The National tribune., 1894-01-04

of my whereabouts. VIII you write my
wife and inform her of my destination and
the de,ails of my capture?"
l studied the matter a moment, and told
him | saw one serious difficulty in the way,
and that was my inability to find messeB-
ger that we could trust on a mission of
possible danger to myself We babe each
other goodby, and citizen of the town with
whom had become acquainted, and who l
felt that 1 could trust, agreed to take the
| letter.
/ wrote his wife as per agreement, stating
that some four weeks since her husband had
been captured by detachment of our cav
| airy; that he had been held prisoner in
our camp until quite recently, and had, with
other prisoners, been sent to Washington.
| What his fate might be. / added, l, of course
am unable to determine, but presumed it
would be such as is usually accorded to
prisoners of war.
Having been captured in citizens clothing
he was, according to all the rules of civil
lied warfare, liable to be executed as spy,
and / had some misgivings OH that score
myself, hence | was thus guarded in my
language / gave the letter 10 the man
above mentioned. That he faithfully did
his duty the sequal will prove. A period of
more than year had elapsed, but we had
no tidings of Oden until after the second
battle of Bull Run.
Our regiment lost heavily at Bull Run.
Col. Brodhead, commanding our regiment,
than whom brighter intellect never welded
the journalistic pen, a more genial soul never
graced tie social cIrc e, a more polished gen.
tleman never adorned the drawiDg-room, a
more chivalraus soldier never drew sword
in defense of his country's honor, was NOR
\ s,l1
oner in the hands of the COnfederaies.
About so of our regiment were taken
prisoners during the fight in question, and
among them my old friend Barnum. They
were marched under guard to the little town
of Gainesville, where they were herded in a
grove until final disposition could be made
of them.
Barnunl's arm was shattered, and was
hanging limp and useless by his side. Lying
in the shade Of friendly tree, mentally
calculating his chances as to what his fate
would be- his attention was drawn toward a
squad Of Confederate officers riding leisurely
past him. Something by the aysde seemed
to attract the attention of one OF them, Tor
he forthwith dismounted, approached Bar
mum, and mutual recognition ensued.
Hello, Barnum, what in - are you
doing here? Are you wounded, old boy?"
Holding ap his shattered wing, as best he
could, he replied: Yes, 0den," for it was he;
Il thought would make you a social visit,
and find ont whether the Yankees had hung
you In the Old Capital Prison."
Returning TO the group of officers, one of
whom proved to be a Brigade Surgeon, he
said to him, with visible emotion:
"Will you kindly take charge of that man
and give him the best med cal attention in
your power? For 1 am under obligations
10 him that no ordinary attention or kind |
ness on my part can cancel.'
Retaining to Barnum, he inquired" Where |
is Wheeler?" Barnum replied: " don't |
think he was taken prisoner. You know
he always rode the best horse in our regi- |
ment and think that is the only reason he !
is not keeping me company
Said Oden: =" regret that he is not here |
not that 1 wish him any bad luck; I would |
like to repay him for the many acts of kind |
ness which he, as well as yourself, extended |
to me while l was prisoner In your
GUARDHoUsEaa
"Tell him that the letter which he wrote |
my wife safely reached its sdestinaiiob."
Barnum was detained prisoner only !
few days, and at the instance of Oden was |
paroled and given an escort to our Iines-a |
pleasant oasis in the dreary desert of war. |
1t is little courtesies that make the charm |
of life; they are like flowers by the way |
side, making fragrant lile's rough and thorpy |
by-paths. "'
In conclusion, the writer would say that |
his right leg was amputated on the battle |
field of Cold Harbor May 81, 1864. Have I |
redeemed myself from the stigma attached |
to my name because of my repeated confne- |
ment in the guardhouse? do net think |
that have extorted reluctant compliment |
from you when / imagine / hear you say, /
% Yesn go.