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train could pass up the Valley pike weakly guarded but that " the band " would
dash in, disperse the guard, relieve the wagons of whatever was portable or val-
uable, and be off like shadows before the cavalry, galloping up from the next camp,
could get within firing distance.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the object of their unremitting and
ardent devotion. They had scouts in Martinsburg or Harper's Ferry. News
frequently came from Baltimore or Washington of the starting of a quartermaster
or paymaster with a great sum of money for army use. That train would be run
off the track by tearing up rails, stopped in a defile or deep cut and unloaded.
Frequently the passengers would be relieved of their watches and pocket-books.
Paymasters always met with the rough chivalry of the border; women were
always respected.

Harry Gilmor enlisted as a private soldier in Colonel Turner Ashby's regi-
ment in August, 1861, in Captain Frank Mason's company. In a few weeks Ashby
made him sergeant-major. By March, 1862, he had organized a company and
attached it to the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, Colonel Arthur Harman.

This company was the nucleus of Gilmor's Battalion, and by a series of
dashing exploits and gallant adventures soon occupied a conspicuous position and
attracted other enterprising spirits, not in the army.

Gilmor was at McDowell with Jackson in May, 1862, when he defeated Milroy,
and was sent by Jackson to follow up the routed and fugitive Federals. He was
then sent with his company over the Shenandoah mountain to watch Fremont.

He gave Jackson the first information that Fremont was closing in on his
only line of retreat up the Valley, for Fremont was moving down the Wardensville
pike to Strasburg, while Jackson was at Charlestown and Shields marching on
Front Royal. Gilmor's information was undoubtedly valuable to Jackson, for if
Fremont at Strasburg and Shields at Front Royal had got into communication with
each other the Valley would have been hermetically sealed, and Jackson bottled up.
But Harry Gilmor's report of Fremont's movements gave Jackson warning, and
he held the " Pathfinder " back with one hand at Strasburg while he passed his
trains or prisoners behind his line to the rear, drew him and Shields hack to the
head waters of the east fork of the Shenandoah, whipped Fremont June 8 at Cross
Keys, routed Shields just across the river June 9 at Port Republic, and then went
into camp and rested.

He had fought and whipped four armies, each of superior numbers, trying to
surround and concentrate on him, taken four thousand prisoners, many miles of
wagon trains, and during this historic campaign Gilmor did most efficient service
and was warmly thanked by Stonewall, who never forgot him nor his fidelity.

After the death of Ashby (June 6. 1862.) Gilmor in a measure took his place
in the Army of the Valley.