See also Pass below
1862 finds Shepherdstown*(1) in disputed territory and on account of its situation continued throughout the war. The morning hour found the Union forces scattered around the town and the United States Mail being delivered from a comfortable post office. Half an hour intervenes; the Confederate Mail came by underground railroad (a war term then) and the post office was located in some novel places, sometimes in the fields or a ladies dress, often in a grandfather's clock, in a piano, a stove and frequently in a lady's dress sleeve.
There had been a battle in March and the Confederates had fallen back, and everyone who had relatives in that flight was suffering the agony of suspense. Letters were in Charles Town (*2) for us and letters were here to go to the army, but how ere they to be gotten through? As the Union soldiers seemed twice as vigilant since the battle, a friend and I volunteered to relieve the suspense of many anxious hearts. We collected all letters and concealed them by carefully sewing them between the fuching and dress. It required neatness and patience to make the work look innocent of anything contraband. We started on our march one bright beautiful morning but the roads being soft and muddy and we being not yet accustomed to marching could not get over much ground as rapidly as Stonewall Jackson's men. The first night was spent at the home of Mr. Foley where another mail was collected. Another bright morning blessed our errand and when the purple shades of evening were gathering in the west we entered Charles Town as leisurely and passed the Union soldiers as indifferently as though we were out for an evening stroll. What a triumph it would have been for them to have secured that mail; how they would have gloated over every scared sentence in those letters. My heart thrilled with fear at the thought although apparently so indifferent to their presence. We stayed with trusty friends long enough to gather all the mail that had come through the lines-also news that could not be trusted to a precarious mail. We secured our return mail the same way we had carried the one to Charles Town and again took up the line of march homeward. Words are not sufficient to express the feelings on such a jaunt-every crackling twigs, the slightest rustling or dried leaves was as startling as the footsteps of a blue-coat ready to snatch our precious mail. Every breeze that signed through the dark lonely woods was the breathing or a monster soldier ready with bayonet fixed to arrest us and carry us off to some dreary prison. We were just realizing our dangerous undertaking. The return trip was made in one day with our valuable mail intact. Our nervousness disappeared as we found ourselves nearing home and our fears were dispelled by the consciousness of gladdening the hearts and homes with the brave, patient, loving messages those letters contained.
1863 still finds our town disputed territory and a veritable "deserted village"-old men, women, and children with a very few Union men love the flag and their country so fondly that they will not fight for them, but take their chances refuting when the Confederates come to town, which they do very unexpectedly sometimes and make it very uncomfortable for the refugees. Not that the rebels ever molested them but they tell so many wild tales about the southern citizens to the Union soldiers that they instinctively feel that some punishment ought to be meted out to them and they expect the rebels to do it. In time of war when both armies have rollen back a town presents a most desolate and forlorn appearance-the old people, women and children have no definite plans. They stand about tin groups writing and talking of the latest battle or the expected skirmishes. Their homes are places to retire from inclement weather rather than to adorn-to please the taste. the table to satisfy hunger rather than the delightful board where sweet companionship mingled with health giving food. No systematic house keeping-no aim-no object in performing any household duties. All energy was concentrated in doing for the soldiers. "When our boys come home we will do thus and so" was the oft repeated phrase. Sometimes at the dead of night the report of a pistol shot would warn us that the rebels were in town. But when daylight came we saw only the blue coats patrolling the streets, and they would leave as mysteriously as the rebels. At night we would be sometimes drawn from our homes by cannon firing from Douglas Hill(*3) on the opposite side of the Potomac. The old, the sick and helpless had to be taken out of town for safety. Thank God some of our boys silenced the cannon firing. They crossed the river one night, spiked the gun and rolled it into the waters of the Potomac where its brazen voice was stilled forever.
When Maryland sent many of her sons to join the southern army one was A. L.(*4), a brave fearless young man, the very build of a typical soldier-tall, well built, straight as an arrow-not handsome of face, but with an honest, grave face that one knew how to trust. He joined J.E.B. Stewart's cavalry and went through every danger to serve the south and his General. His fault was recklessness. He did not stop to consider what might be his fate if caught in the Union lines, and he had run the gauntlet so often without being caught that he became heedless of danger and for that he was a terror to those some refugees. As far as I have any knowledge of the raids he made he did not intent or perpetrate any harm to them. His "raids", as he termed his trusty trips, were to carry clothing and letters to his comrades from friends and relatives.
