The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-01
GEORGETOWN DEL, FRIDAY, JANUARY l. 1864

cellar, however, they had recovered from
their surprise, and as l sped onward l
heard the report ef two or three carbines
behind me, followed by the whiz of bullets
as they flew past my ears. The next mo-
ment had passed through the archway
into the open air, and with two or three
bounds reached the skiff Unfortunate,
by the ebbing of the tide, it was now high
and dry upon the beach. I seized the
stern witk both hands and by great effort
of strength succeeded in launching it.
But the time occupied in this manevre
enabled the foremost of my pursuers to
gain upon me-. With his piece dubbed
and elevated on high to deal me power
full blow, he came on. But while he was
yet few yards distant / stopped and quick
ly unfastened the rope sf the skiff from
the stone to which it was tied. Lifting
the heavy piece of rock, [ suddenly rose
upright and hurled it with all my force
at the head Of my pursuer.
cit struck him on the temple, and he
dropped to the beach like log.
1.-THE skiff was now drifting away from
me but darted into the water, and be-
ing an excellent swimmer, soon succeeded
in reaching it. l clambered into it, and
then looked toward the beach. Cavalry
men were drawn up in line, with the pieces
pointed towards me.
"sFire 2 exclaimed a voice which | re-
cognized as that of the lieutenant.
"But the sharp report of the carbines
rang out upon the air, I dropped quickly
to the bottom of the skif, and the storm
of lead passed over me and flew kissing
into the water beyond.
81 now sprang to my feet, and with
shout of defiance seized the only oar the
boat contained, and adopting the sculling
process, sent the light vessel shooting
through the water like rocket. Assisted
by the tide, the skiff few over the waters
so rapidly that before the men could re-
load was out of range.
"Half an hour aftcrward I arrived safe
ly in camp, and was just in time to take
my place in the ranks, for, having heard
the fring,.an supposing that our picket
was attacked, the officers had ordered the
men under arms. A message from the
front, however, must soon have convinced
them that this was not the case and the
men were allowed to 'break ranks and
disperse to their quarters. !,
"Well, Conn.," continued my friend
"this isn't the end of the matter for
saw Bill again at the battle of Big Bethel
You probably remembered that, during
the fight troop of rebel cavalry attempt
ed to make dash upon us, but were
driven back ?''
1 answered in the affirmative, and my
friend continued:
cat the head of that troop rode Bill o.
more properly speaking, the rebel captain
saw him as plainly as [ new see you
But it was only for an instant. He tumblec
from his horse the next moment, with hi
head torn from his shoulders by sho
from one of our brass pieces. At his side
rode rebel, who upon seeing the captain
fall, drew pistol aimed it at his Owl
heart and fired. The horse became un
manageable, galloped into our lines, drag
ging the rebel after him, the foot of thu
dead soldier having become entangled IL
: the stirrups as he fell AS the steet
dashed wildly about the field the rebel
foot became disengaged from the stirrup
and he fell to the earth few yards fron
, where [ was standing. His jacket ha'
become disarranged and torn around tn
; breast, revealing to my astonished gaz
the beautiful but blood-stained bosom of
| female. Iadvanced and looked down upo
the corpse, closely scrutinizing the fea
lures. The face was familiar. Once see
> it could never be forgotten. 1t was tn
| face of the captains mistress, the lovel
quadroon y