Wichita eagle., 1889-05-26

was put In Union prison as hostage IOr the
return Of the missing men, and was charged
with the murder of all"
Andres was in a SILVER, thinking that he
was surely implicated in most detestable
crime. Seyton continued:
''But my brother, on his part, had simply
taken his prisoners unharned toward his own
lines-a long ride of-and on the way had
been oyerpowered by band Of partisan
rangers, notorious outlaws from the moan
tains. These men, always seeming plumber
and living by robbery and reprisal, insisted
upon stripping the helpless prisoners and
holding them as hostages to buy the release
of some of their own crew who were lying in
Union prisons for crimes. My brother and
his followers resisted this outrage in vain. In
the melee two Union prisoners had been killed
and the others taken away to the haunts of
the rangers my brother and some others be-
ing finally overhauled by Union troops in
pursuit. War is stern. He was sentenced to
death, and the verdict was sanctioned by his
own government, which repudiated the muir
der of captives in war. TIT is not admissible
in civilized warfare to take life with no other
object than the destruction Of life. decision
Of G. w Randolph, Confederate secretary of
war1
'All his proof was in the hands Of bis enc
mics, the outlaws, and they were In disgrace
with both governments, and to screen their
own crimes would, if appealed to, swear
away an honest soldiers life, BY desperate
flight he escaped, swan over the broad Poto-
mac, and was intending TO reach the noun
tains in disguise and somehow produce the
living witnesses OF his innocence. lie reached
home ami was hemmed in just as our army
and his own came to the neighborhood. II
seized by Us he would hang; IL by his own
people he would be returned to Federal
prison, because, on his escape, the son Of
Confederate leader had been sentenced as
hostage to die In h. stead on the appointed
day. The only hope was in a friend who, hav-
ing aid from our government would be pro
tected in a visit 20 the mountains Once
there, by force or parley he might get the
missing men. This I did while on my fur
Tough. That leave of absence, comrade, was
granted because of long and faithful SER
vices Thus armed went to Washington,
secured aid, entered the Blue Ridge fast
nesses and released the men, who confirmed
all Their dead comrades fell In commsn
fight against the outlaws, and my brother
had fought to save his prisoners Proofs were
sent to the enemy's camp, and on my last visit
home l handed my brother his pardon and
papers of honorable exchange, which made
him free and honest"
~ see how it all could be, said Andres,
thoughtfully. But why deceive me and put
me in such riskTn
Would you have trusted me had you
known how / was related outside the inesf'
No, / would not"
Then all would have been lost. The day Of
execution was near. A reprieve had spared
the hfe Of the innocent hostage standing for
the principal, and had be been found by
either army he would have found no mercy
The story ended. Seytou smiled and said,
But, conrade and friend, have here word
from one who can add TO tbs thanks owe
you
With this he gave note 70 Andres, who
opened and read: Miss Eva Ellwood begs
that Sergt Andres will give her an oppor-
tunity to apologize in person for the breach
of faith practiced outside the lines Her
home in future will be her brothers, at
-, Pa
The old negro, Patrick Henry, followed the
Union camps 70 De near his master as be
persisted in calling Edward Seyton-pro-
NOTED captain in his own regiment At the
end Of the war the comrades, Seytoo and
Andres, went home together, and the romance
OF the cutposts ended IN the marriage os The
sergant-now captain-with Eva Elwood
Capt Henry Seyton, the Virgintan, left the
dishanded Confederate army broken down In
health and found an asylum with his kinSoeo
at the north Vow both he AID bis brother
lie near each othsr In death, end Decoratsoa
day brings guerdou Of flowers frozn tender
hands to mark their graves But cue grave
only, that OF faithful Edward Seyso1. IS
haIloYed with the true memorial e1ahl=zn-