Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-02-20
A pERILOUS TRIP
FROM RICHMOND TO BALTIMORE
DURING THE WAR.
Crossing the Potomac Dead-Line Jeb
Stuart and the Federal Cavalry
A Dash of Adventure, Dan
ger and Romance.

| Mrs E NJ McGhee in Philadelphia Times.l
In August, 1872 | CHANGED TO meet in
| Richmond a gentleman who told me Of q sue
| cessful trip he had made across the lines to
| Baltimore My husband had some money
there which we needed very much 1t was
temptation not to be resisted My husband
was in the Confederate army and my two
children were at school in South Carolina, so
| there wa more TO raise objections and my
own inclinations TO urge me speedily decided
| tie question. ! secured from the gentleman
| his route in minute detail
At Hanover junction ! had SO much
| trouble u ge: conveyance to Bowling Green
that was al the point OF going back, igno-
Ininioasly, when | saw a carriage drive up to
| tie point where / was waiting. A few
| questions and answers put me III possession
| OF the fact that DIR. B, who lived near
| Bowling Green, was expected on the train
and this was has carriage sent 10 meet him
| When he arrived | sent for him AMI begged
permission 10 go with him. He politely con-
sentei. After night OF rest and comfort
the good doctor carried me over to Bowling
Green. got me n carriage and | departed
with his blessing The thoughtful kindness
of Mrs B had supplied me with an
| ample lunch basket well stored with delica-
cics and substantials.
The next point, Port ROYAL, on the Rap
| lahGnnocli, was reached in perfect comfort
and safety. | met at the hotel there four
ladies Returning to Richmond from Balti-
more. The first thing To do was to find a
boarman willing TO row me over the river,
which was both difficult and hazardous,
owing 10 the fact that Federal gunboats were
almost constantly passing and were liable to
come around bend at any time. l was
about concluding bargain with party
when regiment of Federal cavalry dashed
| into the town and as suddenly every one dis
appearei-among them my boatmen. For
while we kept very still But my curios-
ity overcoming caution went out to look
at the situation from cur yeranda.
| The Federals had taken possession Of an
ernineEc, in front OF US and thus commanded
the town On beautifully shaded grassy
| slope in full view. they were making them
selves al home after the style Of cavaliers
ual Ter such circumstances. The horses were
turned cut TO Craze. Officers and men
/ loungel about unler the trees eating, drink
| ing and smoking Sometimes loud laugh
or snatch Of song reached our ears, show
! ing the soldiers to lie entirely at ease
At this moment the sound of horses hoofs
attracted my attention in another direction
| Surprising the new corners TO be more Fed
erals, was about turnin., TO re-enter the
I house with heavy heart wien a glance at
the rapidly approaching party gave my pulse
! a bound and with thrill OF hope and fear l
recognized the Confederate uniform. In an
other moment | saw that the foremost
/ cavalier was an old friend of ours. did not
! go into the house then. An exclamation
showed that the recognition was mutual |
! knew that he was a member of Gen ]. f. l..
! Stuarts staff although when l last met him
he was minister Of the gospel
a few hasty words of greeting and ex-
! PLANTATION on both sides We're exchanged
when Gen. Stuart riding up, the colonel, my
| friend, introduced me. He remarked at the
same time that / wished to cross the lines,
but afraid TO attempt it on account of
those troops, pointing, as he said it, over his
shoulders at the Federals Gen. Stuart
/ laughed as he said: Madam, YOU need have
no fears. They are bagged. We have sur
rounded them" Raising my eyes to the hill
opposite / saw the confirmation of his words
| The transfer of arms and munitions Of war
was actually taking place at the moment
was not long IN crossing the river, and
| before many hours had passed reached Dr.
Stewards house 1t was quite dark. al
though we had driven rapidly. The doctor
met me at the door with hearty welcome
| He sent for Mrs. Stewart and both cheerfuily
promised ali the assistance in their power.
At tie supper table 1 met Miss Stewart,
progressing young lady, very handsome
I ami dashinc. Mrs. Stewart unlocked cab
met. and taking therefrom a pistol han led it
TO her daughter and another she placed in
her own belt She said to me: Now Mrs
. NJ M
/ 60 with you. The doctor is not able TO 90
out after night We will do our best to de-
| fend and protect you.' There was a dash of
adventure and danger and Of romance that
quite thrilled me at this point We had all
talked al Richmond and elsewhere about our
patriotism ami all ths rest, but | had never
before hc.n brought into direct contact with
anything Ike this.
Il YVES necessary to make the crossing at
night The carriage, driven by a faithful
Old servant of Mrs Stewart, proceeded
slowly through the woods We were mostly
silent u spoke in 4 low tone. NY own ref,ec-
ticns wer. iull of anxiety AMI perhaps, fear,
as we went on AMI on through the dark for
est, damp with dews AMI weird and solemn
enough Tor funeral pail for all the dead
slain IN the war. Ii was after midnight
when ve sto ped 4 signal was given and
almost immediately voice said: "All right
Mrs. Stewart We waited perhaps ten min
utes, when We We're joined by n gentleman
to whom Mrs Stewart explained our wishes
To my regret lie said 1T was too late to
make the attempt that Il. ,ht. But he would
lie glad To have me remain AZ his house I'm
til the n xt night. when no said he woul.l
put ne across himself the next aight l
crosse! sar,lg u the northern shore Il the
Potomac. We rowed into one of many
creeks t. the houSa Of n southern gentleman.
throu "a Whose kiniHesS 1 was enabled T.
reach Port Tobacco. ten miles distant the
next GAY. There took the stage for WASH
ingtUn City. The only passenger besides
myself was gentleman from the south also
runnin- the hlDskade from whom receive;
some valuable SUI -gestiouS. Hanging on now
l reael!ei my friends in Baltimore next
morning, worn GU, with fatigue and excite
ment