The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-01-02
A Trooper Picked Him Up During Charge.
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When we of tho cavalry were falling back
before Lee rs he was headed for Chautilly and
Bull Run squadron OF us which had been
detailed 20 bring wounded officer away from
a house which would soon be ia possession OF
tho advancing Confaderates, found ourselves
shut ia front aud rear. We numbered about
20 men, aud had two horse ambulance, in
which the wounded man had been made as
comfortable as possible. We had. indeed, adj
vanccd about "A quarter of "A mile before we
discovered the box we were in. The Confod-
crates who had come in behind us were cavalry,
and owing TO turn IN the road aud a bit of
woods had not yet seen us.
The Lieutenant IN command consulted with
the Major. whom we were bringing away, and
explained the situation.
Prepare me as well AS you can for the ride
give me revolver, and then form your men
by fours and ride right down on the rebs and
cut your way through was the order of tho
Major.
/ WAS in the advance set OF fours, and the
man my right was next 10 the highway
ditch. All of "A sudden, just as We were waiting
the order 10 advance little negro boy, not
over three years old. and as black as the black
est tar ever made, appeared In the ditch along
side Of Parker lie seemed 10 have been hiding
in the weeds, and think he must have fallen
out Of cart or got parted from the family as
they were hurrying into the Union lines before
alone. and, as saw bin. Parker said
:" Good lands but here's a nigger baby right
under foot aud all alone. What shall we do
with himgn
AT that moment we got the word TO 20 ahead.
and Parker leaned over. picked the child up
aud placed him in front on the saddle. Two or
thres OF as called tO him 10 drop the boy but
he didn't do IT, As We moved forward Pick"
was there and hanging for dear life; his
eyes As white ms raw onions, and every tooth
plain 10 be counted. We were right on the
rebels before they saw u.s. and IL was biH! bang
slash and we opened lane aud went through,
every horse on the keen run, and the wounded
Major firing away whenever he found target
for his bullets. When w6 finally got through
Pick " was with and all right, and he had
seen his first battle OF the war. One would
have said that ho liked 10, for his grin was
broader than before aud he did not seem a bit
scared.
During the bloody days that followed the
little fellow WAS with company wagon and
did not see him for week. Then Parker took
him down TO Alexandria and left him with a
eoiored woman. but few months later being
made Company Gomnissary, and having the
use Of u wagon he brought /" Pick" back To
tho army, got a tailor To make him suit of
clothes, and then the boy was fxnra with us
lie took 10 army lie, aDd everyone of the com
pnny took TO him, and, had anyone misnsed
lie was with us to 1.-The very last aud ! saw him
munching q hardiaGk and looking on while
Lees ragged old veterans laid down their arms
at Appomattox. He clung TO Parker above all
others, and although tho trooper was rough
fellow and unmarried the offer of 500 for 'hs
little Niger" which WAS made over aud over,
was no temptation.
When the war closed "Piek" was taken
North, 10 Ohio, and sent to school aud then
put to trade aud 1t was only a month ago
that | walked in on him in "A Cincinnati cooper
shop and found him lnsty big fellow with a
home and a wife aud two children
He had never been back 20 Virginia, and al
though he had made many efforts 10 find his
father aud mother, not o trace of them had
ever been secured, Eo
II reckon ist dun got losted in dc hurry"
he explained, IAN do family had so many
odder ch'll'n dat dey ddn't tink il WORT while
10 stop an look fur me-"