The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-11-03

about six o'clock, I struck directly for the
hills, the Massanutten range, and Chamber
ing up into a place of security from whence
I could see a long distance up and down
the valley. The 9th dawned cold and wet,
and had much to do stamping round in
my close retreat to keep myself warm, but
the long day and night slowly wore away,
and the 2Sth found me hungry, wretched
and desperate. ! had not closed my eyes in
refreshing sleep since the 18th. Even then
| was prisoner, and my sleep was not over
sweet.
Il ventnred cautiously to explore my sur
roundings. Keeping northerly along the
ridge of the mountains under cover of the
friendly woods | travelled perhaps three
miles or more, when | came in sight of
farm house below me on the river bank. /
looked with longing eyes upon the orchard,
and resolved to try my schoo-boy feats at
dark. / studied the line of approach, and
made my plans while it was still light, and
the early evening found me trespassing.
! The first taste of the hard green fruit was
unsatisfactory and forbdding. ! left them
with disgust; but fortune was to favor me
| yet, for | CHANGED to come upon the garden
where nice strawberry bed came under my
observation and inspection. Ripe straw
| berries there were, and some that were not
so ripe I don't think that / Disseminated
very closely, for | made quite meal and
retired somewhat refreshed, and in better
spirits. The morning of the 29th found me
| as lively bright and cheerful as could be
| expected
II could see some negroes, one quite ell
derby white man, and some women moving
about the place. All the young and strong
men were, as usual away in the rebel army.
Late in the afternoon | observed one of the
negroes strolling into the woods of the hill
side, and resolved upon an interview. |
met him about halfway down the hill. He
was much frightened at first, but / soon
made friends with him. He promised to
bring me some food at night and did so,-
some milk and corn cakes, which devoured
ravenously. He also brought me an old rug
which | wrapped around me. and slept
sound and well into the morning Some
of the fragments of my supper gave me quite
a hearty breakfast, and the 30th was a bright
day in my calendar, for | slept nearly all the
day long, and the night brought me fresh
milk and cakes from my kind negro bene-
factor.
con the afternoon of the 31st some strag
Cling troops were seen over on the pike, and
on the first of June large bodies of troops
were seen moving rapidly south up the
turnpike. | made out the Confederate flag
in the distance, and knew it was Jackson's
army sweeping back up the valley. Hao
he been repulsed, and was he now retreat
ing?" | asked myself. While / was cogit
ating this question the sound of heavy guns
in the neigbborhood of Strasburg convinced
me that my conjectures were right and thai
he was followed by some of our Union
forces. Had Banks turned upon him? No
he had not the power to do so. 1t was Gen
eral Fremont, who had now rushed into tn,
valley from the west, and was now press
ing the rear of Jackson's retreating army.
My negro friend called early in the even
ing and gave me this. cheering news. | tolC
him that | was now safe, and would bold,
visit the house. This | did, and was hospi
tably entertained by the inmates, and afte
indulging in the luxury of bath slept in
: comfortable bed, while the rain was pour
ing down outside in torrents. My entertain
ers stated that the bridge over the west forl
near Strasburg, was but two miles down tn,
river, and | started on the morning of thu
Sd to cross over into orr lines at Stras
burg, now as | knew, again in possession o
our troops On descending the north slope
of Three-top mountain, near the bridge,
was surprised to see a cavalry cOmpan,
moving about just below me. A close
view disclosed the Union blue, and / hur
a ried towards them. They proved to be
, company of the First Maine cavalry, por
! ton of which knew were with Mcdowell
! army, while the other portion were with II
+ in Banks army. This company was tn
+ advance pioneer corps of McDowell's army
: | soon after rejoined my regiment.
had been reported among the killed, and
was like one risen from the grave, when
was clasped in my mothers arms, some fey
month afterwards.