Four Years In The Saddle [Illustrated Edition]

By Colonel Harry Gilmor

Includes Civil War Map and Illustrations Pack – 224 battle plans, campaign maps and detailed analyses of actions spanning the entire period of hostilities.

The brutal occupation of Baltimore in 1861 by the Federal troops under Benjamin “Beast” Butler, would be the final straw for many Confederate leaning Marylanders. One such was Harry Gilmor, imprisoned for his political beliefs and his service in the Baltimore County Horse Guards, he was determined to join the Southern forces. As soon as he was released from prison he travelled as fast as possible to join the troops under Colonel Turner Ashby; by March 1862 he was commissioned as a captain of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry. He set to his task with a passion earning much glory fighting under Jackson in the Valley campaign, even being entrusted with special missions by the great general himself. His military star was on the rise and he began to gain a sterling reputation as a cavalry commander often employed in scouting, raids and ambushes. He was in action at the Battle of Brandy Station, in the Shenandoah Valley and led the famous “Raid Round Baltimore” in 1864. Despite all his cunning and daring the tide of war turned against him and his Confederate comrades and he was captured in February 1865 in Hardy County. As a successful Confederate raider the Federal press had heaped calumnies upon him and his men, so after the war he wrote these memoirs to set the record straight.

A dashing read of a famous Confederate cavalry officer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Golden Springs Publishing
• Release date: Nov 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781786251237

Colonel Harry Gilmor

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Text originally published in 1866 under the same title.

© Pickle Partners Publishing 2014, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Publisher’s Note

Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

FOUR YEARS IN THE SADDLE.

BY

COLONEL HARRY GILMOR.

I fight fairly and in good faith.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

