The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-05-31

forgers. But we finally concluded that tho
veritable pass was better, ,bocause, il tho
guard bad any doubt about it. could tell
him to send it into headquarters Cor exam.
inatiou. The answer returned would, of
course ho that it was genuine.
But it was not submitted to any such in.
specton. The guard spellcl il out slowly
then folded and returned il to me, saying;
THAT pass is all right | know Captain
Fuqua's handwriting. Go on, sir; excuse
me, sir, for dotaining you"
| thought him veIy cXcusablo under the
circumstances, aud walked out. My great
fear was that, during the half hour which
must elapso before | could go outside tho
garrison, | might encounter some rebel off.
Ger or attdchc who knew me.
Before had walked ten steps, I saw,
sauntcring to and fro on tho piazza of the
headquarters building, a desertcr from our
service named Davidson, who recognized
and bowed to me. rather thought ho
would not betray me, but was still fearful
OF 1t. | went OF, and u few yards further,
coming toward me in that narrow lane
whore il was impossible to avoid him,
saw the ono rebel officer who know mo
better than any other-who came into my
quarters frequently Lieutenant Stockton
tIo ost-adjutant. Observing him in the
distance, thought recognized in him that
old ill-fortune which had SO long and stead
fastly baillcd us.
When we met bade him good evening,
and conversed for few minutes upon the
weather, or some other subject in which
| did not feel any very profound interest.
Then he passed into headquarters, and |
went on. Yet u few yards further | en-
countered third rebel namod Smith, who
was entirely familiar with me, and whose
quarters, inside the garrison, were within
twenty feet of my own. There were not
half n dozen Confederatcs about the prison
who were familiar with me, but it seemed
as if at this time they were coming together
in Il grand convention.
Not daring to enter tho rebel hospital
where | was certain to be recognized, | laid
down my box of medicines, and sought
shelter in a little out-bulding. While re-
manned there, waiting for the coming of
the blessed darkness, constantly expected
TO see n sergeant with file of rebel sol.
diers, come to take me back into the yard;
but none came. 1t was rare good fortune,
Stockton, Smith and Davidson all knew, If
they had their wits about them, that | had
no more right there than in the village il.
self. | suppose their thoughtlessncss must
| have been caused by the peculiarly honest
and business like look of that medicine
boXl
At dark, my two friends Joined mc. We
went through the gate in full sight of the
sentinel, who, seeing us come from the
hospital, supposed we were rebel surgeons
or nurses. And then, on that dark, rainy
Sunday night, the first time for twenty
months, we found ourselves walking freely
in a public street, without rebel bayonet
before or behind us.
For many months, even before leaving
prison, VIC had been familiar with the name
Of Dan Elisa famous Union guide, who
since the beginning of tho war. had doue
nothing but conduct loyal men to our lines
Ellis is a hero. aud his iifc romance
He had taken through in all, more than
four thousand persons. lie had probably
seen more adventure in fl ,hts and races
with the rebels, in long journeys, some
times bare-footed and through the snow, on
swimming rivers full of floating ice--than
any other man living.
lie never lost but one man, who was re
taken through his own heedlossness. The
party had travelled eight or ten days, liv ny
upon nothing but parched corn. Dan in.
sisted that a man could walk twenty-five
miles day through snow upon parched
corn just as we'll as upon auy other diet--ii
he only thought so. | feel bound to say
that have tried it and don't think so. This
person held the same opinion. llo revolt
al against the parched-cOrn diet, vowug
that he would 20 to the first houGe and get
an honest meal, if he was captured for it,
He went to the first house, obtained the
meal and was captured.
After we had travelled fifty milos. every.
body said to us, ''If you can only find Dan
Ellis, and do just as he tells you, you will
be certain to get through"
We did find Dan Ellis. On Sunday
night, one hundred and thrty-four miles
from our lines, greatly broken down, we
reached point on the road waited for two
hours, when alo.g came Dan Ellis, with a
party of seventy men-reiugees, prisoners,
rebel deserters, Union soldiers returning
from their homes within the enemy's lines
and escaping prisoners. About thirty OF
them were mounted and twenty armed
Like most men Of action, Dan was per
son of few words. When our story had
been told him, he said to his comrades:
Boys, here are some gentlemen who
have escaped from Salisbury, and who are
almost dead from the journey. They are
our people. They have suffered in our
cause, They are going 20 their homes in
our lines. We can't ride and lei these men
walk. Get down Of your horses, and help
them up."
Down they came, and up we went; and
then we pressed along at a terrible pace.
To-day, when we came on the hot track
of eight guorrillas, tho rebel hunting in.
stinct waxed strong within Dan, and tak-
ing eight of his own men, he started in
| fierce pursuit. Seven Of the enemy escaped,
but one was captured and brought to our
camp a prisoner.
Then Dan went TO the nearest Union
house, to learn the news; for every loyal
family in range Of many hundred miles
knew and loved him. We, very weary lay
down to sleep in an old orchard, with our
saddles for pillows. Onr reflection were
pleasant We were only seventy nine
miles from the Union lines. We progressed
swmmingly, and bad even begun to regu.
late the domestic affairs Of the border
Before midnight, some one shock my arm,
rubbed my eyes open aud looked mp.
There was Dan Ellis.
Boys we must saddle instantly. We
have walked right into nest OF rebels
several hundred are within few miles;
eighty are within this immediate vicinity.
| They are lying IN ambush for Colonel Kirk
aud his men. II is doubtful whether we
can ever get on; Of this. We must divide
into two parties. The footmen must take to
| the mountains: we who are riding and in