Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-10-31
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
AN EXCITING CHASE.


One of the most daring soldiers dur
ing the civil war was Harry Kilos, who
served as spy in Michigan regiment
In 1862 His name became a terror to
the coufederates in whatever part of
Ihe field he served, until one day he
tound himself in the hands of small
band of raiders. -.'---.-- -
They were encamped on the banks of
ssmall stream, and our spy was locked
mp in the closet of strongly built hut.
Harry thoughtof his situation; he ln%w
That reward had been offered for him,
and that he would probably be BUTCH
sred; that worse fate awaited him
Than being shot in the head, SO. he re-
solved to escape. Examination proved
10 him that the walls of the cell were
strong and tight, SO that no egress could
be made through them. Then he ex-
Amined the floor; it was of solid planks
fastened to sleepers and wooden pins
Hal! suddenly exclaimed Harry, in
low tone, as he came upon a short
plank which was loose. In a moment
he had raised it, and with a silent con-
graduation he proceeded to make his
exit down through the floor.
The floor of the house was about a
foot from the ground, and as the young
adventurer replaced the plank he felt
his spirits rise within him. The house
was full of men, and he could hear
them carousing over his head. A few
were keeping guard outside, but he felt
sure he could slip by these rs soon as it
should become dark
Darkness was not far off, and the
only danger he apprehended was that
the guerrillas would look into his va.
cant cell Satisfaction, however, set
tied upon his mind as he saw the shad-
ows of night gathering and thickening,
and as the carousing overhead began to
lose its loud and boisterous tones he
crept slowly out from under the house,
and pushed through the thick bushes
until he reached the edge of the rive,
over which he would be obliged tc
swim.
At that moment loud cry, uttered
by the guerrillas, reached his ear, ant
he knew that his absence had been dis
covered. He heard the tramp of many
feet, and yells, curses and oaths reach
ed his ears. They were on his track
and delay was death. Acting upon thi.
thought he plunged silently into tn,
river and swan for the opposite shore
with firm, rapid strokes.
The raiders heard his movements
and he saw, to his horror, that four o
them had started in pursuit in small
boat, while the report of revolve
broke upon the air, and the splash o
the ball spattered the water into hi
face. Knowing that he could not reacl
the opposite shore ahead of his pur
suers, he slackened his pace, and in
moment the boat was not ten feet off
Surrender, Yank!" yelled the fellow
In the bow of the little boat.
Our spy dived deep and came Vi
nearly under the stern of the craft an
exerting all his strength, directed witt
such skill as was only his, he capsizet
the boat, and then, with a loud laugh
he struck out for the shore.
He was a strong swimmer but one c
the largest of the men gained on him i
spite of all he could do. He dreade
the embrace with his muscular pursuel
but it was inevitable-the huge fello,
was already upon him, and it was figh
or die.
The two men grappled, and the w,
ter foamed around them. Harry ha
never met his match in physici
strength, and the burly raider was
child in his hands, He soon held hil
in a position which rendered him hell
less, aud seizing his enemy's throa
he choked him until he was insensibl
and then let him sink to the bottom
1t was necessary to this act in order I
save his own life; and now that he ha
got rid of his worst antagonist,
reached the northern shore, and wa
ing his hand he uttered a yell of tr
umph and disappeared in the darkness
leaving his enemies to curse and swe;
with chagrin and malice.-N. Y. Nor
ing Journal.