PREFACE. 5

I. — SEPTEMBER, 1861. 8

II. — SEPTEMBER, 1861. 10

III. — DECEMBER, 1861 12

IV. — DECEMBER, 1861. 13

V. — FEBRUARY, 1862. 16

VI. — MARCH, 1862. 16

VII. — MARCH AND APRIL, 1862. 17

VIII. — MAY, 1862. 20

IX. — JUNE, 1862. 24

X. — JUNE, 1862. 26

XI. — AUGUST, 1862. 29

XII. — SEPTEMBER, 1862. 30

XIII. — DECEMBER, 1862, to FEBRUARY, 1863. 32

XIV. — FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1863. 33

XV. 35

XVI. 37

XVII. — APRIL, 1863. 39

XVIII. — JUNE, 1863. 42

XIX. — JUNE, 1863. 44

XX. 46

XXI. — JUNE, 1863. 49

XXII. 51

XXIII. — JULY, 1863. 54

XXIV. — SEPTEMBER, 1863. 57

XXV. — OCTOBER, 1863. 59

XXVI. 62

XXVII. — DECEMBER, 1863. 65

XXVIII. — DECEMBER, 1863. 68

XXIX. — DECEMBER, 1863. 70

XXX. — JANUARY, 1864. 73

XXXI. — FEBRUARY, 1864. 75

XXXII. — MAY, 1864. 78

XXXIII. — MAY, 1864. 80

XXXIV. — MAY, 1864. 83

XXXV. — MAY, 1864. 86

XXXVI. 88

XXXVII. — JUNE, 1864. 91

XXXVIII. — JUNE, 1864. 93

XXXIX. — JULY, 1864. 95

XL. — JULY, 1864. 98

XLI. — JULY, 1864. 101

XLII. 104

XLIII. — JULY, 1864. 107

XLIV. 110

XLV. 112

XLVI. 115

XLVII. — AUGUST, 1864. 116

XLVIII. 119

XLIX. 121

L. 124

LL 126

LII. — SEPTEMBER, 1864. 128

LIII. 131

LIV. 133

LV. 136

LVI. — OCTOBER, 1864. 138

LVII. 141

LVIII. — OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1864. 142

LIX. — FEBRUARY, 1865. 147

LX. 149

LXI. 151

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 155

MAPS 156

I – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1861 156

Charleston Harbor, Bombardment of Fort Sumter – 12th & 13th April 1861 156

1st Bull Run Campaign – Theatre Overview July 1861 157

Bull Run – 21st July 1861 158

1st Bull Run Campaign – Situation 18th July 1861 159

1st Bull Run Campaign – Situation 21st July 1861 (Morning) 160

1st Bull Run Campaign - 21st July 1861 Actions 1-3 p.m. 161

1st Bull Run Campaign - 21st July 1861 Union Retreat 4 P.M. to Dusk 162

II – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1862 163

Battle of Mill Springs – 19th January 1862 (6-8.30 A.M.) Confederate Attacks 163

Battle of Mill Springs – 19th January 1862 (9 A.M.) Union Attacks 164

Forts Henry and Donelson – 6th to 16th February 1862 165

Battle of Fort Donelson – 14th February 1862 166

Battle of Fort Donelson – 15th February 1862 Morning 167

Battle of Fort Donelson – 15th February 1862 Morning 168

New Madrid and Island No. 10 – March 1862 169

Pea Ridge – 5th to 8th March 1862 170

First Battle of Kernstown – 23rd March 1862, 11 – 16:45 171

Shiloh (or Pittsburg Landing) - 6th & 7th April 1862 172

Battle of Shiloh – 6th April 1862 - Morning 173

Battle of Shiloh – 6th April 1862 – P.M. 174

Battle of Yorktown – 5th to 16th April 1862 175

Jackson’s Valley Campaign – 24th to 25th May 1862 - Actions 176

Williamsburg – 5th May 1862 177

Fair Oaks – 31st May to 1st June 1862 178

Battle of Seven Pines – 31st May 1862 179

Seven Days – 26th June to 2nd July 1862 180

Seven Days Battles – 25th June to 1st July 1862 - Overview 181

Seven Days Battles – 26th & 27th June 1862 182

Seven Days Battles – 30th June 1862 183

Seven Days Battles – 1st July 1862 184

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 2.30 P.M. Hill’s Attacks 185

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 3.30 P.M. Ewell’s Attacks 186

Battle of Gaines Mill – 27th June 1862 7 P.M. General Confederate Attacks 187

Pope’s Campaign - 24th August 1862 188

Pope’s Campaign - 28th August 1862 A.M. 189

Pope’s Campaign - 28th August 1862 6 P.M. 190

Second Battle of Bull Run – 28th August 1862 191

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 10 A.M. 192

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 12 P.M. 193

Second Battle of Bull Run – 29th August 1862 5 P.M. 194

Pope’s Campaign – 29th August 1862 Noon. 195

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 3 P.M. 196

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 4.30 P.M. 197

Second Battle of Bull Run – 30th August 1862 5 P.M. 198

Battle of Harpers Ferry – 15th September 1862 199

Antietam – 16th & 17th September 1862 200

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 Overview 201

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 6 A.M. 202

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 7.30 A.M. 203

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 9 A.M. 204

Battle of Antietam – 17th September 1862 10 A.M. 205

Iuka – 19th September 1862 206

Battle of Iuka – 19th September 1862 207

Corinth – 3rd & 4th October 1862 208

Second Battle of Corinth – 3rd October 1862 209

Second Battle of Corinth – 4th October 1862 210

Perryville – 8th October 1862 211

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 2 P.M. 212

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 3 P.M. 213

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 3.45 P.M. 214

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 4 P.M. 215

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 4.15 P.M. 216

Battle of Perryville – 8th October 1862 – 5.45 P.M. 217

Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 218

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Overview 219

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Sumner’s Assault 220

Battle of Fredericksburg – 13th December 1862 Hooker’s Assault 221

Battle of Chickasaw Bayou – 26th to 29th December 1862 222

Stone’s River – 31st December 1862 223

Battle of Stones River – 30th December 1862 224

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 8.00 A.M. 225

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 9.45 A.M. 226

Battle of Stones River – 31st December 1862 – 11.00 A.M. 227

III – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1863 228

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4 P.M. 228

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4 P.M. 229

Battle of Stones River – 2nd January 1863 – 4.45 P.M. 230

Chancellorsville Campaign (Hooker’s Plan) – April 1863 231

Battle of Chancellorsville – 1st May 1863 Actions 232

Battle of Chancellorsville – 2nd May 1863 Actions 233

Chancellorsville – 2nd May 1863 234

Chancellorsville – 3rd to 5th May 1863 235

Battle of Chancellorsville – 3rd May 1863 Actions 6 A.M. 236

Battle of Chancellorsville – 3rd May 1863 Actions 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. 237

