The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-06-17

A Thrilling Adventure with the
Rebels.
The New Yosk zs~sss Publishes . private let
Ter from young officer, named Montgomery,
with General Franklns division, which gives
the following thrilling account Of personal
adventure with the rebles. during the fight on
Franklin's landing at West Point. He says
my own escape is wonderful, and, indeed
almost miraculous, and forgot not to thank
God for his watchfulness over me. II was
about one O'Clock p. NJ, when received an
order from General Newton to 90 forward in
to the woods to ascertain whether the rebels
were falling back, and whether certain reg.
ment Of ours held its position there. I went
forward at once as fast as my we'll tried horse
could carry me, and upon entering the woods
novel cautiously until reached barricade,
when hearing voices beside mo plunged into
the woods, thinking, Of course, it was one OF
our rsgimepts-3lst New York -and was
surprised to find had gone right into per-
feet nest Of the Hampton Legion, from South
earoIina. who were lying behind trees, stand
ing behind hpshea, aud kpeeliug behind
s,umps like bees. at once perceived my
issis.aks. and knew that nothing but the most
consumate GOODNESS would save me. there
nrc salu,ed them, and they taking me for
rebel officer asked me how ar General Hamp.
ton was then. answered witbou, hesitation,
and with rather more assurance than thought
possessed, II left him about ten rods below
here" and added, "Now, boys. the General
expects you to do your duty o,day."
! then turned my horse slowly to lull sus
piciou and was congratula,ing myself on the
probable success Of INV ruse, when. seeing the
U. s. on my cap, they yelled out that's
d-n Yankee son Of b-h, give him h-lr
On hearing this, dashed the spurs into nv
horse, threw my head over bis neck, and made
for the rosd. A perfect voiley Of Minnie
balls passed over and around me-killed m
horse, who rolled over carrying me with him,
and left me down. Well knowing that moth.
ing else but apparently time would save me,
I laid with my head back in a ditch, rs fell
and appeared dead for some ten minutes.
did not move muscle or feature, although
the scoundres were swarming around me, and
tbreatened to 'eud me- remained iu this
way until they came up to me, took swav my
pistol, and commenced general plundering,
and as they fingered away could not sup.
press a smile-and then rising / said, Well
men. yield as prisoner Of war They said,
You've been shamming, You d-n Yankee
scoundrel, have you! Certainly, said /. every
thing is fair in war They then commenced
to abuse me as d-n Yankee this and d--n
Yankee thai, when | turned upon them, and
said, 4 have yielded as prisoner Of war, and
/ demand to be used as spch. We in the .
North know how TO treat dogs better than you
do men; now lead me 10 your commanding
officer They We me another vollcy Of
abuse, at which merely smiled, and then
she'll fired by our artillery, at the place whore
1 was seen TO enter, burst like the wind among
us-skinning my nose and scattering the reb
el rsscals like chat.
They seized their muske:', pointed two Of
them q, me, and told me to come along you
d-n Yaukeer / still talked with them to
gain time, when another shell bursting among |
us, they moved on further, calling to me TO
come on while | said, go ahead, lead the
Ny, quick. l then saw favorable momen,
aud prelering freedom to a Southern prison,
I made one bound into the woods, and went
back as fast as my legs could carry me. l
felt very mrch exhausted, and was carried TO
the rear by some men and placed under tree,
when, with whiskey and care, soon felt
stronger although my leg was stiff! They
wished me to 60 in an ambulance TO the hos.
pitaI, but politely declined, nd calling for
an extra horse, was lifted on his back, and
returned to the field and reported to Gen.
Newton for duty. He kindly told me that
l had distinguished myself enough this day,
and requested me to keep quiet.
Do you not think this miraculous escapci
My captors champion ogi ny were the mos,
murderous looking body OF villains ever be
held, and as for honor and mercy, they knew
not tie first principles Of such excellent vir
tues They are lost to all sense OF honor, and
should be used as deg-. Our men were bro't
in rapidly many fine officers killej-and
several men killed with Minnie balls and their
throats cut from ear to ear! Savages them.
selves would blush at such barbarity"