第7章

"Thankgoodnessforthat!"Vincentsaidinalowtonetohisnextneighbor。"Idon"tmindabrushwiththeenemy，butIownIdon"tliketheideathatatanymomentmybrainsmaybeknockedoutbythebranchofatree。"

"Iquiteagreewithyou，"theotherreplied；"andIfancyeverymanfeltthesame。"

Therewasnodoubtastothis。Hithertonosoundhadbeenheardsavethejinglingofaccoutermentsandthedullheavysoundofthehorses"tread；butnowtherecouldbeheardmingledwiththesethebuzzofvoices，andoccasionallyalowlaugh。Theyweresoaccustomedtowetthatthesoakingscarceinconveniencedthem。

Theywereoutoftheforestnow，andfeltsureoftheirguide；andastotheenemy，theyonlylongedtodiscoverthem。

Foranotherhourtherapidadvancecontinued，andallfeltsurethattheymustnowhavepenetratedthroughtheenemy"slinesandbewellinhisrear。Atlasttheyheardachallengeofsentry。ThenStuart"svoiceshouted，"Charge!"andatfullgalloptheyrodeintothevillageatCatlet"sStationontheOrangeandAlexandriarailroad，whereGeneralPopehadhisheadquarters。Anotherminuteandtheywereinthemidstoftheenemy"scamp，wherethewildestconfusionreigned。TheFederalofficersrushedfromtheirteatsandmadeoffinthedarkness；butthesoldiers，whowerelyingonthelineofrailroad，leapedtotheirfeetandopenedaheavyfireupontheirinvisiblefoes。Againstthisthecavalry，brokenupinthecamp，withitstents，itsanimals，anditspilesofbaggage，coulddolittle，foritwasimpossibletoformthemupinthebrokenandunknownground。

ThequartersofPopeweresoondiscovered；hehimselfhadescaped，leavinghiscoatandhatbehind。Manyofhisofficerswerecaptured，andinhisquarterswerefoundaboxofofficialpaperswhichwereinvaluable，asamongthemwerecopiesofhislettersaskingforreinforcements，listsgivingthestrengthandpositionofhistroops，andotherparticularsofthegreatestvaluetotheConfederates。Notimewaslost，asthefiringwouldsetthewholeFederalarmyonthealert，andtheymightfindtheirretreatcutoff。Thereforeplacingtheirprisonersinthecenter，andtakingtheboxofpaperswiththem，thecavalrywerecalledofffromthecamp，andwithoutdelaystartedontheirreturnride。

Theydidnottaketheroadbywhichtheyhadcome，butmadealongdetour，andjustasdaylightwasbreakingre-enteredtheConfederatelineswithouthavingencounteredafoefromthetimeoftheirleavingCatlet"sStation。Shortastheirstayinthecamphadbeen，fewofthemenbadreturnedemptyhanded。TheNorthernarmywassuppliedwithanabundanceofexcellentfoodofalldescriptions，formingthestrongestpossiblecontrasttotheinsufficientratiousuponwhichtheConfederatetroopsexisted，andthetroopershadhelpedthemselvestowhatevertheycouldlayhandsuponinthedarknessandconfusion。

Somerodeinwithahamslungoneachsideoftheirsaddle，othershadsecuredabottleortwoofwineorspirits。Somehadbeenfortunateenoughtolayhandsonsonictinsofcoffeeoracanisteroftea，luxurieswhichformonthshadbeenunknowntothemsavewhentheywerecapturedfromtheenemy。TheonlyarticlecapturedofnopossibleutilitywasGeneralPope"scoat，whichwassenttoRichmond，whereitwashungupforpublicinspection；awagstickingupapaperbesideit，"ThisisthecoatinwhichGeneralPopewasgoingtorideintriumphintoRichmond。Thecoatishere，butthegeneralhasnotyetarrived。"

