The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-19
A Confederate COnundrum.

Uen. I1ancOck the other day amused a
crowd OF idlers by telling of a letter be had
received from a Southern ex-Colonel asking
about a member Of his staff who had been
captured at Ream's Station. The officer was
zen. Francis A. Walker, now Supt. OF the
census. Hancock narrates:
After his capture he was taken to Peters
burg, and, with other prisoners, put IN a to
bacco shed for safe keeping until he could
be taken to Richmond. He managed to stow
himself IN a tlerce and was LETT there, while
his Co compatriots were marched of to the
rebel capital. In the darkness OF the night
he stole away, reached Ia safety the banks
of the Appomattox. Invested himself of his
clothing, plunged into the water and made
for the opposite shore. 1t was destined that
he should see Richmond before coming back
to my camp. Instead of landing beyond the
| enemy's picket line, as be had calculated,
he landed inside of it and mas captured."
The Cape Fear Banner says: The co
nuDdrum" above referred to was a letter
written by Col. Hector Mckethan, OF this
town. who was on the banks OF the Apo
mattox on the night above mentioned aud
captured the Adjutant General Francis \.
Walker. After the nomination OF General
Hancock for the Presidency, Col. Mckethan
wrote to him rendering his congratulations,
and reminded the General of the capture OF
one of his staff, and asked his name.
Gen. Walker, when he plunged into the
river hoped to reach the line of his friends
and make good his escape from his captors
but owing to the swlftness OF the current ana
the darkness of the night, he landed within
the confederate lines near where Col. Nc
Kethan stood and when the Colonel appris,
ed him of his whereabouts he was one OF
the most astonished men captured during
the war. He was naked, cold and shlverlng'
Col. Mex. gave him a drink OF good GIN, a
suit of good clothes as he himself had Oh,
wrapped him in a double blanket, which he
had carried from Fayetteville with him III
the wear 1861. The Adjutant General was
a dignifed, courteous and cultured gentle
man and won the admiration OF ali the OH
GERS of the Confederate army whom he met
during the night. He was carried by Col.
McKefhan to General Beauregard, who
greeted him cordially aud provided ion
HIM coffee and a good supper, afterwards a
,:andful Of fine Havana Glars. lie
was remanded to prison about
O'Clock the next morning. Appre
ciating the kind treatment he had received
from the Confederate officers, before BIZ
imprisonment he asked for two cards ant
pen and ink. with which he was suppied
when he wrote his name, rank ana addres
upon them and requested Col. Mc\etna'
to keen one himself, and to return the o'he
l. IN NInlIpl1j IDtdtitGdto- iN1S -
c had certain cipher marks on them WHO
e neither of the Confederate offlcers undei
c stood. The prisoner III presenting III
n cards remarked IF you should ever D
c captured by my army, these cards VIII shoN
what kind of treatment ! received AZ YOU
hands and will insure for YOU kind trcatmen
= from my comrades" Col. Mckethan pre-
h served this card until 1868, when his tfunh
; IN which it was deposited with many o,ht
q valuable papers, was broken open ana /
contents DESTROYED by Sherman's bulnner>
HAVING . strange admiration for the ma
and the soldier. i it any wonder that 70
McKethan had a desire TO know his addre,
and renew his acquaintance with INN "
think not but we do not experience d "a
ID cree Of surprise that General Hancock snouI
= Itvle the Colonies letter a "~conandIuhl
or class It among the curious ones.
fact. we don't believe those words we.
ic used by General Hane'H>-they We're So
st;tuted, 40 doubt, by the HefUtd,s Iepo
ter in place OF more respectful ana eies"
T. phrases. !
no bravnsr of the veterans who fought GencL
he Hancock with a determination to XII q
,o last man Of MS army or plant the lonied'
,ta hammer uDon the breast works 81 the {
Of cmv: and during the eventiui strugSiG
~ onc memorable battle he came out WITH o
= handful Of his heroic c~oalmand-the bra
de Dist North Carolina Regiment; But to-
ar he is a loyal citizen OF the ohioh' aug
n his letter proves, Is ready ana anNioLLs
~ fnrget the animosity Of the psf, sha
,asfs With his enemies across the bloc
~, c nnogT % and support the Chief of the Fede
G Se ep1rH' for IT the highest position within the :
s 5ga y We T. reelected to state that Capt. ";
a. Kyle, OF Cooks Brigade, captured :"
ed, Walker at Reams Station.
)ng