Battle of Chancellorsville – 4th to 6th May 1863. 238

Battle of Brandy Station – 8th June 1863 239

Siege of Vicksburg – 25th May to 4th July 1863 240

Siege of Vicksburg – 19th May 1863 - Assaults 241

Siege of Vicksburg – 22nd May 1863 - Assaults 242

Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 243

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 Overview 244

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 7 A.M. 245

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10 A.M. 246

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 10.45 A.M. 247

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 11 A.M. 248

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 12.30 P.M. 249

Battle of Gettysburg – 1st July 1863 2 P.M. 250

Gettysburg – 2nd to 4th July 1863 251

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Lee’s Plan 252

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Overview 253

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetary Ridge A.M. 254

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Initial Defence 255

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Evening attacks 256

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Hood’s Assaults 257

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard Initial Assaults 258

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Peach Orchard and Cemetary Ridge 259

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Initial Assaults 260

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Wheatfield – Second Phase 261

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Cemetery Hill Evening 262

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (1) 263

Battle of Gettysburg – 2nd July 1863 Little Round Top (2) 264

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Overview 265

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge 266

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 – Pickett’s Charge Detail 267

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 Culp’s Hill – Johnson’s Third Attack 268

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Opening Positions 269

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – First Phase 270

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 East Cavalry Field – Second Phase 271

Battle of Gettysburg – 3rd July 1863 South Cavalry Field 272

Battle of Gettysburg – Battlefield Overview 273

Fight at Monterey Pass – 4th to 5th July 1863 274

Chickamauga – 19th & 20th September 1863 275

Chickamauga Campaign – Davis’s Crossroads – 11th September 1863 276

Chickamauga Campaign – 18th September 1863 After Dark 277

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Morning 278

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 279

Battle of Chickamauga – 19th September 1863 Early Afternoon 280

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. 281

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 11 A.M. to Mid-Afternoon 282

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Mid-Afternoon to Dark 283

Battle of Chickamauga – 20th September 1863 Brigade Details 284

Chattanooga – 23rd to 25th November 1863 285

Chattanooga Campaign – 24th & 25th November 1863 286

Chattanooga Campaign – Federal Supply Lines and Wheeler’s Raid 287

Battle of Missionary Ridge – 25th November 1863 288

Mine Run – 26th to 30th November 1863 289

IV – CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE MAPS - 1864 290

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 29th to 31st March 1864 290

Wilderness – 5th & 6th May 1864 291

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 – Positions 7 A.M. 292

Battle of the Wilderness – 5th May 1864 - Actions 293

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 5 A.M. 294

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 6 A.M. 295

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 11 A.M. 296

Battle of the Wilderness – 6th May 1864 – Actions 2 P.M. 297

Spotsylvania – 8th to 21st May 1864 298

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 7th & 8th May 1864 - Movements 299

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 8th May 1864 - Actions 300

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 9th May 1864 - Actions 301

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 10th May 1864 - Actions 302

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 12th May 1864 - Actions 303

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 13th May 1864 - Actions 304

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House – 17th May 1864 - Actions 305

North Anna – 23rd to 26th May 1864 306

Battle of North Anna – 23rd May 1864 307

Battle of North Anna – 24th May 1864 308

Battle of North Anna – 25th May 1864 309

Battle of Haw’s Shop – 28th May 1864 310

Battle of Bethseda Church (1) – 30th May 1864 311

Battle of Bethseda Church (2) – 30th May 1864 312

Cold Harbor – 31st May to 12th June 1864 313

Battle of Cold Harbor – 1st June 1864 314

Battle of Cold Harbor – 3rd June 1864 315

Pickett’s Mills and New Hope Church – 25th to 27th May 1864 316

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain – 27th June 1864 317

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 15th to 18th June 1864 318

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 21st to 22nd June 1864 319

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 30th July 1864 320

Wilson-Kautz Raid – 22nd June to 1st July 1864 321

First Battle of Deep Bottom – 27th to 29th July 1864 322

Second Battle of Deep Bottom – 14th to 20th August 1864 323

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 18th to 19th August 1864 324

Opequon, or Winchester, Va. – 19th September 1864 325

Fisher’s Hill – 22nd September 1864 326

Siege of Petersburg – Actions 27th October 1864 327

Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 328

Battle of Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 5-9 A.M. Confederate Attacks 329