TileConfederateshadlostbuttwoorthreemenfromthefireoftheFederalinfantry，andtheywereinhighspiritsatthesuccessoftheirraid。NosoonerhadGeneralLeeinformedhimselfofthecontentsofthepapersandthepositionoftheenemy"sforcesthanhedeterminedtostrikeaheavyblowathim；andGeneralJackson，whohadbeensharplyengagedwiththeenemynearWarrenton，wasorderedtomakealongdetour，tocrosstheBlueRidgemountainsthroughThoroughfareGap，tofalluponPope"srearandcuthiscommunicationswithWashington，andifpossibletodestroythevastdepotofstorescollectedatManassas。

Thecavalry，underStuart，weretoaccompanyhim。Themarchwouldheatremendousone，thedangerofthusventuringintotheheartoftheenemy"scountryimmense，buttheresultsofsuchanexpeditionwould，ifsuccessful，begreat；forLeehimselfwastoadvancewithhisarmyonPope"sflank，andtherewasthereforeapossibilityoftheutterdefeatofthatgeneralbeforehecouldbejoinedbythearmymarchingtoreinforcehimfromFredericksburg。

ItwasonMondaythe25thofAugustthatJacksonstartedonhismarch，ascendingthebanksoftheRappahannock，andcrossedtheriverataford，dragginghisartillerywithdifficultyupthenarrowandrockyroadbeyond。Therewasnotamomenttobelost，forifthenewsreachedtheenemythegorgeknownasThoroughfareGapwouldbeoccupied，andthewholeobjectofthemovementbedefeated。Onwardtheforcepushed，pressingonthroughfieldsandlaneswithoutasinglehalt，untilatnight，hungryandwearybutfullofspirit，theymarchedintothelittletownofSalem，twentymilesfromtheirstarting-place。Theyhadneitherwagonsnorprovisionswiththem，andhadnothingtoeatbutsomeearsofcornandgreenapplespluckedontheroad。

ItwasmidnightwhentheyreachedSalem，andtheinhabitantsturnedoutinblankamazementatthesightofConfederatetroopsinthatregion，andwelcomedthewearysoldierswiththewarmestmanifestations。Atdaylighttheywereagainuponthemarch，withStuart"scavalry，asbefore，outuponeachflank。ThoroughfareGapwasreached，andfoundundefended，andafterthirtymiles"

marchingtheexhaustedtroopsreachedtheneighborhoodofManassas。Themenwerefaintfromwantoffood，andmanyofthemlimpedalongbarefooted；buttheywerefullofenthusiasm。

Justatsunset，Stuart，ridingonahead，capturedBristoe，astationontheOrangeandAlexandriaRailroadfourmilesfromManassas。

Astheyreacheditatraincamealongatfullspeed。Itwasfiredat，butdidnotstop，andgotsafelythroughtoManassas。Twotrainsthatfollowedwerecaptured；butbythistimethealarmbadspread，andnomoretrainsarrived。Jacksonhadgainedhispoint。Hehadplacedhimselfonthelineofcommunicationoftheenemy，buthispositionwasadangerousoneindeed。Lee，whowasfollowinghim，wasstillfaraway。AnarmywasmarchingfromFredericksburgagainsthim，anotherwouldbedespatchedfromWashingtonassoonasthenewsofhispresencewasknown，andPopemightturnandcrushhimbeforeLeecouldarrivetohisassistance。

Wornoutasthetroopswere，itwasnecessaryatoncetogainpossessionofManassas，andthe21stNorthCarolinaand21stGeorgiavolunteeredfortheservice，and，joinedbyStuartwithaportionofhiscavalry，marchedagainstit。Afterabriefcontesttheplacewastaken，theenemystationedtherebeingalltakenprisoners。Theamountofarmsandstorescapturedwasprodigious。Eightpiecesofartillery，250horses，3locomotives，andtensofthousandsofbarrelsofbeef，pork，andflour，withanenormousquantityofpublicstoresandthecontentsofinnumerablesutlers"shops。

