Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-04-21
from the Spirit of jefferson.
BACK TO DIXIE.
BY CAPT. GEORGE BAYLOR.

1t might be months, or years, or days,
| kept no count took no note;
At last men came TO set me free,
| asked not why and reck ID not where.
byron.
Whilst at Fort Delaware, in justice
to officers and men on duty there,
must record the fact that, excepting
in few instances, our treatment was
such as reflects on them credit and
commentator. James n. Gemmlh
clerk to the commandant, with whom
we had daily intercourse, could not
have been more genial, pleasant and
considerate of our feelings and welfare
had he been a kinsman and brother.
If he has not met his reward in this
life, feel assured his good deeds will
speak with angel tongues in his behalf
when he stands before the great judg-
ment seat. The noble women, whose
names are mentioned in these letters
though strangers to us, were untlnng
in their zeal to amehorate our condi-
ton and soften the asperities Of prison
life, and what human effort could do
was done by them cheerfully and gen
erously. The recording angel has
written their names above, and their
treasure is laid up "where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves
break through nor steal. Fair hands
may strew our graves with flowers,
but these noble women have soitened
our hardships and filled our lives with
their generous deeds, which is far bet
ter. Sympathy and tenderness shown
the living is above all the scutcheonS
on the tomb. Crown my life with
blessings. The dead need no friends
"for in death there is no remembrance
of thee; in the grave who shall give
thee thanks.
| want your love just while live.
While can still that love return,
1t will not Joy or comfort give
When lamp of life has ceased TO burn;
When the soldiers companion falls,
He waits to see the pause of life.
Then onward goes where duty calls,
And dueWnS his woe in battle strife.
Thus whsS It's fate for me TO die,
Breathe but one sigh for memory dear.
And gently close the fading eye,
Affection asks not cen a tear.
Pluck not. / pray, the wild flowers bloom,
Nor chaplet wreathe or rustic crown.
To deck cold and lifeless tomb,
Where mortal dust alone is found.
Can sweetest flowers illume the grave,
Or cheer or bless the tenant there:
Knows he the hand that loving gave
Those flowers so beautiful and fair
| can as calm and Sweetly sleep,
Ia deaths silent repoSing lair.
Without a friend to sigh or weep,
Or place in love rosebud there.
But love me friends while can still
Clasp hand with hand in kinship given.
Meet heart with heart in Joyous thrill
And feel this earth is nearing heaven.
While I longed for freedom, it
grieved me much to leave my father
in prison, still an invalid suffering
from his wound, and retained under
charges to be tried by military COM
mission, needing only accusation to
insure conviction. Earnestly urged
Col. Perkins for his release, but was
informed by that officer he had no dis
cretion in the matter, that orders had
proceeded from a higher source. He
promised, however, to intercede for
his trial or exchange, which promise
believe he faithfully kept.
On the evening of April 2, 1868,
babe farewell to my father, Purvis
and Fort Delaware, and our little
party boarded steamer bound for
Baltimore and were landed the fol-
lowing morning at Fort McHenry
Lieut.. Morris, whose acquaintance
had made while prisoner at this fort,
met me at the landing and kindly
gave me parole of the fort and eE-
tended me many little courtesies and
attentions.
Found there my friend, Capt. W.
B. Compton, now prominent lawyer
in Harrisonburg, Va, detained under
charges which 1 deemed trivial, but
upon which he was afterwards tried
by a military commission and SEN
fenced to be hung which penalty he
evadsd by miraculous escape from
his cell a few days before his execution
was to have taken place and after his
gallows had been erected.
Note from my fathers diary the
following:
"May l6, 1S94.-Last night FIVE Of
our officers, who were in the interior
cell, Compton, Dorsey, Shearer, La
mar and Gubbins,) made their escape