The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-15
WITH FRIENDS AT. LAST.

formation yet we were fearful of be-
trayal, as we had informed him who we
were.
WITH FRIENDS AT. LAST.
Wbitfock and Freeloye remained at the
front of the house, while l stepped over
the fence, into an orchard, to see if
could find an apple to eat. Looking around
l discovered a horse, with an army blanket
on and saddle, tied at a shed. My heart
was in my throat Surely the game was
up with us! All the horror Of recapture
ings and hellish cruelties-passed through
my mind, and the thought Of what we had
gone through for the past % days-the
narrow escapes we had made-caused me
to stand like statue and gaze at that
animal. l could not move, could scarcely
breathe. Then heard loud laugh at the
front of the house-a familiar voice-the
voice of Freelove! Immediately joy took
the place of fear and despair. l knew
that such hearty laugh from him meant
release, safety for us. l ran to where he
was and found a third man talking to
him, and saw ut once that he was not
rebel. He was Union scout, and at last
a friend was found whom we knew would
share with us the fate of a Union soldier.
Our condition, ragged, hatless, barefooted.
with hardly anything to cover our naked
ness, We were a horrid sight to him. All
entered the house and sat down to a meal
such as we had not enjoyed since leaving
our regiments, one never to be forgotten,
though it was scant in quality and guam
tity. All talked at once. Our host found
no fault with our condition, appearance.
or rags, or blackness of face and hands.
We did not recognize ourselves on looking
into glass for the first time.
We were not yet entirely safe. We had
yet to run the gantlet between the two
armies. The scout posted us as to the
route, and where we might hide, and prom
ised it possible, to aid us. We remained,
after he left, that night, and slept in a
barn. After an early breakfast we start
ed on our way as directed All day We
shambled along as fast as we could, strain
ing our eyes for the sight of our army
lines and Old Glory. We saw q few scat
tering rebels struggling along during the
day, but kept from their view, hiding in
the brush or covering ourselves with leaves
and branches, or lying in a ditch, or pull
ing the tall dead grass over us. Toward
evening We saw a few men in Union blue
and drew near them; but knowing the reb-
els often were clad in stolen Union SOL
diers' clothes, We were careful, then boldly
approached, and were halted at the point
of the bayonet, and called upon to Sur
render, you Johnny Rebs!' THAT'S all
right" We cheerfully replied, and became
within the picket line at once. Our story
was told, but not believed, and we were
taken to headquarters at Bulls Gap,
where, our delighted eyes beheld Old Glory
floating above us and the sight made us
weep like children-and those around us,
letting drop their sympathizing tear, joined
in our joy. Col. Kirk looked upon and
questioned three of the sorriest-looking
men he ever saw-barefooted, sockless,
hatless, shirtless and trouserless-save a
few strips Of rags from coffee sacks, our
hair long and matted, feet and hands torn,
sore and bleeding, and faces like negroes.
We related our story, and he was con-
WINGED of its truth. We were given shell
ter, food and some raiment, the food the
turned over to the care of the Commits
saTy, and, on the Oath night after We babe
adieu to that rebel train from Anderson
vile, we slept among the boys who wore
the blue, and felt at home again. Col.
Kirk offered each of us the position of
scout, if We would remain with him; but
this was refused, each being anxious to
join his own regiment and company in the
Army Of the Potomac. Transportation
was given us, and We were sent to Knox
vile, to report to the Adjutant- General. We
remained there two days, were given cloth
ing and rations, and furnished transporta-
ton to our regiments. Serg't Freeloye and
mands in the Shenandoah Valley, while /
proceeded to Washington, d. G. My COM
rades' time Of service had expired while
they were in prison, and they sought their
regimental headquarters in order to get
their discharges and then get to their
homes in Vermont. This regiment, we
learned, had mostly reenlisted. We parted
like brothers and met no more. / re-
NAMED in Washington at the Quarter
master-General's for pay and transporta-
ton, three days, then proceeded to my
command, which was in the Valley. A
furlough was given me soon after, and
upon its expiration joined my company in
the Petersburg campaign and at Appomat-
tox, and was permitted the great privilege
Of entering Richmond at Lees surrender.
and thus have q hand in the downfall of
secession.
While my regiment lay near Alexandria.
in May, waiting for the Grand Review in
Washington, soldier from another regi-
ment near by, sought me out, and knew
him at once, remembering him in Ander-
sonville. He informed me that Is prison
ers jumped from the train the same night
| did, and Is were returned, being recap
tnred near the seacoast, and that my party