Thesightofthisvastabundancetostarvingmenwastantalizingintheextreme。Itwasimpossibletocarryanyofitawayandallthatcouldbedonewastohaveatleastonegoodmeal。Thetroopsthereforeweremarchedinandeachhelpedhimselftoasmuchashecouldconsume，andtheraggedandbarefootedmenfeastedupontinnedsalmonandlobsters，champagneanddaintiesofeverydescriptionforwardedfortheuseofofficers。Thentheysettoworktopiletheenormousmassofstorestogetherandtosetitonfire。WhiletheywereengagedatthisabrigadeofNewJerseytroopswhichhadcomeoutfromWashingtontosaveManassaswasattackedandutterlyrouted。Ewell"sdivisionhadremainedatBristoe，whilethoseofHillandJacksonmovedtoManassas，andinthecourseoftheafternoonEwellsawthewholeofPope"sarmymarchingagainsthim。

Heheldthemincheckforsomehours，andthusgavethetroopsatManassastimetodestroycompletelythevastaccumulationofstores，andwhenStuart"scavalry，coveringtheretreat，fellbackatnightfallthroughManassas，nothingbutblackenedcindersremainedwheretheFederaldepotshadbeensituated。TheblowtotheNorthernerswasasheavyasitwasunexpected。Popehadnolongereitherprovisionsforhismenorforageforhiscattle，andtherewasnothingleftforhimbuttoforcehiswaypastJacksonandretireuponWashington。

Jacksonhadnowtheoptionoffallingbackandallowingtheenemytopass，orofwithstandingthewholeFederalarmywithhisownlittleforceuntilLeecameuptotherescue。Hechosethelattercourse，andtookupastrongposition。ThesoundoffiringatThoroughfareGapwasaudible，andheknewthatLongstreet"sdivisionofLee"sarmywashotlyengagedwithaforcewhich，nowthatitwastoolate，badbeensenttoholdthegorge。ItwasnearlysunsetbeforePopebroughtuphismentotheattack。Jacksondidnotstandonthedefensive，butrusheddownandattackedtheenemy-whoseobjecthadbeentopassthepositionandpresson-withsuchvigorthatatnineo"clocktheyfellback。

AnhourlaterahorsemanrodeupwiththenewsthatLongstreethadpassedtheGapandwaspressingonatfullspeed，andinthemorninghisforceswereseenapproaching，thelinetheyweretakingbringingthemupatanangletoJackson"sposition。ThustheirformationastheyarrivedwasthatofanopenV，anditwasthroughtheangleofthisVthatPopehadtoforcehisway。BeforeLongstreetcouldarrive，however，theenemyhurledthemselvesuponJackson，andforhourstheConfederatesheldtheirownagainstthevastFederalarmy，Longstreet"sforcebeingtoofarawaytolendthemahand。Ammunitionfailed，andthesoldiersfoughtwithpilesofstones，butnightfellwithoutanyimpressionbeingmadeupontheseveterans。GeneralLeenowcameupwithGeneralHood"sdivision，andhurledthisagainsttheFederalsanddrovethemback。IntheeveningLongstreet"sforcetookupthepositionGeneralLeehadassignedtoit，andinthemorningalltheConfederatearmyhadarrived，andthebattlerecommenced。

Thestugglewaslongandterrible；butbynightfalleveryattackhadbeenrepulsed，andtheConfederates，advancingonallsides，drovetheNortherners，abrokenandconfusedcrowd，beforethem，thedarknessalonesavingthemfromutterdestruction。HadtherebeenbutonehourmoreofdaylghtthedefeatwouldhavebeenascompleteaswasthatinthebattleofBullRun，whichhadbeenfoughtonpreciselythesameground。However，undercoverofthedarknesstheFederalsretreatedtoCentreville，whencetheyweredrivenonthefollowingday。

