The Press., 1896-07-09


 purpose. Here are some hospitals ir fact you find them everywhere in this vi. cinity. A short distance beyond here encountered the first pickets, but being in company with two gentlemen who had passes, and the picket who was on duty here not being particularly vigilant, had no difficulty in passing the lines without those ordinarily rather necessary papers. I now felt that I was "all right" so far as proceeding upon my journey unmolest- ed by pickets was concerned. We al- rived in Sharpsburg about 3 D. m., and in company with MT. James F. Brooks, 1 proceeded at once to visit the various hospitals in search of wounded Stafford volunteers, among whom we expected to find the son of MT. B., who is indeed dan- gerously wounded, having had no less than six wounds, made by as many differ ent balls. Our search was vain. as far as finding our own men. We visited some two or three rebel hospitals in the neigh bOrhOod of Major General Fitz John Por- ter's corps. We returned to s., and hav- ing ascertained the locality of Gen. Burn sides corps, we started in that direction in the carriage in which we rode from Frederick. We had proceeded but short distance when the driver suddenly. though not unexpectedly, became "balky," having received his pay in advance, and notwithstanding our entreaties, supplied tiOns and remOnstrances, utterly refused to go one step further. Being fully per suaded that any more time spent urging forward this mulish concern would be en- ti1ely lost, and night approaching, we concluded to unload ourselves with our baggage and try marching, which we did in ''double quick" Arriving at the bridge across the Antietam, near it's mouth, 1 received the peremptory order, "Halt !'' from the picket stationed there, and after the customary exchange of civilities, we were very politely escorted a short dis tance below, where we found, to our su- preme delight, some of the Stafford boys on picket, as they said, though the un- initiated in military matters would say laying upon little straw scattered upon the ground, with the broad canopy of heaven for a covering. Noble boys! God bless them With what cheerfulness did they escort us through the lines into camp. Here we met what remained of the poor boys who so recently left us. They manifested great anxiety to hear from home, eagerly and thankfully re- ceiving those letters, and when I made known the objects of my visit and sudden appearance among them they seemed all to exclaim, with that depth of feeling which none but those separated from deal friends and associations can appreciate ''then the Stafford people have not en- tirely forgotten us yet-God bless them. , l The assurance that they were cared fol by the good people of Stafford, which the sending of a pe1son to ascertain their whereabouts, assist them if needy, and tC convey to Stafford the bodies of the be. loved of their number who had fallen ir battle, seemed to inspire them with fresh confidence, courage and zeal, to such ex. tent that felt as though the town had received ample remuneration for all ex- pense and trouble hitherto incurred. desire here to express my heartfelt thanks to all our brave volunteers for the very and hospitable manner in which was re. ceived and entertained during my visit More next week. J. R. WAsHBURN.