Daily Republican., 1888-11-06
Story OF rHE OWL wAK.

In the afternoon a cold storm of
rain set in and soon IL was nearly
dark as night. We moved into the
woods short distance above tho rail.
road, and tried TO find some shelter
from the torrents Of rain that fell furi
oualy upon us. Our supply trains
were still miles In the rear, struggling
10 the deepening mud. At 4 O'Clock
Lieut.. Btone of the First Maine was
detailed and ordered TO report to the
quartermaster 10 charge OF the trains
and TO aid him In his arduous duties
With one orderly he set out, but Ind
scarcely got a quarter ola mile from
our fires whom Lieut.. Paine Of Mosby's
gnerrillas, with squad of men,
dashed out from a little thlcket Of
pines where they had been. concealed
and gobbled up the two. who surren-
dered with resistance. and set out at
once for Paine's house near Warren.
ton. They were kindly treated by
their captors, given something to eat
and comfortable quarters for the
night. The rain continued inces
sanity until morning, when il cleared
away, aud the sun came out once
more.
Paine started carly with his prise.
ners to deliver them at Lees head
quarters. The streams and creeks
were full to OVERLOOKING, and the pro-
gress Of The party was necessarily
slow. Fearing they might meet some
OF our cavalry they kept out an ad
vance guard to apprise them Of sp.
preaching danger. At length as they
came 70 a creek not far from Sulphur
Springs, which had oYerilowed its
banks and bridges the guard halted
and hesllated 10 drive into the wild
stream. Paine soon came up and do
nounced them in the presence Of the
prisoners as towards, and immedi-
ately plunged In, at the same time
calling to the others to follow; but he
had not gone far, however. when his
horse lost his footing, and the two were
swept down the stream.
wHIRMNa DOWN TO DEATH.
The guard stood apparently para.
| lyzed as they saw the man and horse
struggling in the mad waters. Stone
at first looked on with indifference,
but soon better nature possessed him,
and when he could no longer sit and
see a man, bis and his eountry's
enemy even, whirling down to GER
tain death, be called TO the guards:
"Cowardsl will you see that man
drown before your eyesY"
No man spokel No man moved
Paralyzed still Stone then galloped
quickly down the stream, and below
the drowning man, who had now be-
come 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 had begun TO
recover consciousness, and rode down
and aided in restoring the exhausted
Confederate. When he had recovered
somewhat and could talk little, Stone
said 10 him: "Unaided and alone
saved your life, and now you cannot
do less than restore to me my horse
and liberty"
Paine told him he would he glad TO
DO so, but that he could not, as all
prisoners once in his possession legally
belonged TO the Confederate govern
ment, aud If he released or surrendered
one, on any pretext whatever, he
would suffer at the hands OF that gov
eminent; but he promised TO send a
statement of all the facts to Gen. Lee,
and ask him TO use his great influence
with the war department in Stones
behalf
Paine's horse came in shore short
distance from where he was pulled in,
and in little time they were all
mounted again, and on their way TO
cross the creek at some point above.
Finally we reached the Confederate
lines, where the prisoners were turned
over TO another guard, by whom they
were taken to Lees headquarters
and from thence TO Richmond, where
they were assigned quarters in Libby
prison.
REPRIEvED ny THE CONTEMPORARIES
But stones confinement was Joy
fully short for at the cloIe OF the sec
ond day a reprieve from the Confed-
crate secretary of war was sent him,
and on the following morning he was
placed on board the truce boat and
sent down the James river to our
lines. Paine had not been unmindful
OF his obligations to Stone, nor Of his
promises at the creek. He informed
Gen. Lee Of his accident, of the ina3
ton OF his men and OF the courage and
kindness Of the Yankee lieutenant in
risking his life in the dangerous stream
TO save that OF his enemy and captor,
and no asked Gen. Lee-entreated
him, to recommend a favorable
consideration of this worthy and
important case, Lee recommended
pardon and his Immediate release to
the Union lines, which were willingly
granted.
Stone went directly TO Washington,
and soon alter his arrival there learned
that Paine, his captor, had just been
brought in and lodged in the Old
Capitol prison. He had been captured
the day before in a skirmish with the
Eight Illinois cavalry while mounted
on Stones mare, a beautiful bay he
(Stone) had brought from Maine with
him, and which he priced very highly.
Stone Obtained permission and visited
Paine in prison.
The meeting of the two was most
cordial and friendly. Paine was CRATE
full for his lie and safety and Stone for
his life and liberty. The second day
after his arrival in Washington Stone
returned TO his regiment, having been