The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-01-30

One wednesday morning in Septem-
Der, 1864, | started with my regiment
the Eleventh Vermont Volunteers,
which belonged to the Second Brigade,
Second Division, Sixth Corps-from
Hall Town, a little village near Harper's
Ferry, Va, Winchester being the OBJ
jeciVe point. | was very feeble at the
time, but managed to hold out until
Friday morning, when | fell uncon-
scious in the ranks. The surgeon did
what he could for my relief, and gave
me a pass for the ambulance, which he
said would pass that way. was then
left alone and felt desolate enough.
The ambulance did not come that wav.
or else | was unconscious at the tine
it was passing, for ! never heard it.
This was on Friday morning. In the
afternoon a colored man, somewhat
over six feet in height and large in pro-
portion, came along looking for such
things as the army might throw away
on the march. The colored man has
invariably proved friendly to the United
States soldiers, and this one proved
himself no exception to the rule. He
asked me where | wanted to 90. | told
him to Harper's Ferry. Finding that
| was unable to stand, he took me up
in his arms, as if had been but a child,
and started towards Harper's Ferry. AT
night he took me to a cabin, where l
was very kindly treated by the inmates,
an old negro and his wife, who were
free, and owned few acres of land, thev
told me. They furnished me with baked
apples, the only food | could eat. The
Mt Xt morning my two-legged conveyance
came back and | was taken "aboard -
and carried along by easy stages, my
carrier accommodating while resting,
in order to avoid meeting with guerri-
las, who were plenty in that vicinity.
On Saturday night | was deposited by
an old haystack, made as comfortable
as possible, and left for the right.
Nothing happened to me till Sunday
morning, when, about ten O'Clock, my
black friend left me on a bed of leaves.
| between two large rocks which formed
an arch. He had gone to procure some
apples for me- While he was gone
| two of Mosby's guerrilla scouts came
along aud saw me lying there. One of
them, whom judged to be about thirty
years of age, carried rifle. The other
one, about twenty years of age, carried
revolver. The younger man approached
/ nv "HhC ilo NOAh JohlOh NONCINN lllC
with his rifle. Then he also came up.
When they had robbed me of every
thing of value, which amounted to about
one hundred thirty dollars, the older
one ordered me to arise. | told him
that it was impossible; that could not
stand up. He said | would have to,
and be quick about it. Feeling that
stood no kind of a chance with them
for my life, | made up my mind to tell
what | thought of them. | told them
that knew they always killed Union
soldiers when they found one alone
and helpless. Said |, " You are moth
ing but gang of mean, cowardly rob-
bers, robbing and killing the sick and
helpless, but never daring to face a
well man and fight him." AS | uttered
the last word the older one put the
muzzle of his life to my forehead, and
| mentally babe adieu to earth and
friends. But God did not see fit to let
him carry out his murderous design,
for, just as he pulled the trigger, the
younger man pushed his arm aside Just
in time to cause the ball to 90 into the
ground beside my head. was stunned
for moment, but unharmed-only al lit
tie hair singed. No one, except under
similar circumstances, can imagine the
sensations of that moment, when l
heard the click of the lock and was I'M
able to stir. | do not know what was
said, ifanythiug, till heard the younger
say, CATER all, it is, as he said,
cowardly act. You've got all that be
had good for anything, and what more
do you want? What satisfaction will
ii be to you to kill him? He can't live
anyway; why not lei him die in his own
way?" The more brutal one seemed to
hesitate, 10th to give up his prey, but
finally gave in, saying, " Well, you may
go; you showed your grit pretty we'll"
They then left me, with only an under
shirt and pair of drawers on. When
| they were out of sight my coored
friend came, expecting to find me dead,
as he had heard the report of the rife.
Finding me unhurt, he exhibited as
much pleasure as if he had found a
| brother. :" BY golly," said he, :"
thought you's dead, shuah." He went
off again for little while, but soon re-
turned with apair of pants and a blouse.
! Having put them on me, he took me in
his arms again and carried me, as be-
fore, till he reached a place called
Charlestown, about eight miles from
Harper's Ferry. Here he babe me
goodbye and | was taken in charge by
our cavalry patrol. 1t was with sincere
regret that parted with my faithful
colored friend. No one could have
done more for me than he did, and
may God bless him wherever he is. l
was then taken to the medical director
at Harper's Ferry, who sent me to the
hospital at Sandy Hook, Md, where l
remained long time. From there I
was transferred to the hospital at Fred
erick City, Nd. | have never been
well since. CHARLES ID. NAYLoR,
Co. H, Eleventh VT Volunteers.