Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-17
A Federal Soldiers Account of His
Capture-WiII Come to Reunion.

A Federal Soldiers Account of His
Capture-WiII Come to Reunion.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
WELAKA, FLA, May 81 propose
to give an account Of my first and only
visit to Richmond, which came about In
this wise: i was in the battle OF Chan
cellorsville, May 1. 2, 3. 1858. The last
day, about noon, the regiment to which
l belonged was lying down on the Plank
road, near and just south OF the Chan
cellor House. which was then on fire.
Everything had gone rearward, and my
regiment was about the last TO get out.
They went back over n piece Of rising
ground, where the fire was very destruc-
tive from the Confederates. jumped into
a small rile-pit. and. with a companion,
followed 1t down until 1t struck we'll
worn footpath. which was along the
bank of small branch or creek. Sup
posing II flowed into the Rappahannock
river which was only a few miles away,
we continued on the path until we came
to a low place, and where the path
turned squarely to the right. and cross
ed the branch on a corduroy bridge.
We had no more than crossed when we
were in a small field. and at the same
time, were halted and commanded to
was not counting On tiilS.
and looked about for a chance to escape.
and saw the field lined with Confede-
rate cavalry. some within few rods OF
us at small building. On an elevation
about one hundred yards away was
Confederate sergeant, who again said,
Surrender" l saw no chance TO do
anything but obey. Then we threw
our guns In the bog, and went up as
prisoners. finding some twenty-five or
thirty other Union soldiers, captured the
same way, / expect.
My captor proved to be Sergeant w.
r. Hall, Company +, Fourth Virginia
Cavalry, who treated me pleasantly, ana
soon started us to the rear, under guard.
This was on Sunday. about p. NJ
The following Sunday We entered Rich
mond, having marched down the rail-
road. and were put in Libby Prison. We
were kept there a week or so; then trans
ferred TO Belle Isle. where we spent an
other week or ten days. then paroled
and sent TO City Point. and thence to
Annapolis.
For some years I had been DESTROYS
OF finding my captor. Last January I
put notice in the Confederate Veteran,
giving particulars OF my taking, and was
soon rewarded by a letter from w. H.
Hall, Of your city Since then we have
been in correspondence and exchanged
photographs. and / can easily Identity
him as being my captor. He has kind
ly asked me to attend the Confederate
reunion at your city, and intend 60
Ing. am perfectly willing to be
his prisoner again.
IL seems strange that we should each
have served two years after that capture.
and live on more than thirty years, and
ne able to find each other
| wish TO go up and see how all the
old soldiers look, for there win be large
numbers OF them, and they will be i'm
good spirits. / would like TO see the
old Confederate flag, and see some OF the
men In their old uniforms: and I want
TO hear the rebel yen. 1 have read many
accounts trying 10 describe that yen.
No one yet has been able 10 form words
which sound like n. Sometimes I think
| can, but on trying give II up IL
still rings In my ears, and can almost
see 1t. II is distinct itself. and cannot
be described or pictured. IL is Just sim
ply something Of it's own. a rebel veil
Hoping 10 see thousands OF the old
soldiers In a few weeks and enjoy their
enjoyment. l am,
Yours truly. c. +. WALDRON.
Formerly Sergeant Company +. Twenty
ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In
fantry.