when she was stopped.
She was eventually permitted to get hcr
child, not, however. until they had
bruised her arms and nearly torn of one
Of her fingers in the attempt to take
therefrom a diamond ring. Their pres
ence and actions at the residence Of DR..
caused the death Of his estl-
mable and accomplished wife, who was i'll
at the time"
To what degree these accusations were
true lit is not needful to inquire fifty
years after the event but the conditions
that gave rise to them display the bru-
tality OF war in light that brings out by
contrast the blessings of peace.
Copyright islA)
Tomorro~i Sheridan's hrmy f.
halted at Charlestown.