The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-16

lived near Columbus, O., where before the
war had been somewhat acquainted! sfln- a.
short time we were on the best OF terms sc
much so that l leaned my gun against
broken branch and sat down beside, ham, L
determined, if possible, to get him back safe
within his own lines, but before IHcouid DO
SO the officer Of the guard came up With the
relief. fs5d463 ShinIfH
Where did you get your Yahka9 said he.'
Captured him back there said l.
Take him with you and turn him over,
said he, and passed on after posting my re-
lief.
Johnnie said my prisoner. as we walked
toward camp; will they send me to Libby,
do you think?'
Keep quiet, replied, and follow me.
Don't open your lips to anybody you may
meet I'll do the best can for YOU ,,+..
We got inside the lines without question
past sentry who knew me, and then
through the camp of North Carolina regi-
ment to my own company. Quietly, and
without disturbing anyone / got my prisoner
into my dog tent and told him to lie down
and wait. I then took his black hat and
blouse, slipped up to another tent where the
occupants were asleep and quietly exch hanged
them for an old gray SLOUGH and "a gray
jacket. With these got back without dis.
covery and fitted out my prisoner.~.t knew
it would be impossible to dodge the ,sentres
with anyone clad in blue although there We're
many of our own soldiers at that time who
were by necessity compelled to wear. any
color they could get. Our, dirty gray was so
near the color of the dead leaves and the,
ground that it would be almost impossible
to see anyone who wore them creeping but
few yards away. When returned 1 told
my Yankee friend to get up and come along.
as quietly as possible. Stepping through the
camp of the North Carolinians, we got into
the shadow of the slope of the hill, and crept
down into the dry bed of a narrow creek
which was overhung with bushes. Cautioning
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. TIE little rivuet ended in a
larger branch not so feet away from where
had stood when I captured him. 1t was at
this point where the utmost caution had to
be used. After few minutes succeeded
in getting around the vidette.
God bless you, Frank, eve had ex-
changed names long before). I will never
forget you, and my mother and sister, who
shall know Of this, will remember you as the
best friend they had, although they
never knew you. I hope will meet again
when there is no such thing as war
Il don't remember what said in response,
but when let go Of his hand and crept back
to camp somehow went with feeling that
had bid good-by to my own brother.
II never heard of my 'Yank dur
ing the war, but I often thought of him
When the war closed at Appomattox was
a captain, and went home after my parole
a broken man. The old farm had run down
from neglect, and my old parents were in
need. By energy and economy in time sue
ceeded in clearing the old homestead of debt
and building up our fortunes 1t was years
before could breathe the free air Of inde-
rendence.
Ten years ago concluded to take trip
out West. My eldest son, Henry who had
worked faithfully, accompanied me- 1t was
in the spring that started. While cross
ing a broad prairie in one of our new West
ern States our engine jumped the track. many
miles from the nearest station. to which we
could apply for help. We were informed that
at least seven hours would elapse before as
sistance could possibly reach US. About three
miles to the south could see a large rancho
h11i1H w ha CT Of ctoh
little houses about it. We arrived at the
rancho gate, where an DID, grizzled herder
or cowboy invited US in, after we had ex-
planned our situation.
WHO is the owner of the ranche?' I in
CURED
"'Maj Henry Vance, sir, and he will be
glad to entertain you, gentlemen was the re-
ply.
THE name somehow struck me as familiar,
but I had known many Vances that
thought but little of it.
can hour or so Ia ter, while seated at din
ner with the major and his family his good
wife happened to remark:
You are Virginian, sir are you?"
Yes, madam, we live in sight Of the Blue
Mountains in what I consider the prettiest
part of the old State
1.-The major often talks, of that part of
Virginia, she replied. He served in the
Union army under Mcclellan and Grant
You look like soldier yourself, sir. Were
you one, may I ask" fc fflIrrn
ct was madam a soldier for fife lost
cause. and served during the war Under Lea
and Jackson replied. %
Indeed! Did you hear the gentleman
major?' she interrogated shi 70 sofa
"'Were you there? inquired now deeoIv-
interested. although not in the least ahtici
pating what was coming. Ism aff psli
Yes, I was. and one night the one altar
the second days battle, while wandering
about in search of something to eat. I GOT
outside our lines and was taken prisoner by