The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-12-23

the mornings light of our corps, but knew
there must be many OF the enemys stray
glers there. Turning about, was making
my way back to the train, when L heard
shrill voice cry out:
Halt, there, Yank-surenderV"
looked in the direction of the voice,
and saw the muzzle of a rifle covering me,
not four rods off. Behind it was a man
in butternut clothes. i did not hesitate;
his aim was too sure. His bullet would
certainly have gone through me had dis
obeyed.
was fairly caught
i dismounted, and gave him my horse.
II was not minute before three more
russell dressed fellows joined him. Ii APP
peared that they belonged to Earlys rear
guard, and had pushed their Investigations
over this way--to see if they couldn pick
up some stray Yank, like me, one of them
said, with a grin. They did not wait, but
took the turnpike back toward Strasburg
with me, taking in three more of our
stragglers on the way. Arrived at the
rendezvous of prisoners, | found a very
large number there, including many
officers, and several of my regiment. who
gave me some account OF the severe fight
ing hat had occurred in the fog, and the
heavy loss.
Here we remained until sunset, when the
reports from the front showed that Early's
whole army was in saStrous re reat. Soon
the stragglers began to pour past us up the
road cavalrymen by ones, twos, and threes
rode by, and wagons, ambulances and
artillery caissons began to crowd the re-
treat Cedar Greek crossed the field, and
the highway with the bridge over it was the
only practicable ave nue. of escape; there
Co. Ill 81, u
federate retreat was begun was right under
my eye. There was n great deal of noise,
some swearing, and lots of whipping-up of
mules and horses Far off to the north
west We heard the lively rattle of musketry,
swelling into n great noise, with the occa-
sional boom of piece Of artillery; and as
the sound came nearer We knew that our
friends were doing the driving this time.
How | longed TO be with them!
"Out of this pow!" yelled the Colonel
who commanded the guard. Prisoners, TO
the middle of the pike-into column, some
way! Guards, take your places on the
hanks-quick, there-now, forward, march
and shoot every lank who tries TO
escape! Repeat that order up there-do
you hear? Every Yank that tries to escape
will be shot"
We all heard very we'll. We were started
almost at double quick, and the pace was
kept up till We were near the ascent of
Fishers Hill. Without mentioning this
subject again, may say that until | left
the column, i'll the way that will be related,
there was a continual urging up of prison.
ers, with considerable profanity, and not
few uncomplimentary illusions to that
- little cuss, Custer" The officers in
charge seemed to be in constant dread of
the pursuit of our cavalry; and they had
reason to be.
At Toms Brook we were halted and
turned out Of the road to allow a long
string of flying wagons to pass. Here some
pieces OF hard-tack were distributed among
Us, and We were permitted TO drink at the
brook. teen into column again, up the
road TO Fishers Hill, up the hill, and on
toward Newmarket W. were urged. BY
this time it was so dark that face could
not be distinguished two yards OFT; but our
guards were very yiglant and rather acted
as though they would like "A fairpretext to
shoot somebody. For my part, was on
the lookout for n chance to escape. | had
resolved that / should try it, and take all
the necessary risk. All | waited for was a
good chance.
/ got it in most unexpected way.
We were only n few miles on the road,
so fast that we had almost caught the rear
most of the wagons. Close behind the
wagons, and of course only few PAGES
from our foremost files, was n squad OF de-
moralZ5 d Confederate soldiers, escaping
without arms. A mounted officer ut the
head OF our column had several times or
dered them to go faster, or set out of the
way. as they delayed the prisoners. TAX
ing in the situation my plan was at once
formed. / worked my way gradually up to
the head OF our column, and when his eyes
We're turned in another direction / got four
or five feet ahead of it. When he turned
and saw me, precisely the thing hap
pened that l had hoped he took
me for one of the Confederates, and
sharply ordered me to move up.
| very gladly obeyed, and thus removed
myself entirely from the oversight of the
guard. With this done, it was easy to
withdraw 10 the side of the road, and, in
visible in the darkness. wait till the column
had passed. Then plunged deep into the
woods.
Exulting in the sense of my freedom, l
turned north in the direction of Fishers
Hill, expecting that, by going through the
woods TO the brow OF the hill, l could
thence in the morning map out a
safe line back to camp. | was quickly I'M
deceived. AS plunged along carelessly
in { "a dark, / heard the sound of voices n
little way In the front of me. l listened,
and soon discovered that here was a squad
of Confederate fugitivcs, collecting sticks
to make fire. Stealthily l drew away,
aud took westerly course again. The in
cident set me to rejecting. There was no
"a ETY. in laundering along in this way,
when the whole woods were swarming with
the fugitiyes of Earlys army, too weary
and footsore to pursue their flight Reach
ing bare. rocky place, which looked as
lonely as though the foot of man had never
passed that way, laid down on the scanty
bed of leaves that managed to scrape to-
gether and slept uneasily till morning
much discomforied by severe black frost.
was promptly astir in the morning, and
my heart was gladdened at sunrise to see
the spires Of Strasburg off to the northeas
SO near had l approached the top of the
hill in the darkness. It'll be an easy mat
ter, now" reflected, ito make wide cir
cult TO the west, and get back to camp" |
started off, and could not have gone half a
mile when | stumbled upon three men,
sleeping on the ground. / tried to with
draw without alarm, but one of them
awoke. saw me, and called the others. All
three jumped up and surrounded me.
"Who the devil be you?" one asked.
81 belong to Longstreets corps" / said.
I'm looking for it.
Whats them blue clothes dom on ye?'