The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-17
THE WAR ~ tvENr VIRGINIA.
Grmcrni Kelley saved the spy'S Life
Wbish wms LHoGy fOr Capt 'k0bo.

UPuCFni Kelley saved tue spyH AhteS
which wWs LHoGy rDr Capt. R"bo.
Gnyiop..Sn't.d .,.. ....,...,.
While in Washington the other day, we
had the pleasure Of meeting Gen. b. F.
Kelley, we'll known to many OF our citi'
z4ns as the man who struck the first effect
i've blow for the Union, at Philippi, in the
war Of the Rebellion. The old veteran is
hale and hearty and possesses the same jo-
vial nature which characterized him in
years gone. lie is greeted everywhere
with warmest feelings by his old comrades
and friends Of the days when, with daunt-
Less courage aud rare military genius, he
MANNED aud won victories for the Uuion
cause, To'this day General ROsecranz re.
iers n him ~ his Irish shellslah, "be'
cause" says the Old warrior, "he was ever
prompt il action and never missed Iire.'
One day, week before last, an incident &C.
CURED at the National Hotel which shows
that individuals are not always, like re-
publiCs. ungrateiul, and which we give TO
The readers OF the Sentinel fresh from the
Inns OF the General himself.
In the spr ng Of 1862 Kelley was Station.
ed Ior while, with his regiment at Clarks-
burg. One day Captain Gordon, Confed-
erate SOY, well known 10 this section OF the
State, was captured by some Gnion, men
and turned over to Kelley, who Immediately
forwarded the prisoner to Fort Mctlenry,
where he was tried and condemned TO be
hanged, according to the usages OF war.
Ills execution was fixed for certain day
within short time after the trial. Mean
time, during some skirmishingin the yicin.
ity Of Petersburg, Captain Robb, oil
Wheeling, and an officer Of kelley'a regl.
ment, was captured by the Rebels
and held as sort Of hostage for
Cantain Gordon. The Confederate.
sent General Kelley word that il Gordon
Was hanged they would Tetaliate bya Bimi'
lar treatment of Robb This reused the
svnpatLies OF the General and he at once
sent A statement OF the case to President
Lincoln, concluding his letter with re.
quest that, in order to spare the HE OF
Khaub, who was brave and valuable Off
Ger, The President would commute Cor
don's sentence. Mr. Lincoln granted the
reOnest aud Gordon was sent to Fort Del.
aware. OF course Rhaub's lilo was spared
and he was soon after returned TO his reg.
iment. Kelley did not hear from Gordon
after his removal to Fort Delaware, and
was never able to learn his fate. Twenty
years passed. Last Tuesday week, whl!e
the General was sitting in the lobby oil his
hotel in Washington, he was approached
by stranger, VINO said;
"Have the pleasure OF addressing & IN.
b, +, Kelley, OF West Virginia"
On being answered in the affirmative, he
coptiRued: ~ sec you do not recognize me.
The last time we met was under rathertry-
ing circumstanCes-to me. am Captain
Gordon, the Confederate spy whom you
captured ut Clarksburg and caused TO be
condemned 10 die. | recognized you ln-
SANITY, and as this is the first opportunity
| have had to thank you personally for say
ING NV life | do so now. You possibly
NAV not know how near to death ] was
when YOU asked Lincoln to spare me.
We'll. sir. il was within three hours OF the
time set for my execution. My father,
mother and, in fact, the entire family had
taken what we supposed was their last
farewell OF me. 1t was sad interview
more than even IL soldier could stand, and
as they babe me the last sad goodbye,
never expecting to see me alive again,
completely. broke, down. After they de-
parted set about making my preparations
to die, for it wanted but three hours until
the time would arrive for me to meet that
terrible death. But Lincoln's message
came 10 withhold the execution Of the sen.
teuce. 1t is beyond the power Of tongue
10 describe the feeling Of relief that came
over me on receipt OF the news. None but
a man under similar circumstances can
understand or appreciate my feelings.
When / learned it was you, my Captor, TO
whom owed thanks for my deliyeIance,
| resolved would thank you ut the first
opportunity, and here l am to keep my
resolution" g
Then the two who had been such mortal
enemies years before "shook hands across
the bloody chasu," and Immediately be-
came fast friends. 1t ives q RENAL kabie
meeting because Of the peculiar cirCun-
stances OF their parting in 1862. The in.
cdents OF the capture, and sentence Of
Gordon are familiar to many readers OF
this paper.