The Coconino weekly sun., 1896-05-21

at Secessionville opened a very hot fire upon her. Capt. Nickerson became demoralized and left the pilot house l and secured himself in the coal bunker. Smalls was on the deck, and finding out that tine captain had deserted his post, entered the pilot house, took command of the boat, and carried her safely out of the reach of the guns. For this conduct he was promoted by order of Gen. Gilmore, commanding the de- partment of the south. to the rank of captain, and was ordered to act as cap tain of the Planter, which was used as a supply boat along the coast until the end of the war. In September, 1866, he carried his boat to Baltimore where she was put out of commission and sold. Congressman Amos J. Cummings, of New York, who has been voluminous writer for many years, gave me n good war story from one of his scrap books. It is concerning the celebrated New York lawyer, Roger A. Pryon, who for merly resided in Virginia, and was con- federate brigadier general. Ex-Con- gressnan Byron NJ. Cutcheon, of Michi- gan, told the story. He said: ''In November, 1864, was commanding a brigade in the Ninth corps, before Petersburg. We had just heard of Lincoln's second election. I was in- specting my division and noticed con- federate officer apparently on the same duty with his line. He waved a news- paper towards me, and went out to meet him. knew that he wanted to exchange newspapers with me. We knew that the confederate congress had just assembled, and wanted the Rich- mond newspapers. The rebels were anxious to learn the news from our cleo tions.
 "When we met and saluted, the con- federate introduced himself as Capt. Brown, First Virginia l replied: Col. Cutcheon, of the Twentieth Michigan He gave me two Richmond papers, and l gave him the Washington Chronicle and Philadelphia Inquirer. We chatted for few moments, as though we were friends, and then rode to our respective lines. When I met my commanding officer, Gen. Hartranft, and gave him the Richmond papers, he noticed the penciled words, upon one of the papers: Mrs. Roger A. Pryor. Petersburg Gen. Hartranft said that he knew of the Pryor family, and that they lived in that neighborhood.
 "I heard nothing more about it until the next Sunday morning. Then had occasion to go up to headquarters with Gen. Albert B. Potter, who commanded the second division of our army corps. 1 was in his tent when guard came to the door and rapped upon the tent pole.
 "The general called out: Come in
 1.-Two guards wheeled around and brought in a prisoner. l sat on one side of the tent. l recognized the prisoner as Capt. Brown. He was tall and com manding. His head was erect, his hair was long, and his eyes black and pierc- ing. He seemed highly indignant.
 "'Is this Gen. Potter?' he asked.
 Ut is,' replied the union general.
 "1 am Gen. Roger X. Pryor, of the confederate service,' the prisoner re- piled. I have been basely trapped
 "I started in astonishment.
 "'How is that" asked Gen. Potter.
 "'Well, said Pryor, I was invited out between the lines to exchange newspa- pers. The pickets covered me with their rifles, and was brought in here prisoner. demand that I be released.
 "I don't know, general replied Pot. ter. that can afford you any relief. I