The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-03

this proper mode OF securing the woods.
th. officer gave the following orders
Halt" "Disnouut 90 "DeplOy skirmish-
ers." Then my chances for escape we're
slim. Another order, Forward, march,
brought the enemy TO the branch. one OF
tho skirmlshers called out, Captain,
have discovered fresh signs OF him. with
that the whole line gathered 20 one point
TO look at the print OF my hands ana my
knees. where / stopped 10 drink. l could
hear every word which was spoken.
heard my heart beat. 1 had heard II once
before, but there was no thought OF sur
render. although L admit freely that
did not expect 10 be alive one minute
longer. and IL is a solemn thing Ia die.
! was not afraid 10 die. for l had decided
10 DO IL rather than surrender. II dis
covered. IL Was my purpose 10 shoot the
two men nearest to me- break the skir-
mlsh-llne. and again run for my NE.
There Was still ground FOR hope. Just then
conversation began which helped me
very much. one man sasu. Al l lay eyes
on that Reb.. | mean TO shoot him on
sight. because he shot Bill yesterday
4 better man said. THAT would be
c0wardly act. as We have company
against one man, and 1t would be unchIls-
tian and unsoldierly.' Ills reply leu me
TO think that tho argument was iosI on
him, but IL braced me up a good ue"l
and made up my mind than / would not
die without company. ] ne orders were
Bus friend with me. The orders were
given, Fall in line" Forward, march
The skrmlshers were something like
twenty steps apart, and 5tretched across
the woods taking everything az Que
sweep. The man who was going 10 90 the
shooting on sight passed within three OF
four yards OF me, just beyond my ieet'
dared not move my head, but as SOON
as he came I'M range Of my sight my
eyes never left him. II he had even glanced
in thai bush 1 would have killed MN
Bat he was talking 50 much about Whlt
he was going 10 DO that he lost the OPP
portuultv OF doing II. I can only say
that the Lord hid me Ia the hollow OK
Ills hand, or cast n veil before their eyes.
II was a very poor shelter from danger
but with the man who has God between
him and death bush Is as good as
fortress. The enemy passed on, ana my
greatest danger was over. The woods
were searched from u o'clock until ni-hl
tut only 10y cavalry squads. OFTEN ZEN
asleep. 10 be aroused by approaching
voices IL was so very near the edge ol
the woods that no one thought OF looking
I'm such an exposed place Finally, the
"l0ng. long. weary day had given place
20 the shcltcring arms OF night. and, leav-
ing my hidng-plare. / started on new
enterprise. The moon arose. and tho
Cvouds drew back as The queen or
Heaven walked in her beauty
VISITED HIS MOTHER
Being certain that t.s enemy designed
20 make no important move at that time,
opportunity was given me % visit my
mother. who had been severely wounded
short time bcfor In cavalry engagement
az Racco0n Ford. on the Rapidan. Being
IRE the lines OF the enemy, sho WIS carried
to Mr.. Lawrence striugfeiloW s. for
safety and for treatment. By the tender
caro- OF the family. the faithful attention
az the United States surgeon. Aunt felisia
and Uncle George aud the blessings
or Providence. She recovered. bct wore the
badge OF q Confederate soldier for twenty
years. TO state tho matter briefly. /
helped 10 nurse her for o. week, bur have
not the time 20 tell OF how 4 entered the
house. while occupied as headquarters for
a major. How 1 saw him in the han, ass
j passed 10 my mothers room. how /
passed the guard at the yarI-satc, how
j walked about among the men oI the
regiment posted in tie backyard. and
actually stepped on men Who We're in
wood-slcd. sound asleep. This VIII Doe
given 10 the public in an article on the
/ "Od Virginia Nanny ln my effort to
see ms mother. ] came mcNpsftely upon
camp ol General C4soy's Division. 1t
was a rule OF nay life TO 30 until stog-cd
ly some obstacle which could not he
overcome Seeing a. flag floating over
tent. and knowing that 10 was The head-
quarters OF the officer of the day /
d r.f
mel. Being a. little tired. and having no
| definite plans. I sat down on bench
under O. brush-arhor in front ~ The tent.
/ il was "a grand night. aud as L sat there
praying. praislng God for Ills wonderful
works. and uweI by The solemn stiffness
o. sleeping army. my eyes icI upon "a
uu OF new spapcrs, on camp-slool just
/ inside the officers tent. B arose. pushed
aside the tent door. and took the papers.
/ The colonel was sleeping as swcetiy as
an infant. IL Dee had been % general lt
would have been" time for him 90 get
up. Sometimes 10 IS q big thing 90 Doe
| a small man lie had often longed for
/ promotion. but II it had come before That
/ night. 10 might have been his ruin We
/ never know what is best FOR us. What ia
/ gam2 What is a loss? The greatest or
/ all Books answers that yeNed question;
/ Goodness with cOntentment i5 great
| gain" Having gotten the papers, again
/ took a seat on the bench. and Examined
| their names Ihcy were up-to-date and
/ leading papers. Putting them under my
arm. I stroled lesureiy through the camp,
! going Dn Qua 40 the opposite side. I never
/ SAW camp-guard. once Boa o. great while
/ this would occur i'm both armies. AS /
/ came out of General Grauts army 90
/ guDfreVlFanfa Court house. I found Gene