Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-05-25


home by Monte SanO. but when it did
come it broke the spirit Of ''Col.''
John and turned still whittier the head
OF the sweet faced mother; for it was
said that IN the battle both boys had
fallen under the shower OF Federal
balls. 1t was not long before there
was "burying" from the house In
the cove and the body of ''CoI. - John
was laid to rest among the pines he
loved 50 well.
And the mother? She too would
gladly have died. but nature was too
stroLg. the time cames moreover
when she was glad that death had
spared her. for there came to her from
lar away Fort Delaware q letter from
her surviving boy, telling OF the older
oroCher's death and the younger ones
Imprisonment. She read the letter
many times and as the tears rolled
down her sunken cheeks she fell on her
knees and thanked God that one son
at least had been spared TO her. A
sudden resolution possessed her. She
would leave the little home In the
cove and go away to the north. She
would 60 to Fort Delaware, and they
would not refuse to let q mother see
her son--even a Confederate" moth
er. Once she had looked upon his facs
again she would have courage to wait
Tor his release.
Travelling was slow. Weeks passed
before she was enabled to get through
the opposing lines and into Washing
ton. at last, dying from want, sor-
row and fatigue she stood in the com
mandant's room at Fort Delaware
with written permission to see and
speak with the boy she loved so we'll
They tell sad stories of Fort Della
~ h.. 4 l.
Libby prison Of the north. I don't
ike to believe it. Neither do you.
They say that after q certain engage
ment the northern generals accused
the COnfederates of outrageous cruel
ty, and IN retaliation q score or more
prisoners were taken from the fort
and ANONYMOUSLY hanged. Perhaps
they are mistaken, and that there
We're better grounds for hanging than
that.
By some means a rumor had gained
credence in the prisoners barracks
that something of the kind was to
take place, while the impression pre-
vailed that special vengeance was to
be melted out to the soldiers of Ala
bama, because OF alleged Outrages
committed by regiments from that
state. Young Rogers was not q cow
ard, but he had no desire to meet so
nnsOldierly a death. With that In
Ventlve genius which develops so rap
idly among those held in confinement,
the prisoners in Rogers ''gane" dug
out the stone work and earth under
one OF the banks. and thus secured
not only comparatively safe hiding
place for pilfered pro visions, but also
Tor one or more of their number when
occasion demanded that they should
keep under cover Tor time.
The rumor that retaliaUory meas.
ures we're, in order struck cOnsterna-
ton to many a brave heart. and
when, for any reason, a Federal or
derby came to the prisoners barracks
and called the name of g. Johnny
Reb, there was a general feeling Of
mlsglvlng, and an effort made, when
possible, to discover for what purpose
the prisoner was wanted before an
sWering to his name. So that when
one day the barracks were excited to
a fever point by the calling of a dozen
names or more, and the name of Joe
Rogers" rang with startling distinct
ness IN the ears Of that young Alaba-
milan, he did not wait to be seen, but
hurrledly craWed into the grub
hole. and held his breath for fear OF
discovery and the consequences that
would follow. Three times the orderly
called:
Joe Rogersl Joe Rogers! Joe
ROgersl" rang through the long cOrri-
dor.
Then the prisoners crowded around,
and the orderly seemed to be unaware
that Rogers had failed to answer to
his name. he went away, and on the
records it was written that Joe Rog-
ers had been trRnsferred-as even the
officers thought-to be hanged.
a sad look came into the face of the
commanding officer when the white
haired woman gave him the slip Of
paper that to her meant so much.
Rogers Is not here now" he said,
finally.
shelooked at him, dazed by the in
telligence.
''Not-here?"
ono; he has been transferred. -
''Where2"
The officer had a heart.
IL do not know" he said. He
could not tell that sad eyed woman
what ne believed to be the truth.
But he could not deceive her.
'He is dead" she cried, wildly, and
5ottering forward she clasped her
hands across her breast and sank IN
TO a chair.
'BIy poor boyl'' she sobbed. s.IIov-
I'd you so, and yet I was too latel'
The parched lids closed over thesad
ray eyes; the tired head fell forward
5he nervous fingers relaxed their hold.
Come" said the officer, kindly;
you must 60 now. cannot permit
you to remain here
There was no answer.
81 am waiting began, and then
le paused abruptly. Something
strange in her appearance startled
lim. and he stopped down and Deered