Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-05-18
The Charles Town Raid.

-. -.
In the latter part of the summer of 1868
Gen. Imboden was stationed in the VAL
ley OF Virginia with about twelve hundred
men the writer being one of the numoer)
having been sent there by Gen. Rober
E. Lee to guard the Confederate interests
through that part Of Virginia. We had
we'll organized Signal Corps and SO ar
ranged that we could learn from time tc
time any move that the Federals migh
undertake. We learned that there was
small army at Charles Town ofabout SOO
They also had much larger forces al
Winchester and Harper's Ferry. Every
thing was quiet in the Valley at this time
so Gen. Imboden decided to move down
capture and bring out the army stationed
at Charles Town, taking with him the
brave and daring Capt. Jessie McNei
(who took Gen. Crook and Gen. Kelley
out OF Cumberland.)
Our march was so planned that our
last move was a nocturnal one so thai
we could get in and surround the town
before daylight. We were discovered
however, and about daybreak about 7OC
OF them made break TO get away by the
road leading TO Harper's Ferry, but Gen,
Imboden was too smart for that. He had
placed a regiment at this point and the
Feds. ran right into them and were cap
tured at the very place where John Brown
was hung.
The remainder OF the army had taken
refuge in the Court House, thinking they
were safe. Sergt. Andrew Collett, one oi
Randolph county's bravest artillerymen,
was sent around on the west side OF town
with one piece of artillery. The blue
coats opened fire on him from the cupola
OF the Court House, one ball hitting the
horse on which Sergt. Collett was mount
ed, entering the neck and passing out
through the shoulder on the other side.
Just about this time Gen. Imboden came
in on The south with one piece OF artillery
composed of Randolph county boys, sup
ported by Capt. Mcneil. Entering
street leading directly to the Court House,
but was concealed by large shade trees
along the street so that we could not be
seen, Gen. lmbodeu dispatched Capt.
Mcneil in with flag OF truce and order
ed surrender. They asked three quar-
ters OF an hour TO consider, hoping,
probably, 10 be reinforced, but when this
was reported to Gen. Imboden he sent
back word that he would give them
just five minutes. "Well," they said,
"tell your officer that we are in here and
lei him take US out if he can."
Gen. Imboden said, Boys, unlmber
that piece OF artillery and I'll take them
out" and while we unlimbered, he dis
mounted, and sighting the piece himself
fired straight into the door, striking the
Adjutant and cutting off both his legs.
The next shots, first through the wall 10
the left OF the door and then to the right,
settled them, and they came out, like a
swarm of bees. and Capt Mcneil was
ordered TO take charge OF them.
We then moved back upon the hill
about quarter OF mile ard stopped to
feed, but before our horses were done
eating the Feds. came up from Harper's
Ferry and attacked our rear guard. When
we heard the firing of shots we pulled
stakes and moved on, taking position and
beating the enemy back from every hill
top for a distance OF IL miles, but we
come out safely with prisoners and pro-
visions which we had captured in little
old Charles Town.
When night came on we were well
nigh spent and our prisoners. .. in the
language oftoday. :. wereSimply "allin."
We then ate hearty supper from the
captured provisions, orthere was boun-
tifull supply, and knowing that the enemy
had given UP the chase and were beating
a hasty retreat, we lay down IN safety for
gentle and invigorating sleep.