Battle of Spring Hill – 29th November 1864 – Afternoon 330

Battle of Spring Hill – 29th November 1864 – Evening 331

Battle of Cedar Creek – 19th October 1864 4-5 P.M. Union Counterattack 332

Franklin – 30th November 1864 333

Battle of Franklin – Hood’s Approach 30th November 1864 334

Battle of Franklin – 30th November 1864 Actions after 4.30 P.M. 335

Nashville – 15th & 16th December 1864 336

V – OVERVIEWS 337

1 – Map of the States that Succeeded – 1860-1861 337

Fort Henry Campaign – February 1862 338

Forts Henry and Donelson – February 1862 339

Jackson’s Valley Campaign – 23rd March to 8th May 1862 340

Peninsula Campaign – 17th March to 31st May 1862 341

Jackson’s Valley Campaign – 21st May to 9th June 1862 342

Northern Virginia Campaign – 7th to 28th August 1862 343

Maryland Campaign – September 1862 344

Iuka-Corinth Campaign – First Phase – 10th to 19th September 1862 345

Iuka-Corinth Campaign – Second Phase – 20th September – 3rd October 1862 346

Fredericksburg Campaign – Movements mid-November to 10th December 1862 347

Memphis to Vicksburg – 1862-1863 348

Operations Against Vicksburg and Grant’s Bayou Operations – November 1862 to April 1863 349

Campaign Against Vicksburg – 1863 350

Grant’s Operations Against Vicksburg – April to July 1863 351

Knoxville Campaign - 1863 352

Tullahoma Campaign – 24th June – 3rd July 1863 353

Gettysburg Campaign – Retreat 5th to 14th July 1863 354

Rosecrans’ Manoeuvre – 20th August to 17th September 1963 355

Bristoe Campaign – 9th October to 9th November 1863 356

Mine Run Campaign – 27th November 1863 – 2nd December 1863 357

Grant’s Overland Campaign – Wilderness to North Anna - 1864 358

Grant’s Overland Campaign – May to June 1864 359

Overland Campaign – 4th  May 1864 360

Overland Campaign – 27th to 29th May 1864 361

Overland Campaign –29th to 30th May 1864 362

Overland Campaign – 1st June 1864 – Afternoon 363

Sheridan’s Richmond Raid – 9th to 14th May 1864 364

Sheridan’s Trevilian Station Raid – 7th to 10th June 1864 365

Sheridan’s Trevilian Station Raid – 7th to 10th June 1864 366

Battle of Trevilian Station Raid – 11th June 1864 367

Battle of Trevilian Station Raid – 12th June 1864 368

Shenandoah Valley Campaign – May to July 1864 369

Operations about Marietta – 14th to 28th June 1864 370

Atlanta Campaign – 7th May to 2nd July 1864 371

Operations about Atlanta – 17th July to 2nd September 1864 372

Richmond-Petersburg Campaign – Position Fall 1864 373

Shenandoah Valley Campaign – 20th August – October 1864 374

Sherman’s March to the Sea 375

Franklin-Nashville Campaign – 21st to 28th November 1864 376

Operations about Petersburg – June 1864 to April 1865 377

Carolinas Campaign – February to April 1865 378

Appomattox Campaign - 1865 379

PREFACE.

IT was my fate to be made prisoner twice during the war.

The period of my first imprisonment, which, for the most part, was passed at Baltimore, extended from September, 1862, to the following February; and again afterward, being captured at an interval of about two years, I was an inmate of Fort Warren, near Boston, from February until July, 1865.

While confined in Fort McHenry many visitors came to see me, and all were desirous of learning fuller particulars than as yet they had been able to obtain of someone or other of the various exciting episodes through which, during the previous year’s campaign—so replete, indeed, with opportunities of adventurous life—I had passed, and in many of which I had taken part. As, however, no interview was ever permitted me with anyone except in the presence of a guard, I could impart but little information in this way. And so, to oblige my friends, and especially to comply with the request of one whose every wish it was my pleasure to gratify, I endeavored, as I could collect my reminiscences, to give, in the form of a Diary from Recollection, an account of the incidents of the first year of my service in the Confederate cavalry.

Rough sketches they were, in which I retraced my own steps back over the rugged ground, so often passed and repassed in toilsome marches, or contended for on hard-fought fields, again and again to be marched over and fought over; and, not supposing that they would meet with perusal except privately, I described but casually, and sometimes omitted altogether mentioning the performances of others, whose paths lay alongside of my own, and far more prominent and deserving of mention than myself.

