Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-12-22


river, down which, the comrades will
remember, we went to take swim In
the river and also the same route we took
a few days later, when, as disheartened
persons, we were started on our march
to Annapolis, Md. These present about
the same appearance as Ia 1862, except
that some Of the red cedar scrubs haye
become trees and other minor changes.
l stopped the carriage.at this spot In the
Dad and tried to imagine myself back
to that evening of Sept. 3. 1862, and
there on the same spot, just a little
southeast of the road, the old 9th Ver-
mont volunteers pitched their tents after
the tiresome march from Winchester,
Va. And what a march that was. 1t
was our first. Every man was loaded
down with heavy knapsack, contain
ing, in addition to the regular outfit of
the government, full supply of nick
nacks and goodies from mother and
sweetheart. Alas show vain are all
things here below. That first march
was the last with such loads. 1t is said
that the confederates who followed us
obtained an abundant supply of goodies"
at the expense of their enemies. But |
chung to my big knapsack until we ar
rived at this very spot on which we
pitched our tents. On the morning of
Sept II, 1862. while the rebels were be-
siegng US, | left this same knapsack,
with others of the company, by the road
side to answer to a detail of guard for
the ammunition train stationed down by
the river. Before l could return the
next morning change had taken place,
for the garrison had been surrendered to
"Stonewall'' jackson by the commander,
Col. d. S. Miles, and Mr.. Johnnie Reb
was reveling in the pile of captured
kuapsacks. 1t may not be amiss to re-
late an episode of this affair. As will be
remembered, on Sept II, 1862, the forces
surrendered at Harper's Ferry two days
previous were all parolled and sent. uL-
Ger guard, to the union lines which were
down the Potomac below Point of Rock.
The advance of McClellan's left having
arrived that far, the main body being at
Antietam where a battle was being
fought. The cannonading was distinctly
heard by us while on the march.
We were, of course, pleased to be once
more under the "stars and stripes.
Being only on parole there was no fight
ing for us, but must needs go on to the
camp at Annapolis, Md. So, without
any incumberance In the shape of tent or
! blanket, we proceeded to try the quality
; of Uncle Sans shoe leather.
, On the 10Th, while in the vicinity of
Friedrich City, Md, we had halted at
midday for rest, and while | was max
ing the most of a green sod bed, almost
asleep, heard my name called, when
comrade Hub Moore says, "Oh, Will,
there is a fellow here from the 32i Ohio
, inquiring for you. Presently a stranger
! came up to me and says, Il believe you
ale the man | am looking for, at the
same time handing me package rolled
, in an old newspaper. With wonder |
, opened the package and there, to my as
, constituent, found a testament, pho
, tograph of myself and one of my brother.
All these had been in my knapsack,
which had left of Bolivar Heights the
day before the surrende and to see
, them again now was a great mystery, as
| supposed everything was in the hands
, of some confederate soldier My aston
, ishment was too great for words. All
could say was "Where in the world did
you get these?' ''Well', says he, THAT
morning that we surrendered, our regi-
ment came over from where we were
stationed on the line and my company
halted right near some Of the 'Johnnies'
who had just come up to take our traps.
, Some of them were hauling over a
pile of knapsacks which were marked
, Company c, 9th Vermont, and curiously
watched some of them and saw in the
? hands of one Of them some photographs
+ and letters, etc. There seemed to be a
> contention as to who should have the
, pictures of two young ladies. One of
, these was of my sister and the other was
E somebody elsc's sister, and ] happened
) to notice one of the photos was of you.
knew the face. as had been on picket
e with you short time ago up the valley.
e | asked them to let me have the pictures,
: and testament which was with them,
as told them that you was my friend.
/ Well, they seemed pretty good natured
5 and handed me these, but insisted on re-
{ tanning the other pictures and letters.
e | did not know as would ever see you
e again, but luck came our way this time"
e Well, to say that | was thankful, as
Y we'll as greatly surprised, does not do
e justice to the subject. However, | still
= have the articles. The testament was a
= present to me from my sister just before
my enlistment, and priced it highly and
would have been very much grieved to
} have lost it. The same testament was
! carried by my son through the late
Spanish war. My name was written on
the articles, hence the Ohio comrade was
enabled to find me while on the march
: our regiments having been in the same
brigade.
Well, to return to Bolivar After
> going over the familiar lower grounds we
t drove up on the heights where the line
= of breastWorkS were. The comrades