Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-07-03
D For the Gallipolis Journal '
ADVENTURES OF A GALLIA BOY.
i'i V1sTos, June go, I 862.

Mr.. HARPER;-SergeantJA JAS, SPRoUsE,
of company K. 6Oth, Ohio Regiment,
arrived at this place on Thursday after
noon of the 26th inst, and gives the fol-
lowing account Of his capture by and es-
cape from the rebels. On the morning
of Tuesday, the 18th inst, Col. Trimble
moved his camp about half mile West
Of Mount Jackson, on the Shenandoah
river, Virginia; the men stacked their
arms and commenced putting up their
tents, when he left the camp and went
back TO the town, to su!ler, To pur-
chase some paper, not finding any
there, he went down the road about a
mile and & half to another sutler where
he met with no better success. He
then started back to camp across fields
and piece of woods. On getting over
the. fence out of wheat field into the
woods, he found himself in the pres
ence of two rebel spies who were view
ing his camp through a glass. These
spies took him prisoner and marched
him some 400 yards, where three other
spies were awaiting their return with
horses. The spies mounted, two lead
ing and two following after him. They
marched on this way. inquiring of him
about the army, officers, DC, two or
three miles. where they fell in with
company of guerrillas, about 75 in
number. The spies then asked him for
his money; he gave them all he had,
being only three dollars and a gold pen;
they turned him over to the guerrillas,
who were on foot, and took another
way. The guerrillas were also very
about our army. inquired
the number engaged at the battle of
Cross Keys, the names Of officers. the
number killed, wounded, &c. They
said they were going to Franklin, in
Pendleton county. Nightcame on and
they slept in the woods without tents;
they were short of provisions, but
divided with him. Next morning
{ Wednesday, they commenced their
march for Franklin, and arrived in the
neighborhood of it at dark, and lay
down in a small field for the night, pla-
cling a guard over him. He kept watch
over the guard until about two O'Clock,
when finding him asleep he crawled off
to The woods. He then took to the
mountain, not knowing whittier he
went. AT daylight he thought he
would take the course for New Greek
Station on the North Potomac. Short
ly after he was fred at by bushwhack-
er, the ball whistling by him; be in
stantly changed bis course, and running
through the brush lost his cap. He
ran off the mountain, crossed a valley
and another mountain, and so on,
mountain after mountain; night coming
on, (Tbursday,l he found himself in
sight of hut, but lay on the mountain
until morning, when seeing no men
about, be went to the house and asked
for bread, which the, woman at first
refused him, but on, bis telling her that
be was very hungry and would have
some if it was about the house, she
gave him half a loaf; this done him
that day and the next. He travelled
on that day and the next, avoiding
roads, farms and villages, but ignorant
of where he was or whittier be was 60
ing, rubbing out and eating wheat at
night, and occasionally getting onions
from gardens. He kept on in this way,
wading river and several small creeks,
until Tuesday, the Gath, when after
watching a house for some time and
finding no men about, be yentured up
to it and asked the lady for something
TO eat: she gave him both bread and
meat, which he took along with bin,
not caring to stay long with his hostess.
Of her be inquired for New Greek Sta
ton, the Railroad, the Potomac and the
army; the lady said she knew nothing
of any of these places or things; be
then inquired how far it was to river;
she told him they called it about fifty !