Subsequently delivered again into the hand of the captor, and taken to Fort Warren, I resumed and finished, on the same plan, the relation I had thus begun.

I have lately, and since the close of the war, been induced to lay it before the public. Though not sufficiently perfect or comprehensive to be considered a complete chronicle of the time or events brought into view, it may serve to give a tolerably correct idea of some of the most important movements, and present some striking pictures of the war in the Valley of Virginia, and upon the border in that section.

Besides, I wished to submit a statement of several matters, which will be found in the following pages, in regard to which a number of the Northern journals saw fit to bestow the most unsparing vituperation upon myself and others, my object being to remove from the minds of those willing to judge fairly and without prejudice, impressions created by misstatements in newspapers, whose views it suited to ignore and degrade into mere plundering raids expeditions of a military character, and obviously, immediately, or strategically bearing upon that result.

H. G.

FOUR YEARS IN THE SADDLE.

I. — SEPTEMBER, 1861.

I CROSSED the Potomac at the mouth of Cherry Run on the 30th of August, 1861; stopped on my way for a short time at the house of Mr. G—, who gave me a hospitable welcome; and, crossing the North Mountain, reached Bunker Hill, and spent that night with Mr. S—.

There had been, it is true, no very stirring or startling peril in getting over; and, instead of having to run a gauntlet of bristling bayonets and hurtling bullets, I had found that, after all, blockades were not free from the infirmities of most human institutions; yet I carried a much lighter heart, and breathed more freely, now that I was safe on the Virginia shore, and that night’s sleep was a sounder one than I had known in some time past.

Next day I rode into Charlestown with Dr. —, and there fell in with some of Colonel Ashby’s pickets. After dinner I went to Camp Turner, where I was introduced to the colonel. I found him lying on the lawn, surrounded by his men, among whom I recognized several who had been comrades in Captain Charles Ridgeley’s company of Baltimore County Horse Guards.

One glance at the features of the gallant Ashby confirmed the high estimate that I had formed of him, and I said to myself, If I follow you, I go far enough. I immediately joined Captain Frank Mason’s company under Ashby, and that night went on a scouting expedition, commanded by Private White, afterward so favorably known as the daring colonel of White’s Independent Rangers. On our return we fell in with a detachment of two companies of cavalry, commanded by Colonel Ashby in person, which we joined, and all marched over to Harper’s Ferry.

At this time the Upper Potomac formed the frontier line of warfare in that section. The Union forces held and acted on the north bank, and a considerable body of cavalry under Colonel Ashby watched the enemy, guarded the fords, and scouted along the southern bank of the river. They were a fine body of men, well mounted, and, generally, thoroughly acquainted with the country; and, under Ashby’s vigilant and skillful leadership, made the best force that could have been formed to defend and operate on this line.

At many points the river was fordable, and the enemy would frequently cross detachments in greater or less force a sometimes for a foray or raid, sometimes for the purpose of discovering our strength or position.

Incursions and counter-movements on our part of this character comprised pretty much all that occurred in this quarter during the period to which I am now referring, to vary the monotony or add the occasional stimulus of excitement to the dullness of camp life while the comparative lull that hid followed the battle of Manassas lasted.

When we got to Bolivar, where we halted, the colonel, who had gone over to look after some of the enemy he had heard of at the place, called for two volunteers to go down Shenandoah Street into the Ferry proper. George James, of Baltimore, and I rode out of the ranks and offered ourselves. We were ordered to reconnoitre cautiously down that street, keeping a sharp look-out to prevent our being ambuscaded from behind the buildings. When within forty yards of the bridge, near Herr’s Mill, a company of Federals, who had lain there concealed, came filing out and began firing rapidly upon us by sections. We wheeled instantly, and ran a race with the bullets from their Enfield rifles; and, although neither of us were hurt, two of them passed so near my face that small splinters of lead lodged in the skin.

Ashby had his men deployed on the bluff overlooking the mill, and our first fire carried such a consternation among the blue coats that their courageous captain jumped into the Mill Race up to his chin, leaving his men to take care of themselves. They scattered in all directions, but presently began to return our fire from behind buildings and such shelter as they could get. We had one man killed. The enemy had two killed and several wounded. Thus ended my first day of war.

