The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-02-21
4 R4TLW4Y ADTENTURE.
RUNNING 4 REBEL BLOCKADE N THE Al.
LrGHENTES.

LEGHENIEs.
Lieut.. Col c. $. Greene, in his "stories
of the Great Rebellion relates The follow
ing:
Among the many incidents that during
the late rebellion, were connected with the
great national artery, the Baltimore ONO
Railroad, is one that viii relate.
In the fall of 1851, having been detained
bv business in the town of Cumberland, Nd
I was at last about to start for Wheeling,
when I learned that 7he road was occupied
below Harper's Ferry by force OF reoels
ana therefore no train would pass.
This proved true in reference to ordinary
trains. but a special with which was Hon.
Mr.. Pierpoint and a few other notabiIltles'
had passed before the rebels cut the track,
and was therefore approaching. oninquiry'
found that the engineer of the coming tram
had been enc Of my old chums, ere l had
discarded engine driving for a more profit
able business. Ny friend Joe NJ was
cool, bold, skilful engineer, and a9 generous
as reckless of danger.
As I expected I no sooner saw him and
stated my wish 10 60 up the road, than ne
sgore that, especial or no special, | should
ride with him, if for nothing but to see the
"fast time his engine, "Wildfre," would
make.
As we dashed rapidly along and were
passing through Black Oak Bottom, couple
of iII-looking fellows in citizens dress fired
at the engineer, put doing no damages merely
provoked a laugh of derision from him for
their want of craftsmanship. On arriving
at Oakland. Nd, we were disagreeab'y sur
prised by receiving telegram, informing us
that tie rebels were making extraordinary
haste to reach the railway at point many
miles ahead of Us. Also, they seemed 10
know who the special contained, and would
therefore nse all endeavors TO capture or Kill
Us.
There was but one car besides the engine,
and it was briefly. discussed, thelquestion OF
go or stay, while Joe was having the tender
reflIed with wood and water.
Mr.. Pierpoint's business was too urgent TO
admit Of any possible delay two or three
others concluded to risk the trip, and L
well, If il is not too egotistica' TO say sol
had run risks on railroads too often to back
out because there was danger ahead, while
the rest concluded to stay and trust to luck
for the opportunity Of getting away.
just as We we're about to start, the fireman
making a mistep on the running board,
fell and struck the ground with such force
~ to break his arm. Joe hurriodly picked
the poor follow up, but time was precious
lust then. so leaving him to the care of th'
gentlemen who had accompanied US, h'
started directly towards me, asking me t
come and run for him, az having no fire
sT-- I.4 4f,friG 4 a
, l told him, however TO consider Iuc his hre
man fcr the rest Of the trip, he was bes
: acquainted with the road without NOR
ado 1 doffed my coat, we jumped on, au'
: away we went pas: hamlets, through wilder
nesses of stuntcd bushes, up grade and dow
hill at n speed rarely equa!led. Our ligh
train made firing an easy task for me, aud
: had frequent leisure to scan the Jeautifu
d ranges Of the AIlegheuios along which "
r. sIIirtsd. Joe was sitting as was usual wit
y him, with his left hand on the throttle leve
II aud his body half out Of the side window
' the "cab." that lie might the better scan I'll
= track ahead.
l. a few miles south Of the famous. Chez
= River Bridge is deep mountain gorge Wit
pUccipitous sides.
1t is shaped like an hour-glass, wide
each end, but taperiug each way toward Il
middle. The track runs for quite distau
along one side of the gorge, makes vel
abrupt turn 10 cross the chasm, a very de,
enc, in straight line, and then still curvil
invardIy, follows the gorge in a line near
parallel with the track or the opposite sid
for three-four,hs of milo.
We were pitching along with that peCuH
rocking, bounding motion, 30 different fro
from The jar OF ordinary fast speed. As
swep: 10 the top or grade around the 81
OF tho hill that commanded a view of t
gorgo-Jo2 and | both on the lookout -,
saw, at 4 moments glance, enough 20 ma
us concentrate our thinking faculties, d
act in hurry, whatever was best TO
done.
There on the straight track, just at
edge Of the gorge, lot of men in gray u
form, were hastily piling up some old til
logs, &; while At the point where the cur
was Tie sharpest-before reaching the gol
were several more tugging furiousIy a
rail, one end Of which seemed TO battle the
rs they pulled it onwards. We were will
mile when we discovered them, and
each noticed them, the shout came sim
side OF The curve - The ignorant 70
were pulling out The inside rail- instead
the outside. In the latter case nothi
could have saved us from running off
track, and probably into the gorge {
single bralesman, seeing the danger I s.
pose from habit-was commencing tc ii yhl
the brake, but at n look from De signal
"a, "off brakes - Joe, meanwhile, opening
- throttle TO its widest extent as we dasl
down tho grade at 2 positively frightfuI
locity.
AS we uearsd them, part Of them hudd
together near the track. l seized a la
stick Of wood intending if possible, to Ii
somebody" We were going altogether
: swift to fear their taking aim at us and
\ that matter, I suppose they considered
II destruction such a certainty that firing at
!! would be needless. l WAS posing the
stick of wood, and guessing at the rate
spccd-Ive had some practice throw
parcels from trains in motiCu-when
suddenly pulled tho whistle-rope.
hoarse shrek seemed to atartie them for
instant; they hUddlrd closer together,
l tossed the stick outward and down va
q I had barely time 10 seq it crash through
group with tho force Of n thunderbOlt, WI
with a jarring plunge, the wheels on
side struck the naked ties. That part Of
= trouble we had feared but little, as the
peJus OF the engine was almost sure 10 m
it mount the track again. On the tr
nc again, but few rods ahead of US, was
Il formidable barricads, and beyond that