Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/349

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reaclu-d headquarters of the advance of a strong Yankee force, and consequently we evaluated tin city and fell back upon H a- town. Md.

June iSth. My company on picket, and I am officer of the day. Nothing of the enemy.

June iQth. The company was ordered to Waynesborough, Pa., ipture horses and cattle in the neighborhood for our army. A powerful thunder-storm surprised us at night, and we took refuge on a large farm. The proprietor was obliged to furnish us with ra- tions for ourselves and our horses.

June 20th. We succeeded in capturing a number of horses and some cattle. At noon we came to the farm of an old Pennsylvania German. He was scared to death at catching sight of us, and shouted " O mein Gott, die rebels! " I soon reassured him, telling him that no harm should result to him if he furnished us with a din- ner and rations for our horses, and we were well cared for. A Fed- eral cavalry regiment passed in sight of the place, fortunately not discovering our presence, and I concluded to march with my com- mand to Lestersburg, Md., where the citizens furnished us with sup- per. We camped for the night in an open field, midway between Lestersburg and Hagerstown.

A DANGEROUS SECTION.

June 2ist and 22d. The i4th Virginia Cavalry Regiment read- vanced towards Chambersburg, Pa., but Co. D, in charge of Captain Moorman and Major Bryan, of Rhodes' Division, was detailed to proceed to the South Mountain to capture horses, of which about 2,000 had been taken there by farmers and industrial establishments to hiding places. We again passed through Lestersburg and then entered on the mountain region. It proved to be a very dangerous section for cavalry movements. At n o'clock at night we came to Use's Iron-Works. Mr. Use, upon demand, furnished provisions, but as we discovered on the following days, secretly informed the farmers and troops of our approach.

June 23d. At dawn we moved on by roads to Caledonia Iron Works, catching only twenty-six horses and twenty-two mules, the great bulk having been moved on upon Mr. Use's messages of warn- ing. We obliged the overseer of the place to provide us with rations, and about 2 o'clock in the afternoon we advanced with forty of our men in pursuit of the Yankee guard and the horses in the