InthetremendousfightinginwhichJackson"scommandhadforthreelongdaysbeenengaged，thecavalryboreacomparativelysmallpart。TheFederalartillerywastoopowerfultopermittheemploymentoflargebodiesofcavalryandalthoughfromtimetotimechargesweremadewhenanopportunityseemedtoofferitself，thebattlewasfoughtoutbytheinfantryandartillery。WhentheendcameJackson"scommandwasforatimehorsdecombat。

Duringthelongtwodays"marchtheyhadatleastgatheredcornandapplestosustain]ife；butduringthesethreedays"fightingtheyhadhadnofoodwhatever，andmanyweresoweakthattheycouldnolongermarch。

Theyhaddoneallthatwaspossibleformentodo；hadfortwodayswithstoodtheattackofanenemyoffivetimestheirnumbers，andhadonthefinaldaybornetheirfullshareinthegreatstruggle，butnowthegreaterpartcou]ddonomore，thousandsofmenwereunabletodragthemselvesastepfurther，andLee"sarmywasreducedinstrengthforthetimebynearly20，000men。Alltheseafterwardrejoinedit；someassoonastheyrecoveredlimpedawaytotaketheirplacesintheranksagain，othersmadetheirwaytothedepotatWarrenton，whereLeehadorderedthatallunabletoaccompanyhisforceshouldrendezvousuntilhereturnedandtheywereabletorejointheirregiments。

JacksonmarchedawayandlaidsiegetoHarper"sFerry，animportantdepotgarrisonedby11，000men，whowereforcedtosurrenderjustasMcClellanwithafresharmy，100，000strong，whichwaspressingforwardtoitssuccor，arrivedwithinaday"smarch。AssoonasJacksonhadtakentheplacebehurriedawaywithhistroopstojoinLee，whowasfacingtheenemyattheAntictamriver。Hereuponthefellowingdayanotherterriblebattlewasfought；theConfederates，thoughbut39，000strong，repulsingeveryattackbytheFederals，anddrivingthemwithterribleslaughterbackacrosstheriver。

Theirownloss，however，hadbeenveryheavy，andLee，knowingthathecouldexpectnoassistance，whiletheenemywereconstantlyreceivingreinforcements，waitedforadaytocollecthiswounded，buryhisdead，andsendhisstoresandartillerytotherear，andthenretiredunpursuedacrosstheRappahannock。Thusthehard-foughtcampaigncametoanend。

VincentWingfieldwasnotwiththearmythatretiredacrosstheRappahannock。AportionofthecavalryhadfollowedthebrokenFederalstotheveryedgeofthestream，andjustastheyreinedintheirhorsesaroundshotfromoneoftheFederalbatteriescarriedawayhiscap，andhefellasifdeadfromhishorse。DuringthenightsomeoftheNorthernerscrossedthestreamtocollectandbringbacktheirownwoundedwhohadfallennearit，andcomingacrossVincent，andfindingthathestillbreathed，andwasapparentlywithoutawound，theycarriedhimbackwiththemacrosstheriverasaprisoner。

Vincenthadindeedescapedwithoutawound，havingbeenonlystunnedbythepassageoftheshotthathadcarriedawayhiscap，andmissedhimbutbythefractionofaninch。Hehadbeguntorecoverconsciousnessjustashiscaptorscaineup，andtheactionofcarryinghimcompletelyrestoredhim。ThathehadfallenintothehandsoftheNorthernershewaswellaware；buthewasunabletoimaginehowthis，hadhappened。HerememberedthattheConfederateshadbeen，uptothemomentwhenhefell，completelysuccessful，andhecouldonlyimaginethatinasubsequentattacktheFederalshadturnedthetablesuponthem。

