Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-25
A STRAGGLER'S STORY.
Travelling From Harper's Ferry to Warren
ton Under Difficulties.


ton Under Difficulties.
1t was in the fall of 1862 after the
battle of Antietam, in which the 18th
Indiana suffered severely, that several
now recruits had been enlisted at
indianapolis to fill the broken ranks.
The writer had been a member of
the 10th Indiana, enlisted for one year,
ard also three months in the S7th
Ohio. and was captured at Harper's
Ferry. Being anxious TO get to the
regiment l left indianapolis without
leave, and had to report to my COM
pany to save myself from the charge Of
desertion. That was a case of deser-
ton TO report to the regiment, and
could be easier fixed up than a deser-
ton to leave the regiment to 90 home.
After making the circuitous route from
indianapolis via Richmond, Cincinnati,
Columbus, Wheeling and Clarksburg.
w. Va, and thence to Pittsburgh,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washing
ton, / learned that the regiment was at
Harper's Ferry. On my arrival at that
historic place, where | had been held a
prisoner but few weeks previous,
called to see Miss Emma Sponsler to
claim a wager made at the time of the
surrender. that the 'Yanks would
never get Harper's Ferry again" But
Emma, who was a famous fortune
teller, had become disguised with
Northern soldiers. and had left for
some secluded spot farther down the
valley. Setting out to hunt my regi-
ment, | was informed that Harper's
Ferry was simply garrison, and the
main army was nearly one hundred
miles south. with headquarters at War
renton, Va | decided at once to fol-
low the trail and overtake the army if
possible. The army had crossed at
Berlin, six miles below the Ferry, and
had passed up the valley Immediately
east of the Blue Ridge mountains.
| had some idea of the lay of the
country, from the service and marches
made the spring before while still
member of the 10Th Indiana. l knew
where Winchester. Smokers Gap, Will
AAAOOs -AANAG. lay 4h0Ihct.
Gap and Warrenton Junction were.
and it seemed to Inc TO be but days
walk, so | started through in citizens
dress and . in my pocket.
On nv first advance l soon met a
squad of cavalry, and heard cannonad-
ing in the distance They informed me
that it would be impossible for me to
reach Warrenton by this route. l re-
turned to the Potomac and wrote let
ter to a friend that l was going TO nv
regiment, and as the route was through
the guerrilla country of Mosby and
near the gaps of the Blue Ridge, it was
a dangerous undertaking, and if was
never heard from it was to be reported
to the regiment The letter mailed !
started again, and when near Waterford
L met more stragglers returning to the
Maryland side OF the river. Continuing
my course l met more cavalry,
with single piece of artillery, and
a man in citizens clothes leading
very fine horse. The officer in charge
said it was no use, l could not
get through; that rebel bands were
capturing every thing they could
find struggling in the rear of the army.
/ simply answered that l would try it,
capture or no capture. The man with |
the horse said: Good for you; I'll go
with YOU"
He had started the day before, but |
seeing every thing coming back, he con-
ciuded to do so too. The horse had |
been kept back on account of sickness,
and belonged to General Couch, and be-
came the means that day by which we
made our escape from the enemy. At
Philomont we met Johnny face to face
in the street He had pies and cakes,
and was starting to the camp
near BY. The picket-line we could |