CHAPTER XXII. The harp that once through Tara's halls Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls As if that soul were fled. So sleeps the pride of former days, So glory's thrill is o'er, And hearts that once beat high for praise, Now feel that pulse no more. Moore. February, 1865, like the preceding month, was intensely cold, and both sides were busily engaged in keeping warm and comfortable. March followed with more genial skies, and the armies began to stir. General Sheridan having moved from Winchester, with two divisions of cavalry, joined General Grant's army around Petersburg. General Hancock succeeded him in command, and made new arrangment of military posts, and some days were spent by us in familiarizing ourselves with the situation. On March 13th, with seven men, we crossed the Shenandoah, then much swollen, swimming our horses, struck the Berryville turnpike, a mile south of Charlestown, about 10 P. M., and moved cautiously in the direction of the town, then garrisoned as a Federal post. At the toll-gate, then located within the present corporation limits, we were halted by the enemy's picket, a single soldier, who demanded, Who comes there?" I responded, "Friend to Abe Lincoln." The picket then replied, "Advance and give the countersign." Advancing until within a few feet of him, I discovered he was covering me with his gun. I realized that a ruse de guerre was necessary. I was riding at the time a little sorrel horse, Jeb, an almost perfect cavalry steed, learned in many accomplishments, who would rear whenever desired. This picket was on the alert, and I must divert his attention. A stroke on the neck, and Jeb rose on his hind legs, and as he did so, I shouted, "Take down your gun, you frighten my horse." Down it went, and in a second my pistol was at his head, with a demand, "Surrender, you son-of-a-gun." This was my favorite salute to the Yankees on such occasions, and was as near swearing as anything I did during the war, and I believe it had as much effect as something stronger. The soldier's gun dropped on the ground, and up went his hands. My comrades now coming up, the countersign was demanded of the prisoner and given to us without hesitation. Death was the penalty threatened if it proved to be wrong. The prisoner then directed us to the next post westward, where the countersign proved genuine, and this picket also was gathered in. The town was surrounded with a cordon of pickets, and the full circuit was made and all the posts relieved without trouble or alarm until the last was reached. This post was just east of the one first taken, on the hill in rear of the Academy. As my recollection now serves me, there were with me on this occasion. Douglas Mason, Howard Kerfoot (now the distinguished Baptist divine), Jim and Shannon Gallaher, Ike Anderson, Bob North, and Willie Johnson. The pickets up to this one had been relieved by me without the least difficulty. Doug. Mason requested and was granted permission to relieve this last fellow, as I apprehended no danger. When a halt was demanded and the sentinel's inquiry had been answered, "Friends, with countersign," Mason rode forward at the demand, "Advance and give countersign," until close to his man, when he was ordered to dismount. As this fellow was evidently more cautious than his fellows a little apprehension was felt for Mason's safety, and the next moment was awaited with suspense. Suddenly two shots rang out simultaneously on the night air, breaking the solemn stillness of the hour. Dashing up, I found Mason and the Yankee lying on the ground, Mason shot through the shoulder and the Yankee through the stomach. No disturb ance had been made until the encounter with this picket, but now the alarm was given, and a speedy retreat was necessary, as the reserve would soon be upon us. Putting Mason on his horse, I started south on the Berryville turnpike, Mason, prisoners and small guard in front, and some three or four in rear to protect them. The enemy pursued only a short distance, and very cautiously. Halting at each favorable point, the advance was greeted with a little volley, which seems from the enemy's account not to have been without effect. After passing Roper's Hill the pursuit seems to have been abandoned, and Mason was taken into Mr. Milburn's house on the Frame (now Burns) farm, his wound dressed and bound. Our retreat was then continued to Clarke and Warren counties, and the prisoners sent to Gordonsville. The enemy's report of this affair, contained in the following dispatches, is very meagre: HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, General STEVENSON, Harper's Ferry: General Hancock wishes to know whether there is any truth in the report that the guerrillas attacked some of your pickets the other night, killing one