Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-12-02

standing Oy lne nTe, no uOuD| IelEcNbg
upon lbe curlous ups and downs" of
that curious trade called war, when al! al
once something fsmiisr in he voice ol
Young officer OF he Federal force, who
was no, fer from him, arrested his atten-
illon. Looking al Inc officer closely he
recognized in bin an old friend of his
who had formerly resided in Brl.mOTe,
and going up 10 him the young Vnginian
made himself known.
He was greeted with the utmost pleas
ure. and the youths shook hands laughing
like boys al the odd meeting. If were
novelist instead of an historian, my dear
reader, would here insert lengthy dla-
ilogue between the friends; but not having
been present, can only give you The
bare outline Of W--'s adventure. From
talk about old scenes, and things of the
past, the conversation gided to the pres
Icnl, and the young Virglnian's unlucky
situation. Relying upon lhelr former
friendship, the latter at ance bfoached the
subject Of his escape.
II wish could help you," was the re-
iply, "buI | see no sort OF chance OF your
getting away, W"
II think can get OF in The dark"
"Perhaps; but crossing the river is the
difficulty. The bridge is pckeled." "
The young Virgnian, nevertheless, de-
tesmincd to make the attempt. From
that momen, he kept close watch on the
movements of bis csptors. Having eaten
their suppels they now addressed then
selves 10 the task Of counting, asserting
and taking down the names oil their prs
oners. The latter were drawn up IN
lire near the fire. and a Federal officer
went along the line, taking down their
names and regiments in his memorandum
lbook. Lieutenant W was near the
head of the line, and having given his
name and regiment-lhe Twelfth Virgin
ia cavsry-saw the officer pass on. !
have called him Lieutenant ". bat
the Young man was at that time private
and al the announcement of his historic
name the Federal soldiers began to laugh,
one Of them saying "The Old Dominion
mus, be hard up when her arlsocEacy
have to 60 in the ranks and wear such a
Jacket as that" and be pointed 10 W-'s
Iold, discolored cavalry jacket. The
young man was, however, not thinking
Of the jokes of his cap'ors; be was watch
ing his opportunity To glide out Of The
line. 1t soon came. The Federal SOL
ders were not looking al him; the record
ing officer had passed around the fire, the
ligh. Of which thus shone for an instant in
his eyes land dazzled him; and Lieutenant
W saw bis opportunity. The
space outside The freight was as gloomy
as Eblis, and in moment he had stepped
from his place, and was lost in the dark
ness. He glded behind tent, ran few
steps, and then paused TO listen.
lad his movement been observed /!
Would they 60 over and count again 10
verify the record Then, one man
would be found missing; be would be at
once pursued, recaptuied and rewarded
for his attemp, to escape by painful or ig-
nomluous punishment. He listened with
all Iii. ears; held his breath and soon
found that he was not missed. The oth-
Ger did not suspec, the ruSe which had
been played upon him; and the prisoners
were marched off under guard. Lieu'en-
ant W saw them disappear with pro-
found satisfaction, and .hen all his ener-
gies were pu, to the hard task of getting
ou, of The Federal camp and crossing the
river. The prospec. looked sufficiently
dis piriing. He was in the centre OF a
city of tents, where he could not stir a
step wi,hou, attracting attention; and even
if he succeeded in escaping the vigilance
Of the men and the quarter guaId. The
broad and deep current of the RapPahan-
mock lay still in his palh--the single
bridge heavily picketed. The young
man did not lose heart for single mo-
men,, however, and like good soldier
determined to "lake the chances. -
The first thing was TO conceal his iden.
,i;y from The men around The fires. He
accordingly took off his gray jacket, and
rolling it up, put it under his arm. His
pants were blue, and his hat was OF an III
definite color, (which might be either Con-
Ifedera,e or Federal. In his bosom, be-
tween his shirt and naked breast, he con-
cesIed his spurs, which be had unbuckled
anG hidden when he was captured. Hav'
ing l,us prepared himself, Lieutenant!
W walked boldly on, and lounged
carelessly by the fires. One of the men
asked him what regiment he belonged 10,
as if they observed something unfamiliar
in his demeanor; but his ready reply, Civ
ing the name of some Federal regiment,
entrely disarmed suspicion. So much
cavalry had taken par, in the fight, and it