Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1898-11-25

story, for, improbable as it may ap.
pear, assure him it is all true.
In the winter of 1865 it was my priv
ilege to spend few weeks in the army
as a delegate of the United States
Christian commission.
On the 18th Of February 1 found my.
self at Harper's ferry, where spent the
night. The next day looked with
much interest into the little engine
house called "John Browns FORT" the
spot where that large-hearted philan-
thropist whose soul is still marching en-
was captured. Then. in company with
several other delegates, climbed to the
top of Maryland heights. where COM
pany of soldiers were encamped, and on
the following day went by train up the
Shenandoah river, past Charlestown,
where, on December 3, 1859, John Brown
was executed. and, as we could go no
farther by rail than Stephenson Sta
ton, we tarried for the night, and
were entertained at Christian COM
mission tent which was pitched there.
A regiment of blue coats was quar-
4 tered there, so we held services in the
evening, and, as all was quiet on the
Potomac and everywhere else as far as
known, and we were all weary, we pro-
ceeded to prepare for nights rest.
It was my first night in military
camp in tent on ground where fierce
battles had recently been fought and
men had bravely died for their country.
1t was to me an entirely new expert
ence, and it is possible that while my
grandfather bravely fought in the rev.
dictionary war, I, his grandson, was,
on this occasion, to say the least, a
trifle-just trif1e-nervous.
In reply to some inquiries was told
that, so far as known, there were no
"gray coats" in the vicinity-and we
might rest in peace.
had made the acquaintance of del
egate from the east by the name of
Page, and we arranged to bunk to-
gether for the night. We found large
box in which hay had been shipped; we
got it into the big meeting tent, and
with hay and army blankets, soon had
the bed satisfactorily settled and our
selves settled into the bed, which my
chum pronounced first class, good
enough for dorg." - e.. s7
from sound sleep by the shrill notes
of bugle, and soon learned that it was
a call to arms. In an incredibly short
time every body was on the stir, and 1
learned that some picket guards had
been driven in from the east and that
there might be little fun ahead
I asked an officer who came into our
tent where was the safest place for me
in case of any trouble, and he replied:
.'Just about where you are now"
After little time it was pronounced
a false alarm, and all was still and
everybody asleep. I was wishing that
I knew whether it was all safe, and a
suspicion that the confederates were
fooling with us took possession of my
wakeful faculties and I could not rest.
I thought what a dreadful thing it
would be if the enemy should stealthiIy
come upon us and all should be massa-
cred. I finally determined, wisely or un-
wisely, to get out of the ayas speedily
as possible, so that there might be one
survivor at least to tell the story of that
awful night. And, as the thrilling
events which am about to faithfully
describe, have not found their place in
the history of the great rebellion, l, as
a survivor, proceed to state as dis
tinct]y as memory will enable me what
1 saw and heard and suffered during
that memorable night, sincerely hop
ing that the experience will never he
repeated. So, as the alarm had been
east of the camp, determined to make
my escape westward and Immediately
proceeded to the execution of what
seemed to me to be the wisest thing to
do.
l very cautiously left the tent and
made my way westward. | had gone
but little way when heard rapid fir
ing and great confusion in the camp,
and then it was very plain to me that l
had made most happy escape. felt
sorry for the poor wretches l had left
and wished that my friend Page was
with me.
1 listened, and to my horror l heard
quick footsteps. The moon shone
brightly, and l could plainly see three
men in gray military dress following
me. One was very tall and carried a
very long, shining gun.
The ground was smooth and trif1e
descending, and, as I thought myself
apretty fair runner, l did my level best,
and think that l was making good
time, but, as cast my eye back, l saw
that they were gaining upon me. l