The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-06-02
&c, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY JUNE q, 1898

of British soldiers, and again transferred TO
the Sea Horse The punishment that fol-
lowed this act of deserton was inflicted
with all that ingenious refinement of cru
city for which the British navy is SO cele-
brated.
The Sea Horse, attached TO the squad
ron under admiral Cockbum, was shortly
afterwards ordered to the Chesapeake, and
took an active part in the robbing, burning
and numbering of the defenceless inhabi-
tants of the coast. Mr.. Wood and the i'm
pressed Americans were never permitted to
leave their vessel. He was on board on the
night when Sir Peter Parker met his fate
on shore. A few days subsequent to this
event, he, in company with seven other i'm
pressed Americans, attempted an escape in
broad daylight, by boldly jumping into a
boat long side, and pulling away for shore.
One of the number was shot by the senti-
mel on duty. The others reached the beach,
but were apprehended Immediately on Ian
ding by party of marauders belonging to
the Sea Horse.
By order Of Admiral Cockburn, they
were sent in irons to Nova Scotia, where
undergoing the formality of mock trial,
they were sentenced TO be shot.-The sem
tence however was commuted to service
for life, in his Britannia Maesty's army in
the East Indies. They were accordingly
shipped to England, and thence with re-
giment of newly levied recruits, despatched
to Calcutta. For 81 years, Mr.. Wood SER
we'd as private soldier in the East India
service; and, eighteen months since, when
broken down in spirit and in constitution,
he was permitted to sail for England. Des-
titute and heart-broken, he reached London,
stated his case to the United States Consul,
anG by him was furnished with means of
reaching New York. He left New York
in January, and wended his weary pilgrim
age towards the home of his ehildhnad.
1t is now twenty-six years since he left
his wife and children in Kentucky; and not
one syllable has he heard, relative to their
situation, since the moment of their separa-
ton. The citizens here forced few dol
laIs upon him, for poor and decrepid as he
is, he still possesses all the pride Of a Ken
tuckian, and sent him on his way in the
stage to Wellsville, from which town he
intends to embark on steamboat for Au-
gusta, in Kentucky.
Fancy cannot help asking-what now is
that home to which the war broken wander
er is returning? Will the wife of his youth
be ready, in the fidelity of her early love,
to hail the restoration Of her long lost hus-
band! Or, will her duty and affection have
been given to another. Or, will she be re-
posing beneath the olods of the valley?
And his children!--If living, they must
long since have entered upon the busy
scenes of life. Will they take the weary
pilgrim to their bosoms! A thousand over
powering emotions must rush upon the old
mans heart, as his weary footsteps approa-
ches the spot that was once his home. Fan
cy cannot fill the picture. May He who
''tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" sup
port the aged wanderer, in that eventfulmo-
ment which is soon to witness, either the
extacy of his happiness, or the utter desc
lation of his hopes.