The National tribune., 1894-11-22
LED LIKE LAMBS.
Score of JOhnnies Who Did Not Know
They Had Prisoner.

They Had q Prisoner.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The date
Sept. II, 1862; the time, quite early, prob
ably about $50 a. NJ; the place, Antietam
battlefield; the position, that occupied by
the 18th Mass, of Hartsuff's Brigade, Rick.
etts's Division, Rockers Corps. The regi.
ment at that hour was reduced by the fire
of the enemy to 33 rank and file, and the
order was given by the senior officer of the
two remaining unhurt, Lieut.. Cook, to re-
tire
As the writer, then of Co. F, turned in
obedience to the order, the stock of his En-
field WAS shivered by bullet. AS / looked
in the direction of the shot saw a tall rebel
standing alone engaged in reloading, not
over 100 yards distant. Dropping my
smashed Enfield, took another from those
lying on the ground and stopped to load,
resolved to have one crack at the bold
johnny, who felt sure had spoiled my
rife.
AS capped my piece bullet struck the
buckle OF my walst-belt and experienced
| the sensation of what, as q lad, we termed
having the wind knocked out of me-"
l glanced to the rear and saw the colOrs of
the regiment amid the corn as they made
their way to the rear. l got to the earth,
and for time was oblivious to all the sur
roundings, recovering after lapse of time
which could not estimate. AS / got the
affair straight ned out in my mind, and had
decided in what direction to go after the
regiment, there appeared to my astOnished
vision the head of column of Confederates
moving out from the cover of the woods at
dOuble-quick.
AS their direction would carry them past
my front at distance of about 100 yards,
thought best to lay quiet until they had
| passed. But, to my intense chagrin, as the
center of The column was opposite me
heard an order, and on they came In line
of-battle al double time
Here was trouble; visions Of Richmond
rose before me, and thought to run for the
rear. To my surprise found was hardly
able to move, and dropped back.
The line came to a halt within a couple Of
PAGES of where day, despite the commands
of their officers, often reiterated, the halt
| being undoubtedly caused by numerous
bullets which commenced flying from the
| Union position somewhere in the rear, the
heads of the Coniederates being now in view
of our boys, as the JOhnnies uncovered the
crest of the ridge. A Sergeant expressed a
strong desire 10 fix me, and fixed bayonet
for the purpose, but was promptly stopped
by an officer.
just then the order Forward" was more
per5istently urged, and the line moved over
the crest, assuring me, as they passed on,
that they would care for me On their return.
AS they cleared the crest they were met by
| storm of bullets.
got to my feet, hoping to get TO the cover
of the woods. and so to our lines; but being
DESTROYS of seeing how my late acquaintance
were faring, moved in their direction, and as
gained The crest saw them breaking from
the cornfield in every direction save TO their
front, the majority flying by each flank.
The sight restored my nerve, and caused
me to essay an act of recklessness, which,
later in the war, l would not have attempted.
Moving over the short space between the
crest and the cornfield, stopped the first
two men in gray met, and invited them to
drop their guns In the corn found plenty
of Confederates, those who were not
wounded or dead closely hugging the earth
or seeking some way OF escape. / cont ued
ON the way, picking up as did so several of
the enemy, whom / persuaded by the Eu-
field carried.
Arrived at about the center of the corn
fie d, / came across a squad of Johnnies
centered about an officer, who. severely
wounded, lay in q half-reclining position,
partially propped by rock at his back.
now began to see my folly. / had brought
thus far along some six or eight Confederates,
and now found myself among group of a
dozen or more, all of whom, or nearly all,
with their arms in their hands. The tables
were turned, and my thoughts were di-
rected, at first, as 10 how could give them
the slip.
My attention was speedily attracted by
the suffering of the wounded officer. Noting
that though sorely stricken he was not. in my
opinion, 10 danger of immediate death,
/ directed myself to the task Of alleviating
his suffering. He wanted wafer; had some
in my canteen, which gave him.
He felt sure of death, and expressed wish
to write to his vile. ! tore from my diary
portion Of it's leaves gave him my pencil,
and laid the stock of my Enfield across his
knees to serve as desk, holding it by the
barrel to steady it. All the time was try
ing to formulate plan of escape to our line,
which / had gotten glimpse of about a
thousand yards to the front.
| The Confederate officer Il think he was
| Lieutenant ColoneD having finished his
note, folded il, gave it to me, with the re-
! quest that have it forwarded through our
| lines to his wife. took it, and assured him
of nay Willingness and ability to do 80,
| though it took all my nerve to refrain from
betraying my doubt of ever getting to our
| lines.
Just then, to my supreme delight, saw
! in the woods several Union flags being carried
| in line-of battle towards the front. ! took
heart on the liant, and after pointing them
out to the C0nfederates, ordered them to 90
TO the fence and procure rails to construct a
litter for the wounded officer. Some of
them demurred to this procedure, being
aided by the officers fear that he could not
! bear the pain of removal. / assured him
there was a tield-hospital in the wood across
the field beyond the cornfeld we were in.
To be precise, did not know aught of the
kind, but did know that there were Union
troops there. But telling him he would
surely die if left where he was, / thus gained
his consent. The litter was made and the
firing having ceased, the Office, was placed
on the litter, and gave the order TO move.
We went into the open field aud into the
lane from which we had advanced in the
dim, foggy light of the early morning, up to
near the small piece of woods where l had
assured my Confederate friends was field
hospital.
cavalryman rode out to meet us, and 10
him l turned over my charge, numbering
about ~ or Is men. l started with over
| this number but not all emerged from the
corn with me, and ] did not deem it wise
| to hunt them up.
Al. IA u 4