Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1888-01-07
CHAPTER XVI.
HOMEwARD BOUND,

A little before dark on the evening of
the 18th Of March We were sitting around
the stove, lazily but not indiferently dis
cussing the siege OF Vicksburg, when an
officer entered in haste and gavo the
strange order: CAN who want to go to tho
United States fall into line and come to
the Office" There was q rush and q
scramble to tho middle of the floor, and no
line was ever formed more promptly. We
all believed that we were already In tho
United States, but had no objection to be
still more so; and 1t was with q good
many Q~uestionings that we marched out
Of the guarded room door, across the
courtyard, and as many Of US as could
enter at once into the Office. The proper
officers were prepared with blank forms,
and they filled out rapidly the oaths Of
parole binding tho signers not to serve
against the Confederacy until regularly
declared exchanged. Even when I saw
this good work progressing I feared that
the opportunity was only for others. To
test the matter l 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 u
moment a delicious hope thrilled through
my veins-a vision of happiness and
home, dazzling rs a NINE flash Of
Lightning, shone forth before my eyes.
We were toldtotc ready to start north ut
4o'clcck the next morning. We couldh have
been ready in four seconds! But we were
unutterably glad to have 1t brought even
that near. AT times 4 deadly misgivins
arose for q moment that all this might
prove a dclusion; but the actual signing
OF the parole was u strong anchor to our
hope.
AS might be expected, TINT evening was
one OF wild excitement. Nearly every
body in Il room acted like men bcrcft Of
reason. Some danced and bounded over
the floor, embracing each other and
pledgtng kind rcmembrances. Others
shouted till they were too hoarse to shout
any more. Others sat down and wcpt
Tho deliverance was SO great that they
were completely ovcrpowercd. But u few
were, Tor some reason, not permitted to
go, and we deeply piticd them.
It. was near midnight before we became
calm enough to offer up our usual even
ing dcvotions. But when the roomful Of
excited men were still at last, wcuricd out
by the very excess Of jov, and overcome
by the quietness which ever follows pow
erful emotion, we knelt in prayer. Many
more than the usual number assembled
with US In the corner Of the room where
wo always gathered. Tho prayer was one
OF overmastering thankfulness. When
we remembered all the suf1erings through
which we had passed it seemed as II we
could never cease to be grateful. We
asked God for strength to bear every trial;
but we also implored with q fervor and
sincerity which few can realize, that he
would not allow our bright and vivid
hopes to bc disappointed and us to be
dashed back from the paradise Of liberty.
And We asked with nc 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 VI lay down to
await the event.
g The commanding officer, who stepped
into the door long before tho morning
light gave the thrilling order, Get up
and prepare for your Journey"
At his call we hurriedly thronged to
our feet. AL doubts and fears vanished.
1t was true! Freedom once morei Our
terrible activity was passed. o joyi JOY
Joy inexpressible! almost too wild aud
delirious for earthi
There was q hurrying around in the
/ poASA" VOL ACAG ny LAC S1lAIlLIlcl lAlG
Of lights; discordant calling OF names, u
careful inspection Of each man to see that
none went but those intended; and then
We formed in the courtyard for tho march
toward freedom. We fell into two Lines
and when all was ready we passed again
into the Office, wsre 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 Quit
We halted OF the pavement until per.
fectly formed, and then, with the guard,
marched through the muddy, unlizh.ed
streets for many squares. There wore q
number Of sick in our company, but not
one Of them wa willing to lie left behind;
and as the rebels had neglected to provide
any conveyances, we helped them-eacl
being supported between two stronger
men, and thus with circnng arms they
were able, ut the expe1se OF much suffer.
ing in some cases-to accompany rs the