Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-01-23
Letter From a Soldier Of 1861.

DuI;rg the past year the Registei
has printed a number OF letters from
soldiers from this vicinity who have
participated in the great war in France
We publish ne:sw,th a letter written
by a soldier FIR this vicinity In 1901
during the Cinl War, and il VIII be oi
peculiar interest at this time in contrast
with those 'r1m overseas. The letter
was written 70 his wife by John I. Bill
myer. who was a member Of Company
F, First Virginia Cayaliy, c. 5. A. The
company was commanded by Col VIM
A. Morgan, who was succeeded BY
Captain M. J. Billmver. John Z Bill
myer was a lieutenant in the company
He died few years after the war. We
are enabled TO publish the letter
through the kindness Of Mrs. Kate
Kregloe, who has the original. Mrs.
Billmyer is still living in Berkeley couri-
~. The letter is as follows:
Camp Longstreet, Oct 9, 1861
Dear sue-As have an opportunity
70 send. | will drop you few lines and
le, YOU know that am we'!' oui
company met with bad luck Yesterday
while out on picket, and fo-fear some
one would write that did not know any
thing about it, | concluded to give you
q short account of il myself.
We had a picket on the pike, where
the pine bushes come clear out 10 'ne
road, and lot of eowardS ankee
sUeoted I'D within ten feet and fired on
our men. They woundtd Jack Morgan
in the left breast and killed his horse
He has only flesh wound. lhey elso
ehot Robert Osborne through the risn'
arm no bones broken. The rest OF the
bows made their escape, except Ihariie
Knott-he is taken prisoner and PROB
ably wounded. We lost six norses'
Newt Lemen and Mart Shell got OIL with
their horses, but the oth.;s lost theirs
I will give you the names OF those VINO
lost their horses: George Moore, from
Clarke county, George Lucas, Will Nor
rison, John Myers, Jack Morgan ano
Charlie Knott. William Kearney savee
lack Morgan from being taken prlso
er. He was at the time about two
hundred yards from wher. Jacks horse
fell, but instead OF getting scared ano
running of, he boldly dashed down &c
lack under a most terrific Are from to-
enemy, and got him on behind him, and
while the balls like hai!-stones were
kissing around him and those devils In
hun ! form were yelling like thous'
and .uries for him TO halt and sur
render, he tugged away At Jack until
he got him on, and then put spurs to his
horse and bore him to place OF safety
And what makes il more creditable TO
him he was in no danger himself, but
rushed to almost certain death to save
friend and fellow soldier. II was q
daring and noble act, and one that this
regiment will never forget. Those who
witnessed him performing what he
only thought to be his duty say that he
was as composed and cool as though he
was not exposed to the least danger.
Our Colonel Jones says that such
places shall be picketed no more. and
that We have lost men and horses
enough already. ! have not been out
with the company Tor several days, rs
my horse is not fit to ride, AMI will moi
be able to doanything butlounge around
camp until get another one. Give my
love to all and keep the larger share for
yourself. Yours, etc.
TOHN