The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1910-05-19
Civil War Stories
A Close Call,


marching across Missouri to concen
trate under Curtis, and 1 got permits
sion to leave the command and fill my
canteen with water at a farmhouse
some distance from the road.
Nearing the house, heard a woman
scream, and, fastening forward, !
found in large room two men tryfna
to take jewels from an elegantly dress
ed lady. | attacked them with my
dubbed gun, and knocked them both
down, but they recovered sufficiently
to escape. At the request of the ladies'
/ was then placed on duty to guard
the house until the troops had passed
There were three ladies in the house
and they were thankful for my pro
lection. gave me a nice dinner, and
treated me royalty. They invited me
to call on them if I ever again found
myself in that part Of the country.
started for my command In a
happy frame of mind. Hearing q noise
behind me turned around and found
myself face to face with two Confed.
J
Drop that gun, Yank."
was so surprised that I not only
dropped the gun but almost dropped
myself They disarmed me, ordered
me to mount behind one of them, and
went some distance into the timber to
camp Of some fifty or seventy-flve
men, OF various ages, unmilitary In ap-
pearance, but having an unusually fine
lot OF horses. Some were lounging
about, some playing cards, some pitch
ing horse shoes and others grooming
their horses. They paid but little at
tent1on to me or my captors. T was
taken to the only tent in camp.
The leader, with scowling face; or
dered the men to take me to the guard
house. This was a small Enclosure Of
upright poles, and here I was surprised
to find the two, men whom I had at
tackled. Three others were with them,
and were apparently from the same
command. The two men recognized
me and made an attack upon me. The
guard interposed, and then took the
two men out and tied them to trees.
The officers held a consultation at the
tent, and then we were drawn up in
line and the leader said that we had
been captured robbing' houses, along
the road, and that we had been SEN
fenced to death.
He gave us permission to say few
words, and this privilege l improved
to the best Of my ability: I told of
my encounter and how my remaining
on guard had delayed me and caused
me to be captured.
They examined the two prisoners
and found bruises corroborating that
part of my story. They told me to
step aside and said they would inveS-
tigate my case later. The others made
no satisfactory explanation and were
told to prepare for death: They were
placed in single file with eyes covered
and their hands tied behind them. A
private with a new Spencer rife took
position in front of them and SER
geant gave the command, Ready, aim,
firei"
Two of the men fell dead The third
fell severely wounded. The same COM
mand was repeated, and the other two
fell dead. The sergeant then stepped
up to the wounded man and sent 4
bullet through his brain:
The bodies were dumped in to
wagon and carried away: The leader,
after questioning me more closely,
went with two men to the house where
I had been on guard Soon they re-
turned with two of the ladies, who
greeted me cordially; expressed regret
at seeing me captive, and said that |
must be released.
The leader assembled his men, and
said that my story had been corrob
Grated and that my capture was due to
my zeal in protecting the persons and
property of their friends and relatives,
and that he was in favor of releasing
me. The proposition was received with
general approval. The ladies insisted
that 1 should have an escort back to
my command. This also was agreed to
upon condition that would wait until
after dark. I was then given the lib
erty Of the camp, after pledging myself
not to reveal it's location: The men
made me feel quite at home and want
ed me to join their command.
After eating hearty supper I was
furnished good horse, and; with two
companions, started for my command.
After a short ride we came in sight of
the Union camp. There dismounted
and my guides returned. 7 marched
up to, the picket line. was challenged,
and not knowing the countersign; was
arrested and held by the guard until
morning: Then, being taken to- brigade
headquarters, and questioned, L said
that I had been captured and after
wards escaped. L was allowed to re-
turn to my regiment and greeted by
my comrades as: one returned from the
dead.
GeueraI SmREE-POx.