A beautiful May morning, balmy air waiting the perfume of flowers over the country submerged in war. Sparkling dew drops resting in the bosom of such blossoms like tiny tear drops-weeping for the sad hearts made say by war. God sends beautiful days in war as well as peace-we must remember that. A young prepossessing girl introduced herself to me on this May morning as a sister of A.L. She told me her brother had been captured by the Yankees and was confined in fort McHenry, MD, and that the entreaties of her widowed mother had induced her to try to get through the Federal lines to have an interview with General Steward in regard to having her brother exchanged as a prisoner of war. Not only had the distress of her mother decided her but warm friends of Maryland had promised to stand by her on her undertaking the trip. she had been sent to me by a southern woman who knew I had carried letters through to Charles Town and thought I would accompany the young lady to that place, and acquaint her with friends who would assist her through the lines. I hesitated a moment and she said with tears that his mother had a message from Baltimore that if some powerful influence was not brought to bear immediately that her brother would be executed as a guerilla. That decided the matter. We started off in a one horse carriage fro Charles Town-she to proceed to Richmond to urge the exchange of her brother-I to return the same evening to my home. She as a traveler was attired in a brown suit with a cape to match trimmed with quilling around it and a brown straw hat with a veil. I was to spend the day only and was dressed in a blue "Dolly Varden" pattern dress, blue silk bonnet with wide turn over cuffs and concealed in the lining of these cuffs were slips of paper with names of prominent Southern sympathizers who we were to call upon for any assistance. Before starting we concluded it would be better to go under fictitious names-she as Lucy Hamilton, and I as Louise Hamilton, her cousin. And with hearts filled with hope we started off that bright May morning on our errand of mercy.
Charles Town was reached in good time. We stopped where we were directed at Mrs. L's-were warmly received and urged for safety to sty all night here-Lucy to start next morning southward and I to return home would arouse no suspicion. The next morning was quite as beautiful and arrangements were completed when I found she was getting timid about starting off alone. She entreated me to go just as far as Berryville(*5) and then she thought she would feel brave enough to travel alone. It was a big undertaking for two young girls as the country was then all excitement and confusion. All kinds of people passing through the country on missions bent. I finally agreed to go to Berryville with her with the determination of returning from that point the following day. We knew exactly where to stop and whom to see. All was planned before starting from home. I will never forget how beautiful Berryville looked the morning we drove up to the hotel. It was a village embowered in beautiful green trees, blooming flowers. The bees humming in the nectar laden flowers produced that lazy, peaceful quiet that is so soothing to tired nerves. We made our arrangements with the proprietor and took a stroll through the pretty, cool looking streets. We met Union soldiers and plenty of them but we did not feel any fear of our plans failing. In the evening we called upon the family next to the hotel and had music until late that night. Next morning while arranging to separate we were visited by a Yankee officer saying he wished to know here were were going, and that we must take the oath. At first we refused to take the oath but when we consented to take it he would not let us, but placed us under arrest. What a frustrating of all our plans. How my heart ached for that poor girl. How she had built her hopes on securing the release of her brother on this venture. Although I did not dream that anymore harm would come to him than along imprisonment that would be dreadful as harmful influences were as for his destruction. A few moments passed a the hotel waiting and the Yankee officer, with a blue coated guard, helped us into an ambulance to go we knew not where. Our hearts were heavy with disappointment. The drive from Berryville to Winchester through a beautiful country on a bright May morning had not the power to exhilarate our drooping spirits that morning. We had no fears for our own fate but all our hopes on relieving that broken-hearted mother so suddenly dashed to pieces, and that suffering son enduring the anguish of imprisonment and suspense.
Winchester reached, we were taken to the head-quarters of General Milroy where we found women, young and old, proud and defiant, now on the rebellion-arguing their claims and proclaiming their grievances. One delicate, forlorn looking widow relating the the General how his men, the Yankees, had taken her cows, her only means of support for her children. He turned from her quickly to my friend and me if there had been the least disposition on my part to be humble his exclamation put that feelings to flight and aroused a very rebellious state of mind. "What in the devil are you doing here? If it were not for the women running around the country we would not have so much trouble." My companion started up with surprise. "General, we did not want to come here. We did not start for this place. Your officers brought us here." He ran fingers through his mass of snow white hair already standing straight up like the quills of a porcupine and our of the audience chamber he strode without another word. He presented a find physique, tall, well-proportioned, erect in carriage, a wealth of snow-white hair which suggested from its stand up appearance that his fingers had a fashion of roaming there hen troubles were to be, and plans and problems of great magnitude to be wrought out. We knew a few weeks later that Milroy had cause to run his fingers through his hair in this manner. Papers and documents of momentous import were handed to another officer and guard. We were soon before the Provost Marshall at Martinsburg(*6) awaiting his orders. One night in Martinsburg-next morning we were taken to General Kelly at Harpers Ferry(*7) to await further orders. We were assigned to the best boarding house in the town adjoining the General's headquarters where a great many of the officers boarded. We had a guard to watch our movements and prevent our escape if we thought of anything of the kind. We were allowed to walk around the town accompanied by the guard and sometimes were invited by officers, to whom we were introduced, to attend concerts and places of amusements but the guard invariably followed behind to the disgust of our gallants. Lucy and I ignored the guard altogether. We did not care how tired he became running over the old hills of Harpers Ferry after us and many were the taunts and comments we overheard about "secish"(*8) prisoners. "Miranda!" and the voice startled us-for it came from under the ground. A cottage vine clad and embowered in trees and bushes right under our feet on the slope of a hill. "Here comes the two "secish" prisoners again trailing that poor tired guard after them as unusual. He looks like he is ready to drop. Much I would follow behind them over these hills. she lived there under the hill with her beautiful daughter. She had lots and lots of beautiful flowers but not one would she give us after we humbled ourselves to ask for one because we were rebels.
