Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-09-13
rHE MYSTIC TIE.
Enemies In War But Brothers In FRA
ternnl Bonds

Enemies In War but Brothcrs III hr~-
ternnl Bonds.
was reminded few days ago OF
little war incident in which was one
of tho central figures.
II was the 9th Of May, 1864, IN the
Wilderness fight, | belonged to the
First BRIGADE, Third division, Ninth
army corps. Our command had been
maneuvering for some time through
the thick underbrush, for which that
locality is noted, for u suitable posi-
ton, and had just succeeded IN get-
ting our lines Strengthened out when
we were ordered to charge,
Awav we went but the Johnnies
didn't. They held their position ana
we were soon engaged in hand-to-
hand conflict. A leaden hail began 10
nour in from both TANKS, showing that
we were being cut off, few OF us hav-
ing advanced further than the rest OF
tho line. Then began the scramble
for the rear.
had been engaged in private set
to with a big southerner with no ad'
vantage on either side, as both our
guns were empty. Seeing my com
panions making for the rear as rapidly
ms possible tried to follow but my an
tagonist objected and I could see Il
prospective Libby before me. we were
parlying with our bayonets, and, be-
coming desperate, ! made Il lunge at
4ho sonthcrner. at the same time let
ting 70 Of my musket While he was
recovering himself ] sprang away but
he was too quick for me. With one
Jump his hand was on my shoulder,
and surrender, Yank" was yelled
into my ear.
OF course there was nothing else to
do and complied. My captOr swung
me around to start to the rear when
his eye caught sight Of n little ma
sonic emblem l had pinned to my
blouse.
you, Yanls," he said, placing his
hand upon the little emblem.
replied with slight motion which
he quickly answered, and then faced
me towards our own lines again.
'Now, Yank, git" he cried, at the
same time giving me a shove towards
our lines.
1t is needless to say that ] improved
the opportunity to git" and was
soon with what was left of the com'
mand in a sheltered position awaiting
further developments. While talking
over the adventures of the day one of
the boys asked:
Sergeant how did you get away
from that big reb? / thought he had
you fixed"
well" replied, sit takes two to
make bargain of that kind"
Another year Of the war had passed.
and many changes had taken place
The federal armies had been victori.
GUS; Lee and johnson had surrendered,
and their men had returned home.
had been wounded and spent part of
the year in. the hospital, and found on
recovering that | had been promoted
to lieutenancy in another regiment.
My new command had been ordered
to Texas, and in July, 1865, / was
with the regiment in Victoria in that
state.
The men from the disbanded armies
of Lee and Johnson, whose homes
were In Texas, were making their way
across the country to them in large
numbers. Many of these men were
being picked up in compliance with
orders issued on account of rumor
stating that large numbers of confed-
crates, singly and in small detach-
ments, were making their way into
Mexico with confederate states prop
erty. In fact, it was understood that
a whole confederate battery had
crossed the Rio Grande and entered
the service of Macmillan.
1t was in consequence of this that
we had received orders to detain every
man found with confederate property
until the authorities became satisfied |
that it was all right, and he had no in-
tention of crossing the border
The men were detained in what we
called the bull pen," and it became