The National tribune., 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 were 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 a lookout for
approaching rebs. Finally, after re-
freshing sleep, the soldiers continued
their course according to the old
darky's instructions.
While crossing field on Nov. IA and
thus making a short cut, the two boys
in blue saw body of horsemen whom
they took to be a Union scouting party
coming toward them. While eagerly
watching the approaching cavalry a
breeze unfurled their fag-the STARS
and bars" The Union soldiers fed pre-
cipitately, with the Confeds hot after
them. but Rodgers and Hoover finally
eluded their pursuers by running into
thick woods, followed by a voIIey of
bullets and the echoes of a chorus of
rebel yells. One of the bullets went
through Hoover's cap, while Rodgers
lost his headgear in his flight.
I'VE hugged 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 st 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.
II joyfully went forward in the dark
ness and allowed the I'd y. 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
ly.
''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. 1913. On Nov. II,
Serg't Kelly came linfi:ing in barefoot
ed, weary and hungry, making a total
of six members of the company to an
swer roll-call. motley group, indeed.
as shown by our old First Sergeanrs
roH-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 it not
been for that courageous, cool-headed
| noble veteran. Serg't Hoover. His vigil
lance and generalship brought us
through. A braver soldier never wore
stripes. He was one of the few who
declined shoulder bars. Peace 10 his
| ashes, for he has been gathered to his
fathers in honored old age.
after wintering at Harpers Ferry
we moved up the Valley with Sheri-
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