Crawford avalanche., 1886-07-01
CRAWLING, MICHIGAN THURSDAY, JULY l, 1885, N

pany III. Seventh PennBylvania, my de-
liverer and Owens captor.
All natives of the same State. j am glad
to say that Owens was the only Washing
ton County man / ever heard of who fought
with the Coniederacy.
Owens asked il we were going 10 make
him walk. Lieutenant Eddie responded:
mo; we are going to hang you, and save
you the trouble OF walking"
took his horse, exchanging his for my
own saddle. While doing this, Owens came
to me and said:
"They do not intend hanging us. That
would be contrary to the rules Of war"
l answered. "You do not stand for the
rules OF war when you get any of our boys.
But what made you take such risk to cap
ture me. am no great catch"
I'VE wantod the papers you carry" said
he.
"Where did you get your information?"
"A negro came into our camp and in
formed us. He is spy in the pay of our
Colonel"
"Had he boy with himp"
"No; 1t was the boy himself. He told us
of the old man being with him, and the old
coon is down on US. So he had 10 slip away
from him and hurry TO us with the news"
/ had heard enough. The darlkies could
not all be trusted. How unwise my telling
them of the purpose of my journey. II had
come nigh defeating it.
"How far did ride under your fireP"
After considering moment he replied,
"About twelve miles.
In the pursuit the rebels had lost seven
killed, and seventeen prisoners. None of
our side had received a scratch but myself
We could now begin to hear the heavy
guns of Pittsburg Landing-the expected
battle had begun. 1t served to remind me
of the Importance of my mission. Bidding
the boys all good morning mounted my
new horse and rode away in the direction
of the battle. First, let me add that had
secured from negro residents in the vicinity
of the camp the promise 10 care well for
my wounded horse. l left him standing
where he stood when / took the saddle
from him, and he looked almost humanity or
more mt me as ] rode away.
Any old cavalry man will understand the
swelling heart with which 1 parted after
| such tests from that noble horse. Let it
be his eulogy that during the whole night
he bore me bravely through a trackless
wood, ending with twelve mile race under
constant fire, and to him give due credit for
the safe deliverance to General Grant of
the message which that day reached him in
the nick of time. Here's honor to my
noble horse. In parting, if shed a tear it
was a soldiers tear, that did honor TO my
manhood. rode away with such emotions
as could not be repressed. My eyes were
full, my heart throbbing, and to-day, more
than twenty-three wears ago, l say, "God
bless me for that tribute of emotion TO q
noble horsei"
Once more on the road, and the desire to
do-to faithfully accomplish my Grand
possessed me.
1t was Sunday. The enemy had ar
ranged an attack upon our forces, and were
now wheeling into line and concentrating
their efforts for the destruction of General
Grants forces. As l rode rapidly forward
and thought as to the final result, / could
not for n moment feel but the Union would
prevail.
Minute by minute could note the growth
Of the battle as battery after battery, and
FaRimRdAt afttef6 SsRigGHt ne9r heit1taliRR after
came engaged. The volume of the battle
grew and grew, and with it my desire to
deliver my precious message.
The road was muddy and bad, but l
urged forward my horse, now reeking with
sweat. began to meet refugecs--negroes
so frightened they could not speak-women,
children, dogs-all intent upon getting away
from the fray.
It was two o'clock p. m. when / arrived
upon the rivers bank, opposite Pittsburgh
Landing. looked over the scene with vary
ing, strange emotions. That was no Iowa
harvest field.
The ferryboat carried me over, and /
hurried forward to find General Grant.
Shot and shell were flying over my head
no dinner horn music they.
In short time found the General. He
stood watching the working of some new
batteries engaged in shelling the woods
beyond. His face wore a troubled look.
When l handed him the papers he tore off
the envelope with haste, read few lines,
turned to me and said:
"Did General Nelson send any verbal
messagep"
Ireplied, "Yes. He said he would be in
line with you Tomorrow
He sent an orderly at once to repeat that
to other commanders.
He then said to me, "You can now go and
get rest. think you must need it,.
rode back to the river just in time 10
take the boat for Savannah, which we
reached Just rs Nelson's advance came up.
Thus have / tried to detail days work
for my country-an eventful one. Chicago
Ledger.