Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-07-01
THE LITTLE BLACK BOY WENT.

THE LITTLE BLACK BOY WENT.
had come he was taken to deserted
cabin, where his leg was amputated
and his hand dressed. The next morn
ing the order came for the army to fall
back. Lieut.. Bedell was unconscious
and too weak to be moved The sur
geon said he could not live more than
twenty-four hours. His comrades left
n canteen of water by his side, and
joining their regiment marched away.
Some little distance from the cabin
lived young woman, the wife of a
confederate soldier named Van Meter.
The foragcrs of the army had taken
nearly everything of value about the
little farm. Her niece, child of ten
years, and little black boy were her
only companions. When the soldiers
had gone the boy went down the coun-
try road as far as the cabin. He heard
che lieutenant groaning and went in.
The canteen was out of his reach and
his lips were parched with fever He
could not speak.
The lad ran back to Mrs. Van Meter
and told her about the suffering soldier
who wore the blue. Her heart was
touched and she hastened to the cabin.
Fresh water was secured and it revived
the lieutenant. Then his limbs were
dressed and newly bandaged Mrs.
Van Meter sent the boy for a doctor
who lived some miles away. When he
arrived he said there was very little
hope for the wounded soldier unless he
had stimulants and none could be Sc
cured. 1t didn't matter much, anyhow,
he said. for he had no interest in a
union soldier.
Mrs. Van Meter insisted that it was
her duty to save his life if possible, and
the next day she harncssed mule to
an old cart and drove to Harper's Ferry
to get supply of whisky and quinine.
The commander there heard her story,
said it was entirely improbable, but ac-
pepted it because of her frankness. She
did not hesitate to say she was the
wife of n confederate soldier. The
.stimulant gave Bedcll strength, and it
was not long before he was able to sit
up. His clothing was badly torn and
iblood-stained, ard nothing suitable for
him to wear could be found in the
ineighborhood. His regiment was at
Winchester, twelve miles away. Mrs.
Van Meter drove there and astonished
Lieut.. Bedell's comrades by informing
them that che was alive and on the
road to recovery. She secured his port
manteau aud returned.
When Bedell had recovered sufficient
1y to be about he entered into n con
tract with farmer in the ncighbor
hood to secure the return of team o.
mules which had been confscated by
his regiment in exchange for aid II
reaching the union lines.
Bcdell was hidden under jag Of hay
and with Mrs. Van Meter as the driver
he reached Harper's Ferry. The com
mander accepted the terms of Bedell's
contract with the farmer and delivered
the mules.
Having heard nothing whatever from
her husband for several months, auC
hearing he was either in hospital o.
a prisoner, Mrs. Van Meter was at (,
loss what to do. Lieut.. Bedcll dc
cided the matter for her by Offering t.
aid in finding her husband. He entered
into communication with Prcsideu
Lincoln, telling what Mrs. Van Mete
had done for him. The president wrot,
an order directing the officer in charg,
of any hospital or prison to deliver t.
Mrs. Van Meter any man she ciaimet
rs her husband. Mrs. Van Meter anc
her little niece joined Lieut.. Bedell il
Washington and they started on tou
of the several prisons and hospitals.
They went through the prisons o
Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania
and finally found Van Meter in u hos
pital. He was emaciated and unabl
to stand. At Lieut.. Bcdell's eXpens
he was transferred to private institu
ton, where in few weeks he recovere,
sufficiently to warrant his discharge
Lieut.. Bedcll took Van Meter and hi
wife and the little niece to his home il
Vermont, and they remained his guest
for several months. They then returne,
south and are now living in Berryville
Clark county, Va. Mr.. Bedell is hol
bling around on crutch in his home.
Ex-Congrcssman John s. Wise sc
cured Mrs Van Meters address for Mr.
Chittenden through Marshal McCor
mack, a prominent citizen of Clarl
county
~ have written to Mrs. Van Meter,
said Mr.. Crittenden, land her letter
show her to be simple Christian
woman. She writes that she did TO
Lieut.. Bedell what her conscience sug
gested was right, and she is happy Il
the knowledge that she saved his life.
IN. Y. Advertiser,