Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-05-05
CAPTURED.

Lieutenant Graham was stationed with
few men to guard gap in the Virginia
mountains. The blockade OF the whole
south at that time WAS very rigorous, and
supplies OF any kind were rarely smuggled
through the union lines.
One morning, as the Lieutenant sat
smoking in the door of his tent, one OF his
outlaying pickets presented himself, red
and blowing with running.
"I've got 'em, sir /! It's some ov thin
rebels-hooking it across the lines. L
brought 'em TO with a round turn!"
"Where - exclaimed the Lieutenant, as
he jumped to his feet. He wasyoung and
Jealous, and had not yet had chance to
prove his zeal. "Rebels breaking through
the lines, ehP Well done, Wright"
Carrying provisions, sir!'
"No doubt. No doubt! Arms and am
munition, too, of course. Where arc theyE
Were they taken prisoners?"
The man looked shespish. They're
back in the woods, sir. l jest fotched 1t
along"
at? What on earth"
The Lieutenant followed Wright, who
ran to the woods, dashed behind copse,
and hauled out little girl of about ten
years of age, carrying basket. A donkey
stood beside her.
"There they he, Leftenant. She was
footin' it past the pickets, singing Dixie
to herself, as easy as yer please"
"Take your hands off the child! l
thought you had captured dozen men,
you braggart! Who are you, nay child?"
"I'm Dora Nettley, SIR"
Dora was chubby, freckled child, with
honest brswn eyes which reminded the
Lieutenant of his little sister away out in
Michigan. Still, ilnpo rtant information,
maps and dispatches had often been car
ried by women and children since the war
began, and this might be bearer OF in
formation, child though she was.
"Where did you come from Dora?"
"From Martinsburg, sir"
"And what have you in that basketT"
The child's face grew red. She shut
her lips tight, and remained silent.
"Search it, Wright"
"Here is tea, sir, and little package OF
sugar and here's bottle OF quinins pills"
"Where are you going with these things,
Dora."
She looked wildly from side to side, her
chin quivered, and then she burst into
passionate s0bs. "Oh let nae 20, sir. It's
mJ mothers. She is down on the planta-
ton, all alone. The negroes have all fol-
lowed your army, and my mothers alone
and sick. I just thought I'd buy her
little tea and sugar and the medicine"
Chow do you know she is sickl"
"Patsey told me, Patsey's the coachman.
He followed the soldiers up to Martins
burg. He said there was nobody to take
care of her,"
"And you rode from Martinsburg here
on this donkey"
Eyes, SIR"
"And meant TO pass these lines"
Dora nodded and her eyes sparkled.
This kind-faced lad was not so terrible
toe, after all. 81 was just going down to
the gap-road. have ridden it on Spot a
hundred times before"
wright's face was eagerly turned to the
officer. ooh, lit the child 60, Leftenant.
What harrum kin she do with her bit Of
ia for her sick mitherl | wish Ia been in
better business whin l teched you, sissy"
81 wish you had," said Dora simply.
.'How does it happen that your mother
is alone?" asked the Lieutenant. where
is your father?"
Dora's cheeks glowed fiery red. She
looked at the ground uncertainty. She
was quickwitted child, and had seen the
pity and sympathy in the officers eyes.
If she could hide the fact that her family
were actively concerned with the confed-
crates, there was chance that she would
be allowed to pass. But-to lie!
"where is your father, Dora?" he re-
peated.
'In the army =" she faltered.
"Fighting for the Union ," said Graham
quickly.
There was a long pause. she is with
Lee," she said at last.
"And your brothers"
"They are with Dick Ashby."
The yeung officer turned away impa-
tiently. He had hoped to find pretext
to be of service to the child.
"Walk down the field bit, Leftenant,
and kape your back this way" whispered
Wright. T'll give her the wink to be
off. And what harrum's done?''
"No. am sorry Dora, but / cannot
let you pass through the gap. Its against
orders.''
She did not make any noise, but drop
ped on the grass and buried her face in
her hands. "I want mother J" she sobbed.
"Oh, want mother"
"You see, child" explained Wright,
ono support or comfort kin be carried 70
the inimy."
"she's not an enemy" cried Dora, an
grily. "She's mother"
"Come with me, Dora" said the Lieu
tenant. He lifted her on the donkey and