Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-04-22
WAR "REMINISCENCES
(By J. w. Bakery


In 1868 we were again induced to
commence search for food. On our
Journey wo made the ACQUAINTANCE at
winchester, of General Milroy. He
mad built strong fort east of the
town. North of the town on ridge
he had located another. His object.
no doubt, in preparing these was bet
ter to protect his property. One even
ing the Louisiana brigade and the
Attn Virginia brigade were taken n.
tt, a valley north of the fort on the
ridge. This put us on the back side
Of 1t. The ridge had been very heavi-
ly timbered. When we looked up MT
the fort we saw TINT General Milroy
mad cut oil the trees, thrown them
m rows down the ridge-trimmed
them up, so they were splinterjagg-
ca everywhere, and had done ali this
just to keep us out of rations. He
ought to have known that we had
70 eat. Could not put it off too long.
DO when they told US we had better
go up through that impcdimenta and
get that fort we did so at once.
Rough climbing, but we were MS
gaunt as hounds, as active rs cats:
so IN twenty minutes we had the
Tort and plenty to eat in reach. So
mr. Miiroy got no good that time
out Of all his toll and labor. While
I was resting on the grass at the
iort tnree generals rode up. l al
ways n liked to hear what they had to
say. Ihey were the boys who got
you INTO trouble. One said Eve shall
nave to leave regiment here tn
guard the captured stores" Anotber
said, 1--WE will leave the doth" Tho
ranking general said 1--WE will leove
the 18th Virginia, half her men nrc
behind wounded, and she has done
lar more than her part of the fight
mg." A few minutes after these call
ed Tor 70 volunteers to no down to
the fort on the pike near the town.
1 was the first man that reached
them; Butthis is no time for chroma
nor blue ribbons. / volunteered be-
cause it was the safest thing in
SIGHT. No danger in walking over the
blue grass for mile in the dark
but how would you like to walk the
same field in day light swept NV
grape and canister? Always 20 when
1t Is the best thing. Some times YOU
nave to volunteer when it is the very
worst thing. We went down to the
fort. Listened, could hear notbinr
Climbed in, found all kinds of ann
plies, with one bottle of whiskev.
The enemy had left everything
that could rattle and sneaked off in
the dark. Just below the fort 400
wagons were packed. l climbed on
TO these and every citizen that came
along gave him suit of clothes
ham of meat, sugar and coffee
anything and rs much as he would
take. These Shenandoah Valley peo-
pie never got tired of being good to
US, and was doing my best to nav
tnem back. would like to 90 thru
tne valley now and tell those nco-
pic what famous ancestry they had.
have told you why did not 90
10 pennsylvania. / was given de-
tachment of men and sent to patrol
winchester, and there remained until
the army returned. No people were
acquitted themselves better than did
tho women of this town. The wound
cd were everywhere, and night and
DAY they cooked, made beds, dressed
wounds, removed parasites, no scrv
ice 100 mental for them to perform.
10" hoDie woman can be when
she stoops to serve. have seen so
many women Mt their best that I
than I ''oi
When they got back I talked to
the boys about Gettysburg. Some of
the most brainy men insisted thot
JuDnl Early lost the battle before If
was fought. With these agree
~ GeneIal Lee ordered Ewell before
me lght to occupy the heights. Ew-
en- ordered Early. The boys with
Early said they were half way nm
the ridge-that few cavalry were
seen seen through the trees to their left
there they spent the night. Hours
a1ter they were halted our bows
hcara the enemy march to the ton
OF the ridge and stack arms. | saw
much of Jubal Early. To ne he nm
pcared as one who had fallen from,
great height. His snecring cynicism
ana wlckedness were beyond belief.
After the war a very brilliant and
giited woman spent sometime in
MOTEL III N. o. Jubal Early was there
AFTER long time she got him TO tell
her all his troubles. He told her that
other men could succeed, but he was
lore. doomed to failure. That no mat
ter how able his plans, nor skillfuIlv
executed $, occult forces always brought
MN ruin. That like the Greek Oedj-
pus ms part was utter loss and mis-
cry. That he was hoodooed that
nemesis was forever on his trail
May we all take warning. This lady
came with joy and smiles. she loft
in grief and tears.