Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1896-02-08

Coming out, we showed our pass to
the guard at the door, who made a
kindly remark that he wished the wal
were over and he had the privilege o.
returning to his home We told him
our condition was not a very enviabIs
one, as we had not had anything ic
eat all day, and had nothing row
with the prospect before us of a toll
some journey even though it led to
wards home; and with the additional
consideration that we were prisoner:
our condition was not very inspiring
one.
why don't you get something tc
eat?" he asked lyon have lots Of
hard tack over there [pointing to
the commissary]
THAT is no longer ours, said /; il
now belongs to you.
go and help yourselves; no one
will stop you, he replied.
We thanked him, and said we GER
tainly woodland we did.
Before we left the guard l said l was
in worse strait than my comrades.
as ! was yet weak from recent suffer
ing, and unable to endure much IA
tigue. The captain of the guard told
me to go to our corrals and select any
horse | wanted from among the lot
there.
There are plenty OF them, he re-
marked.
/ replied that l had not supposed
for an instant that such thing would
be permitted.
"Oh, yes, he returned. we don't
go back on sick OF wounded men,
told him that nevertheless l con-
sidered it great kindness and felt
very thankful for such a permission,
and / went at once and selected a
horse. doubt whether any soldiers
other than Jackson S would have been
so considerate with prisoners. All
seemed to be more or less influenced
by the Christian principle of their
great commander, and not to have the
rudeness and roughness of soldiers
generally At least all we came in
contact with had not We did not re-
ceive insult or unkindness from any
one of them; but on the contrary. were
very kindly treated. Poor fellows!
hope they all reached their homes-if
rot on earth, IN heaven.
1t was near dark, and the pontoon
bridge was crowded with Longstreet' S
Division crossing into Harpers Ferry
cavalry, infantry. artillery. and
wagons. l forded the river on my
horse and the others crossed on the
pontoon as best they could. It was
entirely dark when we were again
united on the Maryland side. The
road for miles down the river was filled
with Confederate columns, but we man
aged to slowly make our way against
them. Here and there amongst them
flaming torches lit their way. Seeing
US, we were greeted with some such
exclamation as this: "W ell, boys,
did Jackson give you furlough? Wish
he'd give us one Go home and don t
fight us any more" We passed by
the side of this column for five miles,
to Knoxville, where we found their
rear guard, which halted us and OBJ
iected to our going any farther till
daylight We argued the matter,
pleading the order of General Hill to
get out of their lines that night. Their
commander said he was advising us
for our good--that our Army (mean-
ing the Army of the Potomac) was
only short distance away, and be-
tween the two armies would in the
darkness be very dangerous place,
and we might get into trouble. We
said we would risk the trouble if they
would let us go on. Seeing us per
sistent, the commander at length told
us that we had permission to move
on to the extreme picket-post of their
army-about $50 cavalry--a hall
mile away, and if they would let us
through it would be all right, and il
not, we would have to await daylight.
So we went on to the cavalry picket.
Here of course we were also halted and
admonished to remain with them till
daylight. We again pleaded General
Hills order, and after considerable
talk the officer in charge said: II
yon men will 60, you can go; but ]
think it would be more comfortable
and safer for you to stay with US till
daylight Your Army is not more
than quarter of a mile away Ifyou
go, would advise that two of your
men march in advance, or you will be
fired upon in the dark. We thanked
him for telling us to pass, and sale
we would take his advice. We gave
them good by. and when a little dis
lance away from them we halted, anc
two men volunteered to so ahead
Giving them time to get far enough
ahead we moved slowly on. Sur,
enoughl we had not gone far till W,
heard our men halted. Waiting a bit
we received call TO advance and in
short time we were inside the lines o
part of the Army of the Potomac
Fires were burning or smoldering her
and there, arms stacked, and sleepins
men were scattered over the grount
as far as we could see. We marched
on quietly past the sleeping host, fol
lowing the road to Frederick, till w
came to the town Of Jefferson, within
ten miles of Frederick. The frs
streaks of day were becoming visibl
in the eastern sky, and we were $