The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-27


The STRUGGLE FOR THE YALIsE.
where we were to sign the parole, every now
and then some poor unfortunate prisoner would
from exhaustion and over exertion drop in his
tracks from the column and stifen and die.
DYING IN SIGHT OF LIBERTY.
saw one man, who was all eagerness to re-
gain his expected liberty, and was marching
along just ahead of me, suddenly drop as if
shot, and as he turned his face beseechingly
toward the marching column the CLASSY stare
of death could plainly be seen In his wide-open
and staring eyes.
Finally the day came that we were again to
see the beautiful colors of our flag, and never
can / forget when from a tall flagstaff waving
in the wind did l see the Stars and Stripes. /
hardly think it possible for one who has always
been in sight and under its protecting folds to
appreciate the feelings of those who for months
had been cut off and denied even the mention
of its name. To nae it was glorious vision
that had longed for, and now that | again be-
held it, was mute and unable to express my
Joy in words, but from my heart came the ex-
preston, THANK God, again behold the SYM
Dol of my country's greatness" Yes was
again under the protecting folds of the Star
Spanged Banner and Immediately became sub
ject to the treatment Of our own boys in blue.
Kindness couldn't express it. Nothing was too
good for us, and / suppose they would have
killed us with kindness had not the detail of
troops that were ordered to take charge of US
stepped in and relieved our over-zealous COM
rades, and perhaps thus saved our lives.
The first thing they did was to draw us up
in line and issue to each one half tin cup of
whisky diluted with water, and although 1
never had a liking for that kind of beverage,
it tasted as If it were delicious nectar and /
doubled around once or twice and got my full
share. / must say it had surprising and ex-
hilarating effect, as it seemed to give me new
strength. They were very cautious of the
quantity they first gave US to eat and drink,
fearing that in our starved condition and un-
governable appetites we would eat immoder-
ately, and thus create sickness, which some,
despite the watchfulness of our kind comrades,
did to their sorrow.
OFF FOR ANNAPOLIS.
We were finally marched down to Whining
ton, at the mouth of Cape Fear River, and after
being detained there several days. were finally
put upon transport named Francis and
ordered to Annapolis Md.
My recollection Of the trip around Cape Hat
teras is still vivid in my mind, for just as we
were off the cape, with the vessel rolling from
side to side, there was deafening crash in the
bow of the boat, and cry went up that we
were on the breakers. AS the ship turned
from side to side each time the crash came, as
| if the bow Of the boat was being crushed in. 1
expected every moment to hear that VIC were
! going to the bottom but all Of sudden the
noise stopped, and we were informed that one
of the large water-casks had broken loose, and
| as the vessel rolled the cask would roll among
some cracker boxes that were slowed away
/ there and that's what had scared us and made
| US think we were to find watery grave. How
| or when the vessel reached Annapolis / don't
| know, as l had become suddenly sick and de-
| lirious l have faint recollection of being
| boEb Init off hot
was a blank. How long was in this uncon-
| scious condition ] don't know, but when my
| senses finally came 10 me found myself lying
on clean cot in st. Johns Hospital Annapo.
lis; but, alas my hearing and speech were
| both gone, and also my strength. / could sec
! the Surgeons and nurses stand by me and see
their lips move but could not hear a word
neither could | talk; and it seemed that the
room kept rolling like the boat that brought
me there. Besides this, all my hair fell out
| and | guess ] presented a sorry sight. One
morning as awoke | could hear a loud roaring
in my ears, and when anyone spoke it sounded
as if someone was beating on bass-drum. Ny
speech also appeared 10 be coming back to me
and finally could hear and understand, while
/ also could make myself understood; but
was very slow in regaining my strength, and
remember the first attempt to stand on my
feet, when the floor seemed to roll up before
me in such a way that | raised my foot to NEE
| il. But this was only sure indication of re
turning health, which ! recovered sufficiently
to be granted sick furlough. The effect wa
| better than any medicine, for it raised ms
hopes and frightened my prospects that | wa
again 10 see my wife and children, father anC
mother, who had long mourned me as dead.
In st. Johns Hospital everything was clear
and neat, with kind nurses to attend you
every want; besides the hospital was con
stantIy visited by gentlemen and ladies VIII
/ l.1r hnff In ffay.,y
sion, and who kindly offered everything that
sick person would or could wish. Besides
they wrote TO my people in Cincinnati, and i
was the first tidngs they had had Of me sine
my capture. | remember one Of those sympa
{ thetic lady volunteers as she read my name an
address posted at the head of my cot, and i
D ! the kindliest tones asked me If | would no
allow her to write to my friends at home t
which ! readily assented, as had not regaine
sufficient strength to handle pen. To thes
c noble women our soldiers as well as our Natio
owe our everlasting debt of gratitude.
Finally the day came aud ] was notified tina
: they thought it safe for me to go home. The
! gave me fuTlough for 80 days, and, with
. comrade, left the hospital and went from Al
: napolis TO Baltimore, where we had to lay owe
1 night.
/. AGAIN CAPTURED BY GUERRILLAs.
t We we're on hand at train time next morI
G ing, and were soon on our way to our home
b After passing Harper's Ferry in the dusk
d the evening" and while winding through I'll
/ mountains, our train was jammed up again
!, the rocks, and at the same time the rapid di
o charge of firearms was heard. Sooner than
3 takes time to tell it rebel guerrillas presente
e themselves at the car doors and demanded ii
l. surrender of everybody on board. / w
t, stunned and somewhat frightened as, wit
d cooked revolvers, they came through the ca
er and demanded the valuables of the passenger
Ce watches and money and anything of value W
what they called for and received. One o
le Hebrew attracted their attention by trying
s, conceal a valse. A TALL powerful rebel sp
to him, aud grabbed one of the handles while Il
to Jew firmly gripped the other They began
Id pull in opposite directions to gain possession
d, It. when the rebel finally leYeled his revolv