The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-07-28


In February, 1865, Gen. Kelley had
his headquarters at Barnum's Hotel
in Cumberland, Md. Generals Crooks
and Hayes were also uuartered in the
city, together with about 5000 troops.
About 8 a. m, February 22, Kelley and
Crooks, the great Indian fighter. were
both stolen from their beds in the
hotels where they were stopping, and
carried In triumph into the rebel lines,
Gen. Kelley related to us that evening
the plan Of the capture, and the skill
of its carrying out.
A gentleman who went into the
Southern army from Cumberland was
captured by Gen. Kelley in the battle
at Clarksburg, W. Va, and sent to
Fort Delaware. For this breach OF
neighborly etiquette eternal vengeance
was sworn II ever in his power. In q
few weeks he made his escape from
the Fort, swan ashore, and was sue
cessful in getting back to hisregiment
in Virginia. Then he conceived the
plan of the Generals capture. He had
two squads of two men each placed at
men, well equipped and ready to tol-
low their leader whittier might DO his
want.
They dashed into the Union picket
line so suddenly that every man was n
prisoner before a gun was fired. An
old German was taken into the bushes
and with leveled pistols frightened in
to giving them the countersign. Thus
prepared to continue the echeme as
professed Federals, they passed every
intervening picket line. claiming to
bear very important orders from
Washington to Gen. Kelley. Stimuli
taneously.the two squads entered Bar
NUNS, where Gen. Kelley was quar-
tered, and the Revere House, where
Gen. Crooks was sleeping, and awak-
ing them, made them hulriedly dress
and took them to the streets, where
horses were in waiting, and in an In
slant were off.
General Kelley said he saw at once
that to resist or give the alarm meant
instant death, and he and Crooks
thought 1t the better part OF vaior to
yield without word and submit to
their fate. They went at break-neck
speed, passed every picket line without
the least trouble, and were soon within
the rebel lines and safe. Once they
came upon strong body of troops,
and were halted, but giving the coun-
tersign, and telling them they had
been dispatched by Gen. Kelley to in
tercept a band of rebsl invaders not
far away, they were allowed to con
tinue their journey. The General said
while this colloquy continued, two re.
volvers were leyeled on the head of
each.
His captor, feeling that he owed
him largely for sending him to Fort
Delaware, had him put on an old raw
bono horse, without saddle or blanket,
while he rode the pet and plump
charger of the General. They had
gone about ten miles when the Gener-
al told his abductors he could ride no
farther. His wound had not healed,
and was becoming very painful; while
riding the old raw-bone had made him
very sore, and he told them he could
not go any farther; that it meant
death and they would have to shoot
him, and let the worst be over.
His eaptor, probably feeling that he
had evened up with the General, and
experiencing a little fellow-feeling for
a fellow townsman, halted his men,
dismounted and took of his own over
coat and folded it under the General,
then remounted and resumed the jour
ney. The general said this was the
most painful experience of his entire
army life. He was exchanged shortly.
The evening OF the day he was cap
tured the citizens of Cumberland had
made extensive preparations for a
splendid entertainment in one OF the
public halls, for tho boys in blue, and
Miss Bruce, his betrothed, was engag-
ed to add to the attractions OF the oc'
easion by the rendition OF some pop
ular patriotic songs.
But when she heard that her gallant
lover had been abducted In the early
morning, and was now far away, and
mayhap in suffering and want, she
felt she could not be present at the
hall But in compliance with the
wishes of her father, Col. Bruce, she
finally decided to stand at her post
In one of the songs, was this signiii-
cant couplet.
And he kissed me when he left me
And told me T. be brave"
Now, in tho hurry OF the abduction
the Generals boots were left at his bed.
side. and when this couplet fell from
the lips of Miss Bruce, some one in
the rear of the hall yelled out That's
not true, for he was not only not nj.
lowed to see his lady love and kiss her
goodbye, but he was taken barefoot
away" Mrs. Kelley said it was with
the greatest difficulty she could con.
tinue the song. G. w. BURKE.