Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-06-09

O'Clock, when on looking out | saw
the one We had given up for dead COM
ing over the hill After the greeting
he Informed me that the commanding
officer at the armory had detailed him
to guard the works. He told him he
had left his wife and children alone,
but it availed nothing. Two men
Were sent 10 appIise me of the facts
! in the case, but they were 100 coward
~ to deliver the message. This was
cur asst care during the raid, but we
had greater ones later on.
When Gen Patterson arrived at Har-
CeGs Ferry, on his way to Washington
with his three-monlhs' men--being
those who went out at the first call
for 10000 men-he found the Potomac
bridge in ashes, and was oblidge to
find some way to cross the river
Your father was about the only man
who knew definitely where the old
ford across the river was located. He,
and had it repaired Only one team
could cross at time, and your father
stood on one side of the river with the
signal flag and another man on the
other side. This prevented two teams
starting from opposite sides at once.
he Gro sed with the troops to avoid
! being taken by the rebels and to get
| his pay from the government He
| then proceeded to Springfield to work
| in the armory.
| was left al the Ferry with the chill
| dren until he knew where he would be
permanently located This was in
August, and | remained at the Ferry
| lnlil November, The town was a
| rendezvous for both confederate and
Federal troops. AS fast as one army
| left the other would take possession,
and often there would be fight
ing from the Maryland side 10
the Virginia. The balls would fly
over our head, and often fall like
| haIlStoneS on the roof of the
house. We Were frequently told that
the town was to be stormed, when a
general stampede would take place,
most everybody would leave town
and | would be left with my eight chill
dren, two Of them infants. Mother
left with her two brothers, for fear
they would be presses into service by
| the rebels, and your brother Scott,
| who has been official stenographer of
1 q
went to Washington The "rebs''
| broke into her store and took great
1 many goods She told me to go to her
house and get the chickens. / left
| corner OF the fence | saw large wag-
| on backed up to the store and two
| soldiers taking a large box of goods
/ out of the second-story window On
seeing me they left the box and went
4 Off singing Il wish ] Was in Dixie .
| | had the goods taken to my house
/ and sold them for 5000, which | after
ward delivered to mother.
| At O'Clock at night we were
obliged to darken the windows, or
run the risk of hearing bullets singing
about the house, shot from the Mary
land side. This was continued until
November, 1861: We were blockaded
UP to that time, receiving no word
from MI. Gompf, and all we could get
! 70 eat would be when we heard that
| the blockade was raised We were
compelled to go to the Maryland side
for provisions, and would be DELAYED
there three days at a time before we
| could recroSs. In November [ re-
celved a note from Major Tyndale to
the effect that he had letter from my
husband, desiring me to go to the
Maryland side and proceed to Washing
! ton. The major added Bring all
your necessary articles of clothing.
You will be strictly searched" | put
up small bag of china and a che t
of tools and sent them over first. The
| furniture was sent down the ford
| The commanding officer. of the confed-
crate army sent a company of soldiers
as guard to the boat. He was well
| acquainted with your father, and mine
also 1t was raining hard. We en-
barked in a little boat with a flag OF
truce, and Mr.. Hunter ferried us over
! When we got across, lieutenant said
to me, THE major says to stay in the
boat until he comes The guns from
the Virginia side began to fire over
our heads, to which the federals re.
| piled.
| refused to remain in the wet boat
with the children, but the lieutenant
compelled me to, saying, 1T can't be
helped" SAID, II will help it." and
just as stepped on to the ground the
major rode up and commanded me to
go to the guard-house | saw a small
building, which he said was a maya
zine, and | refused to enter it, saying
that j might as we'll be shot here as
blown up there" as it was liable to
be struck at any time We were then
obliged to stand under bridge from
II o'clock a. N. until 3 or D. M,