Howhehimselfhadfallen，orwhathadhappenedtohim，hehadnoidea。Beyondastrangefeelingofnumbnessintheheadhewasconsciousofnoinjury，andhecouldonlyimaginethathishorsehadbeenshotunderhim，andthathemusthavefallenuponhishead。Thethoughtthathisfavoritehorsewaskilledafflictedhimalmostasmuchashisowncapture。Assoonashiscaptorsperceivedthattheirprisoner"sconsciousnesshadreturnedtheyatoncereportedthatanofficerofStuart"scavalryhadbeentaken，andatdaybreaknextmorningGeneralMcClellanonrisingwasacquaintedwiththefact，andVincentwasconductedtohistent。

"Youareunwounded，sir？"thegeneralsaidinsomesurprise。

"Iam，general，"Vincentreplied。"Idonotknowhowithappened，butIbelievethatmyhorsemusthavebeenshotunderme，andthatImusthavebeenthrownandstunned；however，IremembernothingfromthemomentwhenIheardthewordhalt，justaswereachedthesideofthestream，tothatwhenIfoundmyselfbeingcarriedhere。"

"Youbelongtothecavalry？"

Yes，sir。"

WasLee"sforceallengagedyesterday？"

"Idonotknow，"Vincentsaid。"IonlycameupwithJackson"sdivisionfromHarper"sFerrytheeveningbefore。"

"Ineednothavequestionedyou，"McClellansaid。"IknowthatLee"swholearmy，100，000strong，opposedmeyesterday。"

Vincentwassilent。HewasgladtoseethattheFederalgeneral，asusual，enormouslyoverratedthestrengthoftheforceopposedtohim。

"IhearthatthewholeofthegarrisonofHarper"sFerrywerereleasedonparolenottoserveagainduringthewar。IfyouarereadytogivemeyourpromisetothesameeffectIwillallowyoutoreturntoyourfriends；ifnot，youmustremainaprisoneruntilyouareregularlyexchanged。"

"Imustdoso，then，general，"Vincentsaidquietly。"IcouldnotreturnhomeandremaininactivewhileeverymanintheSouthisfightingforthedefenseofhiscountry，soIwilltakemychanceofbeingexchanged。"

"Iamsorryyouchoosethatalternative，"McClellansaid。"Ihatetoseebravemenimprisonedifonlyforaday；andbravermenthanthoseacrossyonderstreamarenottobefound。Myofficersandmenareastonished。Theyseemsothinandwornastobescarceabletoliftamusket，theirclothesarefitonlyforascarecrow，theyareindeedpitifulobjectstolookat；butthewayinwhichtheyfightiswonderful。IcouldnothavebelievedhadInotseenit，thatmencouldhavechargedastheydidagainandagainacrossgroundsweptbyatremendousartilleryandmusketryfire；itwaswonderful!Icantellyou，youngsir，thateventhoughyoubeatusweareproudofyouasourcountrymen；andIbelievethatifyourGeneralJacksonweretoridethroughourcamphewouldbecheeredaslustilyandheartilybyourmenasheisbyhisown。"

Somefiftyorsixtyotherprisonershadbeentaken；theyhadbeencapturedinthehand-to-handstrugglethathadtakenplaceonsomepartsofthefield，havinggotseparatedfromtheircorpsandmixedupwiththeenemy，andcarriedoffthefieldwiththemastheyretired。Theseforthemostpartacceptedtheofferedparole；butsomefifteen，likeVincent，preferredaNorthernprisontopromisingtoabstainfromfightingindefenseoftheircountry，andinthemiddleofthedaytheywereplacedtogetherinatentunderaguardattherearofthecamp。

ThenextmorningcamethenewsthatLeehadfallenback。TherewasexultationamongtheFederals，notunmingledwithastrongsenseofrelief；fortheheavylossesinflictedinthepreviousfightinghadtakenalltheardorofattackoutofMcClellan"sarmy，andtheyweregladindeedthattheywerenottobecalledupontomakeanotherattempttodrivetheConfederatesfromtheirposition。Vincentwasnolesspleasedatthenews。HeknewhowthinweretheranksoftheConfederatefightingmen，andhowgreatlytheywerewornandexhaustedbyfatigueandwantoffood，andthat，althoughtheyhadthedaybeforerepulsedtheattacksofthemassesofwell-fedNortherners，suchtremendousexertionscouldnotoftenberepeated，andadefeat，withtheriverintheirrear，approachableonlybyoneroughandnarrowroad，wouldhavemeantatotaldestructionofthearmy。

