Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-06-03
AFTER MANY DAYS.


battalion, OF tnu coconu mhannSianet.o
cavalry, will be remembered by every
offioer in the army OF the Potomac,
and particularly by those who served
with him In the valley Of the Shcnan-
doah. as n scholar. a lfindly-hearted
gentleman and gallant soldier. At
the battle OF Charlottesville The cap
tain was detailed from his regiment for
temporary stan duty, service which
he did not at all enjoy, for he was one
OF those men who liked to be with the
boys.
As we have 10 do with the captain.
and not with the battle. It Is unneces-
sary here to attempt any description
OF that sanguinary struggle. The cap
tain was sent with an order TO Gen.
Howard. but when he reached the
command OF that officer. he found the
Eleventh corps broken, demorallzed,
and In full retreat before Stonewall
Jackaon's men.
While the captain was trying to find
the officer for whom he had the mes
sage. his horse was shot down, and
before he could untangle himself from
the stirrups he saw poised above him
the cleaning blade OF swarthy Con-
federate soldier. The captain had no
time 10 think. much less 70 act; Few
seconds more and all would have been
over with him; but before tho murder
Gus blade could fall upon his head,
Union soldier leaped from behind n
tree. and n well-aimed shot sent the
honeman recling from the saddle.
"A mighty close call, that, captain"
was all the soldier said. as he drew
the young officer away e-0r the dead
horse. and moment moro and both
We're rushing after the rctreating corps
with the enemy In hot pursuit.
II was no time to make Inquiries, TO
express thanks or TO ask for names,
but In the few minutes. during which
=. A.4 .lA Ia 80
the man who had come to Captain
Ford's rescue was indelibly impressed
on his memory. He felt that the sol
dlcr had saved his life and after the
battle WAS over he made every effort
TO find him, but without success. That
he was an American he knew from his
voice and appearance, but his name,
tho number OF his regiment. or even
the corps to which he was attached.
though he believed II was the Elev-
cnth. wore alike unknown to him.
The captain served with distinction
through the war. coming out with Tho
fun rank Of colonel. He settled down
with success In manufacturing, and a
few years aftorward he took to himself
O wife. His married life was quite as
happy us his military service was dis
tingulshed. and his business career
prosperous.
ht NbiNutl Whh anu Is II prominent
member OF the Loyal Legion, the
Grand Army OF the Republic, the Scot
city OF the Army OF the Potomac and
other veteran war organizations, in all
OF which he fl well known. not only
for his hearty camaradcrie. but for his
ability to sing a song or tell story.
Not once. but II hundred times. and
always with The hope Of finding tho
man who had 70 unexpectedly como
10 his aid at Charlottesville, the col
onel told the story OF his gallant
rescuer Hut the years wore on, and
his dark hair and whlslSars became
strenkcd with gray. and still no one
could give him Hight ms to the identity
of his prcservcr, just two years after
the close OF the war, on account OF his
children, the colonel moved from tho
city OF Boston to beautiful rural
home near someryiile. In the adorn-
ment OF his place he took great delight
and there are soldiers OF every state
IN the Union who will remember with
pleasure the happy times spent there
us Col, Ford's guest
One night, Just before Christmas IN
1876, the colonel stayed up In his
library TIL long after his usual houi
for retiring II was l o'clock when h,
went to bed. but the matter on hli
mind kept him awake TIL the clock or
the mantel chimed 2. His bedroom
opened OF the library, and he was jusi
sinking into a doxe when he was start.
led into waketulness by hearing u chaii
turned over IN Tie next room Quickly
and silently he got out OF bed, and
having no other weapon at hand. h,
picked up boot-jaok which was neal
the washstnnd. and In his bare feet
slipped into the library BY the llsh
OF a lamp burning outside he saw th'
figure Of II man bonding over his desk
and with movements 10 cautious Hnt
catlike that he was certain that II WA
not one OF the servants. and also thai
his own entrance had not been observ
cd by the burglar.
The mans back was toward him
and knowing that a rght would follow
In which he might yet the worst Of 4
~ no gave any alarm Col Ford sprant
forward, brought tho boot-Jack dow
with number one cut" and the nrN
instant with a groan the intruder fel
In heap at his feet.
The colonel lit the gas Immediately
and turned the burglar 40 AS TO ex
pose HIS face. AS ha bent over him
Charlottesville and all the incident
connected herewith flashed through
his mind. Here was tho man he hai
been so long In search Of the bray
fellow who. at the Risk OF his own life
had saved him from the snber OF
mounted Confederate.
The colonel was about to aummo
the servantR but suddenly change
his mind. lie had the necessary stim
ulants at hand, and he at once pre-
ceeded to revive the unconscious bur
elar. After a few minutes the ma
wna restored to his senses. and risin
unsteRdily from the floor he rubbed hi
eyes, and in a daxed, frightened way
surveyed the man standing before hin
who are YOU and what hrough
YOU heref" demanded the colonel.
Before replying the man stnggere
Into q chair and then In n broken volc
replied;
MY name Is Tom Rushmore. NJ
God, siri DO not have me arrsstedw
mot have YOU arreatedV' repeate
the colonel. what eiae can do wit
your i and you here as burgla
trying to rob my house and tortu
nately have been able to prevent yo
from that crime. and perhaps from IA
Rroater one of murder"
"Murderr' echoed the man. rs h
pressed his banda to his bleeding hea'
Before heaven, sir, had no though
Of that. You will not believe my oati
hut " you could would swear to yo,
and with truth. that this Is tho hr;
yIrne In my life that ever ltnowingl
attempted a crime. My wife has bee
an invalid for nearly two years; m
children are suffering for food, and
Am out OF employment, For days an
weeks I have searched far and neu
for work but without success, hay
a