At Harpers Ferry with your five mountains, your bright Potomac, your smiling languid Shenandoah, your historic Jefferson's Rock and romantic stone steps leading to the temple of God-St. Peter's Church. In the yard of this church, high above the streets and houses of Harpers Ferry the Fifth New York Regiment Band discoursed sweet music every Sunday evening of the six weeks Lucy and I were prisoners. the sweet strains of the "Mocking Bird" as only Henry Frunkenfield could render them, echoed from Loudoun heights across the great Shenandoah over the beautiful rock-ribbed Potomac of Maryland Heights, back again the mountain breezes waited them though the streets and windows as if a hundred mocking birds were trilling their soul felt song.
We had many unpleasant days as prisoners-many sad days. but I must be honest and tell of the kindness of many of the officers who boarded at the same house. They devised many ways to __eer our spirits, get up entertainments in the parlor for our pleasure, and often invite us to concerts with the sanction of the General then in command. but the one drawback to them having the guard following behind with a gun. We did not care one iota for that-it rather amused us. Our guard was stationed on our upper back porch near the door of our bedroom. One night while we were attending ac concert we stayed so late that the guard who was with us was relieved and when we returned we found the guard on duty asleep. We had him very much worked up and frightened over it as we threatened to report him as being asleep on duty. After worrying him for sometime, we assured him he was perfectly safe from being reported. His humble looks-to say nothing of his profuse thanks-were sufficient to repay us.
The General's Headquarters was the brick building later owned by Garland _____ (*9). The boarding house was the home adjoining where all the officers boarded. A window in the headquarters opened on the porch of the boarding house. I was sitting on the porch, very much interested in a book, when a young man who boarded at the house and was assistant port master at the Ferry at that time asked to see the book. After looking over it he handed me the book with the remark, "It is beautiful", and bowed and said, "Good evening." That evening he was not in his place at the tea table. News came floating around that he was under arrest for talking to a rebel prisoner and it was the truth. But what puzzled me was, why should he be arrested for that trifle and officers talked and marked with Lucy and me whenever we gave the opportunity. I suppose gold lace and gold buttons have more power with some than others. The window negligence was kept up for some time after that and as we were quietly resigning ourselves to an easy going time our guard was doubled. Some one reported that we were disguised and trying to make our escape from Harpers Ferry. The brakes were put down on us sure enough at that news and for a long time we were suspiciously watched. and the whole trouble started from a piece of fun. We were dressed in fantastic costumes, slipped down a stairway, of which the General had no knowledge to the kitchen, to dance for the cook and her black "Topsy". The guard was told that we were about to make our escape. He hunted the house over for his prisoners and when he found us he did not recognize us for sometime-our disguise was so complete. Two guards questioned us until they were finally convinced that we were not attempting an escape.
A great stir and commotion on the street-soldiers looking excited but satisfaction beaming from their eyes as if something great but unexpected had happened. Cavalry men and clanking swords made a confusing noise. They say they have captured Moseby, the Guerilla Chief (*10). Here they came with him thrown across a horse, one soldier holding him on while another has hold of the bridle. Crows were following, surrounding him on al sides. They say it is Moseby-but is it Moseby? They captured him over in the L___ Mountains, shot him and tied him on the horse. How exultant they are, all unmindful of their victims misery with head hanging down on one side of the horse and feet and lets bouncing on the other. OH! War is cruel indeed. Down the street in front of the General's Headquarters the crowd surges, then up the street to Bolivar they took their prisoner. If he is not dead he will be before many minutes pass in that terrible position. Days pass by and not another word is heard of the capture of Col. Moseby. We know from the silence that settles upon the crowd that we need not ask any questions for Moseby is as free as a bird in the air.
The June days were bight and balmy, but our enforced idleness was irritating in the extreme. We were growing restless knowing that Lucy's brother was wearing away his energies in gloomy Ft. McHenry, not knowing what his fate would be. And the feeling what her hands were tied so far as helping to have him exchanged. Lucy became nervous and went to many uncomplimentary triads against the Yankees and all that they did and said. I know several who sympathized with her in her sorrow and desolate position. They wished for their mother's sake that she would not give to her bitter feelings against our capture and indeed they asked me to advise her to the effect that our hardships in the future might not be increased. When she felt like doing so she said just what she pleased to say about the Yankees, and complimentary things either.
