The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-03-16
CHAPTER XVI.
HoMEWARD BOUND.

A little before dark on the evening of
the 18th Of March we were sitting around
the stove, laZily but not indifferently dis
cussing the siege of Vicksburg, when an
officer entered in haste and gave the
strange order: Gan who want to 90 to the
United States fall into line and come to
the office" There was q rush and a
scramble to the middle of the floor, and no
line was ever formed more promptly. We
all believed that we were already in the
United States, but had no objection to be
still more so; and it was with q good
many questiOnings that we marched out
Of the guarded room door, across the
courtyard, and as many of US as could
enter at once into the Office. The proper
officers were prepared with blank forms,
and they filed out rapidly the oaths of
parole binding the signers not to serve
against the Confederacy until regularly
declared exchanged. Even when 1 saw
this good work progressing feared that
the opportunity was only for others. To
test the matter / pressed forward and
gave my name, fully expecting to hear,
1.-THE engine thieves can't go;' but, to my
surprise, no objection was made. For a
moment delicious hope thrilled through
home, dazzling as a summer flash of
lightning, shone forth before my eyes.
Wewere told to be ready to start north at
4o'clOck the next morning. We could have
been ready in four secondsl But we were
unutterably glad to have it brought even
that near. At times deadly misgiving
arose for n moment that all this might
prove a delusion; but the actual signing
Of "a 10 or To
hope.
As might be expected, that evening was
one Of wild excitement. Nearly every
body in our room acted like men bereft of
reason. Some danced and bounded over
the floor, embracing each other and
pledging kind remembrances. Others
shouted till they were too hoarse to shout
any more. Others sat down and wept
The deliverance was so greet that they
were completely overpowercd. Int few
were, for some reason, not permitted to
90, and we deeply piticd thc!l
1t was near midnight before VIC became
calm enough to offer up our usual c"en-
ing devOtiOns. But when the roomful of
excited men were still at last, wearied out
by the very excess of joy, and overcome
by the quietness which ever follows DOW
erful emotion, we knelt in prayer Many
more than the usual number assembled
with us In the corner of the room where
we always gathered. The prayer was one
OF overmastering thankfulness. When
we remembered all the sufferings through
which we had passed It seemed as if we
could never cease to be grateful. We
asked God for strength to bear every trial;
but we also implOred with a fervor and
sincerity which few can realize, that he
would not allow our bright and vivid
hopes to be disappointed and us to be
dashed back from the paradise of liberty.
And we asked with no little sOlicitude for
strength to continue in his service when
no longer confined within prison walls, SO
that the precious possession we had found
In tho darkness might not pass away in
the light; thus composed we lay down to
await the event.
The commanding officer, who stepped
into the door long before the morning
light give the thrilling order, ''Get up
and prepare for your Journey"
At his call we hurriedly thronged to
our feet. All doubts and fears vanished.
1t was truel Freedom once morei Our
terrible activity was passed. o joyl Joyl
Joy inexpressibleI almost too wild and
delirious for earthl
There was a hurrying around In the
partial darkness left by the glimmering
OF lights; discordant calling of nqmes, a
careful inspection Of each man to see TINT
none went but those intended; and then
we formed In the courtyard for the march
toward freedom. We fell into two lines
and when all was ready we passed again
INTO the Office, were carefully counted,
and with bounding hearts passed out
ward through the dreaded portals of
Castle Thunder-the same portal through
which we had passed inward more than