The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-24
NEAR FREDERICKSBURG.
A PLEASANT LITTLE STORY OF THE
CIVIL WAR.
Il sqnad of Federsis Captured by Some Of
Mosby's Mcp-A Yankee Prisoner saves
HI. Csptor's Life--substantiai Token OF
Gratitude In Return

Gratitude In Return
In the afternoon cold storm OF rain
set in eud soon 1t was nearly dark as
night. We moved into the woods short
distance above tho railroad. aud :ried TO
End some shelter from the torrents OF rain
that fcll furiously upon us. Our supply
trains were still miles in the rear, strug'
Cling In the deepening mud At o'clock
Lieut. Stone Of the First Maine was
detailed and ordered to report 10 the
quarte-msster in charge Of the trains.
and 10 aid him in his nrduous duties
With one orderly he set cut, but had
scarcely got quarter Of mile from
our fires when Lieut. Paine of Mosby's
guerrillss. with squad of men, dashed
out from a little thisket of pines where
they had been concealed and gobbled up
the two, who surrendered with resistance,
and set out at once for Paine S house near
Warrenton. They were kindly treated
by their captors. given something TO eat
and comfortable quarters for the night.
The rain continued necessarily until
morning, when 1t cleared away. and the
sun came out once more
fnlnC SldElPV early WIN us fiiSNhNs' "
deliver them at Lees headquarters. The
streams aud creeks were full to overflow
ing. and the progress Of the party was
necessarily slow. Fearing they might
meet some Of our cavalry they kept out
an advance guard TO spprise them OF APP
preaching danger At length a. they
came to Il creek not far from Sulphur
Springs. which had overflowed its banks
and bridges, the guard halted and hest
tated to drive into the Wild stream. Paine
soon came up and denounced them in the
presence Of the prisoners as towards, and
Immediately plunged in, Of the same time
calling 10 tho others 10 follow, but he
had not gone far, however, when his horse
lost his footing, and the two were swept
down the stream.
wHIRLIsG DOWN TO DEATH.
The guard stood apparently 'paralyzed
ns they saw tia man and horse struggling
IN tho mad waters Stone ut first looked
on with indifference. but soon better
nature possessed him, and when he could
no longer sit and see man, his and his
country's enemy even. whIrling down TO
certain death, he called TO the guards:
"Cowardsl will you see that man drown
before your eyesy' No man spokel No
man moved Paralyaed still Stone then
ealloped quickly down the stream, and
below the drowning mau. who had now
become detached from his horse, and rode
out and caught him by the hair as he
came along and pulled him IN shore. At
this point the guard lad begun TO recover
consciousness, and rode down aud aided
In restoring the exhausted Confederate.
When he had recovered somewhat and
could talk q little, Stone said to him:
"Unaided and alone saved your life, and
now you cannot do less than restore TO
me my horse and libesty.'
Paine ted him he would be glad to do
so. but that he could not Is all prisoners
once IN his possession legally belonged to
the Confederate government, and II he
released o. surrendered one, on any pre-
text whatever he would suffer ut the
hands Of that government but be prom
iscd 20 send Il statement OF all the facts
to Gen. lee, and ask hin TO use his great
influence with the war department in
Stones behalf
Pines horse came in shore n short dis
tanec FROM whore he was prlled in, and
in little time they were all mounted again,
and Oh their way to cross the creek at
some point above. Finally we reached
the Confederate lines, where the prison
crs were turned over 10 another guard,
by whom they were taken 20 Lees head
quarters aud from thence to Richmond,
where they were assigned quarters III
Libby prison.
REPRIEvED TX TIE CONFEDERATEs.
But Stones confinement was joyfnlly
short, for 1T the close of the second day o
reDricve from the Confederate secretary
Of war was sent Lin, and on the follow
ing morning he wGG placed On board the
truce boat and ser down tho James river
TO our lines Paine had not been unmini-
fiil Of has obligations 10 Stone, nor Of lis
promises at the creek He Informed Con.
leo Of his accident, OF the inaction of his
ner and If the col rage and kindness OF
the Yankee lieutenant in risking his life
IN the dangerous ~ ream 70 save that or
his enemy and cep"or and he asked Gen.
Lee-cntreated him, 10 recommend a
favorable consideration Of this worthy
ard important case Lee recommended
pardon and lis Immediate release 10 tho
Union lines. which were willingly
GRANTED. Stone went directly TO Wash
ington and soon after his arrival there
learned that Paine, his captcr, had just
/ been brought in and lodged in the Old
/ Capitol prison tic had been captured the
day before in a slirmish with the Eighth
Illinois cavalry while mounted on Stone .
mare, a beautiful bay he (Stonc) had
( brought from Maine with him. and which
I he priced very biyhly. Stone obtained
permission and visited Paine in prison.
The meeting Of the two was most cor.
| dial end friendly. Paine was grateful
for Is life and safely and Stone for bis
life md liberty Tic second day after his
arrival in Washington Stone returned 20
/ his regiment, having been absent just ohe
week; and we knew nothing Of his release
/ or Of his capture even, until the morning
/ of the day lie returned, when VIC received
/ TIE Washington Chronicle, containing
the facts Of the case briefly stated. lie
went Immediately 10 the Eighth Nlinqis
regiment. found his horse unframed.
proved his title and took her away. lie
brought Richmond papers with him,
which contained accOrnts Of the incident
ct the creek, as reror ed BY Paine to Cen
/ Lee The editors freely and favorahly
commented upon the humane act Of this
"exceptionable Yar,kce, and highly com
mended the Confederate government for
/ it's generous kindness in releasing and re-
turning him 70 the Union lines. -Bost'al