Sabbath days and week days were all the same at Harpers Ferry during the war. The soldiers and citizens would promenade the streets. The crowds would send forth their martial airs, dignified and soul stirring also their merry dance tunes. But this one Sabbath day seemed so different from all others that we had spent at that place. The day was declining and from the description of an Italian sunset, I think the sunset of this evening far surpassed any such Italian scene. The golden rays touched the tree tops and they looked like burnished gold. The strains of music came from the high rocks where St. Peter's Church rest peacefully. Darts and streaks of gold tips of trees on the mountain tops-the birds twitter and call to their mates in low tones. There is a hush as if all nature were bowed in silent prayer as the twilight settles over the valley. the beauty of this Sabbath will never fade from my memory. It was my last one there as a prisoner. The stillness was soon changed to wild confusion and excitement. Milroy! General Milroy is rushing down the valley with the Confederates close after him----- (end of text).
Added Material
The account of Mary Louise ENTLER ends abruptly here but the story has a very romantic as well as tragic ending. While a prisoner she was courted by all the single northern officers, se fell in love with a young Yankee officer (*11), Walter HERRINGTON, who she later married. She died in 1932 at the age of ninety four.
As to the young spy (A.L.) in the story the following letter will explain his fate:
"My dear and kind loving mother, It is with the deepest sorrow that you humble son has to report to you the sad news of my unfortunate and much unexpected fate which is deemed for me by now. but be of good cheer. I have good grounds to think and hope that I go to a better world for I have cast myself on the mercies of our God. Look to his Son, Jesus Christ, who died upon the cross without sin that we might have eternal life by believing in him. I hope to meet you and my two sisters in that bright land where sin and troubles are no more and there to show forth love to God and Jesus Christ, our redeemer. My fate is that of a felon. I know not the day that I have heard from a minister of the Gospel that I am not to suffer death on "Hangman's Day", but that is poor consolation to you but it will be a consolation to know that I went willing and prepared to meet my peace maker. Moreover, I die as a martyr for my country and I willingly lay down my life for my principles. I have refused permission to write to you, but I write this hoping you may get this book and hope the gentleman who finds it may send it to you. May God be merciful to you is the prayer of your unfortunate son and brother."
Andrew Thomas Leopold
Confederate States of Army
to his mother
Sharpsburg, Washington Co., MD
23 May 1864
Footnotes
(*1) Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, VA, now WV; Shepherdstown was about 5
miles south, across the Potomac River, from Sharpsburg, MD, near the
Battle of Antietam. The areas of Jefferson, Berkeley, and Frederick Counties in
VA, were in constant turmoil during the war. Winchester, VA, changed hands some
40 or more times.
(*2) Charles Town, Jefferson County, VA, now WV
(*3) Douglas Hill, or Ferry Hill Plantation, was a large mansion on the hilltop
across the river in Maryland, the home of Henry Kyd Douglas, Stonewall Jackson's
aide. Douglas was author of a book, I Rode With Stonewall, describing his
experience during the war. Douglas's father was under house arrest on his
plantation, because of his southern sympathies. In one incident, when the
Confederates were in control of Shepherdstown, Henry Kyd Douglas was given safe
passage across the river to visit his father by Union troops stationed on the
other side of the river in Maryland.
(*4) The mans name as we shall see later was Andrew Thomas Leopold.
(*5) Berryville, VA, about 7 miles east of Winchester, Frederick Co., VA.
(*6) Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., VA, about 25 miles north of Winchester, VA.
(*7) Harpers Ferry, Jefferson Co., WV, the site of John Brown's raid on the the
U.S. Arsenal, and now a National Park
(*8) Secish-no clue what this word means. Have not had any luck finding a
meaning in modern dictionaries.
(*9) Last name missing.
(*10) John Singleton Mosby (1833-1916), The Grey Ghost of the
Confederacy, plagued the Union Army in this area of VA.
(*11) This marriage makes a nice romantic story, but the compiler questions its
authenticity. ***** More information on the Herrington Family will be
added here soon.
Provost Marshall Pass
Copy: Office Provost Marshall, Military District of Harpers Ferry, VA (March 18th.) 1865 - Guards and Pickets will pass (Mrs. Herrington) to (Kearneysville, VA in ??ars) Good for (seven) days (and to Shepherdstown and return). (I.S. Robbins) By the order of Brig. Gen. Stevenson. Major and Provost Marshall, Residence (H. Ferry, VA)
Note: Italicized words were handwritten on the pass. The parenthesis are the compilers. It is interesting to note, that Mary Louise ENTLER is married to Walter HERRINGTON before the end of the war, and that even though Jefferson County had been in the new state of WV since 1863, the pass indicates that they are still in VA.