Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-10-02
Alisfellaneous Rcaoinq.
Escape from Guerillas.
BY CORPORAL A.

Iotoihac 10 meet the enemy at Gettysburg
the troops at Harper's Ferry were ordered
10 join the main army, in order tnat every
available man should add to its strength
The hurried movement made it necessary
10 leave large amount of government
property. to be subsequently disposed Of
according to circumstances. A small guard
was detailed to protect it, "the men being
selected from those least able to march. =
Being one of this number on account Of re.
cent fever, ! was placed in charge Of a
large amount of ammunition, together with
several Others from my regiment The
boxes of cartridges were piled closely TO-
gether, near Fort Duncan, and our shelter
tents pitched in the immediate vicinity.
We waited for day after the troops had
left expecting the trains which were to take
the boxes, and which we were TO accompa.
ny as guard; but they did not arrive.
The next day passed, and no indication of
any wagons. 1t was but natural that we
should feel uneasy, for rumors reached us
OF many guerillas lowering in our vicinity,
and waiting for a chance to steal and destroy.
While we were discussing the best means
OF making our escape in case the outlaws
came in numbers, Jones came rushing into
our small camp, out of breath, and informed
us that the cutAthroats" were close upon
US, and that we had not moment TO lose
It we wished TO escape capture. Remem-
bering our instructions to burn the pile in
case of necessity, we hastily gathered the
brush and ftnce-rais from the vicinity and
set it on fire. Observing that the flames
spread but slowly, / was ordered to return
and light the brush on the opposite side.
While SO engaged, heard the feet of gal
loping horses, aud saw the butternuts dash
ing round the turn of the road. The thought
of self-ppreservation was instantly upper
most. My companions were gone, and
would have cleared space to cross before
| could reach the nearest woods. Terrible
as was the alternative, ! resolved TO hide
myself among the boxes of cartridges.
Finding an opening, | wormed myself into
the middle of the pile, and strained my
ears to watch The movements of the enemy
by the sound of the horses feet. Never
shall forget my emotion while there, al
most stihed by The smoke, and expecting
mon entarily the explosion of the ammuni-
lion. i heard the voices of the guerillas
as they looked at the burning brush.
" Which way did they run !" exclaimed
rough voice.
:. They took TO the woods"
Hank, you take squad and hunt 'em
up. Hang the d-In Yankees"
They then began TO drag away the brush,
and my heart teat with dread, for | knew
if they extingmished the fire should be
discovered.
What Is 1t, anyhow ?" exclaimed the
first voice, which seemed to be that of their
chief
Ammunition" was the reply.
Well, faint no use botherin' we viii |
look after the stores. Keep guard while
we search"
| could hear the canking of the sabres
as the sentinels moved, and also the fierce
cracking of some dry twigs which had just
caught. Merciful Heaven! l must per-
ish My wife-my children ] tainted.
1t was dark when regained conscious
ness. 1 could not, for time, remember
where | was; but, by degrees, | recalled
the Circumstances which surrounded me,
and began to think of some way to escape.
With great caution | moved from my
cramped position, and crept to the edge of
the pile. The night was still, and the moon
an hour high. could detect horses tied to
the trees, and judged that the guerillas we're
6rouoctRg in the woods. This belief was
confirmed by the expiring embers of fires
and an occasional groan, like that Of rest
less sleeper. | determined, when the moon
sank, | would steal away, and trust to for
tune for escape.
At last the moment came for my attempt.
| crawled from my place Of concealment,
and rolled myself cautiously toward some
high grass. Here lay for few moments
to listen. | could observe that the fire we
had kiudled had gone out on account of the
greenness of the wood; but the boxes were
blackened and scorched. The boxes of
hard bread had been broken and renewed,
and the Industry with which the ransacking
mad been done, showed the perpetrators
'killed in devastating. il
" Who goes there ?" growled husky
7oice. {
was motionless. Presently horseman {
approached and answered, as ] 4hcught.
: Street" could not exactly distinguish
he word, which was evidently their coun- {
ersign. His horse turned his head toward ,
ne and shied.
What is the matter with you. you jack r' (
the horseman; and kicking his /,
orse, he passed on short distance, and. :
tied his horse TO stump, and &
oined the rest. / could perceive that he /
ras quite tipsy. i
After The conversation, which ] could 4
artially overhear. their voices ceased, and :
very one seemed 10 be asleep. +
If / could only get that horse" NUT i
cred to myself, 81 could escape, knowing h