Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-03-25
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
(By j. w. Baker.)
Boisscyhne. VA. Mnrrh

Boisscvane, Va, March I4.
Many times | was told that General
Lee was not in favor of making war
across the Potomac. Two men in
Richmond out ranked him. One was
the commissary General Unfortuna-
tely he was dispcptic, II crank, and
visionary. One person in the whole
south thought this man was Il mill
tary genius of the highest order.
Many of the soldiers, nearly all of
them before the war closed said he
should be placed against wall and
shot When General Lee asked for
rations to feed his army this COM
messary General replied there was
plenty beyond the. Potomac.
The army waded the river ut Point
of Rocks below IIarpers Ferry. We
then marched to Frederick city-n
beautiful town, located IN very
fine farming section. This was the
home of Barbara Fritcher-I may
not have the name right, but it will
do-the popt writes that this woman
bubbling over with patriotism, SELF
cd the stars and stripes, ran into the
street, and at the risk of her life
waved it in the faces of the rebels.
And this stuff goes to the future us
history. Southern soldiers never any
where made war on women. AT no
time was the old woman i'm more
danger than I am scribbling at n
desk. While at this town l became
hungry and went to farm house to
get me good dinner. The ladies
were kind and ate with me. During
the meal it came out that three of
them-fine handsome young women
had husbands with General Banks
at Harpers Ferry. They were ex-
ceedingly troubled. told them they
need not be alarmed, that in three
days we would capture Harprs Forry
that the captivcs would be paroled,
and in a short time they would see
their husbands. This was paying for
my dinner, and it. about came true.
The next day, or day after, we were
ordered to march. / mean General
Jackson was ordered to march. AS
we passed through Boonsboro walk
ed into n store to get food. Rnisins
was the only thing they had to cat.
That day I marched on raisins.
On the route an exhausted soldier
gave mo two very large chickens
and frying pan. never asked where
he got them.
That day we wadcd the Potomac
at Williamsport and went into camp
at North Mountain Station on the
B. o. r. R., having marched thirty
five miles since sunrise. The march
was distressing in the evening rs we
had to pass over a mud road after q
heavy rain. About ten o'clock and
very dark and cloudy when we went
into camp. Four or five of my mess
were present. They said they were
worn out and would go to sleep. I
told them would cook my chickens
first. / felt around and found dead
! apple tree. Ran my hand into the
hollow and pulled out some dry
| chickens. No bread, but had some
With this outfit put my chickens
them some, warmed them through,
shook the boys, and told them sup
per was ready. We ate raw meat
that night and picked the bones. The
! thing you need when you go to the
table is an appetite.
The next day we were at Harp,
ers Ferry. Captured 73 cannon, about
$4,000 stand of small arms, II ,00(
i oOioiSiot fOO WA6Oios touPPOoC tut
ladies who gave me such a good din.
ner saw their husbands about OF
time. This came off September 10Th
: 1862. On the 18th after an awful
march we were fighting at Sharps
burg. Before the fight commenced !
was sent into the village of Sharps
burg. While there the enemy opened
on the town with cannon. A day OF
two after the newspapers said tn,
, fire was from three hundred guns
! The shells tore through houses an,
stone fences and plowed up tn,
ground. At one time l did not thinl
my life worth 80 cents. And it wa,
no use to dodge as you were just a
likely to dodge in the way of bal
as to dodge out of the way.
| don't Know to thi sday how
got out. Pieces of shell, particles o
rocks, dirt were flying every where
but l did not receive a scratch.
Finish his fight next week.
MEETING OF CIVIC LEAGUE.
, The Chairmen and all new and oil
+. members of the Civic League ar
urged to be present at the meetin,
:, of the League on Tuesday Afternoon
at $3.50, March 20. This meeting vii
be held in the Red Cross rooms, an
matters Of Importance will be take,
i up.
- Eob nate nooe....1, C1