Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-02
CHAPTER XXVI.
no NEW ARD BOUND

IL " VI r. " n L. A. ID " I y u.
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 Nicksburg, when an
officer entered in haste and gave the
Strange order: .'Allwho want to go to the
United States fall into line and come to
the Office There was rush and
scramble to the middle Of the floor, and no
line was ever formed Elorc promptly. We
all believed that we We're already in the
United States, but had no objection to be
still more so; and it was with 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 filled out rapidly the oaths of
parole binding the signers not to serve
against the Confederacy until regularly
declared exchanged Even when saw
this good work progressing | feared that
the OPP ortunity was oNiy for others. TO
test the matter | pressed forward and
gave my name, fully expect ing to hear,
The engine thieves can't go;' but. to my
surprise, no objection was made. For
moment delicious hope thrilled through
my veins--a vision of happiness and
home, dazzling as summer flash Of
lightning, shone forth before my eyes.
We were told to he ready to start north at
4o'clock tie next morning. We could have
been ready in four seconds! But we were
unutterably glad to have it brought even
that near. At times deadly misgiving
arose for moment that all this might
prove delusion; but the actual signing
of the parole was strong anchor to our
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 VAS so great that they
were completely overpowered. But few
were, for some reason, not permitted to
go, and we deeply pitied them.
1t was near midnight before We became
calm enough to offer mp our usual even
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 pow
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 overnastering tAankfulness When
we remembered all the sufTerings through
which we had passed 1t seemed as If we
could never cease to be grateful. We
asked God for strength to bear every trial;
but we also implored with 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 the 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 gave the thrilling order, Get up
and prepare for your journeyr'
At his call we hurriedly thronged to
our feet. All doubts and fears vanished.
1t was truel Freedom once moreI Our
terrible activity was pa o joyl Joyl
Joy inexpressiblei almlIt hoo wild and
deliriouS for earthi
Thsrexlcos, hurrying around in the
partial dSbate Of 2 It by the glimmerine
OF Hghts; lat calling Of names, .