The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-02

tain j., the skipper, his assistant end
myself. 1t was small craft, about
thirty feet long, rugged with log OF
sails, the skipper stseriug with q pad.
die. 1t was q black and stormy night,
but we had skilled helm man, and
the D at weathered the storm without
disaster. We lay under cover, hiding
from view, all next day, in creek on
the eastern shore Of Virginia. Then
under cover of darkness We set sail for
the Maryland shore which we reached
In the small hours. moving under the
bank OF swamp. In dong this we
we passed andete eted close uuder the
stern OF gunboat. At dawn we CROPPED
our way along the shore to our place
OF landing. Here at last we knew
where to go for safe keeping, 90 Cap.
| tain j. and l took leave OF the othors
who wore returning that night 10 Vir-
ginia, and made our way to tho country
seat Of friend, who took every care
Of us until We could find safe means of
pursuing our journey. The risks to US
to do this were now much creator and
we ran many narrow shaves to escape
capture, tho oonscription was being
rigidly enforced bysths enrolling OFF,
cers Mt every point.
We got across country rs beat We
could by wagon, at one time passing as
oystermen from Athe bay, until wo
slipped into the train for PHILADELPHIA
ct way station, where fortunately
time did not allow for the scouting Of
passee. We got to the Quaker City
late that eN ening, whore we made but
short stay, though sufficiently long
to ferret out the MAKER ofSthe artificial
leg who with every dispatch met the
require ments OF my friend. We then
caught the midnight train to New York.
[ confess was seized with panic almost
at tho depot whom I was confronted at
the ticket Office by two seutries with
81 ord bayonets fixed. posted ono on
either side Of the aipd)w. l had had
all along great dread OF being recog-
Dized by some Northern soldier who
might have been in tho Libby prison
whore l had at one time been on duty.
But they let me through without a
challenge, whether it wns that at that
late hour they were sleepy, or that |
looked TOO innocent to be questioned.
You can judge at the relief from the
terrible strain VIC had been under, that
that we felt when We reached the
Empire City" where we wers com.
saratively In safety at last. From
+Nis port sailed on the "City OF Man.
chester" OF the 1nman line, under a
sOmewh hat altored namc. AS soon 90 l
landed In Liverpool l delivered my
dispatches 10 tho Confederate agent
there and glad enough l was to do 60,
for this package had been q source OF
great anxiety TO mo. All this time no
ne|s CT sny re!erse to Lee'a army had
reached mo, and 30 with light heart
| hastened to join my mother and
brother in London.
learned only o week later, tho It'd
ings slowly, the awful report OF tho
surrender at Appomattox, and tho
downfall Of the Confederacy then all
tho sad events that followed. After
tbls had nothing to return to, 90 I
remained hero with my family. Then
| went to join my elder brother In
Russia, which had been on carly homo
to mo in my boyhood. Thou | grew
tired Of 1dleness and took up my abode
In Paris, TO work In tho hospitals and
In tho schools of medicine. All this
time had intended to return hvme,
but owing TO unseen circumstances /
finally determined to eetablish myself
Ia London in practice whore l have
boon ever sinca. What with private
practice, hospital and other public
work, have found Il more and more
difficult TO eot my holiday TO America.
which l am always looking forward TO.
Whoa I do manage it, shall delight
In coming 70 see all my old friends,
and you may rest assured / shsll look
you up. II I havo not written before
1t is that did lot know, after the war
wao over, whore letter would fni
any Of you.
| have now written many things in
this letter that will seem to you an.
ciont history, but love to think of the
old days, and l have jotted doRn In
auswer to yours what has happenBd to
me since loft tho regiment. But
want to hear Of tho others. Do write
and tell mo. My warmeot remem-
brances to all.
Always sincerely yours,
w. MCNgILL WHISTLRR.