Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-10-22


only to say the word to make her m,
wife: Indeed. doubted from tho first
that should ever win her.
II trust that We shall be friends" sh'
swcetly said, when was about TO lesv,
the house 1T is cruel war, deprocat.
ed by all for its wounds and griefs, anC
civilitiss from captors TO captires viii
always be appreciated.
There WAS an invitation to call when
ever 1 had an opportunity, but there val
modesty and dignity in the lady's luos
aud bearing which made her anything
but love sick maidsp TO be easily won.
Well, we pitched our camp; had camp
routine; changed pickcts skirmishsd
with the Confeders,es, and things nj
length were SO. So from one day TO anoth
er sat on the Ssrsnda and smoked
with the old man; | took tea with them
read TO Kate and once in awhile talked
love, or was just going to when she
would check me. She WAS thoroughly
Southern in sentiment knew it. and
therefore we passed politics over for
something moro agreeable to both,
| Finally the day came Tor Winchester
to change hands again. A reinforce
men, OF cavalry had como 10 the ConIed.
crates, and one day at noon they made
the lac, known TO US Our picSels came
running in. fighting rs they came; and
closely followed by cavalry and We had
only time 10 form u bxltle line before the
enemy was along our front. W. had \
sharp ight for hall all hour, during which
time many a good soldier bit The du,l on
either side. and then my command had
To give away. Wa were hard pressed in
front. and being flanked when the or'lr l
wa, given 10 tall back slorl, 10 the next
ridge. halt mile north OF the iarm
house
As We fell back saw that the old
house had been torn here and there by
shots, and. fearing tor the safety ot the
family, we carried them along with us.
All were badly frightened, and made no
objections to getting beyond the shots of
their friends. Step by step. giving The
enemy ~ good a. ne sru,. We fell back
10 the ridge. and there We halted. The
COulcderAtcs cumc ~ lar =, the farm
house. and there formed their line aud
rested. throwing up bTcasiwork and
mounting a cannon 10 command The road.
We threw up dsicnsrs. formed new line,
and by sundown everything wa, going
along as il no battle had occurred and u
hundred men in blue snd grey Tad not
been sent to their long sleep. There Was
= half mile Of neutral ground between
us. and the pickets thrown out were
hardly stones throw from each other.
An hour after we fell back. the Hast.
inss family came 10 me from farm
house where they had lakOu ;ctugo. |
knew that they wanted To- return home.
And was therefore ready for The old mans
question.
"of course you can 60" | replied.
though it panied me 10 think that should
lose Hates society. Il only ask ths.
you repeat after mc our oath that you
will not give your Confederate friends
ANY Information concerning us"
They repeated the words, and we walk
ed down to tho picket. A handshakc all
around, nnd then they took their leave.
snd my air castle. came topping down.
The chances were hardly one in u score
that ! should ever sec either oi the three
again.
Having seemingly gained all they de-
sired. the Conledora,es did not seek TO
drive us further. Several days passed
without even shot from iho plckets,
hen one day, to shake of the rust.
Iude with two companies Of cavalry,
which were bound on "a raid around TO
the sast OF Winchester to secure infor-
NATION concerning the strength OF the
enemy in tina, direction. We had a long
ride ol seven OF eight miles. when, com.
ing TO fork i'll the road, the major took
enc company and myself the other, and
pushed on up the forks. We were riding
along carelessly enough when all at
once the bushes by the roadside shot out
flame aud smoke. Everything vas con.
fusion at the sudden attack Ny horse
lsaped to one side aud then ran up the
road. The cnvalrymcn, some oil whom
were wounded. wheeled about and gal.
loped down the road, and they were out
OF sight and the battle was over in thrse
minutes.
"HOld on hold on : Surrender, Colo
mel :" shouted hundred voices at me.
and directly my horse carried me into
the midst ol hundred cayalrymen, con.
cealed in bend of the road.
Good afternoon; Colonel" remarked
a deep rich voice at my left. "l'm
| sorry for you, but then you could have
Jared worse"
| looked around and saw = colonel of
cavalry-a handsome man with bright,
black eyes and long, black beard, His
face wore a good-natured smile, and he
held out his hand to me.
Yes, might have been killed" | re-
piled. accepting his hand. 81 deserve
this for my inexcusable carelessness in
not sending scouts forward"
! The cavalry camp was only halt mile