Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-27
Two Soldiers


COMING east few weeks ago over
the prairies Of one of our magnil
cent new states l formed an acquaind-
ance with a fne-looking gentlemen Of
the old Virginia school. Gentlemanly
and courteous-a typical southerner-
who told me one Of the prettiest stories
l have heard in long time. Here Is
the story;
'When / was o young man / served
during the war in n Virginia regiment
in the confederate army. and surren-
dered with Gen. Lee at AppomattoN. J
enlisted in the valley Of Virginia dur
ing the first month Of the war and
served in the Stonewall brigade and d.
vision to its end. One night after the
second days fight In the seven days
battles was on picket dutyin hollow
between two heavily wooded hills.
GAS the opposing lines Of videttes
were very close together, was careful
to keep quiet until learned the cause
Of the noise. didn't have to wait long,
as footsteps came nearer and nearer
until only the width Of the broken TO-
liage of the tree behind which l stood
separated me from the maker Of the
racket; then quietly l crept around
with bayonet fixed and gun on cock In
the direction Of the sound. Proceedirg
half dozen steps, I came face TO face
with q union soldier. He was walking
along carclessly with his gun or his
shoulder, and never saw a fellow more
astonished than he was when !, with
bayonet pressed almost against ha'
breast. commanded him 70 halt. 'DroI
that gunl Hands up, Yankl' ! com
mnnded.
"'By thunder! he exclaimed after he
had dropped his Enfield. You're
johnny, amt your
~ am confederate soldier said
and you are my prison
"'Prisoner! Right he inside Of oui
own linesl What does this meant? h'
queried.
You're outside. and npt inside, o
your lines, YanlS. and you're inside ou
picket line. What were you trying Z,
do, anyway, tnmping around here lilS'
q horse in n brush heap2 Everybody
within 100 yards could hear you thrash
ing about. You're not picket. ar
your
"'No,' said he, 4 stole about camp OF
q foraging expedition haven't had 1
bite since yesterday morning You fel
lows scooped our. grub You know. ant
/ am nearly starved.
"'StarvedT said /. I've got q littl
cornbrcad in my grub sack, and I'll d
vide throwing off my haversack. Isl
down and try q reb's short rations
My invitation was accepted with avid
lty, and my prisoner dived into that oil
grub bag ravenously.
"By this time ! had become intereste
in my prisoner. and after putting
stop to his apologies we struck up
conversation He told me his name. an
said that his people lived mean Colum
bus, O., where before the war had bee
somewhat acquainted. In a short tim
we were on tho best Of terms, so niue
so that I leaned my gun against
broken branch and sat down besid
him l determined, II possible. TO sc
i him back safe within his own lines. bu
before ] could do so the officer Of tn
guard came up with the relief.
"'Where did you get your fanS'
said he.
"'captured him back there said l.
flake him with you and turn hil
over said he. and passed on after pos
ing my relief.
"'Johnnie.' said my prisoner, as W
walked toward camp, will they send m
to Libby. do you thinl?'
keep quiet ] replied. and folio
; me. Don't open your lips to auybod
you may meet. I'll do the best ca
, for YOU
. eve got inside the lines with9r
question past a sentry who knew nj