New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-19
, be clear. Seven miles from Beryville

The ronte 10 be clear. Seven miles from Beryviiie
We passed an old gentleman in a carriage, who as
surcd us that the route was clear. Half mile be-
yond. a soldier in Confederate uniform was seen,
walking quietly along the road, with his jackes
hung npon his arm. He bowed respectfully as We
passed. but moved on more quietly and cautiously
Suddenly from out of the oak woods, squad Of
borsemen, Enthusiastically gey, appear'd before me-
who are you and where are yon going T. said 'hs
Capt. told him who was, Which saved him the
necessity Of pressing any questions as TO where
was going. They led me away into the woods,
warning me not to speak aloud, except when ques
toned. We rode quietly for short distance, whom
o ne riding by my side asked the time Of day, and
kindly proposed to take charge of my watch for me-
handed it to him without reluctance, simply ask
ING him 10 take good care of it, "Your pocket
hook, too" said he. "Those fellows Will steal 1t
pointing to the grey backs about him) you DON'T.
Certainly" said |, and handed him my pocket.
book. "Haye You no more grecnbacks!" said he. !
assured him, he had them all. Whcreto viii al
this kindness grow, thought !, as my eye fell upon
q picket rope, strapped mp with coat, behind tns
saddle of one of them. Another cane up and kindly
offered to take care Of my breastpin for me. told
him thought it would be safe; but he assured ND
that it wouldn't, andd accepted hi kindness. Thep
gave up my note book, and then one by one every
article which had upon my person, down to
toothpck, including the principal part of my CLOTHS
ing was by this time led quite a distance into
the woods. Ny note book, and correspondence and
private papers, and certain papers in short hand
were read through and through by the Captain who
talked angrly 20 those about him, as something o7
fensive in the writings met his eye. What are you
going to do with him, asked one, silently. "Goina
to hang him." said the Captain, ard | sew man
begin to unbucke the bundle containing the rope.
attempted to speak, but just then whistle was
heard, which attracted tho attention of them all,
and presently d yedetto came running IN and re-
ported that party of ten Yankee cavalry wac CONF
ing The Captain looked at me and at the Short hand
for moment and said :" so you came down here
70 write abolition lies for Horace Greeley, did
your tried to mutter something, (which had
you rather be, shot or hung said the Captain; just
then another picket came in saying the Yankees
wore lear. Mount your horse and charge with
us and If you attempt TO fall out, well shoot you
dead, sr, on the spot" ] was put by the side OF
rebel who was ordered to devote himself particu
larry to me; was decorated with gray coat ana
Confederate buttons, and joined the column. !
formed resolution, and hope exuiant arose fo1
the moment, as my horse gaoped OH in the charge.
We came close upon tho Yankees, before they OBJ
served US, and tie rebels fired yolley, which was
answered, and for moment the firing was rapid,
and bullets were whistling Now then was MO.
mont's confusion, and my comrade was affected.
Now for a flank movement thought u ! turned
my horse, plunged through the woods with
several bullets aimed al re. l came TO Q
ledge. Down | plunged fifteen feet. and to my
surprise my horse was up and oil again, and waa
i'll the saddle. They had flown of. iiy grey coat
moulted in second, and it was not many minutes
before l reached the village Of Charleston, four
miles distant. was eight miles still from Union
lines at Harper's Ferry. was hatlcss and ccatless
and stripped of everything. Bat had saved my
horse-no my horse had saved me, and hall
cherish an undyng friendship for the dear old crea-
tlire so long ss live.
! Well, | turned nay back Oh Virginia, and run TO
HGrpcr's Ferry wondering and rejoicing at my de-
hyerance.
OF the ten Federal cavalry, seven alone were
armed, as since learned. and three of our own
men escaped. One officer Lieut. Curtis Of First
Regular Cavalry was killed and two privates, a7d
their bodies now lie buried at Harpcrs Fenys
Whether the rest were killed wounded or are
prisoners, or what not, cannot tell. j. b. IL.