Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-07-20

dergrowth made the path gloomy.
had no thought of danger-in fact was
thinking of what our mess would be for
supper.
My horse stopped and SHE'D as some
body stepped out in the path and caught
the bride Two others joined the first,
and halted me. The two last corners
covered me with their rifles, and in no
very polite terms told me to get off my
horse.
With two rifles and pistol ut my
head | did not delay | was in trap
and pistols, and was marched off in an
| opposite direction from our camp. Twas
| too mad to say anything. Had | not
boosted that never would be captured?
| No Libby prison for me! That would be
| sure death for me. so death before cap
/ ture.
Captured-not on the battlefield al
ter doing my best, but quietly picked up
| by home guards.
All my hopes Of doing something
creditable of winning glory in this war
ended in this humiliation-this dis
grace. The more thought over the sit
uation the meaner | felt. If | had had
my pistols with me would have taken
the risk, but one look at the men con-
vinced me that they knew what they
were about. They joked and laughed
as if they had done smart thing until
| was actually amused at their coarse
| humor. And SO we went on deeper into
the underground.
Following the path in a short time
we came to their camp-not much of a
camp-about thirty horses tied to the
trees Groups of men were scattered
around. u few fires were burning. and
the smell of fried bacon reminded me
of the mess table not far off. | always
looked after that and drilled the cooks.
We did not starye in those days.
imagined | could hear the general
say, Where is Dickey tonight And
the doctor would answer, 'Oh, he is
thinking of that young lady-perhaps
| he has gone to win that wager. We'd
better have Bill save him some of the
fried chicken. The lieutenant bought
| the chicken of the widow to-day"
My present prospect was Il smell of
fried bacon; nv future, Libby and star
1aton. sat down on log and some
Of the fellows stood around me making
pretty free with their remarks. They
said their captain was cut somewhere.
They shared their corncake and bacon
with me and joked good deal at my
expense, while | smoked my pipe in APP
parent uncOncern waiting for something
to turn up.
AS the night passed on all except the
guards went to sleep. Nothing but the
frogs and mosquitoes broke the silence or
disturbed repose.
About midnight some one came into
camp and the command moved off. |
was put on horse and guard mount
ed behind me. 1t was dark ride in
the woods. After reaching the highway
we went on for some time over what
seemed familiar ground.
Hating near house the troop enter
ed wood near by and my guard took
me to the house.
recognized the place. 1t was the
plantation where we had stopped that
noon.
A man came out who was called cap
tain. 1t was young Williams. | knew
his voice at once. He told the guards
he had sent for the boys because he had
lob on hand. Before he noticed me
he told them about his capture.
They laughed good deal while he
swore old Gen. A was deyilish fine
old fellow and he had fine staff; pref
ty good fellows for Ianks.
'.He thought | was brother Bill. |
was afraid ma and Kate would say some
thing bnt they had sense enough to keep
still Kate kept the niggers away and
no one suspected me. But who have you
got here, boys? Come in, lets get a
light"
followed into the house and just as
entered Mrs. Williams and Kate came
with lights. | couldn't help but laugh
as the light shone on my face. Their
surprise and my ridiculous situation di-
vested the affair of all seriousness.
Said /: Ladies', pardon me for in
trEding myself upon you again SO soon,
but YOU see, circumstances over which |
| had no control are my excuse. Now, |
if it were Dir. Bingham there would be |
some excuse, but for me"
"Well, well, SAID Mrs. W, . JIM |
mie'll take good care of you, lieutenant, |
and the best thing he can do for you is |
to put YOU to bed. People ought to be |
asleep ut this time of night or rather of
morning"
Lieutenant Dickey, you are my pris- |
oncr, and YOU must promise on your
honor that YOU won't leave before break |
fast said Kate
The captain and did not sleep. We |
sat on the front porch while he told me |
he was glad to have The chance of doing |
me favor; that could give my word |
not to reveal his plan, part of which | |
had overheard, and not to give number |
or location Of his command. He re- |
turned my sword and pistols and Just as |
the light in the east was appearing we !
sat down to a splendid breakfast.
was treated as a friend and as |
belted on my sword and pistols and rode |
away there was not n jollicr lieutenant |
in the sunny south.
A rapid ride of a few miles and | had |
caught up with the command. The gen |
eral and staff had been in great anxiety |
about me- A search had been made for |
me, the deserted rebel camp discovered |
and my probable capture concluded. As
we had no cavalry no pursuit was made. |
My story was told and not repeated as
the capture would be no credit to our
staff.
The doctor willingly increased his ac-
count with the Sutler, when | gave him |
such glowing description of the charm |
;,,or <.nnJnnt 80 Mis- II nj