The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-01-18

tefsagn. They had no difficulty In En-.
toTtng the city, although there were
many struggling soldiers on the streets.
To oil inquiries they promptly answer
ed, This is Co. b. Sd Ohio Cav" and
then they would merrily sing some song
familiar to the Federal troops. It was
some two hours until daybreak. when
Mcneil sent 10 men to each hotel Civ
ing the countersign, Bull Rum" when
challenged by the sleepy and unsus-
pecting guards, and saying they were
bearers Of important news for the Gen.
eral, the respective squads had no trou-
BILE in reaching the designated apart
ments where the Generals were In
peaceful repose. The rest was easy. The
captures were quietly effected. While
the two squads were busy at the hotels
the remaining 10 men cut the telegraph
wires, and played other necessary and
unnecessary pranks. When Mcneil re-
assembled his band he had not lost a
man. He had been in the city less than
an hour, and without an outcry or the
firing Of a gun had secured five cap
tives-Gen. Kelley. Gen. Crook. Capt
Melvin who was Kelley's Adjutant-Gen-
eral, and two enlisted men.
Surrounding their prisoners with re-
volvers in close proximity to their heads,
the Rangers quietly evaded the peace
came to the camp guard they were chal-
lenged:
Halt! Who comes there?"
"Co. B, Sd Ohio Cav"
Neglecting to call for the counter
sign, which, Of course, would have been
readily given, the officer cried:
What's to pay, boys? You are start
ing out early"
"Oh, we are out on a wild-goose
chase" replied Mcneil. "Old Kelley
imagines there are rebels about and
has ordered Us to cross the river and
scout around until we find 'em. Whew!
I'm nearly frozen already. 1 wish old
in command here. Then We wouldn't
have all this foolishness."
TN be - if you are not right"
said the officer. Crook ought to COM
mand this Department"
Crook and Kelley were riding side by
side, and, Of course, heard the colloquy.
Gen. Kelley's feelings may be imagined.
Gen. Crook was inclined to laugh out
right, but a whispered warning and
pistol at his head admonished him to
keep quiet.
When the army awoke and found
that the two Generals had mysteriously
disappeared there was sorrow and con-
sternation, but when the facts became
known there was anger, profanity and
hurrying to and fro. However, the pur-
suit that was ordered was too late, as
Mcneil and his band, flying Gen. KEEL
ley's headquarters flag, made good their
retreat and delivered their prisoners
and trophies at Staunton, without the
loss of a man or the firing Of gun.
Connected with this story there is
some romance. involving the tender pas
sion. The proprietor of the Revier
House had daughter, Miss Mary Daily,
to whom Gen. Crook was paying court,
which fact probably accounts for the
Generals preference for the Revier
House as place OF abode. Several of
McNeil's men. among them brother
of Miss Daily, had lived in Cumberland.
Young Daily was one of the 10 men
who captured Gen. Crook, and, being
well acquainted with the hotel, he Sc
cured a budget Of official papers. as he
thought, but when he read them the
next morning he was disguised to find
that they were only endearing epistles
from his sister to the General How
ever. all is we'll that ends WELL The
course of true love running smooth, the
little romance had a happy ending as
Gen. Crook and Miss Daily were mar
ried in the sweet by-and-by.
Ito be continued.)