The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-12

enemy's camp from which We had es-
capped. However, he was leading in the
right direction. as after events proved
Finally we heard cannonading down
the Valley, and column of dust passed
along the pike. all Of which was in
dicative of danger"
Comrade Rodgers then describes how
the two escaping Yanks discovered the
cabin of a colored family, at which
they We're warmly received and given a
steaming hot meal by Aunt Liza, an
aged negro woman, which consisted of
corn-cakes and "cracklings" The ex-
hausted men slept in the loft Of the
cabin until midnight. while Aunt Liza
and her "ole man" kept lookout for
approaching rebs. Finally, after a re-
freshing sleep, the soldiers continued
their course according to the old
darky's instructions.
While crossing a field on Nov. IA and
thus making a short cut, the two boys
in blue saw O body of horsemen whom
coming toward them. While eagerly
watching the approaching cavalry a
breeze unfurled their fag-the STARS
and bars" The Union soldiers fled pre-
cipitately, with the Confeds hot after
them, but Rodgers and Hoover finally
eluded their pursuers by running into
a thick woods. followed by a voIIey OF
uuiets anu the ecHOeS OF cnOruS or
rebel yells. One of the bullets went
through Hoover's cap. while Rodgers
lost his headgear in his flight.
I'VE Rugged the woods" continues
the narrative Of Comrade Rodgers, "un-
til midnight, when, to our surprise and
fear. sharp command rang out:
Halt! Who comes there?'
"'Friends,' replied Hoover
Advance one and give the counter
sign
Our hearts thumped. Could it be
possible that we were walking into the
| nest OF Confeds that chased us and
came so near capturing us?
Praise the Lord came back in
Hoover's voice after he had advanced.
Il joyfully went forward in the dark
ness and allowed the I'd n. Y. Cav. to
capture me. We were now safe within
the Union lines. The excitement fol-
lowing the arrival of escaped prisoners
cannot be imagined. The kindness
shown and tender care given such SOL
diers Is only known by experience. We
| ate heartily and once more slept sound
| iy.
1.-The next morning. Nov. IS, 1864.
we located cavalry headquarters and
| found what remained Of our gallant
| 18th Pa. Cav. OF our company (K)
| two Sergeants, one Corporal and two
privates were all that were left Of the
original number. lO3. On Nov. II,
Serg't Kelly came limping in, barefoot
ed, weary and hungry, making a total
OF six members OF the company to an
swer roll-call. a motley group, indeed
as shown by our old First Sergeant's
roll-book. one OF my priceless war rel
| les. Killed wounded missing,
| prisoners Of war; in hospital ETC.,
accounted for the brave absent ones.
Thirty-seven died in Confederate pris-
ons. and doubtless the writer would
have made the thirty-eighth had 1t not
been for that courageous, cool-headed
| noble veteran. Serg't Hoover. His vigil
| lance and generalship brought us
through. A Drawer soldier never wore
| stripes. He was one Of the few who
declined shoulder bars. Peace to his
| ashes, for he has been gathered to his
fathers in honored old age.
after wintering at Harper's Ferry
we moved up the Valley with Sherf-
dams advance. Feb. %. 1865, entering
old Winchester March 2. The boy
scout with bright anticipations and
joyous hopes, now in the uniform of
a Lieutenant. was soon in front OF
James home. But, horrors! What
had happened? Such GOODNESS and Dig