Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-02-28

douglas family. In that fateful year.
1862, the two sons of the proprietor
were in the Confederate army-"Rebs"
OF pronounced type both. One serv-
ed III the cavalry; the other, Henry,
then about twenty, formed one of
"Stonewall' JackSon's staff.
We all know that after the fearful
butchery of Antietam was over-fear-
! full because SO useless because so want
ing in result-McClellan remained in
active during the whole of Sept. 49,
| facing Lees army, with more fresh
troops under him than the whole rebel
army amounted to- On the night Of
| the 1Sth-19th Lee fOrded the Potomac
| without mOlestatiOn and marched his
weary troops back into Virginia. Jack
son went with him and, of course, Col
! Douglas also. Lee remained near the
ford for some time, little fearing the
| Federal army, to give the much-needed
rest to his men.
Douglas determined to get at least a
look at his home before the army NOV
ed southwark; so one day he rode, at
tended by single orderly only, to the
high ground opposite the old home
stead. He was so near that he could
see his father walking in the gardon
but between the river and the house
was scattered a force of about so cav
alrymen, Boys in Blue" guarding the
ferry that, in peaceful times, carried
the farmer over to old ''Virginny." But
the temptation was stronger than the
cavalrymen, and down the hill strobe
Douglas until he stood at the edge of
the river. His uniform soon attracted
| the soldiers and one of them called
across to know what he wanted.
That's my home up there, and just
came to take last look at it,
Come across" cried the sergeant in
command; you needn't be afraid"
But Douglas sense of military duty
prevailed, and he hesitated. The fer
ryboat was of course, on their side !;
so one of the blue coats said, wen
go over and get you" The sergeant
formed part of the crew; Oh landing
he said to Douglas:
you want to see your father and
mother again, do your
"Of course l do" replied Douglas
That's all right" added the soldier,
"I'u give you my word of honor you
shan't be taken prisoner. I'm in com
mand over there"
''Why, where are all your oflicers?"
asked Douglass in surprise.
ooh, they're up at Sharpsburg hay-
ing a big dinner; it's not likely any of
them will be about for q long time
yet"
1t was too late to retreat, had he
wished to, and Douglas saw no reason
to doubt the sincerity of his compan-
ions On the way across the sergeant
said:
1.-The folks here told me old Mr.
Douglas had two sons with you fell
lows. Ones in the cavalry and the
others on StOnewall JacksOn's staff. I
guess you're that one, amt you?"
Douglas acknowledged the correct
ness of his surmise. The other mem
bers of the First New York cavalry
for that it turned out to be, had gath
cred at the landing, and gave an anus
ed greeting to the young "Reb."
"Now you go right up to the house
and see your folks said the sergeant
81 guess no good cause could be hurt
by fellow going to see his father and
mother"
But Douglas hesitated at tempting
Providence too far. and replied. Il
think I had better not go up Won't
you send man there and let my peo-
pie know l am here?'
I'll do that" the sergeant said
"and III put a man on guard to warn
you if any officer comes"
The "Reb" and his Yankee entertain
ers chatted pleasantly enough until Mr.
and Mrs. Douglas appeared; then the
soldiers, those deadly enemies of but
a yesterdays war, hardened and cruel
in the crimson hour of battle. silent
ly rose, one after another. and walk
ed away, out of sight out of hearing
When Douglas had said his last good
by. he called the sergeant and thank
ed him warmly for his unusual kind
ness, but the soldier only laughed,
and said that it was nothing. Doug
las took piece of paper out of
his note book. wrote a few words on
it, and, handing it to the sergeant,
said:
IF ever you are captured by Gen.
Jackson, you get that paper to him or
one of his staff and I promise that
YOU will be liberated inside of TWEEN
ty-four hours, for / shall tell them
how you have treated me as soon as
I get back"
"Say. Colonel remarked one of the
soldiers, write me the same kind of
a paper, too
Douglas laughed, and soon each man
had an accident policy against the
dreaded "Stonewall" Jackson. After
shaking hands with his host, Douglas
was ferried across again. and as he
H. I-,'s @Io