The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-10-24

/ He accosted US, aud taxing US 1or conleo-
crate soldiers entered into conversation
with us. We soon found out that 10
consequence Of a visit to his plantation
by our gunboats he had taken an oath OF
neutrality, aud cared very little which
side prospered, providing be remained
undlstuEbed in the possession OF his prop
erty. We finally made known our sltua-
ticn to him, and lmportuned him to as
sist US. This he said he was afraid to
do as the rebel cavalry made frequent
visits to bis plantation, and if they should
find it out, would take summary ven
eeance upon Lin. He finally told US of
Union man who lived across the bayou,
one Eli Wright, who would, if we could
reach his house, afford US protechon and
assistance. and consented to let his son
take US across the bayou in his boat,
which was concealed near by, which be
MD, and we gave him six dollars IN green
backs. About mile and half of travel
brought US to the house Of Mr.. Wright
We went boldly into his yard, where we
found him at work cooperiDg an old pail.
He was nearly 20 years old. A2costing
him by his name, we informed him that
we were Yankees, heeiDg to the Union
lines. With tears in his eyes he vel.
coined us, shaking each one Of US by the
hand, aud saying "God bless you y He
said u was born Union man, | have
always lived a Union man and by the
blessing of God l will die Union man."
Taking US into the house, he introduced
Us to his wife, who was singular woman.
"Be you surely Union boys? Ifyou are,
the best | have in the house shall be
yours. | have about quarter of "a pound
of coffee which | will get, aud if you are
blamed rebels, l hope it will poison every
pesky one Of ye!'
We assured her that We were Yankees,
and she soon set herself to work to provide
Us with good supper, the choicest lux
ury Of which was the coffee. And DO
wonder. for we had hardly tasted this
article since We were taken prisoners. We
narrated our adventures to the old couple,
who seemed to take as much interest in
US as if they had been their own children.
Shortly after our meal the old mans
son returned home. lie had been to a
village some twenty miles away, and had
learned that rebel cavalry were in that
vicinity. and liable to make him visit at
any moment. So the old man hurried US
off down to the bayou, where he had a
barn filled with corn husks. He furnished
us with blankets and we made ourselves
safe aud comfortable. He told US that
he was expecting vsit every day from a
Yankee schooner which frequently COM
municated between him and the Yankee |
feet, and said he would secrete US until
it came. He brought-us our meals reg
ularly. After laying here four days, the
schooner did not come, and the old man
began to grow alarmed for our safety and
his own. Surrounded by secesh neigh
bors aud liable to visits from rebel cav
airy, he thoughtit imprOvident 10 remain
longer concealed at his barn. But where
to go was the perplexing question. The
Union feet was 6j miles down the bay, .
aud the only practicable means of reach
ing it was by boat. There was only one
in this neighborhood, and this belonged
to an old Secesh, one Brown, who was so
jealous of it that he was in the habit of
lying in wait by its side, with his rife
cooked. Besides if we could surprise him
in his absence and take his boat, he would
retaiate en- Mr.. Wright, and probably
shoot him, as he had often threatened to
do. After cogitating on the subject some
time, we concluded that the greatest good,
for the greatest number, demanded that
the old fellow must Gle, besides we tho't .
it would be ouly proper punishment for
his many sins, and even murders. So
armed with a rifle containing a ball and
three bnck shot, and a musket loaded .
with l3 balls, we crept cautiously to the
place where his boat was concealed. For |
tunatcly for him he was not there. We
might have taken the boat, but this would
rot do, as it would compromise Wright. |
Again we held a council Of war, and de-
cided to take old Brown a prisoner, and
make him carry US to the feet So at
midnight we marched to his house, and
entered without knocking, with rife and
musket presented He was in his shirt
sleeves lying on the floor, with a crowd
of children around him, but although |
armed with revolver and bowie knife,
he saw that resistance would be useless.
We told him our purpose and offered him
the alternative of taking him to the feet,
with the privilege of returning or going
with us as prisoner. At first he de,
INJURED and plead all mauDer of excuses,
but finding US firm, put on lis coat and
went with US to the boat. After we had .
him fairly under way we put oar guns
which we had borrowed of Wright on
ofolool- rbar