Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-03
Two Soldiers


COMING east q few weeks ago over
the prairies Of one of our magnif
cent new states l formed an acquaiW-
ance with fine-lookng gentlemen of
the old Virginia school. Gentlemanly
and courteous-a typical southerneT-
who told me one of the prettiest stories
have heard in long time. Here is
the story:
"When / was q young man served
during the war in q Virginia regiment
in the confederate army. and surren-
dered with Gen. Lee at Appomattox. !
enlisted in the valley Of Virginia dur
ing the first month Of the war and
served in the Stonewan brigade and d.
vision 10 its end. One night after the
second days fight in the seven days
battles was on picket dutyin hollow
between two heavily wooded hills.
"As the opposing lines of videttes
were very chose 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 tho tree behind which stood
separated me from the maker of the
racket; then quietly I crept around
with bayonet fixed and gun on cock in
the direction Of the sound. Proceeding
half dozen steps, l came face 10 face
with a union soldier. He was walking
along carelessly with his gun CT his
shoulder, and ! never saw fellow more
astonished than he was when /. with
bayonet pressed almost against his
breast. commanded him to halt. 'DroI
that gunl Hands up, Nank! | com
manded.
by thunderl' he exclaimed, after h
had dropped his Enfield. You're
; johnny. amt YOU?
~ am a confederate soldier said
and you are my prisoner
: "'Prisoner! Right here inside of GU
own linesl What does this meanT h
queried.
! you're outside. and not inside. o
? your lines, Yank. and you're inside on
/ picket line. What were you trying Z
! do, anyway, tramping around here lilS
u horse in brush heap? Evergbccy
J within 100 yards could hear you thrash
4 ing about. You're not a picket. ar
{ your
"'No,' said he, 4 stole about camp OF
foraging expedition. haven't had
r bite since yesterday morning. You fe
> lows scooped our grub you know, an
b l am nearly starved.
"'StarvedT said 7. I've got littl
e cornbread in my grub sack. and I'll q
: vide throwing off my haversack. s.
t down and try a rebs short ratious
4 ! My invitation was accepted with avi'
e ity. and my prisoner dived into that ol
d grub bag ravenously.
+ by this time had become intcreste
q in my prisoner, and after putting
b stop TO his apologies we struck up
. conversation He told me his name. an
u snid that his people lived mean Colun
S bus. o.. where before the war had bee
y somewhat acquainted. In short tin
# we were on the best of terms. so muc
g so that I leaned my gun against
d broken branch and sat down besif
n him l determined. If possible. 10 g
e him back safe within his OWN lines. h'
J. before I could do so the officer OF II
guard came up with the relief.
l. Where did you get your fanN
/ said he.
y "'captured him back there said l..
flake him with you and turn hi
j. over said he. and passed on after pcs
p ing my relief.
d. "'Johnuie.' said my prisoner. as v
le walked toward camp. win they send n
le to Libby. do you thinkg
Is "'Keep quiet ! replied, and follo
J: me- Don't open your lips 10 nnybo'
n you may meet. III do the best Ct
for YOU.
= eve got inside the fines withe'
question past a sentry who knew m