Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-09-04

enu OI the yaro man stepped on
something which threw him out OF
line, and he was Immediately shot
down by the guard. We we're kept
on this Island for two weeks after
orders had been issued to release us.
Finding that Gen. Walker swou Id
not release us as he was making too
much money on our rations, our
guards determined to take the mat
ter In their own hands and force our
release. Accordingly a number of
them went out IN search of Gen.
Walker, but as he was in New York
they could not find him. Finding
Gen. Wetzell, they took him and laid
him on blanket, ak or eight taking
hold of the blanket, and threw him
upss high as they could, catching him
as he fell. This they continued TO do
until he gave . pledge to release ms
the next moraing. The next day
we were all formed in line, when
we were required to take the oath of
allegiance before they would set us
free. There were four men among
US who swore that they would stay
there and rot before they would take
the oath, so We left them on the Ia
land. The next morning we were
placed on steamer and carried to
New York aud placed in Castle Gar
den, where We stayed three or four
days, the garden being surrounded
by guards to keep rs from getting
ont.
Harris Island was anything but q
pleasant place to live on. About
nine o'clock in the morning as the
tide came in, we had an east wind
which was so oold that it felt like il
would cut yon in two. We had q
doctor on the Island who did not
seem to know anything but "croton
OIL" No matter what your disease,
if you went TO him he gave you GRO.
ton OIL nothing else.
When we went on that Island there
were thirty-three hundred Of Us, but
when we left We only numbered
about eighteen hundred, the balance
having all died.
We we're finally placed on an old
steamer which had been pronounced
"unseaworthy" for Eve or six years,
and sent to Savannah, Ga. In our
passage through the Gulf stream we
encountered severe storm, and ex-
pected every minute that the old ]
boat would founder, but she did not,
Arriving at Savannah, we were
placed In the market house and well
guarded. The neIt day three young
ladi,s and u, little boy visited us,
coming to where three or four friends
and ] were seated. After a little
conversation they asked US if we !
would not like to go home with them
and get breakfast, We told them
that we would gladly do 80, but
could not get out They told us then |
to remain where we were until
they returned. and then left. In
q few minutes the boy returned and
going to the guard, told him that we
were his cousins, aud asked him to
allow us to 60 with him and get
breakfast. He replied that he did
not dare to allow US go, but that il
We would wait until he passed around
becorner of the market we could slip
off and he would not bother us. You
may rest assured that his back was
hardly turned, when we made tracks.
When We arrived at the corner
of the street we found the Young
Ladies waiting for US, who conducted
us to their home, q very fine house,
where We met their father, an elderly
man, and learned that his name was
Smith. We found Mr.. Smith to be
q whole-soul Southern gentleman,
who took US by the hand and well
coined us to his home as cordially az
If we had been old friends, or in re-
ality, relatives. He furnished us
with water, towels and combs, and
as soon as We had washed and comb
ed, led as into the dining room, where
We were given q breakfast ct for q |
king to which We did ample justice.
After breakfast we were ;nyited into
the parlor where the young ladies
entertained Us with some delightful
music. After staying there awhile
We took q stroll through the city,
guided by Mr. Smith. We found
the city full of negro policemen who
cut Oh every Confederate button they
saw on; our clothes. The next morn |
ing We were put upon an old steamer |
and taken to Charleston, where we |
were ten hours without anything to |
eat After walking around the city
for awhile, four of us whose homes
were in Cheraw took u seat on a |
cnrbstone. While sitting there up
drove two Sisters of Charity, who
commenced q conyersation with ms.
asking us where we we're from, and
several other questions. Then one of |
them gave us an apple to divide be-
tween us, and told US to remain
where We were until they .eturnel. !
In Q short while they returned.
bringing with them a basket of some. |
thing good to eat, and we made al
hearty meal. We spent the night in |
Charleston. That evening q gentle
man passed by and asked US to 90 to
his home and set supper and stay all |
night. After supper he told us that
we could sleep ION his front porch,
that ne was afraid for the Yanks to |
find us in his house. OF course. we |
slept there. 6
Learning the next morning that a
train OF platform cars would start
that day from . point ten miles from
Charleston for Cheraw, we put off to
intercept that train, and reached 1t
just as it was about to start. Wei
boarded the cars and went to our,
homes and families, from whom we |
had not heard-a word for over year. |
Ii was not only great surprise to |
them, but they did not know We