ThenextmorningVincentandhiscompanionswereputintothetrainandsenttoAlexandria。Theyhadnoreasontocomplainoftheirtreatmentupontheway。Theywerewellfed，andaftertheirstarvationdietforthelastsixweekstheirrationsseemedtothemactuallyluxurious。TheFederaltroopsinAlexandria，whowereforthemostpartyoungrecruitswhohadjustarrivedfromthenorthandwest，lookedwithastonishmentuponthesethinandraggedmen，severalofwhomwerebarefooted。Wasitpossiblethatsuchscarecrowsasthesecouldineverybattlehavedrivenbackthewell-fedandcared-forNorthernsoldiers!

"Aretheyalllikethis？"oneburlyyoungsoldierfromawesternstateaskedtheirguard。

That"sthem，sir，"thesergeantinchargeofthepartyreplied。"Notmuchtolookat，arethey？But，bygosh，youshouldseethemfight!Youwouldn"tthinkoftheirlooksthen。"

"Ifthat"ssoldiering，"theyoungfarmersaidsolemnly，"thesoonerI

ambackhomeagainthebetter。Butitdon"tseemtomealtogetherstrangeastheyshouldfightsohard，becauseIshouldsaytheymustlookuponitasacomforttobekilledratherthantolivelikethat。"

Ashoutoflaughterfromtheprisonersshowedtheyoungrusticthattheobjectsofhispitydidnotconsiderlifetobealtogetherintolerableevenundersuchcircumstances，andhemovedawaymeditatingonthediscomfortsofwar，andupontheremarksthatwouldbemadewerehetoreturnhomeinsosorrowfulaplightasthatoftheseConfederateprisoners。

"Ibargainedtofight，"besaid，"andthoughIdon"texpectIshall]ikeit，Isha"n"tdrawbackwhenthetimecomes；butastobeingstarvedtillyouarenighaskeleton，andgoingaboutbarefootedandinsuchragsasatrampwouldn"tlookat，itain"treasonable。"Andyet，hadheknownit，amongthosefifteenprisonersmorethanhalfwerepossessorsofwideestates，andhadbeenbroughtupfromtheirchildhoodinthemidstofluxuriessuchastheyoungfarmerneverdreamedof。

Amongmanyofthesoldierssympathytookamoreactiveform，andmenpressedforwardandgavepacketsoftobacco，cigars，andotherlittlepresentstothem，whiletwoorthreepressedrollsofdollarnotesintotheirhands，withwordsofroughkindness。

"Thereain"tnoillfeelinginus，Rebs。Youhavedoneyourworklikemenandnodoubtyouthinksyourcauseisright，justaswedoes；butit"sallovernow，andmaybeourturnwillcomenexttoseetheinsideofoneofyourprisonsdownsouth。Sowearejustsoldierstogether，andcanfeelforeachother。"

DisciplineinsmallmatterswasneverstrictlyenforcedintheAmericanarmies，andthesergeantinchargeofferednooppositiontothesoldiersminglingwiththeprisonersastheywalkedalong。

TwodayslatertheyweresentbyrailwaytothegreatprisonatElmira，atowninthesouthwestoftheStateofNewYork。Whentheyreachedthejailtheprisonerswereseparated，Vincent，whowastheonlyofficer，beingassignedquarterswithsometwentyothersofthesamerank。Theprisonerscrowdedroundhimasheentered，eagertohearthelastnewsfromthefront，fortheyheardfromtheirguardsonlynewsofconstantvictorieswonbytheNortherners；foreverydefeatwastransformedbytheNorthernpapersintoabrilliantvictory，anditwasonlywhentheshatteredremainsofthevariousarmiesreturnedtoAlexandriatobere-formedthatthetruthgraduallyleakedout。ThusAntietamhadbeenclaimedasagreatNorthernvictory，foralthoughMcClellan"stroopshadinthebattlebeenhurledbackshatteredandbrokenacrosstheriver，twodaysafterwardLeehadretired。

