The half wild Henry Simpson, in company with Mort. Palmer, Dave Lee and Bob Ritacor, were at Philomont when the 91st Pennsylvania infantry passed that place. The wagon train followed close in rear of the regiment and just behind the wagons the commander, Col. W. P. Wainwright, with some members of his staff, rode leisurely along, when these daring fellows made a dash at the train, cutting out and bringing safely to camp the Colonel’s headquarter wagon; the Colonel himself narrowly escaping capture by flight.
The last expedition in Burnside’s rear was a raid on a camp of sixty infantry at Mount Gillead, who had been left to guard a quantity of stores at that place, and who surrendered after a sharp fight, and these stores composed the richest capture yet made.
The total number of prisoners made in the whole series of operations was about one thousand, and fully two hundred wagons were destroyed and brought out together, besides an immense amount of stores and arms destroyed by the Yankees themselves, to keep them from falling into the hands of White’s men.
A considerable number of the men had been taken prisoners during the fall, and although most of them were promptly exchanged under the Dix-Hill cartel, yet some few were detained and treated by the enemy with great rigor, under a charge of being guerrillas, and the Major had done all in his power, through appeals to the Confederate authorities, to procure their release by retaliation, and took occasion, on sending the beautiful sword of Col. Wainwright as a present to Gen. Jackson, to call that officer’s attention to the matter, which elicited the following reply from “Stonewall:”
“Head-Quarters, V. Dist., Nov. 15th, 1862.
“Major—The beautiful sword with which you have so kindly presented me, and also the other much prized presents, have been received from Lt. Marlow of your distinguished command. Please accept my thanks for them.
“I have watched with great interest your brilliant exploits. Your men may well feel proud of having such a leader. Press on in your successful career.
“Let your men know that their comrades who are maltreated at Fort McHenry are not forgotten. I deem it a solemn duty to protect, as far as God enables me, every patriotic soldier of my command. I regret being driven to retaliation, but the enemy, from time to time, have been warned against their inhumanity. I have directed three Federal prisoners, of the rank of Captain, to be detained at Staunton. I intend to have this outrage of which you complain thoroughly investigated, and not only see that the two men of your company, but also the one belonging to Capt. Ball’s, are exchanged, and also that indemnification is made for any wrongs which they may have suffered.
“With high esteem, I am, Major, very truly your friend,
“T. J. Jackson, Lt.-General.