Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-02-03
TALES & SKETCHES
ESCAPE ER0M GUERILLAS.
BY CORPORAL B.

During the advance of the Army Of the
Potomac to meet the enemy at Gettysburg
the troops at Harper's Ferry were ordered
TO ioin the main army. IN order that every
available man should ado to its strength
The hurried movement made 1t necessary
to 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 numb,r on account OF a
recent fever, | was placed in charge OF
large amount of ammunition, together
with several others of my regiment. The
boxes of cartridges were piled closely to-
gether. at Fort Duncan, and our shelter
tents pitched in the immediate vicinity.
We waited for day after the troops bad
left, expecting the train tha. was to take
the boxes away, and which we were to
accompany as guard; but they did not
arrive The next Day arrived and no lndi
cations of anv wagons. 1t was but nstu
raj that we should feel uneasy, for rumors
reached US Of many guerillas lowering IN
our vicinity, and waiting Tor chance to
steal and destroy. While we were discus
sing the hest 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
'cutthroats' we're close upon rs, and that
we had no time TO lose if We wisl ed tn
make our escape Remembering our in
struetians to burn the pile in case OF ne
cessity. We hastily gathered the brush and
fence rails from the vicinity and set 1t on
FIRE. Observing that the flames spread
slowly, was ordered to return and light
the brush on the opposite side While so
engaged. heard the feet of galoping
horses, and saw the butternuts dashlng
round the turn of the road. The thought
of self preservation was instantly upper
most My companions were gone and |
would have a clear space to cross before |
could reach the woods. Terrible as was
the alternative, l resolved to hide myself
among the boxes of ammunition. Finding
an opening, | wormed myself into the mid
die of the pile. ahd strained my ears to
watch the movements OF the enemy by
the sound OF the horses feet. Never shall
| forget nv emotions while there almost
stifed by the smoke, and expecting mo
mentarily the expulsion of the ammunition
| heard the voices of the guerllas a:
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 them
up. Hang the Yankees
They then began to drag away the brush
and my heart beat ith dread, for | knew
that if they extinguished the fire | should
be discovered.
What is it, anyhow exclaimed the frst
voice, which seemed to be that Of thei:
leader
Ammunition was the renly.'
well, 'taint no use bothering, we vii
look after the stores. Keep guard wh, Ii
we search
could hear the clanking of the sabres
as the sentinel moved. also the crackling o
some dry twigs which Lad just caught
Mereiful Heavens. | must perish Ny
wife My children tainted.
1t was dark when | regsined conscious
ness. | could not for time remember
where | was; but, By degrees, | recalled th'
circumstances which surrounded me, anC
began to think of some way to escape
With great caution | moved from u,
cramped position, to the edge of the pile