The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-06-20

kapcr's Trying Position--A Scotchmans
Idea Of Honor in war-captor and Cap
tive Meet later In Life.
a day or two before the battle Of the
Thames, Roper's company was told TO
march up the lake some fifteen miles TO
prevent the landing Of the British from
their vessels, and the engagement took
place during their absence. This cir
cumstance rendered it necessary for his
company. which was now the strongest,
to be put in charge Of the prisoners
taken by Commodore Perry and Gen.
Harrison and march them across the
state to the Newport station in Ken
lucky.
His superior officers having been taken
sick. the command dcvolved upon him.
Il was a responsible undertaking for so
young an officer. The company consisted
OF 100 soldiers and the prisoners num-
borcd 400. Their route was through the
wilderness Of the Black Swamp. which
at that season was nearly covered with
water. In their march they became be
wildercd and lost
HONORABLE PRISONERS OF WAR
For three days and nights they wander
cd about IN the swamp WITHOUT food, and
became so scattered that on the morning
Of the third day he found himself with a
guard of only twelve men. and 100 pris-
oners. Seeing their weakness the pris-
oners mutinicd, and refused TO march
No time was to DO lost: Raper called out
his men commanded them 10 make ready,
which they did by fixing bayonets and
cooking their guns lie then gave the
prisoners five minutes 10 decide whether
they would obey him or not. at the OK
piration Of the last minute the soldiers
were ordered to present arms, take aim,
and-but before the word fire" had es-
capped his lips. large Scotch soldier cried
hold" and steppipS aside, asked the
privilege of saying word TO his COM
panions; it was granted, whercupon he
addressed them as follows;'
1--WE have been taken in a fair fight,
and are prisoners; honorably so, and this
conduct is disgraceful to our Kings flag,
not becoming true soldiers Now, " said
he. 81 have had no hand in raising this
mutiny, and propose that all who are
in favor Of behaving themselves as hon.
orablc prisoners Of war shall rally around
me, and we will take the others in hand
ourselves, and the American guard shall
stand by and see fair play" This speech
had the desired effect. the mutiny was
brought to an end without bloodshed,
and I,apcr delivered his prisoners at New.
port. They had among the prisoners two
Indians, whom Raper forced at the point
Of the sword to lead them out of the
swamp.
After Raper's arrival in Newport he
was offered q commission in the regular
army Such was his love for hismother
that he would take 10 important step
without consulting her. Theanswer was
characteristic Of the noble mothers OF
that day My son, if my country was
stiii engaged in war and had fifty sons
1 would freely give them all to her sery-
ice. but. as peace is now declared, think
something better awaits my son than the
camp life Of a soldier in time Of peace.
\ SINGULAR CIRCUMSTANCE.
In 1919 Raper became minister in the
Methodist church, and while travelling III
Indiana, upon the first visit 10 one Of his
appointments, a fine, large man APP
preached him, called him brother, and
said 81 knew you the moment / saw
you. but l suppose YOU have forgotten
me- am the Scotch soldier that made
the speech TO the prisoners thc morning
Of the mudny i'm tho Black Swamp. After
we were exchanged as prisoners Of war;
my enlistment terminated had been
brought to sec the justice Of the Amcri-
can cause and the greatness Of the coun-
try. and 1 resolved to become an Amcri-
can citizen. came 10 this state, rented
some land and opened upa farm. lhavc
Joined tine Methodist church, and, praise
Godl the best Of all is, ! have obtained
religi0nl Not among tho least of my
blessings is q fine wife and noble child.
So come said he, dinner will bcready
bv the time we get home An1thotwo
soldiers, now as friends and Christians,
renewed their acquaintance, aud were
ever after fast friends.
At another time Rapcr met with q
singular accident while riding TO one of
his appointments. Swimming his horse
over creek, the horse became cntangled
and sank, but with great effort he man
AGED TO catch hold of tho limb Of a tree
overhead, where lac was enabled TO rest
and hold his head above water. While
thus suspended, the thought rushcdupon
him. Mother is praying for mc, aad
I shall be saved" After resting mo-
ment be made an effort and got to shore,
his horse also safely landing bis
mother, ninety miles away, that morn
ing awokc suddenly IN alright with the
thought upon her, William is in great
danger" when she sprang from her bed
and falling on her knees prayed for some