USA > West Virginia > History of the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry > Part 30
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While Pope's army was in camp near Culpepper Court House, Va., the Shenandoah valley now being left open to the confederate army
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from Staunton to Winchester, C. W. D. Smitley and John W. Willhide were sent out as scouts, to watch any movements of the enemy in the valley. They were furnished with paroles. as though confederate soldiers. and permitted to go home to await exchange. At a little town about 18 miles southeast of Winchester, there were stationed some four or five companies in command of a colonel, where they received some valuable information. They found no trouble here, but got into serious difficulty near Strasburg, where the scouts were recognized as being with the union army when it passed through there but a short time before. The alarm was given, and a chase began for Winchester, where union troops were stationed. Willhide's horse was failing fast from the long chase, but he saved himself by changing horses with a little negro boy, who was going to the mill. Quite a number of shots were exchanged during the chase. They finally succeeded in getting within our lines. They remained in the valley several days, and receiving news of the battle of Cedar Mountain, and the subsequent falling back of our army from the Rapidan, they started for Staunton, thence by way of the Staunton and Fairmount pike for Beverly. On the way they were expecting to come on the rebel pickets, and at one place, (it was dark, just before day light), they stopped to rest at the roadside. Willhide sat on a dark object which proved to be a rotten log, in which was a lively yellow jacket's nest. In a moment Willhide was attacked by the ferocious in- sects, and being stung severely, he jumped and yelled. That moment there was a blaze of muskets in that direction, for indeed they were right on the rebel pickets, but in the darkness the scouts were able to escape. Otherwise they found no difficulty until they reached Crab Bottom, where they found about a regiment of confederates in camp, and lay there within 500 yards of the camp from before daylight until 2 P. M !. After securing all the information they could, they left the pike and took to the mountains for a distance of about 20 miles. After leaving the pike they met several confederate foraging parties who supposed the scouts were in the same business. Striking the pike again at Greenbrier river, near Camp Baldwin, a measure of safety was felt, but they had not gone far up Cheat Mountain until they found that there were some confed- erate soldiers in their front, and not far ahead of them. There being no other way to get across the mountains, they decided to take their chances and go ahead. Passing up the mountain a short distance, there were indi- cations that others had joined the soldiers, and that the force was fully roo men. Some distance ahead of this, the scouts discovered the men, who were cooking their suppers in the road where there was a short bend, having their guns stacked. Riding slowly until near the party, a stir was made, among them to get their guns, and the scouts made a dash right through the party. Many of the confederates had to get out of the way hurriedly to avoid being run over, and the others failed to get their guns until the scouts passed them, but in a moment, almost. the bullets began to fly
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thick and fast, and kept pouring into the retreating scouts until they got out of range, one striking Willhide, passing through his hip, and another hitting his horse in the neck, but the horse was not hurt much, and could still travel. The continuous fast riding and the loss of blood made Willhide very weak, but they did not dare stop, and rapidly rode to the summit of the mountain. Here Smitley dismounted and dipped up water in his hat for Willhide to drink, as he could not dismount. They then went to the White house at Cheat Mountain pass, and Smitley left Willhide here and went ahead to make some arrangements to get his comrade to Beverly. At the pass they met three men who had been north for some purpose, and were then going home, who took Willhide in the house and cared for him until the next day about 12 o'clock. It was here learned that the confederates were Capt. Marshall's company, which was raised in the Beverly valley. During this time, Smitley was trying to get to Beverly, and had great difficulty with the pickets, who at first refused to let him through the line or take him to Beverly ; and orders were given that if they were fired on that night, to kill him. Smitley knowing that the confederates were on the road coming that way, was very uneasy, as he knew that they might be fired on at any time. The night passed without an attack, and the next morning he was taken to Beverly, where he was known by Col. Harris, who was in command. That officer sent some cavalry out after Willhide, who brought him in, it being twenty-four hours from the time he was shot until his wounds were dressed. He was taken to Mrs. Jonathan Arnold's residence, and this noble union and Christian woman nursed and cared for him like a mother. To her Willhide, as well as the others of his regiment, owes a debt of gratitude that can never be paid.
