Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-04-07


officer was sent to the stable for me
and found the horse out Suspecting
that l had escaped among the privates,
he came to the boat and called for me.
No answer was made him, and he then
commenced tour through the pris-
oners. Being small andskept apprised
of his movements, I eluded his vigl-
lance, until his patience was exhaust
ed. Asserting that he knew I was on
the boat, he ordered all our men off.
| went with them and fell in the rear
rank on shore, trusting he would be
unable to identify me. On the first
round he passed by, and my spirits
rose; but on his second detour, he
slapped me on the shoulder and said,
"you are my man, and my heart went
down into my boots. He ordered a
file OF soldiers to take me before Gen.
Morris, the Commandant Of the Fort,
which they did, and reported the fact
about my attempt to escape. The old
General then turning to me said, 81
am informed you have been trylng,to
escape" Yes, General, | said, but
you are too much ola soldier to blame
me for that. "Oh, no, l do not blame
you, he said, "but we will have to
take better care of you. Gnard, put
him into the left Of the sally-port. l
was not much versed in military lore
and did not realize my destination un-
til it was reached, and found myself
in dungeon under the paraPet.
soon discovered was not alone. 1t
was too dark to see faces, so inquired
who were my fellow prisoners. My
first acquaintance was James Tllgh-
man, from the eastern shore Of Mary
land, a very clever gentleman, l soon
ascertained. As | was giving him a
narrative of myself, Ben Wilmington
raised up from a corner, exclaiming,
"lieutenant,is is that you?' recognized
Ben's voice and gave him a cordial
greeting. Ascertained from him that
he was charged with being a spy,
horse thief and guerrilla. Tilghman
was charged with burning some Fed
eral boats. We slept on the floor with
only one blanket to cover us, and did
not dream Of marble halls, although
our bed was about as hard as that
material. OF these three inmates, l
am the only survivor. Tilghman, after
long Imprisonment, was sent south,
and became a gallant soldier in the
Maryland line, and died in Queen
Anne's county, Maryland, some ten
years ago. Ben Wilmington died IN
this county about five years ago.
The morning after was put in the
dungeon, when the officer Of the guard
came around and inspected our cell,
called his attention to the fact that
Ben was a member of our company,
and a regular Confederate soldier. He
promised to look into the matter and
in few days Ben was taken out Of
the cell and, as 1 learned, exchanged
on the next exchange day.
During the day the guard would
open the door and allow US a little
light and air, and though this place
was very dreary, it was more comfort
able than the old stable.
After being there several days l
was taken before General Morris, who
said to me, "that he had learned my
father was a prisoner at Fort Della
ware, and asked me if would like
to ioin him. I told him if l had to
remain a prisoner would, OF course,
prefer to be with him. He then prom
ised to send me up on the first boat.
While in this cell was permitted to
see friends calling for me, and shall
ever remember with kindness the good
people of Baltimore. On one occasion
| received a visit from Misses Lee and
Crichton, accompanied by the brother
of the latter, Malcolm Crichton, who
brought me some dainties and sub
stantials. Mr.. Crichton, observing l
was without an overcoat, took of his
own and generously insisted ! should
take it, which, though reluctantly ac-
cepted, was sorely needed He may
have forgotten his act of kindness and
the recipient, but it has been warmly
treasured by me and trust he may one
day hear these comforting words, Il
was naked and ye clothed me, IN prs
on and We visited me.
While at Fort McHenry I made the
acquaintance of Lieut.. Morris, nephew
of the general and a member Of the
8th New York Artillery, which was
stationed for some time at Harpers
Ferry, to whom l am indebted for