The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-02-23

DOWNWARD BOUND.
A little before dark on the evening OF
the 18th Of March we were sitting around
the stove, lazi1y but not indiherently dis
cussing the siege Of Vicksburg, when an
officer entered in haste and gave the
strange order: "An who want to go to the
United States fall into line and come to
the ONCE" There was q rush and q
scramble to the middle OF the floor, and no
line WIS ever formed more promptly. We
all believed that we were already in the
United States, but had no objection to be
still more 30; and it was with good
many questionings that we marched ous
Of the guarded room door, across the
courtyard, and as many Of rs as could
enter at once into the ONCE. 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 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,
''The engine thieves can't go;' but, to my
surprise, no objection was made. For q
moment q delicious hope thrilled through
my veins-a vision of happiness and
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 secondsi But we were
unutterably glad to have it brought even
that near. At times deadly misgiving
arose for a moment that all this might
prove delusion; but the actual signing
Of the parole was g 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 TIL they were too hoarse to shout
any more. Others sat down and wept.
The deliverRnce was so great that they
were completely overpowered. But few
were, for some reason, not permitted to
go, and we deeply pitied them.
It was near midnight before we became
calm enough to offer up 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
erfu emotion, we knelt in prayer. Many
more than the usual number assembled
with rs 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 Is 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 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, sect up
and prepare for your Journeyr'
At his call we hurrtedly thronged to
our feet. All doubts and fears vanished.
It was truei Freedom once morel Our
terrible activity was passed. o joyi Joyl
Joy inexpressiblei almost too wild and
delirious for earth!
There was a hurrying around IN the
partial darkness left by the glimmering
Of lights; discordant calling of names, q
careful Inspection of each man to see that
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
three months before. There was all the
hope of the morning In this coming outl
We halted on the pavement until per-
fectly formed, and then, with the guard,
marched through the muddy, unlighted
streets for many squares. There were q
number of sick in our company, but not
one Of them was willing to be left behind;
and as the rebels had neglected to provide
any conveyances, we helped them-each
being supported between two stronger
men, and thus with circling arms they
were able, at the expense OF much suffer
/ ing in some cases-to accompany us the