of Reno's men. C. H. MORGAN, Brevet Brigadier-General. HARPER'S FERRY, March 15, 1865. Brigadier-General MORGAN, Chief of Staff: On the evening of the 13th instant a party of guerrillas attacked one of Reno's picket posts, killing one man and wounding two others. JOHN D. STEVENSON, Brigadier-General. The streams continuing swollen, operations were suspended for some weeks. On the 5th of April, at North Fork Church, in Loudoun county, Colonel Mosby, who had recovered from his wound and returned to his command, organized another company (H), and the following officers were elected: George Baylor, captain; Edward F. Thompson, first lieutenant; James G. Wiltshire, second lieutenant; and B. Frank Carter, third lieutenant. The mode of this election was unique and novel, and would do credit to the Sachem of Tammany. Colonel Mosby was present, and the men were drawn up in line facing him. The men were mostly personally unknown to me, and how a lot of strangers were going to elect me their captain was an enigma my juvenile brain could not solve. But Colonel Mosby had promised I should be captain, and I had abiding faith in him, so I remained near by to see how it would be accomplished. At that time I was young and little versed in politics and the ways of the heathen Chinee. Colonel Mosby then called attention, and said, "Men, I nominate George Baylor, of Jefferson county, captain of this company." He did not wait for a second, but continued, "All in favor of Baylor as captain, say aye." There was a feeble response along the line, and much apprehension was felt by me to hear the negatives, but no opportunity was afforded the negatives, and proclamation was immediately made by the Colonel, "George Baylor is unanimously chosen captain." The other officers were elected in the same extraordinary way, and the Colonel pronounced the company ready for service, and ordered me to take it on a scout to Jefferson and baptize it. The company numbered about 50 men, and were well mounted and equipped. According to the Mosby custom, I disbanded the company for the night, with orders to meet next morning at Snickersville. The company met according to order, and, crossing the Shenandoah at Snicker's Ferry, moved off in the direction of Charlestown. On the way I learned that the Loudoun Rangers were camped near Millville (Keyes Switch, as it was then called), and that most of the Federal cavalry had gone up the Valley. The Loudoun Rangers were two companies composed of men from Loudoun county and the neighboring country, and Mosby's men had long been desirous of capturing them. Here was the opportunity: a regiment of infantry was camped just east of Halltown, picketing down to the river, and it was necessary to pass through this line of infantry pickets to reach the Rangers' camp. The infantry picket was approached about IO A. M., saluted, and passed without molestation, our men keeping perfectly in rank, and making no effort to capture or disturb them. This picket very politely gave us the usual military salute-" present arms"-but some of our boys, who took a sly glance at them, say it was the most tremulous salute they ever witnessed. Having safely passed the infantry picket line, we rode quietly to within fifty yards of the Rangers' camp, and seeing them in their cavalry tents, horses tied to stakes, and engaged in various diversions, ordered a charge. They outnumbered our force two to one, but we were playing a bold game, and the bold game generally wins in war as well as in cards. With two jacks and the joker in our hands, our opponents must yield. A general flurry and commotion followed our charge. A few seemed disposed to fight, but most to surrender. A few shots soon quieted the more pugilistic. Some ran for the bushes and made good their escape, but the greater part were made prisoners. The loss of the enemy was two killed, four wounded, 65 prisoners, 81 horses and equipments; our loss, one wounded, Frank Helm, of Warrenton. This was a pretty good beginning for Company H, yet scarce two days old, and it felt proud of its achievement. Gathering up the prisoners, horses and equipments, the tents and wagons were fired, and Company H rode off, while the Federal infantry in full view were sounding the "long roll" and falling into line. The river was crossed at Keyes's Ford, and pursuit was not attempted by the enemy. Since writing the foregoing I have seen a volume entitled "Loudoun Rangers," writen by Briscoe Goodhart, who claims to have been a member of that command, and found therein the following account of the affair: "April the 6th, the command, or rather what few were at the camp, were taking their ease, when a body of about 250 men in blue uniform approached from the northwest, or the Charlestown turnpike. Little attention was given, as it was |