River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-07-06

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 at my
head / did not long delay. was in a
trap. They had me. / gave them my
sword and pistols, and was marched of
in an opposite direction from our
camp. | was 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 capture.
Captured-not on the battle field,
after doing my best, but quietly picked
up by squad OF home guards.
All my hopes of doing som ething
creditable-of winning glory in this
war-ended in this humiliation-in this
disgrace. The more | thought over
the situation the meauer / felt. If i
had my pistols back / would have
taken the risks. But one look at the
men in the gloom convinced me that
they knew what they were about. They
joked and laughed as if they had done
a smart thing, until / was actually
amused at their coarse humors. And
so we went on deeper into the under
growth. Following the path, in short
time We came to their camp-not much
of a camp-about thirty horses tied to
the trees. Groups of men were scatter
ed about, 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 didn't starve ourselves in those
days.
1 imagined I could hear the general
say, "Where is Dickey tonight" And
the doctor would answer" Oh, he's
thinking of that young lady-perhaps
has gone to win the wager. guess we
had better have Bill save him some oil
the fried chicken. The lieutenant
bought the chicken of the widow to-
day" Ny present prospect was a
smell of fried bacon; my future Libby
and starvation. I sat down ON log
and some of the fellows stood about me,
making pretty free with their remarks.
They said their captain was out some
where. They shared their corncakes
and bacon with me and joked good
deal at my expense, while l smoked
my pipe in apparent unconcern, wait
ing 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 81
lence and disturbed repose.
About midnight some one came into
camp, and the command moved off. |
was put On horse with guard behind
me. 1t was dark ride through the
woods. After reaching the high road
we went on some time ever what SEEM
ed familiar ground. Hating near a
house, the troops entered a wood near
and my guard took me to the house.
l recognized the place. 1t was the
plantation where we stopped at 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 they
had little job on hand. Before ne
noticed me he told them about his cap
ture. They laughed good deal, while
he swore old Gen. A. was devlish fine
old fellow, and he had fine staff !;
pretty good fellows for Yanks.
"He thought / was brother Bill. /
was afraid Ma and Kate would say
something, but 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, let's have q light"
l followed into the house; just as l
came in Mrs. Williams and Kate came
in with lights. [ couldn't help but join
in the laugh a the light shone on my
face. Their surprise and my ridiculous
situation Invested the affair of all seri-
BUSINESS.
Said |: 'Ladies, pardon me for in
truding myself upon you so soon again,
but you see, circumstances over which
/ have no control as my excuse. Now,
if it were DR.. Bingham there would be
some excuse, but for me-"
swell, WE'LL" said Mrs. W., "Jim-
mie'll take good care of you, lieuten-
ant, and the best thing he can do for
you is to put you to bed. People ought
to be asleep at this time of the night or
rather morning"
Lieut.. Dickey, you are my prisoner,
and you must pronounce, on your
honor, that you wont leave before
breakfast" 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
my word not to reveal his plan, part of
which / had overheard, not to give
numbers and location of his command.
He returned my sword and pistols, and
Just as the light in the east was appear
ing we sat down to a splendid breakfast.
was treated as friend, and as belt
ed or my sword and pistols and rode
away there was not a jOllier lieutenant
in the sunny South.
A rapid ride of few miles and |
caught up with the command. The
general 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 soon
told and not repeated, as the capture
would be no credit to our staff. The
doctor willingly increased his account
with the sutler. when | gave him such
a glowing description of the charming
conduct of Miss Kate.
Three years ago l was in Denver, the
queen of the plains, a sanitarium and
paradise. Invent to the postoffice for
my mail. l inquired for John A.
Dickey. A gentleman who was pass
ing, stopped, and after looking at me a
moment, grasped my hand "Dickey,
is this you? God bless you; how are
your"
l did not at first recognize my old
comrade, DIR. Bingham, but in a mo.
nnenf his face hecame familiar | must