The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-01-17

the matter, i shall endeavor to give the
story as nearly as possible in the words of
employed as one Of the scouts at Army
Headquarters.
Here is the story. substantially as Carney
told Il:
while member of the company of
scouts, and about the time was making
preparations to 20 into winter camp in the
Fall Of 1868, was ordered to report at
Army Headquarters. On arriving there I
was informed that some rebel deserters had
come into our lines and reported that part
OF brigade-Or, perhaps, two or three bri-
gades-of the enemy had left Gen. Lees
army and taken all their camping outfit
with them. The deserters said they knew
many rebels had departed, neither could
they give their business or their destina-
ton.
II received orders to go out aud find out
II possible the truth or falsity Of this report,
and bring back all the news | could gather
regarding this statement. Judson knight,
the well known scout, went with me, and
crossing the Rappahannock at Kelley 'sFord
we marched on through the country till we
reached point above Falmouth. From
there we cautiously worked our way In the
direction of Chancel llorsville, and not very
far away from Gen. Lees Headquarters at
Spottsylyania Courthouse we visited Union
man with whom we were acquainted. After
telling him our business, We induced him to
go south toward Richmond and find out for
us all he could. as well as get us copies OF
late Richmond papers. withhold his name
as he has some relatives living who might
not wish TO have all the facts known.
when the Union man returned, he said
that as near as he could find out. two br-
gades had reinforced Gen. Stuart in the
Valley and were contemplating raid over
In Maryland for horses forage and recruits
As II was important that either knight or
myself should get back to Gen. Meade's
Headquarters as soon as possible we drew
cuts and the lot fell upon me.
II started that night about 10 o'clock and
having arrived near the Rappahanock river
little after daylight next morning con-
cealed myself in the bushes all day. !
tramped all the next night, and about day
break reached the vicinity Of Chetten's
Mills, on the road from Harwood Church to
kelleys Ford. / thought l was near enough
to the Union pickets to be out OF danger,
unless l should accidentally meet rebel
Sount. Yet, kept in the cover of the
woods as much as possible, but while work.
II y along bride path and eating some
chinquapins had gathered on the way. the
carbine barrels, and the rebels shouted at
me:
HALT Surrender! Unbuckle that belt.
Don't touch that pistol"
They took me right down steep hill
and away from the road, where they strip
ped me OF all portions of my clothing that
they thought better than theirs, Now, L had
in the lining of my boots paper on which
had sketched some plans that could be
understood only by myself, and also had
copies of Richmond newspapers account
ed for the Richmond papers by saying that
j had been on visit to brother OF mine
who belonged to the 4th Pa. Cav, and who
Nsalr Mt hak
traded newspapers with rebel pickets over
the river.
But, unfortunately the men who had can.
tured me were rebel scouts, and as they did
not want to return to their camp for a few
days and besides as they did not wish to be
bothered with guarding prisoner. two Of
them were determined to shoot me then
and there. Lucky for me, however. one of
the scouts, bv name Esom, who lived near
Bealton Station, said that he would take
charge Of me and see that was safely land.
ed in Libby Prison,
'All these men had been raised in that
vicinity, ,apd were well posted about all the
awhile as to whether should be killed, they
took me to the house Of a man with whom
they were well acquainted and called for
something to eat. | began to think my time
had come because the old man and his
daughter Joined in with those OF the scouts
who thought ought to be shot.
Esom pleaded my cause as well rs he
could. but was overrrled by the others who
condemned me to die as soon as they got
whatth wanted In the house-.that is,
someih hing to eat.
in the meantime. the old man, Stratton
said that he would be my executioner, and
that as he was too old to serve in the ranks.
he could serve his country by killing aYan.
kee prisoner. and thus show his loyalty to
the Confederate Government Not only did
Stratton say he wanted to shoot me but his
daughter said she wanted to be presentwhen
the shooting was done.
OF course by this time | had made up
my mind that this was a case of root hog or
die, and 1t can be well imagined that did
a great deal OF rapid thinking. Well, they
all sat down to their hoecake and mackerel,
and was told to take back seat in chair
by the window. or course as was, con-
demned to be shot as soon as they had eaten
it was not thought best to waste any Con-
federate victuals on me. About this time
noticed pail of water near the window
and gourd hanging on nail above 1t. SO |
rose to my feet and said l wanted drink
of water.
II started for the pail and at once jump
ed through the window, and then. of course
struck out as fast as could for the woods,
They fired some bullets after me, but ! kept
on running, though one bullet made flesh
wound under my right arm. You can easily
imagine that had a hard time OF II that
night in the woods In my bare feet, but
succeeded In reaching the river and cross
ing 1t at Kelley's Ford. l travelled on until
my feet became so sore that stopped at the
first house came to and made up my mind
to risk the chances. because 1t was almost
impossible for me to get any farther.
GOOD luck was on my uide, for the man
who lived in the house was a preacher, and
he took me In and fed me. His name was
James Brennan and his wife, God bless her,
made me pair OF cloth shoes that would
be easy for my sore feet These good people
concealed me until they could get word to
Gen. Buford. Mr.. Brennan said that some
Of Gen. Bufords men used TO come to his
wbeatstack nearly every day to get feed for
their horses and that he would watch for
them and make report about me. He did
70 and soon aftsrward was taken to Head
full report OF all had discovered.
AFTER recovered 20 ~ 10 be round again
. party OF us went over to visit my old
friend 6trstton, the man Who wanted the