The Columbus journal., 1903-01-28

IT caHtiously. The aao6n shons between
some CLOUDS just 1t that moment and
had Powell awakened would have made
In excellent target - 1 clamkered
through the window. Once outside I e.
capped for the woods.
I had noticed a road running In q west.
erly direction and this chose. intentina
to reach the Blue Ridge. which I could
follow to Harper's Ferry and friends. !
reached q river filed with floating ice
The wind blew cold from the northwest
1t was Christmas day. 1854 No Other
alternative left but to remove my cloth
ing. I did 50. waded into the chinins
stream. battling with the Ice to prevent
being carried down stream. Every bone
in my body ached. I became numb and
half blind. thought that would perish,
but finally was able. half paralyxed. to
reach the opposite shore. where / revived
myself by brisk rubbing. dressed and
ran rs hard as I could to start my blood
circulating. About daylight. q group of
hOrsemen passed on the road. while /
sought concealment behind a tree. A
my tramp across the field and through
woods. The weather cleared at noon and
l discovered the Blue Ridge just before
me. At the time l was in an open coun-
try.
TERRIBLE SUFFERING FOLLOWS
ESCAPE.
While pOndering over my situation four
troopers hove in sight. They discovered
me az quickly as did them. jumped
over a rail fence and greeted them with
Good morning." They nodded. then
questioned me to ascertain II there were
any Yanks around. and finally rode away
"A 'strawstack near by proved d shelter
and bed for me Until o'clock in the even
ing. A snow storm had set in while I
slumbered and I was cold. stiR and sore
In every muscle. I travelled north to gain
the Ridge and its wooded shelter
Through the snow storm I Travelled, while
saw an occasional preparation for merry
Christmas celebration. I gradually grew
weak and hungry. Seeing large. we'll
lighted house. bout midnight. 1 surmised
that the inmates were dancing. and ap-
preached the residence. Seeking out tho
barn ] found shelter there. and the only
bed afforded me was pile of chaff.
When l awOke my boots we're frozen SOL
idly to my feet. 1t was nearly impossible
for me to walk. Upon looking out 1 saw
smoke arising from the chimney of one
II the negroes shanties. I had hOped
FOR this. approached 1t and raped upon
the door. 1t was opened by a big negro
woman. With teeth chattering, l pleaded
for admittance and warmth. I sat before
the big log fire on the hearth and actually
burned those boots. I was closely ques-
toned by the negress. when 1 requested
my food, and with much doubt was served
with a scanty repast She told me when
she handed me the food to set out for
the woods. as there were soldiers in the
house. l obeyed.
LAST STAGE or THE JOURNEY.
About two hours later I met pOunted
rebel officer in the woods. After search
ing me. I was permitted to resume my
journey. My feet. fevefish and sore,
made walking almost impossible. I was
sick at heart and about to approach a
house and throw myself upon the mercy
Of the occupants in my appeal for aid,
when ] looked down from the brow OF a
hill and there. waving in the sun. was
Old Glory. near Harpsr's Ferry. fiuttering
over Bolivar Heights. So near friends I
was. instilled with new vigor, and once
more buried myself in the security of the
woods. Dizziness often overcame me.
but valiantly pushed forward. Darkness
soon came with the twilight. Under the
cover Of it. l continued in my flight until
about 10 o'clock. when I heard the long
expected challenge of our picket out in
Lewray valley. / was taken to the pick
cts tent, where my boots were cut from
my feet. An ambulance from Harpers
Ferry removed me to the hospital where
was a patient for three months before
my health returned and my feet were
cured.
This is the true story. as Colonel Mos
by. who visits our state occasionally these
days. must acknowledge: at least so
much Of 1t as came to his notice.
Lewis Powell. alias Payne. when on
trial for his life in Washington. brought
the old couple. Mr.. and Mrs. Grant. from
and they testified that on De-
cember q, 1864. Powell saved the lives
Of two Union prisoners in front of their
house. / recognized his picture. after the
of President Lincoln, in the
Illustrated papers. In his last statement
he related the passages here mentioned
in. his career. which vOuches for the truth
and veracity of my story.
-'"' A. I1OCKNER,
Company H, .lst n. Y. Cavalry.