The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-30
THEY MET BY CHANCE.
How Gordsn, the Confederate Spy, was Saved By
General Keller.
[FSo,n tas GRAFTON tIopga) seatineEI

General keller.
FROM tie Grafton (Iorva) sentineL1
While in Washington the other day we had
the pleasure Of meeting General B. F. Kelley,
well known to many of our citizens as the man
who struck the first effectual blow for ths
Union at Philippi, in the war Of the rebellion
One day. last week, an incident occurred as
the National Hotel which shows that individuals
are not always, ike republics, ungrateful, and
which we give 20 the readers of the Sentinel
fresh from the lips of the general himself:
In the spring Of 1852 Kelley was stationed
for awhile with his regiment at Clarksburg.
One day Captain Carbon, Confederate spy,
well known TO this section Of the State, was
captured by some Union men and turned over
to Kelley, who Immediately forwarded the
prisoner 70 Fort McHenry, where he was tried
and condemned to be hanged according TO ths
usages of war His execution was fxed for =
certain day, within very short time after the
trial. Meanwhile, during some skirmishing
in the vicinity of Petersburg, Captain Rhaub,
of Wheeling, and an officer of Kelley's regi-
nent, was captured by the rebels and held as q
sort of hostage for Captain Gordon. The Con-
federates sent General Kelley word that IL
Gordon was hanged they would retaliate by
similar treatment Of Rhaub. This reused shs
sympathies Of the general and he at once sent
a statement Of the case TO President Lincoln.
concluding his letter with request thas ia
order to spare the life Of Rhaab who was q
brave and valuable officer. the President would
commute GOrd0n's sentence. Mr.. Lincoln
granted the request and Gordon was sent 20
Fort Delaware. OF course RhaUbS life was
spared and he was soon after returned to hia
regiment 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, while the general
was sitting in the lobby OF his hotel in Wash
ington, he was approached by stranger, who
said;
Have 1 the pleasure Of addressing General
b. F. Kelley, of West Yirginia2"
On being answered IN the Affirmative he
continued; " l see you do not recognize nae.
The last time we met was under rather trying
cireUmstaRceS-to me. I am Captain Gordon,
the Confederate spy, whom you captured al
Clarksburg and caused 20 DC condemned TO die.
! recognized you instantly. and as this is the
first opportunity have had 20 thank you per-
sonally for saving my life do so now. You
possibly may not know how near TO death 7
was when You asked Lincoln TO spare me. Well,
sir, it was within three hours OF the time set for
my execution. My father. another, and in fact
the entire family had taken what we supposed
was the last farewell OF me-. It was 3 sad in
terview-mOre than even soldier could stand,
and they bads me last good by, never en-
pecting TO see me alive AGAIN. I completely
broke down. After they departed / set sbout
making my preparations 20 die. for it wanted
but three hours until the time would arrive
for me TO mees that terrible death But Linz
coins message came TO withhold the execution
of the sentence. It is beyond the power OK
tongue 10 describe the feeling Of relief THAI
came over me on receipt OF the news. None
but man under similar circumstances can
understand or appreciate nv feelings. When
/ learned that il was you, my eaptOr. 20 whom
l ewed thanks for my deliysranee. resolved
would thank you at the first opportunity, and
here l am TO keep my resolution"
Then the two who had been such mortal
enemies years before shook hands across tha
bloody chasm," and Immediately became fast
friends. 1t was . ret larkable meeting because
of che peculiar circumsta aces of their parting
in 1852. The ineidentsof the capture and sen-
tcnee OF Gordon are familiar to many readers
Of this paper.