The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-07-18

next picket post he would be instantly
killed. The next picket happened to be
very strong one. The advancing
party was Of course challenged and the
word demanded. The countersign as
given proved to bo correct, but the off,
Ger in charge OF the picket was curious
as to the party's identity and asked
where it was from. The reply was
from tho Twenty.second Pennsylvania
cavalry, then stationed at New Creek,
and that it had dispatches for Cen
eral Kelley. "Go ahead" said the
picket officer, and the party moved
on into town without further interfer-
ence. 1t was now about 3 o'clock OF the
morning OF the 22nd. Arrived in the
town, the party divided, for General
Crook and myself had our headquarters
at different hotels, and q squad OF twen-
ty men went to each. Approaching the
soldier on guard in front OF my head
quarters, three OF the guerillas dis.
mounted and coming forward, one OF
them inquired if this was General Kel-
ley's headquarters. Being answered in
the affirmative, the guerilla continued
that he had dispatches for the General,
and while the soldier was trying to de-
eide what to do he was seized from be.
hind by the other two guerillas and
bound and disarmed before he could
make an outcry.
"The stern order then was to show
the way to General Kelley's room and
be quick about it. On the way the
room occupied by Adiutant-General
Melvin, now Judge Melvin, of Wheel
ing, was passed through, and he was
taken into custody without ceremony.
The man in command OF the Confeder-
ates was James Daily, son OF the pro-
prietor of the hotel and a brother ofthe
young lady whom General Crooks af-
forwards married. l had captured Dali
" only short time before and his
remark after awakening me and seiZing
my pistols and watch was: "Tit for
tat, General. You are my prisoner
now. Get up and dress" There was
no alternative and didIso as quickly as
possible. We were Mt once hurried
down into the street and was mounted
behind one Of the troopers. In few
minutes were Joined by the squad
which had gone after General Crook
and which had been equally as success
full in bagging its game.
"The reunited party then moved off
down the canal in the direction Of Wi
ley's Ford. Here there was another
strong picket, and TO guard against any
possible mistake in the password, Cen
eral Crook and myself were put in front
where we would be sure 10 receive the
fire. But the countersign was all right
and we were passed without question.
(which way, boys?" called out the Off
Ger in charge as we went by. ITO Frank
ford "a little town in virginia. to clean
out some OF those Rebels there" re-
sponded one Of our captors. Crook and
myself would have liked to give differ
ent answer, but with pistol at each
side OF our heade it was out OF the ques-
tion. AS soon US we were out of sight
OF this picket l was put on led horse
hrving neither saddle nor birdie. Gen.
Crook was similarly provided for, and
the command was hurried forward at a
dead gallop. By daybreak wehad made
ten miles, but there was no let up. All
dav we galloped along without rest, and
by IL o'clock that night had covered
sixty miles, passing through Romney
and up the Potomac to within few
miles OF Moorefeld again, from which
place our captors had set out. ] con-
slider this ride of theirs, OF 100 miles,
without rest or feeding for the
horses, one of the most remarkable in
the history OF the war. But the horses
had been carefully chosen in anticipa-
ton OF the work before them and not
one showed any signs of failing. Mean
while our people at Cumberland had
learned Of the capture and the cavalry
had started in hot pursuit. AS We ap-
preached Moorefeld the Union troopers
could be seen on the opposite side OF
the river, und Crook and myself were
hurried of across fields and through
woods out Of sight, and the party push
cd on for the headwaters OF the South
Branch. There we crossed the North
mountain into Virginia and arrived at
Harrisonburg about 10 or II o'clock OF
the second night, where for the first
time in forty-eight hours We got some;
thing to eat and little rest. The total
distance travelled, as nearly as can cal
culate, was $50 miles.
"From Harrisonburg VIC were sent to
Staunton by rail, and from there to Lib
by prison at Richmond. Wo were kept
there about three weeks. At the end OF
that time General Crook was exchanged
for General johnson, OF Georgia, and 1
4 l. z g.. L.