The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-09-27

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they came, and closely followed by
cavalry: and we had only time to
form battle line before the enemy
was along onr front. We Lad Il sharp
tirht for half an hour, during which
time many good soldier bit the dust
on either Side. and then my command
had to give way. We wee hard
pressed in front and being ttapked
when the order was given to fall back
slowly to the next ridge, half q mile
north of the farm house.
As we fell back | saw that the old
house had been torn here and there by
shots. and, fearing for the safety OF
the family. we carried them along
with us. All were badly frightened,
and made no objectionsto TO getting be-
yond the shots of their friends. Step
by step. giving the enemy as good as
he sent. We fell back to tlG ridge, and
there we halted. The Coniederates
came as far as the farmhouse, and
there formed their line and rested,
throwing up 4 breastwork and mount
ing a common to command the road.
We threw up dcfenseS, formed a new
line, and by smdown everything was
going along as ii no battle had occur
red and n hundred men in blue and
gray had not been sent to their long
sleep. There was half a mile OF ncu-
trail ground between us, and the pick
cts thrown ont We're hardly a stone 5
throw from each other.
An hour after we fell back. the
Hastings family came to me from a
farmhouse where they had taken re-
fuge. knew that they wanted to re-
turn home. and was therefore ready
for the Old mans question.
"Of course you can 60" replied,
though it panied me to think that I
should lose Kate's society. II only
ask that YOU repeat after me our oath
that you will not give your Conteder-
ate friends any information concern
ing us"
they repeated the words, and we
walked down to the picket. A hand
shake all round, and then they took
their leave. and my air castles came
topping down. The chances were
hardly one ia score that | should
ever see either Of the three again.
Having seemingly gained all they
desired, the Confederates did not seek
to drive us further. Several days
passed without even a shot from the
pickets, when one day, to shake off
the rust. | rode with two companies
Of cavalry which were bound OH Il raid
around to the east Of Winchester to
secure information concerning the
strength OF the enemy in that direc-
ton. We had long ride of seven or
eight miles, when, coming to fork
in the road, the major took one com
pany and myself the other, and pushed
on up the forks. We were riding
along clrelessly enough when all at
once the bushes by the roadside shot
out flame and smoke. Everything
was confusion at the sudden attack.
My horse lcaped to one side and then
ranup the road. The clvalrymen,
some of whom were wounded, wheeled
about and galloped down the road,
and they were out of sight and the
battle was over III three minutes.
Hold on. hold on! Surrender.
colonel! " shouted a hundred voices
at me, and directly my horse carried
Inc into the midst of hundred cav
alrymen, concealed IN a bend of the,
road.
Good afternoon, 7" colonel. remark
ed a deep rich voice ut my left. I'm
sorry for you, hut then you could have
Jared worse"
| looked around and saw a colonel
of clvalry--a handsome man with
bright black eyes and long black beard.
His face wore good-liatured smile,
and he held ont his hand to me.
Yes, might have been killed" |
replied, accepting bis hand. 81 de-
serve this for my ilexcusable careless
ness IN not sending scouts forward"
The cavalry camp WIS only halt a
mile up the road, and as the COM
malid moved along, the colonel and
myself rode in the rear. He had in
troduced himself to me as Colonel lie
Vile. Wecomnlctted on my capture,
the war, etc.. and had sighted camp,
when he suddenly inquired:
''lIave you noticed, colonel. that
the road bends three different times
between here and the forks"
Yes. think it does" replied.
well. now" F" he resumed. " it will
be an easy matter for you to escape.
Turn your horse suddenly. give him
the spurs. and you can reach the forks
in five minutes. Ii my men chase |
you, and they will, the bend In the
road will save you. shall cry ont
the moment you get started. and may
shoot at you, but shaIl't hurt you.'
"Youare ratlIergiven to dry jokes"
replied, erHleavoring to laugh. ''Sticll
hings are not down in army regula-
ions
Nevertheless, mean all | say"
le replied. 1--WE are now ten rods
Jehind the men. Wheel your horse,
md make him do bis best The firing