The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-08-02

woods before me, and I felt certain that
it was the Federal Camp.
When l got about half way through
the piece of woods, saw something that
completely took all exultation of my de-
livery out of me. Well, have been in
many perilous position. have had
bayonets, bullets, and bowies rummaging
around in the region Of my loyal bosom
but never, in all my life was I so aston
ished, chagrined, SO utterly taken down.
There, in the bottom Of broad ravine,
not ten steps from me, lay the two drunk
en- guards Lord this was pretty fix to
be sure. had accomplished feat equal
to the hero of old mother Goose who
went:
"Fourteen miles in fifteen days,
And never looked behind him"
One of the guard was sitting up, and
endeavoring to rouse the supposed prison
er; for he was still too much stupefed to
recognize the cheat. Perceiying me, he
sung out:
Say, Bill, this id Yankees too
drunk to wake up. What's to be done
with him Have we been here all night?
Lord What will the old General say !?
Come over here
NO. said I, feiguing his comrades
voice, We've been drunk here all night.
and l am going to report before he wakes
up, or they will have US in the guard
house. You stay and see to him while l
go
NO, let US wake the devilish lubber up
and take him to where we are going to-
But blame me If l know where that is
Don't 60
But Twill, said I; and hurrying away
I was soon out of sight. This day l hid
myselfin hollow tree, and, when night
came, I took good look at the stars,and
getting my bearings, started again for the
Union Camp. I several times came on
the rebel pickets, but the 'rattlesnake'
snaked me along without, ANY trouble; all
but one, the last one I came to. He was
a sprightly little fellow, and appeared to
be determined to have me go with him
to headquarters. I offered him every
excuse | could think Of but it was Of no
avail, so at last l agreed to go, and we
started. / went with him about half a
mile, and, during that time engaged him
in conversation about the affairs of the
war, playing the rebel of course, and talk
ing in jolly way, til, finding him little
unguarded, I sprang upon him and took
him down, before he knew what was the
matter, he was unarmed.
Now, you beggarly whelp,' said I, ,as I
snatched his gun and sprung away from
him, about face, and put, or I'll shoot
you in minute
The fellow was scared, sure, and lost no
time in getting cut of my sight. 1t was
now growing light, and I found myself
on the banks Of the Potomac, with the
Federal camp far in the distance. As
there was no other way of conveyance, I
was forced to swim the river, which was
no easy job, considering I had two mus
kets to carry. However, got safely over
and was just climbing the bank when a
musket was leveled at me, and a clear
voice rung out:
Stand who goes there
This | knew was Union picket; so I
told him I had been taken prisoner, and
had escaped and had been two days
without eating; and [ wanted him to let
me 20, or take me at once into camp
where I could get something to eat and
some dry clothes. I had no doubt but
he believed this, and would Immediately
comply; but the answer was an omlnious
click of the trigger.
4 believe you're a real Butternut Reb-
ell SAID the picket, 'and I've notion to
give you pop, anyhow
But [ amt said
What are you doing with them butter !
nut regimentals on then, and them two
nuskets p said ho.
I saw my FIX, aud hungering dripping
and shivering as was, Il stood before that
yrinning musket till had told my story.
Finally upon my giving him the names
Of our Colonel and Captain, and mention
ing several other matters familiar to him
he was satisfied, for he belonged to the
same regiment that [ did.
GENT1LITY.-Genteel it is to have soft
hands but not cnntpel In work on lands