Oneoftheprisoners，whowasalsodressedincavalryuniform，hungbackfromtherest，andgoingtothewindowlookedoutwhileVincentwaschattingwiththeothers。Presentlyheturnedround，andVincentrecognizedwithsurprisehisoldopponentJackson。

Afteramoment"shesitationhewalkedacrosstheroomtohim。

"Jackson，"hesaid，"wehavenotbeenfriendslately，butIdon"tseewhyweshouldkeepupourquarrelanylonger；wegotonallrightatschooltogether；andnowweareprisonerstogetherhereitwouldbefoolishtocontinueourquarrel。Perhapswewerebothsomewhattoblameinthataffair。IamquitewillingtoallowI

was，forone，butIthinkwemightwellputitallasidenow。"

Jacksonhesitated，andthentookthehandVincentheldouttohim。

"That"sright，youngfellows，"oneoftheotherofficerssaid。"NowthateverySoutherngentlemanisfightingandgivinghislife，ifneedbe，forhiscountry，noonehasarighttohaveprivatequarrelsofhisown。Lifeisshortenoughasitis，certainlytooshorttoindulgeinprivateanimosities。Afewweeksagowewerefightingsidebyside，andfacingdeathtogether；to-dayweareprisoners；aweekhencewemayheexchanged，andsoontakeourplacesintheranksagain。It"sthedutyofallSouthernerstostandshouldertoshoulder，andthereoughttobenosuchthingasill-feelingamongourselves。"

VincentwasnotpreviouslyawarethatJacksonhadobtainedacommission。HenowlearnedthathehadbeenchosenbyhiscomradestofillavacancycausedbythedeathofanofficerinaskirmishjustbeforePopefellbackfromtheRappahannock，andthathehadbeenmadeprisonerafewdaysafterwardinachargeagainstagreatlysuperiorbodyofFederalcava]ry。

Thegreatmajorityoftheofficersonbothsideswereatthecommencementofthewarchosenbytheircomrades，theelectionsatfirsttakingplaceonceayear。This，how-ever，wasfoundtoactverybadly。Insomecasesthebestmenintheregimentwerechosen；buttoooftenmenwhohadthecommandofmoney，andcouldaffordtostandtreatandgetinsuppliesoffoodandspirits，wereelected。Theevilsofthesystemwerefoundsogreat，indeed，thatitwasgraduallyabandoned；butincasesofvacanciesoccurringinthefield，andtherebeinganecessityforatoncefillingthemup，thecolonelsoftheregimentshadpowertomakeappointments，andifthechoiceofthemenwasconsideredtobesatisfactorytheirnomineewouldbegenerallychosen。

InthecaseofJackson，thecolonelhadhesitatedinconfirmingthechoiceofthemen。Hedidnotforamomentsuspecthimtobewantingincourage；butheregardedhimasonewhoshirkedhiswork，andwhowonthevotesofthemenratherbyafluenttongueandbytheviolenceofhisexpressionsofhatredagainsttheNorththanbyanysoldierlyqualities。

Someoftheofficershadbeenmonthsinprison，andtheywerehighlyindignantatthedelaysthathadoccurredineffectingtheirexchange。TheSouth，indeed，wouldhavebeenonlytoogladtogetridofsomeoftheirnumerousprisoners，whoweresimplyanexpenseandtroubletothem，andtogettheirownmenbackintotheirranks。Theycouldillsparethesoldiersrequiredtoguardsolargeanumberofprisoners，andasupplyoffoodwasinitselfaseriousmatter。

