Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1899-04-28
and then through the camp of North

who were by necessity compelled to
wear any color they could ge' Our
dirty gray was so near the color of the
dead leaves and the ground that it
would be almost impossible to see any
one who wore them creeping but few
yards away. When l returned told
my Yankee friend to get up and come
along as quietly as possible. Stepping
through the camp of the North Caro-
linians, we got into the shadow of the
slope of the hill, and crept down into
the dry bed of narrow creek which
was overhung with bushes. Caution
ing my companion TO be careful, we
crept on our hands and knees fully 200
yards along the creek, passing within
ten or fifteen steps of three sentries.
The little rivulet ended in larger
branch not so feet away from where
had stood when captured him. ltwas
at this point where the utmost caution
had to be used. After few minutes
we succeeded in getting around the vi
dette.
"'God bless you, Frank 1--WE had eX-
changed names long before), Il will
never forget you, and my mother and
sister, who shall know of this, will re-
member you as the best friend they
ever had, although they never knew
you. / hope we will meet again when
there is no such thing as war;.
81 don't remember what said in re-
sponse, but when / let go of his hand
and crept back 10 camp / somehow
went with a feeling that had bid good
by to my own brother,
81 never saw or heard OF my 'Yank'
during the war, but often thought of
him. When the war closed at Appo-
mattoX | was captain, and went home
after my parole broken man. The
old farm had run down from neglect,
and my old parents were in need. BY
energy and economy l in time sue
ceeded in clearing the old homes tead
of debt and building up our fortunes.
1t was years before could breathe the
free air of independence.
"Ten years ago | concluded to take
a trip out west. Ny eldest son, Henry,
who had worked faithfully, accom-.
panied me. 1t was in the spring that
we started. While crossing a broad
prairie in one of our new western states
our engine jumped the track many
miles from the nearest station to which
we could apply for help. We were in
formed that at least seven hours would
elapse before assistance could possibly
reach us. About three miles to the
south we could see large rancho build
ing, with the usual string of stables
and little houses about it. We arrived
at the rancho gate, where an old, griz
gled herder or cowboy invited us in
after we had explained our situation.
"'Who is the owner of the ranche?'
inquired.
Maj. Henry Vance, sir, and he vii
be glad to entertain you, gentlemen,
was the reply.
"The name somehow struck me as ia
| miliar, but | had known so many
Vances that thought but little of it.
"An hour or so later, while seated
at dinner with the major and his fam
lily, his good wife happened to remark
"'You are Virginian, sir, arr
i, your
"'Yes, madam, we live in sight of tn
Blue mountains, in what consider h,
prettiest part of the old state
"The major often talks of that par
of Virginia. she replied He served il
the union army under Mcclellan anC
Grant, You look like soldier yourself
sir. We're you one, may ask?'
"T was, madam; n soldier for th'
lost cause, and l served during the wa
under Lee and Jackson replied.
Indeed! Did you hear the gentle
man, major" she interrogated.
"'Were you there?' / inquired, nov
deeply interested, although not in th'
least anticipating what was coming.
eyes, was, and one night, the on
after the second days battle. Will
wandering about in search of some
thing to eat, got outside our lines ant
was taken prisoner by young confed
crate vidette---'
What l exclaimed, rising to IN,
feet, struck with astonishment 'Yo,
are not the young Ohio soldier I tool
that night, and afterward slipped on
OF our camp back within his own lines
"My host had risen and stood starn;
at me with astonishment, blended witt
anxiety, on his frank countenance
Can it be possible said he, his vote
fairly quivering, that the man / hav
most wanted and least expected ever T.
see, stands before me? Thank God
my friend, that once more can loo
into your face and thank you" Mary!
addressing his wife, Kitty! Hattie
This gentleman, Capt Raines, is tn
man Of whom / have so often talked
He was the confederate soldier boy wh
gave me, half-starved enemy, all hi
rations, and afterward ran the risk O
his life at the hands of his friendG b
conducting me through his camp bac
into my own lines. He is the man
would rather see than any other ma
on earth
"By this time everybody was excited
Mrs. Vance and both the girls wer
shaking my hand and embracing me n
affectionately as they could have don
a long lost relative. Dinner was los
sight Of. No one thought Of anythin
10 eat and for an hour there was moth
ing talked Of except the story Of tina
night at the front t"-Cincinnati FL
quirer.
Get big Pensions.