The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-07-28
A WAR STORY.


cinnah Enquirer says: The following
rather romantic incident OF the late war
has been known to che immediate friends
Of the two gentlemen concerned for sev-
eral months, but this is the fret time it
has been given to the public, and will
be read with much interest by ! large
number Of Kentuckians and Indianians.
not for the sake OF the incident alone,
but alse on account Of the prominence
Of the parties.
Il will be remembered that toward
the-cioss oi the wsfA plan wee ses afoos
to liberate and arm the Confederate prIs-
oners 10 Northern prisons, and let them
commence operations 10 the rear Of tho
Union armies. Quite number Of lead
ers 10 the Confederacy we're engaged IN
working up the plan, and among others
Was young man named Castleman, who
bad himself escaped from prison and
succeeded in reaching Canada, the near.
est point OF safety, where be and ten
others we're assigned to certain duties In
the scheme Of liberation. They left
Canada one at time on their respective
MISSIONS, -greeipg to meet at Indian.
apolis,' Ind, on Q certain day and report
progress, and arrange their future move.
ments.
Before the day OF meeting arrived,
however. youns Csstleman Was captured
and condemned to bs shot, and instesd
of going to lndisnspolis 10 meet his
comrades, be was taken there under
guard TO have bis sentence executed.
Strangely enough be landed there the
very day egreed upon with bic trieude,
and while waiting OF the depot another
train came In and he saw them descend
from the cars and peer cautiously about
% il looking for him. He knew they
must leave indianapolis at once or their
capture Was inevitable, bat be was pow.
efless to warn them himself, for that
would canse them to be Suspected, and
thus bring about the very thing be wished
to avoid. Just then his guard moved
away little distance, and he determined
to take desperate chance and ssk soms
lof the many strangers in the depot 10
warn bis friends. Casting his eve over
the tbrong be finally selected man win
. kind and benevolent counlenance, Who
was standing few steps away. II che
stranger proved unfriendly il would b.
equal to an order OF arrest to ssk bin
to give warning. but be felt II ,hev went
unwsrned they would be arrested any.
how, 90 he took the chances, desperate
90 they we're, and ssuntered casually up
TO the man and ssid:
81 beg your pardon, sir, but sm il
rather On unfortunate situation, heing
condemned t. he shot ia . lev days,
and, although you are stranger, wsnt
you to do me favor"
II will do it with great pleasure" re-
piled the stranger, il l can do % con-
sistently."
DO You zee that email group OF men
standing over there 7' said Cksl-man.
pointing at the same time with bis hsnd.
well, unless they leave on the neat
train they will soon be in condition
similar to mine, and I want you TO 20
st once and tell them to leave. win
vou grant this request to man who bee
but . few more days to live ?"
Il WILL" said the stranger, and belore
young Castleman WIS taken fron the
depot be had the plessurer Of seeing nis
comrades board the train in obedieuce
to bis massage.
Through tae influence OF friends re.
spite Of thirty da, 8 was granted Castle.
man. and before chat time expired tho
Southern armies had surrendered, peSee
reigred sgain and oil prisoners we're ~
At liberty. He never learned the name
OF the stranger who sided him In saving
bia friends from arrest hut aome months
since, Hon. Ba, lees w. Hanna was In
the parlor at Alexander's hotel 10 Louis-
vile, talking 10 some friends, when .Ad.
jUtant- General John b. Castleman of
this State walked In. General Castle.
man gszad very intently at Judge Hanna
for eeveral minutes, and then slowly
walking up 10 him said:
"if I am not mistaken you ere The
man who d,d me great favor sbout
twenty years ago. ! don't know your
name. hut | have never forgotten the
face" He then related the circumstances
ss written above. and when be finished
Judge Hanna said -
II am the man, and I am delighted 10
see you again. and under more favorable
circumstances this time, see
or course they related The iDciirns
over and over agsiu, 10 oil its de'sils.
and il Was uuch enjoyed by all thvss
present.