About the time of Gen. Milroy's last trip to Beverly, Smitley and George Sexton were sent to Crab Bottom to learn the truth about a re- port that the confederate government was herding a large lot of cattle there. On returning they met, near Franklin, Capt. C. T. Ewing, of the Second Virginia, with his company, equipped as mounted infantry, ac- companied by the brave and efficient scout, .\be Hinkle, on their way to destroy the saltpetre works of the enemy, two miles south of Franklin. The captain asked the two to join him for a short time, which they did. Smitley had learned that there was a small squad of confederates loiter- ing about Gen. Boggs', in Franklin, all of whom knew Smitley. He told the captain of the facts, and asked him for some men whom he would lead by a short and unfrequented road in the rear of Gen. Boggs' house and capture the squad. The captain did not think it prudent to divide his men, so Smitley and Sexton concluded to go alone. Capt. Ewing was to come in on the north side of the town, on the main road, as rap- idly as he could, while the two scouts were to secure a position in a deep gulch on the west side of town, immediately in the rear of Boggs' resi- dence, on the route by which they supposed the confederates would try
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to escape. They rode swiftly in order to get in position before Capt. Ewing would enter the town. When within a hundred yards of the gulch, being on higher ground than the town, they saw Ewing within a few hundred yards of town, horses at full speed, and women, children and negroes running in every direction over town. The scouts dashed into the gulch, about 150 yards in the rear of Boggs', where a small outbuild- ing and large barn concealed from their view the enemy, until almost in the midst of them. Both discovered them almost at the same instant, their horses at full gallop, Smitley being under cover of the buildings, while Sexton, in the excitement of the occasion, rode right among them, when he tried to convince them that he was one of their scouts. They were too sharp for that, having recognized Smitley at first glance, and would have fired instantly but for the commotion in town and this dash in the rear. Smitley, though he felt personally safe until Ewing should come, knew that unless something was donc instantly they would kill Sexton. He dismounted, and, leading his horse, walked right into the group, addressed Boggs, son of the general, and informed him that they were surrounded, and that there would be less danger in surrendering to two men than to a regiment. With a terrible oath he sprang toward Smitley and, placing his revolver against his temple, demanded to know which way our forces were coming. While trembling with affected fear, Smitley stuttered and stammered, but could not speak, but pointed in the direction they had come. They started, with the scouts as prisoners, to reach the timber, but before they reached the river they were met and surrounded by Capt. Ewing's men and all were captured. The re- turn to our lines was afterward effected in safety.
In October, 1863, Gen. Averell wanted a scouting party to go to Monterey valley, to ascertain about what force the enemy had there, and if they were making preparations to move. Chief Smitley detailed John W. Willhide, Robert Gaddis, Moses G. Markins and John Sall- yards for the work. There was a union force under Capt. Powell, of about 100 men, on picket 12 miles from Beverly, at the base of Cheat Mountain, and the general gave the scouts an order on Capt. Powell, to escort them over the mountains. On the opposite side of Cheat Moun - tain stood the remains of an old house. commonly known as the "Gum house," a dangerous place for the lonely scout, and a few miles beyond it, at Green Bank, was a confederate camp, and they always aimed to waylay any scouting parties that came along, and close their service for all time, hence the escort. All went well until the escort turned home- ward. Marshall and Waumsley's guerillas observed them pass into the little Greenbrier Valley, and prepared an ambush for their return. Be- tween the Gum House and Cheat river, near what the old Second knew as the Deadening, they felled trees across the road; and the escort, led by the intreped Markins, in dusk of evening, just as they made a short turn in the road, a very difficult place to flank, were immediately in front of
