The Washington herald., 1915-02-21
MAJ. GEN. CROOK AND MAI.
GEN. KELLEY SEIZED.
February Fl.

| ssSSDs
February Fl.
FIFTY years ago today Maj Gen. George
crook. commander of the Federal Mill
tary Department of West Virginia, and
brevet Maj. Gen. Benjamin F.. Kelley.
commanding division Of infantry. and
second in rank in the department wer.
captured In their beds at Cumberland
Nd. headquarters of the department nv
a small band OF Confederate cavalry unssr
Lieut.. Jesse c. McNeill.
McNeilfs exploit was one OF the mos,
dashing OF the many wild ENTERPRISES of
the younger Confederates who served
IN the Shenandoah Valley and the West
virginia country: and caused not a lit
Tie chagrin to the Federals For this
reason not much information about the
capture reached the Northern press
through military channels
That a party of hostile cavalry courd
RIDE into fortified town held by about
a.oO troops and make Off with two Off
GERS OF highest rank in the military de-
partment. reflected no great credit on
the forces holding the town.
Inc audacity Of the enterprise wa,
great. and when all the conditions bear
ing upon 1t were weighed its success
was not so remarkable as it might have
appeared at first sight
NO Confederates were known to he
within 100 miles Of Cumberland The
weather was Indictment and the n,orr-
tam roads OF West Virginia, by which
the raiders approached the town. were
IN condition not favorable to rand
rioing. The guards at Cumberland did
their duty in a sense of security. little
dreaming mat they would be confronted
by an enemy.
These things were we'll known to
young MCNEIL. who was a daredevil
youth. ready to take long chances. He
was attached TO Rosser's cavalry. a mart
OF the Confederate force serving under
Gen. Jubal A. Early in the Shenandoah
Valley
with the coming of winter Gen. Early
mad been obliged to scatter his cavalry
in order that forage might be found for
the horses. Rosser's men crossed the
mountains TO the counties on the west.
and there managed to find subsistence
for man and beast
Guided by q Resident.
1t was while waiting impatientIy for
the coming of spring and the resumption
OF military activity that young Nc
NELL conceived the idea of a kidna ming
raid to Cumberland.
With thirty picked men he started on
February Is for his goal. The ride was
one that would not soon be forgotten by
the men making il. The mountains were
deep in snow. the trails slippery with ice.
and the many streams across the roads
downing high between frozen banks
Reaching Moorfield on the afternoon of
February 20. the raiders took the road
Romney. 1t was . O'Clock in the
morning OF February Il when, having
come quietly down out Of the hills and
crossed the Potomac, they rode into
The town was wrapped in complete
stiffness. The few sentries were not alert.
All those in the way of the raiders were
passed without challenge
Proceeding to the railroad station, the
raiders captured the Waterman there and
rut the telegraph lines. They then SEN
arated into two parties. one Of which,
led by Mcneil. proceeded to the hotel
in which Gen. Crook made his headquar-
ters. The other proceeded to Gen. Kel-
ley's headquarters.
There WAS no need to search for these
places. as every foot of the way was
known to a guide. Charles ]. DALEY. of
Cumberland. by whom the details Of the
plan had been worked out well In ad-
vance.
Arriving at the headquarters of Gen.
Crook. the raiders seized a sentry. Hav
ing bound and gagged him. they proceed
ed softly about their business.
Lieut.. McNeill went directly to Gen
Crooks room. There was no sentry in
The corridor and the door was unlocked
The Federal commander woke to find
I pistol at his head. He was ordered to
1ress and to make no noise
Although Gen. Crook had fought many
I hard battle and led many a desperate
'avalry raid in West Virginia. he knew
hat resistance was useless. He dressed
30 quietly that officers in the next room
we're not awakened.
In less than ten minutes he was mount
ID on horse that the raiders had
brought. ready saddled. to the hotel door.
IN a few minutes the other detachment.
With Gen. Kelley mounted in their midst,
oined Mcneil. They had encountered
10 difficulty in securing the person OF
Zen. Kelley. after taking the sentry at
lis quarters. They had also captured
,apt. Thayer Melvin. Gen. Kelley's as
Instant adjutant general.
With the three officers among them
md the two private soldiers, sentries
rom the generals respective hesdquar-
ers. the raiders started on into the
nountins.
They had been but twenty minutes in
he town. and had not fired a shot or
poken q loud word.
About ten minutes after their departure
! negro Waterman. who had escaped
hem at Gen. Crooks hotel, summoned
ourage to come out Of hiding and raise
n alarm.
Amusement was stamped on every face
vhen II was found that the two ranking
nicers Of the department were rome
pirited away as il taken up on a magic
arpet.