Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-03-18


An hour passed another,
seeming like three. The pressure from
above increased more and more; the
weight grew ton minute. The
right side and arm were now without
feeling -paralyzed; whole body in
pain, pressure terrible. The suffering
body suggested a reconsideration; rul-
ed ''out of order as Andersonville
came in view
A death-like chill now seemed to
penetrate the body of the buried cap
tive, as If threatening to freeze the
vitals To move would be such de-
licious luxury, but a motion of the
foundation" would certainly demolish
OF disturb the upper stories.
July 27, 1864-Broad daylight. Dis
tant view of sunlight. My acquaint-
ance entirely cut Are their motives
actuated by prudence or fear? Is
there any fresh earth visible? Do the
briers stand up properly? Considera-
BILE risk, this. Foolish risk, perhaps.
But what can 1 do now but lie per
fectly still? Unusual commotion
above. Footsteps hastily approach the
brier patch. A voice, 'All right, Lieu
tenant, lay low; good-by." (Retreat-
ing steps, Encouragement and con
ISOLATION The forsaken one distinctly
heard, Hurry up your breakfasts"
(breakfast) 'and fall in The line
extended in close proximity to the
missing captive. Column, right face!
~ H. al,
in motion How distinctly can be
heard the regular tread. A sudden
heavy, extra pressure, another; twice
stepped upon, but by captives or cap
tors remains mystery. A mounted
Confederate rode at the rear of the
column, and the sound Of the horses
feet beating on the hardened path is
distinctly heard by the hidden pris'
oner; nearer and nearer approaching.
now alarmingly close, and then a wei,
come passage by. The loose earth
ratified down through the narrow win
dow, and the danger was gone by. The
road reached by the column. A halt
"All right" rang along the line and
the tramp was taken up southwark.
Glorious relief! The forsaken had
chatted freely with a Confederate
officer the day before. and entertained
some fear that on that account he
might be missed the more readily by
said officer. The Confederate rear
guards now drew rations from wagon
on the road, necessitating further
patience Rations drawn, guards and
wagon pass on; time is precious
Voices; a grunt, crunchfng, crumbs
chasing each other down the air-hole
A gentle hog calmly roots up and de
YOURS my precious, hidden rations and
leisurely passes Oh. Voices still; chill
dren 1t must be investigated. A
slow pressure of the head upward;
giving of the covering; a falling OF
the loose earth and dust into ears OF
eyes, and down the neck, and through
little mound of earth and sticks
and briers and boughs, peered two anX
ious eyes, huge hog, a negress, with
two white children, evidently search
ing for relics of Yankee visitation
we're the only living things visible
What a deserted prospect, yet lone
illness was never more coveted. Joy,
a slight rain falls with refreshing vel
come, and drives the curiosity hunt
ers from the field. Is there any pos.
sibility that the ground is still watch
ed? A listening, a further elevation
of the miscellaneous mound. Sounds
of horses boots; three countrymen
pass on the adjoining road in the direc
ton of the departed captives hasty
lowering of the head another recon
noissance. Raining heavily, the water
trickles through the covering and
renders the grave" untenable. Now!
and with a bound and a spring the
Shiny, narrow concealment was clear
ed, and the close timber entered at a
double-quick. What! another blue uni
form, and gliding away through the
trees like a deer. The captive stop,
ped, spell-bound. The tall object in
blue finally turned, stopped and look.
ed as If surprised. A slow approach,
an explanation, congratulations, unit,
ing of destinies for present purposes.
What is your name, Lieutenant"
asked the companion: Bailey, of
Gen NJ. L. Smiths staff; and yours?'
"Lybyer," said he, of the Indiana
Cavalry" Mutual expressions Of sat
isfaction. Misery loves company
demonstrated You are very tall,
Lybyer, but you appear very young
for a soldier, suggested the officer.
I'm six feet and over, and seventeen
years of age" said he. Why, eighteen
is the youngest enlistment in our
army How did you get in?" We'll"
was the reply, Il got in on my length,
| suppose"
1t was not until the writer had re-
entered the Federal lines that he
learned that the prisoners were halted
and counted when about half mile
from camp, and one officer was re
ported missing; that patrol was i'm
mediately sent back, and, shortly
after, shooting was heard, which all
supposed was occasioned by the dis
covery Of the concealed captive.