Some days after this we encamped at Duffield’s Dépôt, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and while there, Thrasher, afterward my second lieutenant, and subsequently killed at Kernstown, obtained permission to take a party of ten men to go on a scout to Hard Scrabble, a small town on the Potomac. I offered to be one, and Warner Welch became another. I had formed a great regard for Welch, and when I raised my company afterward he was my first lieutenant. Our object was to confiscate the goods in a store belonging to a man who had run away from Virginia and joined the enemy. This we had succeeded in doing. The goods were nearly boxed up, when Jack W—, who was out on picket, came running in with a shower of balls at his heels, as he said.

The men rushed out, ran down the road, and formed after crossing a small stream. I was then away in search of a wagon to haul off the goods, but heard the firing. I had two men with me, whom I left with the wagon, and started for the town on a run. At the top of a hill overlooking the town I found one of our men who had been put out on picket, who told me, in an excited manner, that they were fighting like the devil, and he feared the enemy were too strong for us. I took him with me, and we charged into the town in their rear, raising a rousing yell as we did so. The Federals were in the town, and numbered about twenty-five. They fired one volley at us, wounding Orison (one of our men) in the thigh, and then fled in confusion. Waving my hat to Thrasher to come on, he, and Welch, and Kemp, having the fastest horses, joined me, and we charged them in the lane, but they jumped the fence into a cornfield. Welch and I, on better horses, followed them in advance of the rest of our men; but, being two against so many, we did not find the place comfortable, and so jumped the fence back again. Welch’s mare made one of the most extraordinary leaps that I have ever seen. She jumped a fence on the edge of a bank four feet high, and alighted on the bed of the road, the drop being at least nine feet. I got out over some old bars, and we all dashed round the base of the bluff to cut them off. However, we came in sight of a regiment, and were met by a volley from them. They were drawn up on the other side of the river, and in a good position to cover the recrossing of their men, so we gave up the pursuit.

We then returned toward the town, thinking we had chased them all away; but we found a squad there larger than the first, which opened upon us. The tables were turned, and we wheeled and retreated up the Shepherds-town Road at a rate of speed surpassed only on the turf, leaving the enemy far in the rear, and in undisputed possession of the illustrious town of Scrabble!

Thrasher sent a dispatch to Colonel Ashby, and we continued on toward Shepherdstown, intending there to wait orders; but the enemy now seemed bent on surrounding us, for we found citizens of that place in great excitement, a company of eighty men having just entered the other end of the town, after fording the river below. Some of our men, fearing to be picked off from behind the houses, wished Thrasher to take the squad out of town; but he sent me to reconnoitre, and find out where the Federals were. I had not gone far before Thrasher, as brave a man as ever lived, joined me, saying he would not have me go alone.

This town is justly famed for its pretty women—a great many of them too. As we rode through the street looking for the blue-coats, many a fair creature would come forth, imploring us to protect them and their mothers, which Thrasher and I determined to do, as long as the squad would stick by us. We ordered out all the citizens, telling them that, if they would stand by us for half an hour, Ashby would come to our relief. A gentleman, named —, joined us, and, at the edge of the town, we found the enemy stacking their arms, being entirely ignorant of our approach.

With a loud whoop we made at them, and, before they could reach their guns, fired and retreated. They were thrown into some confusion, but snatched up their guns, and sought positions behind saw-logs and piles of lumber; while our whole squad dismounted, and, with such citizens as we ‘could get to join us, fired at them from the windows of the houses, the girls supplying us with ammunition when our own was expended. Soon after sunset Colonel Ashby came with two or three companies, and the enemy retreated across the river. They procured a small gun from Sharpsburg, and fired three shots, when it exploded, with what damage to them we never learned. We had but one man wounded during the day.

II. — SEPTEMBER, 1861.

WHILE encamped near Morgan’s Spring, parties, of which I was generally one, would be sent frequently to the Potomac for the purpose of blockading the canal on the Maryland side, by which immense supplies of coal and provisions were brought to the capital. We would go down before daylight, conceal ourselves behind rocks or trees, or in some small building, and, when the sun was up, not a soldier or boat could pass without our taking a crack at them, and generally with effect, for we were all good shots. We became a perfect pest to them, and many an effort was made in vain to dislodge us; but we could not be found, for every day we were in a new spot, miles apart.

Tom Gatch, a friend of mine, had great faith in my skill with the pistol, and he proved it on one occasion while we were at this place by holding a tin cup in his hand for me to shoot at