Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-04-21

cemetery there. Is it strange that
General Lew. Wallace fed so precipi-
lately at MOnocacy? The ghost of
murdered Leopold, no doubt, appeared
to him there
On the day following our landing
at Fort McHenry, some eighteen Of
fcers, inclusive of our Fort Delaware
contingent, were put down in a hold
OF boat bound from Baltimore to
Norfolk, with lot of our men suffer-
ing with smallpox, and not allowed to
pass above. This precautiOn was evi-
IDENTIFY taken to prevent the passen-
gers on board from knowledge Of the
condition of the prisoners below.
On our arrival at Fortress Monroe
nv cousin, Colonel Thos. G. Baylor
ordinance officer at that fort, came
aboard, took me out of the hole into
the captains cabin, and introduced
me to the captain, who soon had pre-
pared for me a royal feast, which was
doubly enjoyed, as was without
breakfast. Shortly afterwards the
prisoners were placed on an exchange
boat, where we remained several days
before going up to City Point. My
cousin accompanied me to the ex-
change boat, introduced me to Colonel
Mulford, federal commissioner OF ex-
change, and l was permitted a state
room and treated with great ciyility.
During my stay there my cousin gave
me every attention possible and made
my stay exceedingly comfortable. AL
though he occupied a position Of trust
in the Federal army, having gradu-
ated from West Point just preceding
the war, he was as genial and kind as
a llinsman could be, and felt as much
at home with him as when years be-
fore at my fathers we had played and
hunted together. 1t was on one of
his visits on this occasion | met, for
the first time, my then little Cousin
Kate, his daughter, now the wife of a
prominent surgeon in the army, sta
toned at Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Blood is thicker than water, and not
withstauding the bitterness Of the con-
aict, no unkind feelings were gener-
ated between my relatives in the Fed
eral army and myself, or our family,
and when the war closed, our ante
bellum intercourse was renewed.
On the morning our boat started
for City Point my Cousin Tom and
daughter came on board to bid me
goodbye, and were present when the
guard passed through searching our
officers for everything contraband,
which meant everything not on your
back and some things that were. Saw
my cousin give the officer the wink,
and ! was passed by unmolested,
though having much greater posses
sions than my brother officers. Such
partiality made me feel a little hu-
inflated, but, on second thought, ac-
cepted my good fortune as part OF
that luck which seldom failed me dur
ing the war. Even brought safely
through the pair of spurs Lieutenant
Hill so kindly permitted me to keep.
Our boat loosened anchor and we
were soon sailing up the James, past
the wrecks of the Congress and the
Cumberland, and reached City Point,
where we awaited some hours the ar
rival Of our agent Of exchange. Some
time was expended after his arrival
in arranging a cartel, and at one time
feared that an agreement would not
reached and we would have to return.
Our fate trembled in the balance.
Our hearts sickened at the thought Of
return. But, happily, matters were
finally adjusted and we were landed on
Southern soil. Ny heart leaped with
iov when I was turned loose and real
lied | was a free man again. In the
ardor of my affection, l knelt down
and embraced my mother Dixie Land.
No one ike a prisoner, loosed from
his bonds, can truly appreciate the
boon and blessing Of liberty.
Ny Uncle Tom lived short dis
tance from City Point, and, after bid
ding farewell to my prison mates,
started for his home, which was reached
in few hours, and warm welcome
accorded me. Remaining there a
couple days, was of for Richmond
where I met many old comrades.
Learning our brigade was encamPed
near Harrisonburg, FASTENED to report
for duty and make amends for my abb
sence without leave. General Jones
greeted me with cordial shake Of the
hand, SAYING, well, George, l think the