The National tribune., 1889-09-05

horse and rode for his life, but the men gained
on him rapidly, and kept firing at him with their
carbines. When within 100 yards or less, Pratt
drew his navy revolver from its holster and
emptied two of the three saddles in four shots.
The reader may doubt this story, as did until
j saw test of his skill with the navy, which
dispeled all doubts as to his ability TO do such
a thing.
When Pratt came up and added his blessing
on us for exposing ourselves on the hill, we
dashed of at lively rate, going nearly north
When we had gone about two miles, we came
to clearing and surprised regiment of rebel
cavalry, which was not more than 100 rods
away, and leisurely marching in the same di-
rection that we were. They faced about and
commenced firing, but did no harm in the few
minutes we were passing the opening We
then headed for the mountains again. We
halted several times, both day and night, while
Pratt would ride to the pike, each time to find
that Banks was not there. The last place was
at small town where n road crossed over the
mountain. While waiting here for Pratt the
guard, which was posted ON the road running
north from town, reported the approach OF a
company of rebel cavalry. The Colonel ordered
the men into line and sent company forward,
which deploycd, as did tho rebel company,
the enemy soon showing up regiment in
line. Pratt soon came in on the road from tho
east. and, on learning that the enemy was in
the mountain there and the Potomac at Han
cock, Md. The Colonel decided that n retreat
up over tho mountain in plain view OF the
enemy could not be made in daylight with
safety, and by making the greatest possible
show of his men by marching them over tho
hills and into the timber and around over the
hills again, planting the two guns in the road
and throwing few shells, he was able to hold
them of till night, when we moved up the
mountain, leaving the skrmsh line until we
were over on the other side, where We waited
until they caught up. We crossed the river at
Hancock the next afternoon, making three
days and three nights on the road, the rebels
appearing on the opposite side before dark aud
soaring us out of Hancock before morning.
Darrah aud | went with the army back to
Winchester, whore we rented a room in the
Fitch Building, near the old Postoffice, whore
we sold papers, periodicals, notions, etc. 1t
was here that We made the acquaintance of
Pratt, aud it was here, in q small room con-
nected with ours, that Pratt and other spies
met and consulted, while we watched seeing
that no one overheard them. There were five
in all of these spies that we met here, one of
the number being a Florida Indian.
The boys of Gen. Whites command who
built the fort on Round Hill, northwest of
town, will remember the one-armod man and
his partner that sold papers, and the races we
had To the fort with Booth aud his partner. and
how we ran out all opposition when the Michi-
gan cavalry boys loaned us two of their best
horses for the purpose Thanks to the Mchi-
gan boys But one day soon after we had sue
ceeded in getting all the trade Pratt came in,
and calling me into the little room, said You
have always been good 10 me- and / can trust
you. Tonight ut ! o'clock the fort will be
blown up. and the men will all be on their way
to Harper's Ferry" We packed up at once to
the surprise of the soldiers who knew u.s. and
i left on the evening train for Harpers Ferry.
Darrah stayed and was in tho fort after the
explosion, ut 100, and came through with the
rear-Iuard We sold papers at Harper's Ferry
until Lee had crossed the Potomac. We then
went to Hagerstown. where we were arrested
as rebel spies. and placed in jail by tho excited
Marshal and Home Guards for refusing to tell
how many men there were at Harpers Ferry,
which We had pretty good idea OF, rs we sold
papers in every regiment and battery there !;
but we thought il our duty not to make it
public. We were sent 10 Chambersburg to DO
tried and hung, as they supposed. We were
met at the depot by several hundred people,
who were anxious TO see the rebel spies. We
were glad to notice that the four men and Ser
geant who were there 10 receive us had the un.
mistakable appearance OF soldiers who had seen
service in the front, which We soon found out
10 be the case, and their Captain was the Pro-
Yost- Marshal of the town, to whom VIC report
ed, and by whom we were shortly released. We
witnessed the battle of Antetam, and could
tell many incidents of the fight. We sold pa
pers 10 the army while in camp there and at
Harper's Ferry. after which / returned home,
went 10 Paris, Ry and enlisted in Co. III, ilsth
Ohio, and served 90 the close Of tho WARN.
/. MOORE, Forest, o. $50 Iht