The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-08-03
A SOLDIERS
GRATITUDE
Escaping Prisoner Of War
Gets Help In Time of Need.

|
Of war, had been hiding all day in the
woods beside the James river, but now
that the dusk of evening was coming
on he left his hole under log and
made his way along the bank in a
southeasterly direction. He had left
Libby prison by means of tunnel, In
company with q number Of others, q
few days before and was aiming to
reach the Union feet in Hampton
Roads Coming to fence inclosing a
OF the premises and was about to pro-
coed by the river margin when young
girl left the house, hurried down TO a
boat. untethered it and, selling a pair
of oars, rowcd away from the shore.
The current being very strong, she
pulled diagonally against 1t. She had
not given dozen strokes before her
boat was carried against sunken log,
and the full force of the water, strik-
| ing it sidewise, turned 1t bottom up
ward. The girl was yhirled away.
Lieutenant Pearson was good
swimmer, and he ran swiftly down to
a point below the girl where he would
| have but short distance to swim to
reach her as she fioated by and plung-
ed in. She had gone under on leaving
the boat and had come up just as Pear
son left the point. Before he reached
her she sank again. Pearson dived,
made n fortunate clutch. for he could
not easily see through the yellow clay
mingled with the water. and caught
her skirt. Then he struck out for
shore, which he reached safely. He
had scarcely done so before he heard
the sound of oars. and in few min
utes n boat came from out the gloam-
ing. Its single occupant, seeing Pear
sou standing over the unconscious girl,
pulled toward him. When the Union
officer saw that he was In Confederate
uniform he made up his mind TO re-
turn TO Libby.
A few snatches of words explained
the situation TO the Confederate and
to Pearson that the others were to
have met In the middle of the river.
The girl being late, the man had come
on. He begged Pearson to 90 to the
house for assistance. Pearson started
and for moment was tempted to
take to the woods. but was Incapable
of gaining his freedom by deserving a
girl whose life was still in jeopardy. !
In few minutes the household was
aroused, and the girl was revived, car
ri ~ h.srh nr md
When the excitement had subsidized |
the Confederate looked about him for (
the stranger. He had disappeared. |
Every negro on the place was started |
TO search for him and to say that Cap /
tain Pemberton desired to thank him \
for saving Miss Blair, his betrothed.
and to entertain him for the night. |
An hour later all the negroes had re-
turned and reported that the man
could not be found.
+, Captain Pemberton remained at the
plantation. During the evening he
heard the barking of bloodhound.
Some poor devil is in hard luck"
he said. ''That dog has caught the
scent"
About 10 o'clock. Miss Blair having
entirely recovered. her lover started
on his return to HIS command The
girl insisted on saying adieu at the
door and came downstairs with him
into the hall At the same moment
the front door was thrown open. and
at the entrance, surrounded by guard
of Confederates. stood the man who
had saved Miss Blairs life
MAY we keep this man here over
nightT asked the leader. HE is an
escaped Libby prisoner"
Miss Blair was about to enter a
protest when her lover stopped her.
Certainly" he said; then to Pear.
son, II assure you. sir after what we
owe you, this is painful meeting"
Pearson was taken to one Of the out
houses. and the plantation gradually
Quieted down.
At midnight Pearson heard a voice
say to his guard: Take your blanket
to that gallery and go to sleep. I'll
stand watch for you awhile" A few
minutes later Captain Pemberton
through a window beckoned to the
prisoner to follow him. Taking Pear
son by circuitous route. In order to
avoid the guard. he led him to the mar.
gin of the river.
There is my boat" he said. I'm II
you will find provisions for week.
Here is my uniform coat. With these
7ou ought to be able to make your way
o the Federal feet below. If you are
aiken send for me ut once. l prefer
o be shot for this rather than that you
should go back to Libby"
Pearson tried to speak. but could
,nly mutter incoherent thanks.
"And here is note OF thanks from
he dear girl whom you saved for me-"
Idded Pemberton.
Pearson took the note and put 1t into
lis pocket. the captain tossing his coat
nto the boat as the other pushed OFF.
III night the fugitive pulled down the
liver and In the morning tied up.for
est and a good breakfast, which he
ound in his larder. After reading the
hanks of the lady he had saved he
tut on Captain Pemberton's coat and
ontinued his journey. He was stop
ed several times. but the uniform
aved him. When near Newport News ,
e was picked up by United States
unboat
Years nfterward Lieutenant then :