The National tribune., 1901-04-04
NOT HELD BY THE ENEMY.
Capture and Escape of Member of Battery
Il, LIST W. Va. L. A.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: During
the Summer and Autumn of 1864 our bat.
terry was in charge of Fort Fuller, at New
Greek (now Keyser), W. Va, and Aug
4 Of that year contributed in great part
to the defeat of Gen. McCausland's forces
who attempted the capture of the fort as
a preliminary to a raid through that sec
ton of the State. But at later period
Nov. 2S, 1864 Gen. Rosser, with a COM
paratively small rebel cavalry force, COM
pletely surprised and captured the fort
and the troops stationed at that place, in
cluding, besides our battery, the 9TH and
9th w. Va. Cav, and Mulligan's Battery
of Light Artillery.
few of our battery escaped, Capt.
the list OF battery boys captured num-
bered 116. After the capture we were
formed in line and subjected TO system
attic "hold-up," the captors going along the
line searching pockets and appropriating
wearing apparel, blankets, and even in
many instances boots and shoes, and re-
fusing to give theirs in return. The
march ION to Richmond" was then COM
menced, the prisoners being guarded by a
line of cayalrymen on each side.
While passing through Greenland Gap
ut night | made my escape by jumping
through the line and taking chances on
their craftsmanship as l ran through the
laurel bushes, finally reaching a hiding
place, where | remained until the column
passed. L then came back to the road
and started back toward New Greek, the
campfire of the command being plainly
visible, but a short distance away. where
they had stopped to camp for the night
While walking along | saw two horses
tied to fence, near house, evidently
belonging to two rebel cayalrymen within.
l got down on my hands and knees and
crawled to one of the horses and united
him, and was just in the act of mounting
when woman came out. | knew from
her actions that she saw me, as it was
now breaking day, so | put on bold front
and threatened to shoot her if she raised
an alarm, though, of course, l had moth
ing to shoot with.
1 then leaped into the saddle and, find
ing a saber hanging from the pommel, l
used it as whip, and the way that horse
carried me back was caution. / rode
at full speed for about two miles, and
then made my way at more moderate
gait.
While riding leisurely along I noticed
a citizen on the road carrying a breech-
loading carbine that had evidently been
dropped by one of the rebel cavalrymen
He at once complied with my demand that
he give it to me. and l found that box
of cartridges L had captured with the
horse fitted the gun. loaded up and con-
tinued my journey until l came to a log
house by the roadside. / stopped in rear
of the house, tied my horse. went in and
asked for something to eat. While the
woman of the house was getting it ready
there was a knock at the front door. I
picked up my caybine and invited the
party to come in. 1t was one of Ros-
ser's men, but I "had the Drop on him.
asked him if he wished to go back as
prisoner or q deserter. He replied with
spirit that he would not have the name
of deserter. After getting breakfast I
took him from there to New Greek, where
found our troops again in possession,
and delivered man, horse and equipments
to the Provost-Marshal.
Learning after my arrival at New
Greek that seven members of the battery
had escaped after capture, and that sew
eral more had eluded capture in the tirst
instance, we all made our way TO Wheel
ing, and from this point were finally sent
to small twogun fort on the top of
Cheat Mountain. at Rowlesburg. W. Va.
where we remained until the Spring of
1865, when the battery was again united.
the captured members having been re-
leased Feb. 10, 1865 after suffering the
tortures of the damned in Richmond
WELLS, Wheeling, w. Va.