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the blockade, when they discovered it, and instantaneously with the dis- covery came a volley from the bushwhackers. Markins in the ad- vance, was most exposed, and, as he afterward related, fell the first vol- ley. The escort, not wholly unprepared, fired at the flash of the ene- my's guns, and literally hewed their way through the enemy and around the blockade, almost at the identical spot where Willhide, on a former occasion, had received the the terrible wound in his hip. Strange to relate, they all returned to camp but the brave scout. The day follow- ing, the General ordered a company of cavalry to go to the place of ambush and search for the scout. It being dark on their arrival, they did not find him, though it seemed passing strange, as he lay in the middle of the road, just where he fell from his horse, until return of scouts over fifty hours later. Markins says the enemy came to him the next day and he begged them for God's sake to raise him up and give him water, which they refused with an oath. The other scouts went forward unaware of the terrible fate that had befallen their brave comrade, and reached the home of a union man in the early part of the night, where they put up for the night. About 3 o'clock in the morning they were wakened for breakfast, the good woman of the house having prepared an excellent one. They had just sat down to eat when they heard some one shouting, "get out, get out," at the top of his voice, which arrested all further proceedings. The family had intended to go to Monterey that morning, had risen early for that purpose, and had sent their boy out to what they called a hacking, to get the horses. The boy saw some confederates approaching the house, and gave the alarm. The scouts jumped to their feet at once, rushed out of the house, and lay down in some brush, where they concealed themselves the best they could. In a few minutes the house was surrounded by the enemy, demanding the surrender of the scouts, the latter being so close that they could hear every word that was said. The woman of the house denied that any scouts were in the house, and when asked why the boy had given such an alarm, replied that they were going to mill that day and had to get up early, and the boy was calling them out. They threatened to burn the house if she did not tell, but she stoutly denied having seen any scouts. They then hunted everywhere for them, and even tore up the floor, which was made of puncheons. After a fruitless search they very reluctantly left. The scouts remained in hiding all day, and dur- ing the time noted many items of information of value. The confederates then returned to their camp rather crest fallen. About 11 o'clock that night, the scouts started on their return tramp, having received considerable information of value from their friends. They slept part of the night, resuming their journey the next day. Toward evening they came near a house, in front of which two horses, saddled and bridled were standing. They naturally concluded that the riders must be inside, and the chances for a tempting prize were good.
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Willhide suggested that they undertake the capture of both men and horses, which was agreed to. They slipped up to the side of the house, the typical log structure of the mountains, cautiously went to the door, which was shut, drew their revolvers ready for use, and then pulled the latch string, and there sat two southern cavalrymen, talking to two girls. The scouts made themselves known, disarmed the soldiers, and taking them with them hurried away, as they wanted to reach Greenbrier river by dark, which they did, and again started to climb Cheat mountain. To pass the old "Gum House" was now their greatest danger, and Gaddis proposed to take the advance, while the other two followed with the prisoners and horses. The night was dark, and the prospects none the brightest. Gaddis was to fire his revolver if he came on any great danger. He passed the old house in safety, when coming to a bend in the road, he saw some dark objects in front of him. While examining closely to ascertain what the objects were, he heard his name called, which was repeated, and upon inquiring who called, the answer came, "Oh Bob, I am shot." Gaddis then recognized him as the brave, faith- ful, Markins, who had received his death wound as stated. His piteous cry for help, rang in Gaddis' ears for months afterward. The scouts went on to camp, turned over their prisoners, and an ambulance was sent for Markins, who died soon afterward.
