Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-09-05
Forces About Smithfeld.

In August 1862 Lieutenant Rouss
with Lieut.. Baylor, Lieutenant Row
land and thirty men marched down
the valley intending to attack the
train between Summit Point and
Wade's Depot. In each of these
places the enemy had stationed eigh-
ty infantry and five cavalry. The
distance between the depots was
four miles. At four o'clock in the
afternoon the road was reached, and
soon after the whistle of the engine
was heard. DISTINCTIONS were placed
across the track to bring the train to
stand still. This proved effectual
and when the engine struck the OBJ
struction, the train was halted. 1t
was then boarded by our men and
eight yankee soldiers were captured.
The express car was opened, where
they found baskets of champagne
and boxes of fruit. 1t is needless to
say, as the men were thirsty and
hungry, they proceeded to partake of
these good things.
The express safe was opened and
$4,000 in U. s. money was taken out.
Nothing remained to be done but to
burn the car. This was done effect
ualiy and full head of steam was
put on the engine and it was started
in the direction of Winchester. The
telegraph wire was cutfor two hun
dred yards.
Lieutenant Rowland with thirteen
men took charge of the prisoners,
and started back over the route they
came, while Lieutenants Rouss and
Baylor, with the seventeen men re-
naming, determined to penetrate
farther into Jefferson County.
Lieutenant Rouss with these men
moved in the direction of Smithield
five miles distant When they ar
rived within half mile of the town
the blue uniforms of the Yankee
plckets were discovered.
Thinking we were scouting
party of their own men, Rouss anc
his party approached within twenty
yards OF them before they discovered
who they were. The command was
given to charge, and before they
could fire shot, our men were upor
them and captured all three will
their arms and equipment.
These pickets informed our mer
that there were fourteen of theiI
companions in town. A charge wa,
made and the fourteen yankees wer,
captured, being taken completely b,
surprise. The spoils amounted to /;
horses, 20 revolvers, 5 Sharpe's car
bines, saddles, brides and othe
trappings.
j After the capture Lieut.. Rouss lie,
his men safely back into our lines.
February, 1868, Lieut.. Rouss will
Lieut.. Baylor, John Chew, Bill,
Manning, Charlie Henderson, Johl
Yates, John Coleman, George Cray
ton, Billie Gibson, Up Manning, 10,
!; Crane and Duck English, marched t,
Summit Point where information
! was received that a small scoutin,
party of about 81 men had passe,
that place in the direction of Smith
field.
Rouss Immediately started in pur
SUIT OF this party. Just before en-
tering the town of Smithfield Their
is a long straight stretch of road
probably mile long. There on
party came in full view of the foe.
The Confederates approached tn
enemy, who were entirely unmindfu
OF our presence, and dashed int
their rear and shot down some O
their party before they were awar
of any danger. No resistance wa
made, but pell-mell down througl
the town they ran, with Confederate
behind them, yelling like hyenas.
Summing up the result of tn
fight, four were found killed. tire
wounded, z men and IL horses can
tured, without casualty on GU
side.
A negro man by the name O
Redmond, resident of jefferson
County, who had guided the yankee
to peoples homes was shot by Lieut.
Rouss and died in a stable north O
the town.
The party with their prisoners an
horses, returned to Summit Poin
and from there to Locke's shor
where stop was made to have
horse shod. The smith had hardl
completed the job when the yankee
were seen approaching from Charlie
Town, and a handful of our me-
were sent to make a dash on tn
head of the column. This charg
was led by John Chew and Charlie
crane and was so successful that tn
head of the column was broken an,
thrown into confusion. The balanc
OF the party retreated down Locke
lane.
The enemy pursued rapidly an,
captured Frank Manning, John Cole