Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1864-12-08
VOLUME XIV.

Z
periencc, still would the vivid impressions
received in that next half hour, remain en-
during and indellible.
My horse was very tired, and for long
! time had required much urging. The Lieut..
was mounted on a fine animal, as free as
| the air and swift as the vhirlwind, so that
in spite of all my efforts was falling to the
rear along with few other stragglers from
a squadron of cavalry that was moving up
| the road ahead.
/ All at once a cavalryman dashed by me
eXclaiming ." See that lot of Johnnies in
4 the road behind us !" and sure enough, there
was a squadron Of them in full charge up
OH us not forty rods off ! Each sorry strag-
gIcr now clapped spurs to his horse and
:" closed up sooner think than they ever
! obeyed an order, but though dug my poor
! horses llanks with all the energy possible
under the pressue Of circumstances, he fell
behind and only Just cleared his distance
| that is he, Just passed under cover of the
| squadron mentioned as the rcbs were about
/ to close on us. Not seeing an officer at
first | sung out Fall i'll line y but Lieut.
Tileston was there, and hastily forming the
men, he furioUsly charged the rebS in turn,
! driving them back i'll disorder upon their
/ reserve, which now came to their support
| "a whole egiment Of ofthem-plunging up
on the flank of our little squadron, like
host OF vultures settling upon their prey
\ right about hasty slledaddlc was all
that could be expected under such circum-
stances, and such it was. The fearless
Lieutenant, further III advance than all on
the charge, was so nearly cut off In the re-
treat that in sailing through he knocked
them right and left, but once out, his gay
steed soon out-distanced the swiftest of
them
Thus they retreated and left Corporal
Parkhurst in the hands Of the enemy" SO
the Lieut. reported when he reached the
regiment, and so he honestly thought, for
last he saw of me was far in the rear with
the Johnnies dashing up close upon my heels
while the greatest speed | could muster in
my animal was good sober trot.
On coming into camp late at night, |
found quite an earnest conversation going
on with regard to my capture Approach
ing a squad of comrades gathered around
fire, overheard the remark:
|. Well they can't keep Parkhurst, he
gave them the slip once and will do it
again. and at that point of the convcrsa-
ton, appeared to their astonished vision,
and received their hearty congratulations.
My escape was on this wise Seeing
the rebs gaining fast upon me, ! exerted
my utmost to make my horse feel that it
was a great emcrgcncy-an urgent case
but he couidH see jt, and not even the
sharp reports coming alarmingly near, nor
i
it--so seeing but one chance left, with the
speed Of lightning | seized it, determined to
escape or die in the attempt Snatching
my blanket from the saddle in which were
rolled my clothes and other valuables, |
dsmounted bounded over the stOne-wall
and made the best time possible for the
nearest woods These Virginia wall-fcnces
are famous obstacles to cavalry, and while
my bloOd-thirsty enemies were finding
place to get through, ! was gaining time.
Reaching the wood, | sllulked around the
edge of the hill, found a rock projecting
from low place, with a crevice offering a
good hiding place into which | dropped
painting and out OF breath. | was none to
soon, for in a moment the party passed by
in full pursuit. surprised no doubt at the
swiftness Of foot that had enabled me to
get out of sight 50 soon
When all was quiet | left my blanket in
the rock to pick up some other time and
with my trusty carbine found the nearest
point of our lines as soon as possible.
blamed the quartcrmaster for getting
me into trouble for the day before the bat
tie, an order having come to the 22nd to
turn over all the serviceabIe horses to the
ST Vermont he selected the hest for the
teams, among which was my own, giving
me poor miserable piug in its place.
But the poor qUartcrmastcr was himself
captured, so III withdraw my ccnsure for
he'll suffer enough
Next day we expected to renew the bat
tie, and seeing the whole force Of cavalry
moving out with artillery and everything
fully equipped for the fight, | felt that l
could not stay i'll the rear, so | borrowed
horse and joined the command. When
near my hiding place Of the day before,
made a detour with my chum-Mr Stone,
and picked up my blanket where | had left
it. The enemy had retired beyond Cedar
Creek, so there was no engagement.
Next day, the l4th, our best horses were
turned over, and on arriving here the con
demned ones were disposed Of but we are
soon to be rcmounted on good horses to re-
turn to the front in fighting order
Your AiIcctionate Husband,
H. S. PARKHURST,
Co. NJ 22nd n. y. c.
CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG
Nov. 20, 1864
Mr.. EDITOR Thinking our thanksgiving
rather an interesting affair | seat myself to