The Nevada Democrat., 1861-08-06
LEONARD CLARx,s ADVENTURE.
A TALE FOR THE FUFvRE.


A TALE FOR THg FUFvRE.
Occasionally We hear OF incidents In the
hresent war that remind ohe of the adven-
turOus deeds Of the Revolution. or some
sucb 1 have been hearing the outlines for a
day or two past, They relate partially TO
the Union prisoner found in the Jail at Phil
lippi, aud released by the capture of that
place. learn that man named Leonard
clark, who is well known, aud knows the
country we'll, in the surrounding counties,
rendered bis services at Parksburg as
scout TO the Fourteenth Ohio Regimesss.
and was accepted. He is an athletic, Ends-
cuIar, determined and daring young man,
and would like nothing better than the per-
fIrous adventure upon which be entered.
Il appears that, accompanied by Myers,
who ia Younger man, aud German from
CIarksburQ, he reached the neighbOrhOod
on Saturday before the attack. They pass
I'd the outside pickets without observation,
md we're getting along very successfully IN
picking up bits of useful information. which
hey found lying about loose. But bold
ness getting the better of discretion, they
approached too near the town, aud suddenly
came upon party of dragons. The odds
were too great against them, and being
mounted, they wheeled their horses and Ell.
deavored to escape. The dragons gave
chase, firing at them as they ran. The balls
whistled around their heads several passed
through Cark's hat, bnt doing no other
damage. They dashed madly on, pursuers
aud pursued. One of the horsemen came
close ND to Clark. and be wheeled aud shot
him dead with a revolver. Another came
up and seized him by the left arm. He in
stantly turned and shot off the hand. But
another and more appalling danger was
upon them. In the madness OF the chase
they had not anticipated what might be
ahead, when they suddenly came upon
squad Of pckets, who comprehendlng Ihe
scene, leveled their guns and fired at the ad-
vancing fugitives. The balls passed harm.
lessly by the men. but Clark's horse after
running about fifty yards. reared up and
fell dead. He had been shot IN the breast.
Clark Immediately dashed into tbicket
where the cavalry could not follow, and for
q time eluded bis pursuers. Myers was taxi
ken, carried to Phillippi, and counsel
held at once to determine bis fate. Two OF
his fellow townsmen who were present,
Bob johnson and George Lurty, urged that
be should be hung at once and without mer-
cy, but William Cooper, another of his
tOwnsmcn, succeeded in having il postponed
until the following morning at five O'Clock.
Myers was at once incarcerated in the Jail.
aud nothing saved him but The attack and
eight Monday morning at moment which
left him but about half an hour intervening
between him aud the gallows.
A joyful sound indeed was the roar OF
he first gun on the heavy morning air TO
that man, who expected nothing but that
in few moments he would be launched
into eternity, and dangle siiffened corpse
from the galOws tree. beautiful upon
the mountains we're the feet of those who
brought him delivereDce from so horrible
fate aud what must have been his emo
ION of gratitude to bis rescuers and an
Overruling Providence, on finding himself
Snatched from the jaws Of death.
After the capture of Myers, Clark under
took to make his escape by keeping the
woods. The cavalry could not follow him,
but the pickels and party OF infantry
which was Immediately sent after him, kept
up a hot pursuit. He was known to them,
aud they strained every neve to effect his
capture. They scattered in oil directions
aud frequently had him surrounded. 20 that
be was obliged to lie concealed whole
hours at time. Saveral times while thus
beleagured he crawled like an InCian for
q great distance to elude observation. For
about day and night the pursuit was kept
up, and he suffered terribly from hunger
aud thirst. But life was at stake, aud
merciless foes around him. At length he
succeeded in making good his escape, and
arrived at Flemington, where he was once
more among his friends, whose astonish-
ment at his appearance-h hat gone, his
shoes worn to pieces. and his clothes tat.
tered and torn-he relieved by relating to
them the hardships and perils through
which he had passed. His official report
is now at head quarters here.