The National tribune., 1896-08-20
AT HANDS oFdGUERRILLAs.
How Four Comrades Were Treated In VIZ
ginia In 1864.

How Four COmr8Oe0 were XTeNtcU AZ w.
ginia In 1864.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: was cap
tured in June, 1864, and taken, with ~
others, to Union, the Coun,y.eat Of Monroe
County, Va. While there had sad ex-
perience. We were captured by Amick's
bushwhackers, and shortly after our capture
Thurman's company of guerrillas came up
aud wanted to hang all of US, but the more
humane Amick would not permit this.
A certain Union guerrilla named Blazer
had caught four of Thnrman's men, had shot
two, and held The other two as prisoners
So it was finally agreed between Amlck
and Thurman that four Of our number
should be chosen by lot, two of whom were
10 be shot in retaliation for those Blazer had
killed. and the others held as hostages for
the two still in Blazers hands.
The drawing of lots took place about 3
o'clock in the afternoon of June ~, 1864
We were in line on the sidewalk opposite
the courthouse and rebel officer took
ciyarbox and placed therein % tickets, one
fof each of our number. Four were marked,
and the drawer OF marked ticket was 10 be
one of the unf0rtunates. We fully realized
onr situation, and with trembling hands
each man drew his ticket.
After the drawing the men who had drawn
the marked tickets We're ordered to step two
PAGES to the front. The tickets were taken,
and two marked ones and two blanks we've
put into hat, and The four were told to
draw again. This time the poor fellows re-
sponded without a tremor.
After the second drawing they were again
divided and placed under strong guard,
and we were permitted to take leave oil
them. The parting on our side was fearful,
for we knew that but a few moments would
pass until two of our number would be IN
eternity and two others in close confinement
with good chance of following the other
two in a short time. But on their part the
bite, ness of death seemed to be past, for
they babe us farewell with smiling faces.
The remaining "a Immediately were
started toward Andersonvlle and the
hostages were started toward the County
| Jail, and the o. her two were taken 10 execu-
ton. We had not gone more tran bali
| mile when We heard the report OF the guns
| that mustered our two comrades into the
Grand Army above. do not remember the
names of three of the men, but the other
| was W. A. Roads, Sergeant, Co. A, l2lh N
! Y Cav. To him, at parting, / gave small
compass, hoping against hope that he might
escape and it might be of use to HIM.
| My object in writing this is the hope that
| it may meet the eye of some Of the boys VIM
were actors in that drama; also, that the
friends of Roads may know his fate, In cast
| he has never returned home.
Jacob Lawrence company and regiment
forgotten, who vas with us, died in Ander
sonvile in August, 1864.
| Should this meet the ere of Solomon
| Whle. formerly of Chemung County, N. Y.
should be glad to 6. xrespond with him
met member of dhe -6}h w. Va. who sale
he had helped cean out the rebels from
| Union and set free some prisoners confined
there, and / hope the two hostages were
among them.-E. J. YECK. 1t Va, Com
mander, Gen. Francis Marion Post, Florence
| Kan.