Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1896-08-21

caused Il general order from Union mead
quarters 90 be posted all over the coun-
try announcing that any one caught dew
astating property would be shot on
sight. Captain Crawford, afterward
brevetted colonel, was detailed to post
the notices, thereby gaining the hatred
of the raiders, who only wanted an op-
portunity to vent their revenge on him.
The opportunity now presented itself,
and as they drew near the general re-
moved his fieldglass from his eyes and
surveyed the prisoner
"Who is ho?"
A corporal advanced and saluted.
"a Union soldier, sir. 80
"Where did you get himY"
Caught attempting to run through
the lines with flag think he wanted
to flag some train.
Lieutenant, detail ten men and have
him shot. "
AS the lieutenant turned to obey the
order something familiar about the pris-
oner attracted the attention of the gen
eral.
"Say, fellow, what's your name?" he
inquired.
Crawford, " came the answer.
The general started.
''What did you say? Crawford? Your
first name, man, quick"
Frank. -
The general looked again into the
prisoners face.
my God, Frank, is it you?" he
said, and as the situation dawned on
him he continued:
''This is too bad. "
Crawford, in surprise, surveyed his
oaptor for a moment and recognized an
old school chum and companion.
"Why, Ellsworth, l didn't know
you" he exclaimed.
"Here, lieutenant, take good care of
this man. I'll attend to his case later F"
said the general as he hastily turned
away and resumed his inspection of the
scene below. Scarcely had he put his
glass to his eyes when he beheld the
fleeting figure fall before the hating
train. This was the signal for action
among the rebels With few sharp
commands the troops formed i'll retreat
ing order and We're soon lost to view in
a cloud Of dust.
Hours passed and the little woman,
once more i'll camp. showed signs of re-
turning life. Suddenly she opened her
eyes.
"What is that" she gasped.
"Be quiet" replied the nurse. at is
nothing. You have been i'll and must
remain quiet"
'No, no; it is calling me-" she per-
sisted, raising herself with much diff
Guilty upon her arm. 81 must go and see
what he wants.
'She must he out of her mind, u
thought the nurse as she gently tried tc
persuade the sick woman to remain still.
''There it is again, calling, calling. u
"What is calling?"
'The telegraph instrument. You must
take me to it. 1t is my husband S private
call. There, don't you hear it,"
In an adjoining tent on an improviseC
desk the telegraph ticker merrily clicked
away its dots and dashes. Thinking
only to humor her, the nurse called {
couple of stalwart soldiers and the cot
with its precious burden was carried
close to the instrument
Tremblingly her fingers sought the
key. Her husband had taught her it!
use and given her IA peculiar call by
which she could always recognize him
1t was this call, the presence Of hi
thought, that had called her spirit bacl
to earth.
"Who is it," she licked.
"Friend-foe - friend - foe" came
the answer.
"What do you want?"
"Mrs. Crawford. F"
"This is she What is it?"
, 81, General Ellsworth, saw your BRAY,
deed from the hill where | stood, " CAM
the message land, although had pre-
viously commanded that your HUSBAND
, be shot, you need have no fear. 1 will
spare his life for your sake. Goodbyr'
She sank back on the cot exhausted
tears filled her eyes and faint "Thanl
Godr" escaped her lips as she was car
ried back to her tent.
, The guerrillas had made hasty re
treat, taking Crawford with them, an
, were now 20 miles away, camping fo
the night.
, The hatred against Crawford was s
bitter that General Ellsworth could
} pardon him, but that night, under
3 cover of dar ness and III charge of a
5 cretly instructed officer, Crawford
/ mounted on the fieetest horse in car r
D with the instructions from the genera
to "ride like hip
5 He evidently obcycd, for he was nc
seen again by the rebel soldiers. Min
t days after he joined his wife and babie
0 at Union headquarters 1t was happ
0 reunion, and as soon ~ Mrs. Crawfor
l. was able there was an elaborate receI
q ton given by the officers in their honol
e at the Burnett House, in Cincinnati.
= By a strange coincidence. that was til
T. very day Morgan and his men were cal
+ tured, and the prisoners were made
DaSG in revipXV before tha hotel ON rOni