The National tribune., 1900-07-26

gerously mixed up. Screaming now was
the order of the moment and the tears
of the women had the much-desired eff
feet even upon their adamant hearts. A
loud, rough voice rang out:
"Ieave those women and children, and
take the men,"
Among the men taken was my aged I'M
Gle, who was at that time visiting my home.
His wife clung to him until her hands
were wrenched from his arm. After this
the cavalcade started with their prison
ers. Fearing another encounter, we
hastened, with as great speed as possible
left in us, in another direction, up the hill
to our home. We found father standing
in the yard. AS we related our experience
his CONSERVATION was indescribable, and
only the absence of the whole COnfeder-
ate force at that moment prevented him
from attempting to wreak vengeance, and
probably being shot down.
All day the fighting continued. we
stood in the yard at home and saw the
two forces meet on Bolivar Hights. The
Confedcrates came up into the woods
above; the Union infantry marched out
into the broad fields below. There was
nothing to shield them from the fire of the
Southern troops. 1t is impossible to de-
scribe Il scene like this truly.
At last the Confederates came down
with overpowering numbers, yelling like
Indians. The Union troops beat re-
treat through the fields and pines, firing
as they went, while the rebels followed
madly at breakneck speed on horseback
over the hills. down into the pines.
After the battle, Just as the sun went
down" the pickets in blue were on Boil
var flights. The sraycoats had gone back
up the valley of the Shenandoah. In the
darkness the Union soldiers again crossed
the Potomac into Maryland. In the morn
ing we saw the soldiers in gray. A friend
came to my father and acquainted him
with the fact that it was the intention
of the Confederates to arrest me for aid
ing and abetting the Union cause. Father
hurried me off down that road to the Po-
tomac, and hired u man to row me over to
Maryland. l can see my father now, rs
waved goodby to him from the other
side. l remained with my uncle, Union.
ist. in Maryland, almost within sight Of
my home, about five months.
My troubles were not over yet. The
commanding officer at that post. Maj.
Hector Tyndale, OF Philadelphia, being in
formed that l was a Southern spy, sent
by the Confederates, came to my uncle's
house with the intention of arresting me.
l was called in and interrogated by the
official in regard to my sudden advent
on loyal soil. Now, some of the pickets
/ saved were a detail from the regiment
of the Major, and they had something to
say about me. i was accused of making
a bonfire on the hillside. Uncle's explana-
ton was satisfactory in regard to this;
the fire made was for butchering hogs,
and the delicious sausages the Major fire.
quently enjoyed after that convinced him
of his mistake.
The next was the Winter of the block
ade-a bitter Winter. All communica-
ton between Virginia and Maryland was
cut off 1t lasted 1--WE months.
In all this time, but once. l knew moth
ing concerning my home. In the Spring
time Gen. Banks's army crossed the PO-
tomac and passed up the Shenandoah
Valley. l came over the river as they did,
and met once more my dear ones at home.
Well, the unpleasantness has passed
away long ago, and / now stand by the
dead soldiers graves and divide the flow
ers hold in my hands equally in the dec
orr tim of the blue and the craY.