On the return from Salem, while in camp the first night out, about 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning, Smitley detailed Gaddis, Sharer and George Mooney, to ride to New Castle about eight miles ahead, to sce a doctor there, who was a union man, and get from him information in regard to the movements of the enemy. They reached their destination about daybreak, rode up to the doctor's house and made known to him their business. He told them to get out of that as quickly as possible, and pointing across the town said there is a major and twenty-five men. As he spoke some of the gray coats appeared, and the scouts moved away, with the confederates following. Soon it was a chase for capture or freedom, some of the horsemen coming out of the different streets, and dashing rapidly after the retreating scouts, called upon them to surrender, but that was something not to be thought of. Firing began, and it was now only a question of endurance of men and horses, as a fight between equal numbers was out of the question. The scouts dashed down the river, being unable to cross it, until they came to a very nar- row road, which terminated in a bluff that ran out into the river. They were hemmed in by a mountain on one side and the confederates on the other, and there was no escape, and they prepared to sell their lives as dear as possible. They knew it was death to be captured, and they pre- ferred to die fighting rather than die as prisoners. They dismounted, drew their Henry rifles, and as the enemy came in range let them have the best they could from their trusty guns. This checked them for a few minutes, and then the firing became general, but even that must
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come to an end, as the scouts were outnumbered eight or ten to one, and were almost out of ammunition. Soon a loud shouting and cheering was heard from the opposite side of the river, and there came a body of Averell's brave boys, just in the nick of time, and at once opened fire on the now frightened confederates. The firing had attracted their at- tention and they surmised what was wrong and came hastily to the aid of the hard pressed scouts. Now the chase took another form, and the con- federates were driven back to the town, the scouts charging them with vigor, driving them through the alleys and across lots, and succeeded in capturing all of the party, with the help of their relief, except the major and a few of his men. The general and his command soon came up, and went into camp.
Desiring information of the condition of affairs ahead of him, Gen, Averell here sent out Gaddis, Sharer and Mooney, to ascertain all they could. The order was to go to the top of a mountain, some three miles distant, and see if any of the enemy were in sight. All went well until they got near the top of the mountain, when they met a body of twenty- five or thirty confederates, who were distant about 150 yards. Although dressed in confederate uniforms, it availed the scouts nothing, as their enemy opened fire on them at once. The scouts wheeled their horses and started to run, but it was evident they were in close quarters. Gaddis rode a horse that he had captured, an animal of worth, that had carried him through many a hard scrape, and he told his associates to ride on as fast as they could, and as their pursuers came around a bend in the mountain, he would give them a few shots and check them. Looking up the mountain, he saw several confederates riding at the top of their horses' speed, aiming to get ahead of him on the road. The one in the lead was a large, red faced man, with long red whiskers parted in the middle, and was a wild, daring, fearless looking fellow, mounted on a large black horse. Just as Gaddis passed the road this man came down and fired at him, and Gaddis at him, but neither checked his horse for a moment. Now it was a race down the moun- tain road, and no race course ever afforded so exciting a chase. Gaddis' pursuer was not more than ten steps behind him, and he in turn was followed by his men, all in hot pursuit, and shoot- ing every chance they got. The confederate called on Gaddis to halt, who replied with a shot, and in turn the confederate bullets whistled all around him. They soon emptied their revolvers, and Gaddis' only safety now lay in the swiftness and endurance of his horse; but it was worn with the terrible work of the campaign and soon the confederate began to gain on him, and drawing his saber, prepared to use it on the brave scout. He is close by the side of Gaddis, has raised his saber for the fatal blow, when confederate and union scout, together, rush into the midst of a body of union soldiers. Gaddis called out hastily to his comrades to shoot the man, and willing hands
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send leaden messengers after him as he dashed up the road, but none seemed to hit him, and he escaped. AAfter the general had sent out the scouts, he sent a picket post of ten men, who were the means of saving the lives of the hard pressed scouts.
