Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-03-12
NY Capture and Escape-An Incident
of the War

In the ranks OF my regiment | arrived
in Washington City, in June. 1861, and
was soon sent cut to the sacred soil Of
Virginia Oar regiment was sent to the
advance Of the Federal lines, and portions
were sent out on picket duty When it
came nv turn to advance near the enemv's
lines, | felt some appr> >hensions for nv
safety. and though | was soldier must
frankly confess | feared the rifles of the
Confederate sharpshooters Near where
our pickcts were stationed was a little old
fashioned lcr house, that looked comiorta-
bic and cheering. and often made me feel
sad, when seated in sorse little nook or
corner of the bushes. watching the enemy.
How that old log house made nv heart
palpitate, and drew from me deep and
heavy sighs Mt that | had ost one par
ticle of NY patriotism, or felt anv the less
brave and willing TO fight for my country;
but it would bring to mv mind pictures Of
home and Of the many pleasant scenes
had passed with sisters and brothers
around the family board. | noticed that
the house was occupied, and fair forms
fitted in and out. and one in particular
that drew my attention. | became deeply
interested in the inmates Of that house.
and rs | thong the matter over it seemed
as if | could not restrain my curiosity,
but | must visit it. Standing as it did
between two hostile armies, what could
induce its inmates to remain, with destruc-
ton visable all around them!
1t was a beautiful afternoon in the lat
ter part of June that was again on pick
ct duty in the vicinity OF the log house
| was determined that day to satisfy nv
curiosity and visit the house. Leaving my
c+y- 10 EnII
watching with yigilant eye every bush and
fence. to prevent a surprise As | APP
preached the house, | heard a pIaintive
song, but sung so sweetly that | wept tho
felt ashamed of myself as a soldier for
my weakness. | drew close up beside
the house. and in a crouching position
silently listened. The song ceased, a
heavy, hasty step sounded on the floor.
Father, what is the matter
heard voice exclaim, that was mingled
with an agitated voice and mournful
quiver
Ny dear daughter, you and your
mother must depart at once. You must
70 to Washington. and from thence YOU
can find your way to Massachusetts,, where
Your uncle lives Tell him that /, his
brother, implore him to protect You till
can reach YOU. Our country is torn and
distracted and utter ruin seems to hang
over it. Oh, my God, when viii all tbs
end p
And YOU. George, | believe this was
the voice of his wife where are you
coinc2
! had approached n crevice through
which could see the interior of the house
and when the question was asked could
see the man start, and look Mt his wife in
mute astonishment His face turned
white, then scarlet then Il dark blue his
cyeballs seemed 20 start from their sock
cts, and the veins on his neck swellcd to
an enormous size; he trcmblod and rccled
and down he sat on Il chair
Where am | soing?' he gasped, God
only knows"
Why? What on earth do you mcan?'
fairly screamed his wife
" l mean this, said. he, more calm " l
am going into the rebel army, not from
my own free Will, but from compuision
% save my property from confScation
and 10 save a home for you and my dear
Jenny
Oh. father, do not join the rebel army,
but f-ht for the old Stars md Stripes
and for the country you have so long
loved. and Jenny caught her father
! could get but single, glance at her
face. but hov lovely she looked, pleading
for her country and her father honor
The mother was standing by him. and the
great tears flowing down her checks and
dropping on his shoulders.
Come. dear father, let us 20 North
Uncle David is good man, and we can
live in safety there
E. Il. !. I
of the daughter, and these We're Joined by
the wife with such stirring pathos. that he
yielded, and consented to leave immedi-
ately for Washington, and join the FEEDER
al ar ~.
You have decided me l will 20, he
exclaimed, and the terror that aritated
aim few moments before had entirely
fed
Bless you, father T. exclaimed Jenny,
as she drew back an old board that was
against the wall, over the mantle piece,
and from its secret hiding place drew out
q small but beautiful Star Span-led Ban
ner
There, my father, under the folds Of
that flag YOU must fight. if YOU 70 to war
but not beneath the Palmetto the Pelican
aad the Serpant and she threw it arOuni
his shoulders. while his stalwart frame
braced up, and his eyes frightened, as
he pressed the Stars and Stripes TO his
bosom.
How | loved that girl as she stood there
in all the majesty of ner pride gazing on
her father | could have fought a regi-
ment of rebels at that moment or rs many
more as might have been brought against
me Had i been ready TO marry at that
moment | would have made that girl my
wife at least dozen times. But my
thoughts upon that subiec were of short
duration, for just as the father was about
to make preparations to start from his
home, in stepped four rebel troops, under
the command of corporal
Well sir. we have called for you,
said the corporal, and | don't think we
came anv too soon" and he snatched the
Star SpangIed Banner from off the shoul-
dcrs of the man, threw it upon the foo,
and stamped upon it That Is the way
we viii set our heels upon the necks of the
Yankee invaders.
How nv blood foamed it didn't boil,
but raved through my vains as if it would
burst them suddenly Jenny sprang for
ward and pushed the corporal back with
ch force that he almost fell to the floor,
and snatched up the flag and Haunted It