Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-08-11
a War Story.


A Frankfort .6Ry. letter to the
Cincinnati Enquirer says: The fol-
lowing rather romantic incident of
the late war has been known to the
Immediate friends of the two gentle
men concerned for several months,
but this is the first time it has been
given to the public, and will be read
with much interest by large num-,
ber of Kentuciians aud Indianians,
not for the sake of the incident alone,
but,also on account of the prominenee
of the parties.
1t will be remembered that toward
the close of the war plan was sot
afOot to liberate and arm the Confed-
crate prisoners in Northern prisons,
and let them commence operations in
the rear of the Union armies. Quite
a number of leaders in the Confeder-
acy were engaged in working up tho
plan, and among Others was young
man named Castleman, who had him
self escaped from prison and sue
ceeded in reaching Canada, the near
est point of safety, where he and ten
others were assigned to certain duties
in the scheme of liberation. They
left Canada one at time on their re-
spective missions, agreeing to meet at
Indianapolis, Ind, on certain day
and report progress, and arrange
their future movements.
Before the day of meeting arrived,
however, young Castleman was cap
tured and condemned to be shot, and
instead of going to indianapolis to
meet his comrades, hewas taken there
under guard to have his sentence ex.
ecuted. Strangely enough he landed
there the very day agreed upon with
his friends, and while waiting at the
depot another train came in and he
saw them descend from the cars and
peer cautiously about as il looking
for him. Hc knew they must leave
indianapolis at once or their capture
was inevitable, but he was powerless
to warn them himself, for that would
cause them to be suspected, and thus
bring about the very thing lie wished
to avoid. Just then his guard moved
away little distance, and he deter
mined to take desperate chance and
ask some of the many strangers in
the depot to warn his friends. Casting
his eye over the throng he finally Sc
lected man with kind and benev-
olent countenance, who was standing
few steps away. If the stranger
proved unfriendly it would be equal
to an order of arrest to ask him to
give warming, but he felt if they went
unwarncd they would be arrested any
how, so he took the chances, desper-
ate as they were, and sauntered
casually up to the man and said:
'' beg your pardon, sir, but am
in rather an unfortunate situation,
being condemned 10 be shot in few
days, and, although you are stran-
ger, | want you to do me u favor"
g will do it with great pleasure,"
replied the stranger, If can do so
consistently"
t Do you see that small group of
men standing over there?" said Cas-
tleman, pointing at the same time
with his hand. /" Well, unless they
leave on the next train they will soon
he in u condition similar to mine, and
1 want you TO go Mt once and tell
them to leave. Will you grant this
request to man who has but few
more days to liveI''
I" will" said the stranger, and
before young Castleman was taken
from the depot he had the pleasure
of seeing his comrades board the train
in obedience to his message.
Through the influence of friends
respite of thirty days was granted
Castleman, and before that time ex-
pired the Southern armies had sur
rendered, peace reigned again and
Eall prisoners were set at liberty. He
never learned the name of the stran-
ger who aided him in saving his
friends from arrest; hut some months
since, Hon. Bayless w. Hanna was
in the parlor at Alexander's hotel in
Louisville, talking to some friends,
when Adjutant- General John B. Cas-
tleman of this State walked in. Cen
eral Castlemap gazed very intently ut
Judge Hanna for several minutes,
and then slowly walking up to him
said:
"If 1 am not mistaken you arc tho
man who did me a great favor about
twenty years ago. 1 don't know
~ OOA hdauG9 DIL L udVG never 1OEROL-
ten the face.' He then related the
circumstances as written above, and
when he finished Judge Hannah said :,
''I am the man, and / am delight
ed to see you again, and under more
favorable circumstances this time, I
sec"
OF course they related the incident
over and over again, in all its details,
and it was much enjoyed by all those
present.
HEARTH, WEALTH AxD HApP1xyss
are more intimately connected with a
sound stomach and good condition Of
the blood than most people suppose.
Thin blood means weakness, languor
and misery. A dyspeptic stomach
means all the horrors you can think
. of. Browns Iron Bitters means en-
riched blood. good digestion, healthy
= i