The National tribune., 1902-03-27

~ miles from the city, ana could report
thus far nothing but peace and Quietude.
The farmers along our route had not heard
of the enemy being anywhere in the neigh
borhoOd, or even near Hagerstown.
RUMoRs OF REBEL OCCUPATION.
When within about 10 miles of the city,
however, we saw, coming on the road
ahead of us, considerable number of fugi-
tives, some white, some black, some on
| foot, others mounted on mules, with their
worldly effects bundled up and fGshed upon
| their own or upon the backs of mules and
horses, all panic cstricken, as we found Oh
coming up to them. Serg't NOOnan or
dered us to draw saber and charge up to
them, which we did; whercupon he or
dered them to halt, which they We're only
too ready to obey. The Sergeant asked
them the reason of the stampede they
were making from the city. Their reply
was: "Oh, the rebels are coming in force.
They were already there meaning Ha-
gerStOwnD when we left, burning the city
and plundering the people" The Sergeant
gave no credence to their disconnected and
inconsistent story. but ordered everyone
to "abOut-face' and return, assuring them
that there was Union force sufficient on
the way to protect them. Reluctantly
they retraced their steps, but continued to
argue the situation of things at Hagers-
lONH Will lIie tlNihS " WI
vince him Of the danger of returning. To
all their arguments he turned a deaf ear,
saying that someone had reported such
stuff to create a panic and get people to
abandon their homes and property so they
could help themselves to the effects of
those who left the city.
Before we reached the city there was
not much panic left in these people. They
had become considerably worn out by fa-
tigue and undue excitement. We rode
into the city unmOlested, and joined some
of the party already there. The others
had not arrived yet. 1t had been reported
in the city, during the night previous, that
some of Gen. Early's men had been seen
near the place, but there was no truth
in the report, but it was sufficient to create
panic among Il certain class Of citizens
of which our struggling band was true
type.
Headquarters of our company was es-
tablshed at once in the city, and the bal
ance of the detachment came in the next
day after we had reported. The roads
leading out of Hagerstown were picketed
as a precaution against any sudden attack
of the enemy.
For some days the routine of picket
duty was kept up, without anything un-
usual TO break the mOnOtony.
One morning six of us, including Serg't t
McAlpine, were detailed to relieve u like
number who were Oh duty at Funkstown,
six miles south of Hagerstown. The re-
licved force reported indications of the
enemy being near; in fact, had exchanged
occasional shots with their advance during
the early evening and night. All was
quiet, however, when we arrived, but
about IL o'clock n. m. we began to receive
unmistakable proof that we We're confront
ed by the 'Johnnies."
There were three roads divergfng from
Funkstown in n south, sOutheasterly and
southwesterly direction, respectively. With
the exception of n dollhouse and one or
two other buildings, this was all there
was of what was known as F-ukstOwn.
The place seems to have been quite prom
inent as a meeting place for both armies
during the war, as il istoften mentioned in
official reports and array history. BY the
afternoon of this day We were giving and
receiving shots in a. decidedly ear
nest manner - were undoubtedly re-
ceiving more than We gave, for it be-
came evident that we were cutnumbered.
There was considerable timber in the vi
cinity of Funkstown, thus Securing both
sides protection from flying shots.
About 3 O'Clock Orderly BrittOn rode
up to Serg't McAlpine, who had charge
of the pickets, with orders from Lieut..
McLane to abandon the picket and return
to Hagerstown Immediately. The horse
of the Orderly was nearly exhausted from
fast riding.
PRISONERS OF WAR.
We went up the pike for the city as fast
as our horses would 90. When about two
miles from the city, to the left Of us, in
a lane, and not more than 500 yards from
the pike, we discovered about 300 rebs,
dismounted There was no alternative.
Our horses were under full speed-the
gauntlet must be run. The dust raised on
the pike by our fast riding partially pro
tected us from view, which, no doubt,
saved us, for we received their fire without
| injury. In passing successfully this OBJ
struction, we, OF course expected TO reach
| headquarters with safety; but what was
our modification to find, AS we came into
| the city on sharp curve, the streets alive
with the "Johnnies." We rode suddenly
in upon them, so much so as to surprise
| them; but they soon took in the situation
and we were halted In front of hundreds
of raised guns, and soon waited upon by
about the same number to receive Oul
horses and equipments. We We're thus
soon made foot soldiers and prisoners OF
| war besides. After delivering up what
| property we possessed belonging to Uncle
| Sam, we marched to the outskirts of tn,
| city under guard. We had the protection
| Of n large oak tree for our quarters. The
! udy WIS not one anu we were NOT, 100
as well, so the shade OF this tree was
much enjoyed. We expected to see NOR,
| of our company In the same fix we wer,
| in but 1t seemed that Lieut.. McLane g0
away with the rest of the boys, falling
back to Chambersburg. We were farther
out than any others on picket, and un
doubtedly the Lieutenant was considerabl!
surprised by the sudden appearance of the
enemy. We were captured, and undel
the inequalities of Gen. Early's command
1t will be remembered that he, at this
time, extended his raid as far as Cham
bersburg, Pa, before being checked
Chambersburg was burned by his order
the inhabitants refusing to pay the lex
trgvagant ransom required by him.
Before right on the day of our capture
we were reinforced by 10 volunteer pris
oners who had been picked up somewher,
in the vicinity. They were on detached dut!
when captured, and belonged to differen
Pennsylvania infantry regiments.
We were very agreeably surprised th
afternoon of our capture, about O'Clock
by the appearance of several ladies of th
city with baskets of everything good t.
a soldiers eye ir the way of eatabes.
seemed that they had learned of our cap
ture and were determined that we shoul,
have one good meal before~ we were sen
South to face starvation and death. w
had received al different times, before ou
capture, many evidences of kindness oil
the part Of the loyal people of the city
These ladies represented a Soldiers Relic
Society, aiding in every way the boys il
blue who were at the front putting dow
armed rebellion. The guards also wer
remembered.
These ladies desired the names of on