The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1894-11-09

iNf n - Sstll-r - medicines neo.
h s.ls..s.-ss visionsand war
-. m a tertals
Ssz.s..Ss:zs.- through the
blockade ofthe
union Aeet into the southern ports,
and thence TO the confederate arniea
But very few have heard OF another
kind OF blockade running, equally ex-
citingF&and II possible much more
dangerous than the first, where the
men engaged had TO run the gauntlet
of both the feet and the army. ] re-
fer TO the Potomac blockade and the
attempts on the part Of the federal
government to prevent southern SYM
pnthizers ON the Maryland side from
communicating with and giving aid to
the confederate forces in Virginia.
Many reader has, no doubt, made
the pilgrimage from Washington to
Mount Vernon, and has noticed the
air of peace and quiet that prevails
everywhere. with the broad smooth
river, the green fields ON either shore
rolling away into the distance, a sail
ing vessel here and there making It's
lazy way to the bay, with now and
then q great river steamer coming
putting round q bend, which had hid
den ii from view, tho whole landscape,
in It's simple rural beauty. making all
mest a perfect Arcadia All is quiet
along the Potomac once more,
and she sleeps as calmly as II
she had never dreamed Of civic
strife, But In war time II was
far different Then, during the
livelong day and far into the night,
4 great steamers, heavily armed for
transporting large bodies OF troops,
churned up her waters, while small
vessels patrolled every mile Of her
shore, guarding against southern raid
ing parties and attempts 10 run the
blockade Armies We're constantly
marching along her shores, first union,
then confederate, while small bodies
Of troops and scouting parties rods
down her banks and drank OF her
waters eyes5 day. From Alexandria
down 20 Point Lookout the river runs
through peaceful rural country.
High bluffs. heavily wooded, and
greet marshes IN which gould
hide 16f dnys, vary the lh1ei the
open fields. while every AeM miles
large creeks indent the shore, running
for miles back into the country, easily
traversable by skiffs and often by
small sailing vessels. These creeks
and marshes, are the home Of the
ortolan and the reed bird, and are the
Mecca of the sportsman.
Thesonthern Maryland planters and
farmers knew every nook and corner
Of the river and its marshes, us most
Of them were great sportsmen and had
gained their knowledge by hunting,
in the autumn. When the war came.
having strong sympathy for the south,
they used their knowledge 10 assist
her. Every dark night swift sltiffs
would shoot out from creek or marsh.
carrying dispatches, medicines and
many other things needed by the
wearers of the gray to the Virginia
side, where they would be hidden
until an opportunity occurred TO gain
the southern lines. IL became almost
highway for those who wished 10
pass dispatches from the north TO the
south. Scouts, spies and volunteers
all used this route. Women going to
the aid OF wounded relatives in south
ern hospitals, and even young girls
seeking to aid the south, would ride 70
the banks OF the Potomac, go 10 the
house OF some southerner well known
to them, and on the first dark night
would run the gauntlet Of the river
patrol and gain the Virginia shore
One of the principal scenes OF this
traffic was the quiet little country viii
iage Of Piscataway, about four miles
from the mouth Of the Piscatawny
creek. A few houses and stores scat
tered here and there on each side Of
dusty country road leading to o bridge
over the creek, were all that union
officer would notice us he rode into
the place, and he would pass by It
with :ontempt Yet that general
store across the way, with its yard
running down to the creek, belonged
to one Of the most successful blockade
runners ON the Potomac, man, who,
under the quiet exterior of country
storekeeper and good fellow. hid n
shrewdness which enabled him TO out
wit the union authorities for three
/ years, and then to make good his es-
cape. And it is of this escape am GO
ing TO tell.
Under the guise OF keeping his coun-
try store, Dick Edelin, was constantly
ordering large amounts Of clothes,
shoes ind other necessaries, which he
promptly conveyed across the Potomac
TO his5agents and by them to the
southern army. He was rapidly max
ing money, as his goods brought ex.
traordinary prices. So Dick became
more and more reckless every day,