The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-07-25

w h''' o"uibVI SdN0 hIS pluGIo'
They were to the effect that when
the command reached the St. Ni:ho-
las Hotel he was to halt with six or
eight cool men and capture General
Kelley. while he himself would at
tend to General Crook. 1t was now
$50 G'cl0ck in the morning, and no
time WAS to be lost.
"F0rWard close up" was the
command, and the rangers entered
from the West side. and crossing
Well's Creek, which flows through
the town, they cOOlly rode through
Baltimore street, passing many
squads of Union soldiers patrolling
the streets.
In Il moment the st. Nicholas was
reachedsan Kuykendall swung out
of line, while VandiYer passed on to
the R"vere. Hating his command,
lie diSmOunted and approached the
door and knocked. A sentinel open
ed it cautiously, and in an instant
Vandiver's pistol was at his head.
Utter one word and you die" was
hiSsed al the Sentinel's ear.
Handing him over to one of his
men, VandIyer seized light and
swiftly sped up the stairway to the
room occupied by Gen. Crook. The
door was locked, but a vigorous kick
sent it flying open, and in an instant
Vandiver stood by the Generals s bed
side. The noise had awakened him,
and he raised himself in daZed con-
0itiOn and gazed upon the staiWart
form of the daring Confederate who,
with a revolver Ill one hand and "A
lighted candle in the other, stood in
tently looking at him.
"Who are you 3" demanded Crook.
81 am General Rosser," said Van
diver. "and you are my prisoner"
Still the General never moved.
General Crook" said Vandlyer,
IL 10 Ncly SOlN Ouls anu tliVlO olC
two feet of snow upon the ground.
You have ride OF thirty miles be-
fore you, and L will give you two
minutes in when to dress yourself {;
otherwise L will be compelled to take
you as you are"
The General had now fully aWak
ened to "A realization of the state OF
affairs, and, springing from his bed
hastily threw on his clothes. In less
than five minutes from the time
Vandiyer had entered the hotel,
General Crook was safely seated be-
hind him, and kuykendall coming
mp at the moment, after being equal
ly successful in his mission, the
command "ForWard' was given,
and tie "evacuation" of Cumberland
Was begun.
Turning to General Crook, Vandi-
yer addressed him thus: General
Crook, you are a soldier, and you
know full well the desperate natur,
of this undertaking, and l want to
caution you that if utter one word 10
betray me, AS reluctant as | would be
to do such an act, | will send a bullet
through your head" General Kelley
was similarly cautioned.
AS rapidly as possible without at
tracing unusual attention the party
left the city. expecting every instant
to hear the hue and cry at their
heels. Reaching Mill Creek. they
proceeded down the tow path, pas
sing large bodies of troops in camp
who paid little attention to them.
Three miles from town a serious
disaster was happily averted by
Vandiyer's presence of mind. A
large force was encountered, and the
Rangers were challenged by senti-
mel. To the command, "DismOunt
and advance" VAndiver exclaimed
~ Ilave;no time for that &; the reb>
are advancing from New Creek, and
we are in a hurry. Bulbs Gap" he
called out, and forward the rangers
dashed.
"All right" replied the sentinel
"Giye 'em fits, boys"
But the alarm had been sounded
in Cumberland, where every thing
Was confusion. and the Rangers had
not proceeded far before they found
themselves hotly pursued, and run
ming fight was Kept up for miles with
the rear guard. ROmney, twenty
seven miles distant, was finally
reached, and the daring band of Cen
federates were safe, with their diStin.
guished captives within their own
lines.
Prospecting for coal on the rivel
bank. opposite YOder's, is in progress
the presiding genius being John Kin
singer, of Grantsville, Md. we beg
to assure him that his shaft will reacI
the coal ana he Will not have far Il
go.-MeyersdGLe Commercial.