Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-04-12
Let me do the talking.

let me do the taking.
About 2 o'clock of the came day the
Yankees returned, bringing wouhu-
ed comrade, Lieut.. Welch, of Massa-
obusetts. who asked me to write to his
wife. Capt. Mcneil was very restless
and slept but little that night towards
morning he became calm. AT 10 o. CLOCK
the next day the physician from the
hospital came 10 see Lieut.. w elch, ana
seeing him he asked if there was not
wounded rebel in the house u SAID:
Eyes: a man by the name OF Hanson,
and to wait and see him is bewas
awake. told Capt. Mcneil and !
never will forget the flash OF his eyes.
[ whispered TO him Tot to be rationai'
The PHYSICIANS tried to talk to him,
Int thew got no Satisfaction; but they
looked at him very intentiy aid then
walked away.
At three O'Clock the same day par
ty of fifteen Yankees from the nam
army rode up to the door and alighted.
| met them at the door and they asked
if Capt. Mcneil was there. replied
that Lieut.. WEIGH, of their army, ana
man. Hanson, by name, ofthe South
ern army, were there. In the most con-
temptuous manner, they SAID tneS
wanted to see this Southern man, as
they knew him. / led the way to MS
room, which was rather dark, and his
disguise answered splendidly. Ihey
did not recognize him and could get
nothing rational from him, so flied out
of the room completely foiled in their
attempt, and remarked to me that they
would return and bring some one who
would know whether it was Capt. Nc
Neill or not.
That night the Captains wife and
several of his men came. His wife had
ridden behind her son all the way
from Moorefield, w. Va. The meeting
was very affecting, as Mrs. Mcneil
hardly expected to find him alive, ana
she knew what risk she was running
in being there. She was devout chris
tian. and whenever 1t was safe she
would pray that God would convert
his soul before he was called hence
1t was three days before the Yankees
returned bringing with them man
who had deserted from Capt. McN ellls
com pany. The leader said as unlock
ed the door: "Madam, | have brought
a man this time who will know II this
i. can't. McNeill." / saw at glance
that the man was Simon Miller, an
old friend of mine. He recognized me
and took in the situation at once, not
telling them that he knew me. AS
they filed in the door | got near tnls
man, Miller, and touched him on the
arm MS he passed | followed them 10
the room and as their eyes met he SAID
mo gentlemen, you are mista en- IN
the man. They left and we saw nolh-
ing more of them for week.
On the day Sheridan fell back after
burning everything in reach, and went
into camp near our house, NUMBER
of officers called to see the Captain.
He had bee converted that morning
through the earnest prayers OF his wife
and when asked whose command ne
came under: he said. "McNelil's.
Then they asked if he was MCNEIL
and looking straight into their iaces'
he faid: IL ann There happened to be
among the number physician whom
Capt. McNeill had once taken prison
Ell and paroles. He extended his hand
and expressed regret at finding him Ii
that condition and remained With MIN
some time greatly relieving his suffer
inss. They found that they could not
move him that evening, but would re-
turn 10 take him prisoner, with an
ambulance and ten men, in Anew days.
That very night we procured acarriage
and moved him beyond the lines al
Harrlsonburg. The proved more than
ne could stand, and hs died the next
day after getting there, surrounded by
his friends, who carried his remains to
Hardy county, and buried him among
his own people, who loved and al
mired him for his sterling qualities, as
we'll as his brave and heroic acts.
Elizabeth Weller.
Sterling, Va, May rs, 1895.