Three Bushongs were involved in the skirmish James H. (Henry) Bushong (1843-1920), Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry. BUSHONG LINEAGE: James Henry Bushong/ Capt. John M. Bushong and Lydia Haun/ Andrew Andreas Bushong and Elizabeth Calvert/ Lt. John Bushong V and Elizabeth Sprenkel/ Hans John Bushong IV and Barbara Bushong/ Hans John Boschung III and Anna Maria Boschung/ Hans Boschung II and Anna Stocker/ Hans Boschung I and Anna Anneler/ Michael Studer-Boschung and Dichtli Jaggi. E. M. (Edward Mark) Bushong (1839-1922), Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry. BUSHONG LINEAGE: Edward Mark Bushong/ Henry M. Bushong and Mary Ann Wendel/ Andrew Andreas Bushong and Elizabeth Calvert/ Lt. John Bushong V and Elizabeth Sprenkel/ Hans John Bushong IV and Barbara Bushong/ Hans John Boschung III and Anna Maria Boschung/ Hans Boschung II and Anna Stocker/ Hans Boschung I and Anna Anneler/ Michael Studer-Boschung and Dichtli Jaggi. George A. Bushong (1848-1865), O’Ferrall’s Bat.. BUSHONG LINEAGE: George A. Bushong / Isaac Bushong and Savilla Windel/ Andrew Andreas Bushong and Elizabeth Calvert/ Lt. John Bushong V and Elizabeth Sprenkel/ Hans John Bushong IV and Barbara Bushong/ Hans John Boschung III and Anna Maria Boschung/ Hans Boschung II and Anna Stocker/ Hans Boschung I and Anna Anneler/ Michael Studer-Boschung and Dichtli Jaggi.

The April 8, 1921 Shenandoah Herald, page 2. Columns are marked.

An account of the capture and recapture of part of Capt. George Grandstaff’s picket line along Stony Creek in Shenandoah County between Edinburg and Columbia Furnace. Having appeared in several northern papers and by way of comment is as deficient of truth as many other incidents of the Civil war from same source, a copy having been sent me by one of my old comrades with request that I give my version of the circumstances and facts as I remember them. It being one of the most exciting and heroic of my experiences during the war. I can say that my memory is as clear today as though the occurrence was but yesterday.

In a report of one of Gen. Sheridan’s scouts, Major Henry Young, chief of Gen. Sheridan's scouts, left Winchester at 9 o'clock p.m. on Saturday, January 21, with 15 of his scouts and 50 picked men from the 5th New York, 65 in all — that they flanked all towns between Winchester and Narrow Passage and that no rebel knew that the enemy was within 20 miles of them. After Gen. Sheridan's ruthless burning and destruction of very nearly all substance of life for man or beast.

Late in the fall the 12th Virginia Cavalry was camped along the Mill Creek road, west of Mt. Jackson, doing picket duty along Stony Creek. On or about 15th of December Co. E was disbanded— J. C. McKay, (uncle of our popular druggist, H. K. McKay,) Captain—for the purpose of recruiting our horses for the opening of the spring campaign. Capt. Geo. Grandstaff, Co. K, taking charge of the picket line on the morning of the 22nd January.

Returning from a social gathering of the young folks in the neighborhood I detected the raiding column going south through the Alms House woods, flanking my home one-half mile north of Maurertown, about 4 o clock a.m., Jan. 22nd. I crossed the Valley Pike to my home, fed my horse and before daylight mounted and rode south. Had not proceeded far when I met J. H. Bushong, (well known in Luray and Page County) coming north, he also observed the Yankee column going south. We at once conjectured that their destination and object was the capture of the picket line, and we determined to get the boys together and give them a warm reception on their return, he taking one direction and myself another. We very soon had a very good chain of dispatchers. Our assembling point was at an old house in “Swope Hollow,” one fourth of a mile east of the Valley Pike and one mile south of Maurertown. By 8 o'clock we had a fighting force of 14, very nearly all having had experience under Generals Stuart, Hampton, Ashby, Jones and the dashing T. L. Rosser, namely:

• Martin Strickler, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown.
• Abram Strickler, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown.
• Allen Bowman, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown, father of Mrs. C. A. Saum, of Luray, Va.
• Silas Crabill, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown.
• William Bauserman, Co. K 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown.
• James H. Bushong, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown, well known in Luray and Page county
• B. F. Hottel, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown.
• S. K. Wright, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Maurertown.
• E. M. Bushong, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Woodstock.
• George Knight, Co. E. 12th Va. Cavalry, Edinburg.
• George Bushong, O’Ferrall’s Bat., Toms Brook.
• John H. Hoover, Co. K. 12th Va. Cavalry, Woodstock.
• Milton Crabill, 18th Va. Cav Toms Brook.
• Benjamin Craybill Co. E 12th Virginia Cav, Toms Brook.