When Gen. Averell's command reached Huntersville, on the return from the Salem raid, it became necessary to send out some of the scouts to mislead Imboden's forces, who were trying to cut our brigade off on the retreat to Beverly. Rob't Gaddis, Will Shirley and Geo. Mooney were selected for the dangerous work. Their instructions were to start up the valley, ride all night, and scatter the news far and wide that they were Echols' men sent to Imboden to tell him that Averell was coming up the valley, and to be prepared to intercept him, while Echols would press Averell closely. Having done this, the scouts were to take the nearest route to Beverly. The three brave men started on their mission after dark, rode all night and the next day until noon without any serious trouble. Occasionally they met citizens to whom they told their story. About noon they ran into a confederate lieutenant and sixty men, who hailed the scouts and asked them to what command they belonged, while the scouts also questioned them. The three men said they belonged to Echols' command, and told the same old story. The lieutenant said that they were there on the lookout for Averell, as they did not know exactly which road to expect him, and when told that he was coming up the valley, they were jubilant, and made the scouts take dinner with them. They fed their horses, put a shoe on Shirley's horse and were pleasant and kind. Gaddis and comrades accepted the situa- tion and made the best of it, and when ready to start, the lieut enant sent a man with them to lead them to Imboden's camp. The guide took them past the road that led to Beverly, but when he departed they hastily rode back to the right road, put spurs to their horses and dashed toward Beverly. They were now in a section in which they had frequently scouted and knew the road well. They had gone but a short distance when they met a boy on horseback who was going to the mill. One of the scouts said he knew the boy and expressed a fear that he would be recognized, but they pulled their hats over their faces and rode past very fast, went on some distance and came to a house. They dismounted, fed their horses and went into the house, where there were a man and woman. Mooney was uneasy and restless, and the man acted as if suspicious, but the wife prepared them a meal. Mooney objected to staying and kept going to the door frequently, on the lookout. The woman had just got the meal ready, and the scouts were in the act of sitting down, when Mooney appeared with a look on his face that they well understood, when they rushed to their horses, mounted and were away on the run. Looking back they saw coming the lientenant and his men, who had entertained them at dinner. Now came the race for life. They were about 23 miles from Greenbrier
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river, the day was cold, there was a deep snow on the ground, and the problem was to reach that river which, once crossed, they had a fair chance of escaping. The company fired at the scouts, when about 300 yards apart, but the bullets fell short of their aim. The fugitives made good use of their horses, but Shirley's horse soon showed signs of lame- ness where he had been shed, and before many miles had been gone, he had to abandon him. Coming to a spur of the Alleghenies, they went straight up the mountain side, jumped off their horses, and with gads forced the poor beasts up the mountain. Reaching the top, they could see away down in the valley, but the mountain side here was too steep for the horses to descend. Gaddis being fleet of foot. told Shirley to mount his horse, while he went afcot. The horsemen had to go a con- siderable distance before they reached the valley, and by the time they arrived there, Gaddis was in waiting, and mounted behind Shirley. They were now fully a mile in advance of their pursuers. A few miles further on they came to a house, and a horse hitched outside. Here the roads forked, one in the direction of camp Allegheny, now deserted, and the other to camp Bartow. They rode up to the house and shouted, when the door opened and a confederate officer stepped out, followed by about a dozen men wearing union overcoats. The officer was dressed in his own uniform, and the scouts were put on their guard, and prevented from getting into serious trouble. Saluting the officer, Gaddis asked him which of the roads led to camp Bartow. The officer hesitated, when the question was repeated, an answer was given, and Gaddis said, "We are in a hurry, as Averell is coming up the valley, and we are warning all our men to get away and save themselves; the whole valley is full of them." They again put spurs to their horses, giving the officer no time to ask further questions, and rode rapidly un- til they came to a bend in the road, where there was another house, and five more confederates ran out and started up the mountain side. The scouts shouted at them to get away, as Averell's men were coming, and they seemed very willing to obey. On they went until they met an old woman. They asked her if there were any more of their men out that way, to which she replied yes, at the next house down the road, where her son was. They told her about Averell coming, when she pleaded with them to hurry forward and tell her son, which they promised to do. They then asked if there were no more troops, and she said no, that all the rest were in the houses they passed. This was a grateful relief, as they had begun to think that confederates grew on the bushes in that neck of the woods. Hurrying on, they came to the house, when the old woman's son looked out, and he was told the same old story. The scouts had made good time, and were nearing Greenbrier river, and if their horses could only hold out to Cheat Mountain, then they could cross the mountain on foot, and consider themselves safe. Soon they reached the river, which was swollen, and was a raging torrent; but it
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