Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-10-04

1 Ind only gone short distance
whom heard n noise behind mo. AS
II was growing quite dark, could not
sec from whence it camo, but MS 1t
seemed to approach mo, concluded to
wait until could ascertain what IL
was. had not long TO wait, for in n
moment afterwards Levi came walking
up to where l was. He said that he
had como to the conclusion that he was
mistaken in the course no had taken.
We once more started on our journey
in company, and followed the ridge un-
I'll about two o'clock in tho morning,
and by that time we had come to
where our scouts came every few days,
and OF course we felt comparatively
safe in fact we felt as sure of reaching
the Union lines as IL we were already
there-only fifteen miles away. We
were pushing along quite rapidly, hap
py in the thought that we would
soon be among comrades; we could al
most imagine the welcomes with which
we would be received.
Coming upon two diverging roads or
paths, one running diagonally down the
side of the ridge, the other continuing
on top, we were once more puzzled as
to which was the proper course, and
another chance for dispute. l still
clung to the road on the top of the
ridge, but comradc Sarnes inclined to
the road on the side of the ridge, and
both OF us claimed geographical
knowledge of that section of the coun-
try. My reason for clinging to the
ridge road was that it followed the
creek down to New River. But Levi
could not agree with me, and thought
that the valley road followed the creek
to New River, and that the ridge road
led to the Kenawha river. The reader
will be compelled to ascertain for him
self If he desires to know which OF us
was in the right, rs we never had the
opportunity.
AS Levi was kind enough to relin-
quish his position, l thought l would
not be outdone in generosity, rs l had
very little knowledge of either route,
and out Of courtesy accepted his idea OF
the course, and we started down the
side OF the ridge. After getting into
the valley, we had not proceeded far
when the road crossed the creek, and
about half mile from there we came
across house with single light shin
ing out in the darkness. l was i'm
pressed Immediately with tho idea that
it was an unhealthy place for us, and
that VIC had better get out of there us
quickly as possible. But Sarnes seem
ed to think that my fears were ground
less, and that there was no danger
whatever; possibly some one was sick.
~ have stood it as long rs / possibly
can without something to cat" 1 un-
derstood well enough the cause of this
recklessness; the sufTerings from hun
ger had unbalanced his better judg.
ment. used every argument could
think OF to convince him that it was
wrong for us to get admittance to that
house. In fact, / felt that we were
certainly jeopardizing our chance for
gaining the Union lines. My pursua-
sive powers were exercised to their ut
most; but my pleadings were of no
avail.
finally said, "Levi, II you are bound
to take the chances, / will not follow
you. II anything is wrong when you
reach the door, talk loud and 1 will
make myself scarce"
He started Off in the direction of the
house, and arriving there, heard him
rap. The door was opened and he
went in. I waited abont fifteen min
utes, and not being able to stand the
suspense any longer, l went in; or
rather there were three rebels there
who leveled their revolvers at me, and
there was no alternative but that l sub
init to the inevitable.
Oh, what demand on our courage,
when we had so nearly reached the
goal, our happy anticipations all flown
at the word surrender" An hour be-
fore we had pictured in our imagina-
tions the meeting with tho loved ones
at home, and enjoying the privilege of
again shouldering the musket in de-
fense of the dear old flag. This surely
was one OF the worst misfortunes of n
soldier.
The friendly inn that Sarnes ex-
pected to find turned out to be rem
devious for some rebel scouts. They
had come to this place to get some shoe
repairing done, and as soon us the worl,
was finished they were ready to depart,
and commanded us to brace up and be
ready for march. With what sad re-
grets we took up our march that
morning can better be imagined than
described. felt that all the aspira-
tions for living had left me; and for
the first time since my capture, l had
given up all hopes, and broke into
tears. Crying seemed to have ten
dency to relieve me OF some OF my des-
pondency, and before the day had
dawned had resolved that unless the
very best OF care was taken of me, they
would find me non est.
Poor Levi; he was utterly heart
broken. He assumed despondent at
titude from which it was impossible to
arouse him, though tried every way
Imaginable. He always blamed him
self for stopping at the house where
we We're captured, although never
have; because took into considera-
tion his weakness when suffering from
the pangs of hunger, and excused him
from all blame. He said that the
moment he opened the door and they
told him to surrender, he was so con-
fused that he never thought of saying n
/ morH 4 hnliayal all ha uni1