Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-06-18
Campfire Stories.

The stories related by the old
veterans during the encampment IN
Lewiston would fill dozen volumes.
Thomas Sullivan related one evening
in the presence Of the writer some Of
his experiences as soldier which will
he presented as an illustration. He
was captured by the rebels ana sent to
the Richmond prison. It was decided
to send detachment to the dreaded
Andersonville and the victims were
commanded to step out as their names
were called. Down the roll IN his de-
partment the draft progressed till the
next name was Thos. Sullivan. He
waited breathlessly for the note that
would seal his doom. 1t did not come.
The quota was filed. He missed that
living tomb by single name.
Again II detachment was ordered for
parole. Every heart bounded with
anticipation. To be chosen meant
freedom, home and happiness. To re-
main meant all the misery Of mill
tary prison. The names were called
on the roll till the next was Thos.
Sullivan and the quota was full The
bright hope vanished; the shadow of a
dreaded fate was darkened after the
hope of an hour.
At one time during the stay in
Richmond, a brutal rebel guard fired
rifle into 4 squad Of prisoners and
killed one and wounded two. Indig-
nation ran high among the unfortun-
ate boys, and lit was announced that
the murderous guard would be sent to
the front to face Yankees in the field.
This precaution was deemed necessary
to secure the safety of the guard who
had shot an inoftensive and helpless
captive soldier. After brief absence
the offensive guard was back on duty
in disguise. One dark night he was
found dead in his sentry box. Some
comrade had avenged his fellow
prisoner by crushing the guards head
with stone; and Thos. Sullivan was
accused Of the deed. The charge pur-
sued him like nemesis. 1t was only
suspicion and he was innocent, but
his accusers thirsted for blood and only
u pretext Of evidence would have
brought al order that he I've shot at
sunrise. There were no traitors in
that prison and the torture of the
| thumb screws and the rack tried the
metal Of the heroes but no word of
accusation was ever extOrted from the
Oatl,-sealed lips. The officers, how
ever, suspicioned Thomas Sullivan
and they Missed their curses in his
face from day to day, even to the hour
his name was par"led. The charge
hung over him like the shadow Of
death til it was dispelled by the light
Of liberty that came from old glory
waving over his head.
One of our ministers of the gospel
caught the spirit of the occasion while
camp fire yarns Were current in Lew
iston last week. Not to be outdone,
he related some experiences of his
warfare against sin on frontier cir
| cult. One one occasion 1t was neces-
sary to meet an appointment at a
place fifteen miles away. 1t was i'm
portant that he should he prompt He
had only forty-five minutes time to
cover the distance, and he got there on
! time-fifteen miles in forty-five min
utes.
Geo. n. Wilson said he was resi-
dent of Utah in 1862 and became scout
under Lieut. Elliot. In the fall of that
year he was assigned the task of con-
veying Il message through district
that was over run with Comanche
Indians. The overland mail had been
attacked, the driver killed and the
, stock driven off two days before, and
the enemy was supposed to be in the
vicinity of Shell Creek Canyon; and it
was feared they would ambush coni-
pany of regulars that was under
marching orders to JOIN Lieut. Elliot.
Wilson was asked to locate the enemy
IL possible and report to Captain Eads
who was in command of the expects d
reinfOrcenIents.
1t was planned to make the ride of
twenty miles through the canyon in
] the night. As darkness settled over
the country he approached danger
Gus road. The dark walls Of rock shut