We placed Capt. Martin Stickler in command and moved south parallel with the Valley Pike. We marched far enough to conceal ourselves behind the hills I from view, with one scout or [lookout on higher ground. When we reached the Henry Koontz woods below the John Myers place, one-fourth of a mile south of Pughs Run, we could see the Yankees coming just south of Pughs Run, with flankers right and left. After crossing the bridge I suppose thinking that they were safe, they drew in their flankers very much to our advantage. They were marching along in very good order, unaware of their enemy being not more than 200 yards from them.

As their rear guard came up the command "charge" was given, and we struck them between their main column and rear guard. They made a very determined stand about 300 yards Further on at the "Big Pond” I suppose for about two or three minutes and then broke. We pressed right on to them, pelting their backs. About one-half mile Further on Major Young managed to rally six or eight of his men, wheeled their horses square around and came back at us, our horses' heads coming in contact. Young's horse was shot from under him. This was a battle royal. We being out of ammunition, our revolvers being empty, and apparently the enemy was in the same condition we used our empty revolvers for clubs and went to clubbing. Inexperienced ones may inquire why we didn't use our sabers- time too short, interesting and pressing to make the change.

To make the situation a little more lively Young's horse had only been struck and knocked down by the shot and in the “muss” he went to kicking and lunging, They managed to get Young or behind one of them and left at full speed. We fell back over the hill on the right, a short distance, at the Isaac Gochenour place, a few hundred yards north of where the Valley Pike Dunkard Church is now located. Reloaded, as we came out to renew the attack Capt, George Grandstaff came up with 20 men, informing us that they had captured Lieut. Monroe Funkhouser and 23 of his picket line. He, taking command ordered forward at full speed. About one-half mile north of Maurertown. We overhauled them. Their next stand was made at the Toll Gate —Tommy Flynn’s place.

We took the house and outbuildings for protection, and put up a very stubborn fight. We divided our command, one-half flanking to our left around a hill, coming in on their right flank and rear. They were not long taking in the situation and bolted north as fast as their mounts could carry them, making one more feeble stand at the “Four Mile House,-’ four miles south of Strasburg.

All that was needed here were a few shots and the old Confeds' battle yell and they broke into one of the wildest, craziest stampedes that I have ever witnessed. We rode through them and over them. They actually jumped off their mounts and tried to outrun them. At Fishers Hill eight or ten of them jumped over the stone wall, fifteen or twenty feet high, and crept under the cedar brush on the other side. The boys dragged them out by their legs. About 300 yards north of the Stone Bridge at Fishers Hill we recaptured the last prisoner and ceased the pursuit in the suburbs of Strasburg and let them go.

You will notice that in the first two encounters the 14 fought one to five of the enemy. We recaptured all of the prisoners, captured one-third of the enemy with their horses, killed and shot up one-third and the remaining one-third was straggling back to Winchester with their dead and wounded. We had one horse killed in the encounter at the Toll Gate, one man mortally wounded in first encounter. Geo. Bushong, a mere boy, had not reached his 17th year—young in years though brave, and fought with the nerve of a Commanche until he went down. We buried him in the family cemetery with honors of war on the following Wednesday evening and planted the Stars and Bars at the head of his grave. It is now nearly 57 years since Appomattox. The Gray and the Blue have mingled together, apparently in harmony, but with this old Confed there is still something crawling around that is not so entirely satisfactory.
S. K. WRIGHT.

Among the number engaged in this fight and chase were Bo. Snodgrass, of Martinsburg, and Syrum Hausenfluck of this county. They made an attack upon the enemy at the top of the town hill, north of Woodstock and caused considerable confusion in their ranks, they then followed the retreating foe and did their full part in the capture of prisoners. Among the number joining in the race was P. S. Riddelle, a mere boy, later Dr. P. S.Riddelle.

Close this window.


To visit the Bushong United Front Page click here

Bushong United is Copyright ©2023 by Rick Bushong any Commercial Use is Prohibited.
Personal, non-commercial use is allowed.
Please credit the Bushong United Website.