The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-10-16
Escape from Guerillas.
BY CORPORAL A.

the troops at Harper's Ferry were ordered
to join the main army, in order that every
available man should add to its strength
The hurried movement made it necessar,
to leave large amount of governmen,
property, to be subsequently disposed o.
according to circumstances. A small guard
w a-ralled to protect 1t. "t:ar men being
ssi'c'eL from those leas able to march.
Being one of this number on account of re-
cent fever, was .paced in charge of q
large amount of ammunition, together with
several others from my regiment. The
boxes Of cartridge, were piled closely to-
se,her, near Fort Duncan, and our shelter
tents pitched in the Immediate vicinity.
/ We waited for Jay after the troops hati
lett expecting the trains which were to take
the boxes, and which we were to accom- pa
ny as a guard but they did not arrive
The next day passed, and no indication of
any wagons. 1t was but natural that We
should ieel uneasy, for rumors reached US
, Of many guerrillas lowering in our vicinity,
and waiting for a chance to steal and destroy
While We were discussing the best means
OF making our escape N case the outlaws
cam" In numbers, Jones came rushing into
our small camp, out of breath, and informed
US that the "cut-throats were close upon
US, and that We had not a momen. II io.e
i We wanted to escape capture. Rem. ~
b.ring our instruction 10 burn tue pile in
case of necessity, we hastily gathered the
brush and fence-rails from the vicinity and
SET it on fire. Observing that the flames
spread slowly, | was ordered 10 retlrn
and light the brush OH the opposite side
While so engaged. heard the feet of gal
Looping horses, and saw the butternutS dash
ing round the turn of the road. The thought
of self-preser, alton was instantly upper
most. My companions we., goLe, and |
would kave 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
,o watch the movements of the enemy by
the sound Of the horses feet. Never shall
forget my emotion while there, almost
>tiAcd by the smoke, and expecting moment
arily the explosion of the ammunition. l
heard the VOICES of the gueriIIas as they look
ed al the burning brush.
W Which way did they run - exclaimed q
rough voice.
They took to the woods
Hank, you take Il squad aud hunt 'em up.
Hang The d-n Yankees"
They then began to drag away the brush,
and M heart beat with dread, for knew if
they ex,inguishcd the fire | should be dis
covered.
What is it, anyhow ?" exclaimed the
first voice, which seemed to be that of their
chief.
Ammunition" was the reply.
"Wel, 'taint no use botherin = we will
look after the stores. Keep guard while We
search
could hear the clanking of the sabres
as the sentinels ccved, and also the fierce
cracking OF some dry twiss which had Just
caught. Mercfu Heaven must perish
Ny wife-my Children! l fainte,'.
1t was dark wi.en | rcsaineG consciors-
ness. | could rot, f,r time, remember
where / vas: bat, By degrees, | recalled
tie circumstances which surrounded me.
and began TO think Of some way to escape.
With great cau,ion moved from ny cramp-
ec position, and crept to the edge of the pie
The night was still, and the moon an hour
high. could detect horses tied to the
trees, ard Judged that the guerias were Jir-
ouacing in the woods. This belief was
confirmed by the expiring embers of fires
and an occasional groan, like thai of rest
less sleeper. | determined, when the moon
sank, you'd steal away, and trust to fortune
for escape.
AT last the moment came for my att. aip
| crawled from my place of concsalnent,
and rolled myself cautiously toward some
high grass. Here lag for few momsnis
to lister. | could observe that the fire we
had kindied had gone out on account Of the
greenness of the wood but the boxes were
olackened and scorched TIE boxes of hard
bread had been broken and removed, and
the industry with whcih the ransacking had
been done, showed the perpetrators skilled in
devasting.
"Who goes there ?" growled a husky
voice.
was motonless. Presently a horseman
approached and answered. as | thought,
" Street" l could not axacily distir guisii
the word, which was evidently their counter
sign. His horse turned his head toward me
and SHE'D
"What is the matter with you, jack" ex-
claimed the horseman; and kicking his horse
he passed On a short distance, and, dismount-
ing, tied his horse to stump, and Joined the
rest. l could perceive he was quite tipsy.
After the conversation, which | could par
italy overhear, their voices ceased, and every.
one seemed to he asleep.
"lf l could only get that horse" mutter-
ed ts myself, 81 could escape, knowing the