Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-11-08
From Jamestown, Maryland.
DARNEsTowN, Nd, Oct. rs, 1861

In previous communication was mar
rated the fact of party of eleven scouts
from the New York 34tk having crossed the
river. and being attacked and cut to pieces
by superior number Of the rebels. The
particulars of the affair are thus detailed
by Corporal Robert Gracey of the party,
who, until his return on Monday night, was
supposed to have been dead, as he was seen
to fall on the field after the skirmish:
On the night Of the 18th of September, a
detachment of twelve men crossed the Po-
tomac for the purpose of reconnoitering
and forasing. When reaching about half
annie from the river, they were attacked
by fifteen rebels, two of whom were in
stantly killed, viz: o. ID. Darling and --
Brownley. Among the wounded was ny
informant, Corporal Gracey of Company
II, a man Of gigantic frame and iron en-
durance.
As Gracey lay wounded upon the ground,
rebel named Mccarthy Lowe, d farmer
residing in the vicinity, rushed up and shot
him twice, both balls taking effect, and was
stopped from firing a third time by his Cap
tain. One of the balls penetrated Gracey's
back in slan'ing direction and came out
on his left siie. The other entering the
back, lodged in his left lung where It still
remains. M
After grand exultation at the success
ful accomplishment of their feat, the rebels
took up The wounded and conveyed them
to the village of Drainsville about four
miles distant. Gracey being man Of nd
ordinary weight was placed upon rail and
carried by four stout men, until they found
more comfortable conveyance. On ar
irving at Drainsville the victors INDUCED in
liquor with their friends, and held a grand
jubilee over their victory. Here Gracey
remained about two weeks. during which
time he was kindly cared for, both by his
keepers and the family where he lodged.
Fearing an attack from Gen. Stones COM
nand, he was then conveyed to Fairfax
Court.Iouse in one of our own ambuIances
captured at Bull Run.
His two weeks stay at Fairfax was not
of an unpleasant character, considerin. all
the circumstances He was placed in the
hospital under guard Of Lieut.. Thomas
Adrain and his command OF Tiger Rifles Of
Louisiana, who furnished him with more
condiments. luxuries and personal attentions
than were bestowed upon their own sick.
Lieut.. Adrain frequently and jocularly re-
marked as an excuse for this that his object
was a selfish one. He wanted 10 take Ora
cey to the South and exhibit him la Bar
mum, as fine specimen of the living Yam
kee, who couldn't be killed.
In this hospital the inmates were mostly
members oi the LIST Virginia Regiment.
Every day or Two those seriously i'll were
sent to Richmond, as II was feared that
Gen Mcclellan would attack the rebel lines.
Among the prisoner patients there, however,
was one named Walter Hemmitt, who was
wouaded in the mouth in some skirmish.
Hemmitt played the deaf and dumb role to
perfection, ,eceiving even Gracey himself
until the day previous 10 the latter's escape.
wh-n Hemniit agreed to Join Graeey in
making their escape> During Cracey' con-
finememt his snifrrings were intense, as ev-
idenced by a comparison Of his former with
his present weight. His attendants fur-
nished him with opium every day for bis
drink; hut he treasured it up rs means
of his ultimate escape. One night after he |
became able to move about, be drucged
the beverage of his attendants, and then
left the hospital in pursuit Of some cold wa
ter for violent toothache. After passing
the outer guar,l he fell in with the sentinels
of three distinct lines outside the village.
lie was respectively hailed and fred at
three times, but all the balls failed to harm
him.
After awaiting as agreed upon for his
friend IIemmiti. and the latter not appear
ing. he started toward the Potomac at the
point of his capture, bnt in consequence of
large rebel forces he was compelled to di.
verge in westerly direction. crossing Bull
Run, aud lbcscc taking circuitcs- scd