Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-01-29
ELLSWORTH, MAINE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 20; 1864


ed it to the officer, while a smile just
curved his lips and lit up his dark eyes
We have another member Of your com.
mand in the house-Lieutonant FRANKLIN
who, | doubt not, will be glad to, meet
you. Madame Lareaux and myself are
old friend3, and being idle just now in
camp, ran down to see the lady, and dc
little business at the same time, fer she
had advised me of your presence in the
neishborhood On the occasion Of my
last visit here, l took back three of your
company but considering that our pres
ent two are officers. I think we must be
satisfied for we leave here for Richmond
early tomorrow morning. Your pistols,
captain"
Il have only a revolver--a dangerous
one-hair-trigger," said the captain, draw
ing the weapon from his breast. "Allow
me to discharge it, for fear it might dc
injury" and Before tie colonel could ut.
ter word to the contrary, the captain
stepped quickly to the window and dis
charged the six barrels, the balls whstling
through the trees, and the reports echons
among the buildings of the estate.
The next instant two score of stalwart
fellows in the uniform of the federal
army cane pouring through the wind 'ws,
doors. and by any means of ingress which
was the handiest, and ranged themselves
into line oppos.t3 the r.b u.s. tn il II us :.
cts Ievcled, and their fingers neryously y
pressing the triggers.
Hold, !" exclaimed the captain.
let no man fire until | give the com.
mand Colonel Somers, you are my pris-
oner. Your sword, sir, and mine. Now
order your men to stack their muskets. >
The rebel colonel bore the sudden
change III his fortune with an il-grace.--
But he saw that resistance was wholly
useless aud therefore delivered up the
swords, and gave the order to his men to
stack ther muskets and fall into line as
prisoners.
"In what part of this house is Lieut..
Franklin confined, woman?' demanded
Captain Stanwood, in hard, stern tone,
turning to Madam Lareaux.
do not choose to answer" replied
the widow, haughtily.
Orderly Thompson, take six men and
search the house for Lieutenant Franklin y
The orderly and dozen of the COM
pany sprang to execute the order. In five
minutes they returned, bearing Lieuten-
ant Franklin on their shoulders and max
Ing the house ring with their shouts OF
JOY.
Now, orderly, secure your prisoners.
Let two men take charge of this woman
and guard her well, that she does not slip
away"
When all was ready the party left the
house aud proceeded down the avenue to
the road. There they halted, and the
captain turning to Madam Lareaux, said:
Your plot was well laid, madam. but
you see it has failed, in my case at least.
had the undefncd suspicion that you
were in some way connected with Lieut..
Franklin's disappearance, and as pre-
cautionary measure, portion OF my COM
mad accompanied me hither, and a signal
for their assistance, should it be needed,
agreed upon, which wa. the discharge of
my revolver. You have behcld your
Vaccinations foiled, now learn, traitress,
the present reward of your treachery.-
Orderly Thompson +
Captain T.
"Sce that every living thing is removed
from the house and the negro quarters,
aud then set fire to everything com5usti.
Bile on this estate. Give the slaves their
liberty, aud bring them to our camp they
shall be forwarded to Washington to-mor-
row with our prisoners" Then turning
again to his fair prisoner, he added +:
What further punishment your conduct
merits, madam shall be visited upon you
by those higher in authority than myself
Tlc prisoners were duly sent to Wash
incton and, Subsequently, colonel Som
ers and his men were exchanged, while
Madam Lareaux is still confined in the
CD Capitol Prison.
The order which Captain Stanwood
gave to orderly Thompson was faithfully
executed, and the morrow s sun rose upon
black, smoking mass Of ruins, where
had stood the splendid residence and
grounds Of the beautiful Virginia widow,
the Female Decoy.