The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-08-10
VERY NEATLY TRAPPED.

During the retreat of Lees army
from the field of Gettysburg to the
Potomac a great effort was made by
the officers to prevent struggling, but
it would have required an officer to a
man to have carried out the program
successfully. We had been beat
en- and felt discouraged and reckless.
We were on short rations, the weather
was dismal, and the rank and file were
in no mood to be nagged by strict
discipline.
The command to which [ belonged
left Gettysburg about 10 o'clock at
night, and for the first three or four
hours the men were kept well in hand
under the impression that we were
only changing positions to secure an
advantage over the Federals. As day
light broke and we realized that we
were on the way home squads and in
dividuals broke away at every oppor-
tunity to forage for a breakfast. In
company with two private soldiers be-
longing in my company l slipped
away from the column about sunrise,
and, while black looking thunder
storm seemed close at hand, we bolted
into piece of woods by the roadside
and then struck for highway run
ming at right angles, and on which we
could make out three or four farm
houses. We selected the first or near
est, and as we entered the gate a wo
man opened the door and stood wait
ing for US to approach. She knew we
were Confederates and asked many
questions concerning the battle and
did not attempt to conceal the fact
that she was thorough Unionist and
an,ardent hater of Jeff. Davis.
Nevertheless" she added as she
turned to go in, you men are not al
together to blame and you shall have
bite to eat as soon as | can get it
We went around to the back door
laid aside our guns and accoutrements,
and had a good wash up in the rain
barrel Then we sat down on the grass
towait for break fast, the odOr of which
came out to us. But for the sugges-
ton Of one of my comrades everything
would have gone we'll Not far from
us was a stone-house. and through the
partly open door we could see pieces
Of meat hanging from the rafters,
suggested that we further investigate,
with a view Of "gobbhng' some of the
meat as we left and we got up and
went straight to the house and entered
it. There were two hams and two side
pieces hanging up, and at the back
end Of the building, which was about
I2x12, was a barrel filled with old rag
carpet, on top of which was a setting
hen. Aswe came near she began to
exhibit the usual characteristics, AMI
we were having considerable fun at
her expense, when the door was shut
with bang and we heard the rattle
Of a chain and paddock 1t was close,
dark place, and it was minute or two
before we reached the door and under
stood the situation. We began to kick
and shout, and presently the woman's
voice replied:
Its no use trying to get out. You
are my prisoners, and kicking won't
do any good"'
How nice and soft we talked to her,
but it was no good. Then we swore
and clustered, but she only laughed
at us After awhile she passed us
some bread and butter through one of
the ventilators, followed by a cupful
of water, and there we remained all
day, all night and up to S o'clock next
morning. when we were turned over
to the Union cavalry.