ThusitwasthatatHarper"sFerryanduponagoodmanyotheroccasionstheyreleasedvastnumbersofprisonersontheirsimpleparolesnottoserveagain。TheNorth，however，wereinnohurrytomakeexchange；andmoreover，theirhandsweresofullwiththeirenormouspreparationsthattheyputasideallmatterswhichhadnottheclaimofurgency。

CHAPTERX。THEESCAPE。

THEDISCIPLINEintheprisonatElmirawasnotrigorous。Theprisonershadtocleanupthecells，halls，andyard，buttherestoftheirtimetheycouldspendastheyliked。Someofthosewhosefriendshadmoneywereabletoliveincomparativeluxury，andtoassistthosewhohadnosuchresources；forthroughoutthewartherewasneveranygreatdifficultyinpassingletterstoandfromtheSouth。Thelineoffrontierwasenormous，anditwasonlyatcertainpointsthathostilities，wereactivelycarriedon，consequentlylettersandnewspaperswerefreelypassed，andmoneycouldbesentinthesamewayfromonepartofthecountrytoanother。

AtcertainhoursofthedayhawkersandvendorsofsucharticlesaswereinmostdemandbytheprisonerswereallowedtoentertheyardandtoselltheirwarestotheConfederates。Spiritswerenotallowedtobecarriedin，buttobaccoandallkindsoffoodwerepermittedtopass。VincenthadatAlexandriawrittenalettertohismother，andhadgivenittoamanwhorepresentedthathemadeithisbusinesstoforwardletterstoanagentatRichmond，beingpaidforeachletterthesumofadollaronitsdelivery。VincentthereforefeltconfidentthattheanxietythatwouldbefeltathomewhentheylearnedthathewasamongthemissingatthebattleofAntietamwouldberelieved。

Hewasfairlysuppliedwithmoney。Hehad，indeed，hadseveralhundreddollarswithhimatthetimehewascaptured；butthesewereentirelyinConfederatenotes，forwhichhegotbuthalftheirvalueinNorthernpaperatAlexandria。Hehimselffoundtherationssuppliedintheprisonample，andwasabletoaidanyofhisfellow-prisonersinpurchasingclothestoreplacetheragstheyworewhencaptured。

OnedayVincentstrolleddownasusualtowardthegate，where，undertheeyeoftheguard，arowofmenandwomen，principallynegroesandnegresses，weresittingonthegroundwiththeirbasketsinfrontofthemcontainingtobacco，pipes，fruit，cakes，needlesandthread，buttons，andavarietyofotherarticlesindemand，whileanumberofprisonerswerebargainingandjokingwiththem。Presentlyhiseyefelluponanegrobeforewhomwasagreatpileofwatermelons。Hestartedashedidso，forheatoncerecognizedthewell-knownfaceofDan。Assoonasthenegrosawthathismaster"seyehadfallenuponhimhebeganloudlypraisingthequalityofhisfruit。

"Here，massaofficer，hereberryfinemelyons，ripeandsweet；nogreentrash；disungoodrightthrough。Fivecentseach，sah。Berrycheapdese。"

"Iexpecttheycostyounothing，Sambo，"oneoftheConfederatesoldierssaidasheboughtamelon。"Gotaneighbor"spatchhandy，eh？"

Dangrinnedatthejoke，andthenselectinganotherfromthebottomofhispileinthebasket，offeredittoVincent。

"Disfinefruit，sah。Mesureyoupleasewithhim!"

VincenttookthemelonandbandedDanfivecents。Amomentaryglancewasexchanged，andthenhewalkedawayandsatdowninaquietcorneroftheyardandcutopenthemelon。Asheexpected，hefoundanoterolledupinthecenter。Asmallpieceoftherindhadbeencutoutandthepulpremovedforitsreception。Thebitofrindhadthenbeencarefullyreplacedsothattheoutwouldnotbenoticedwithoutcloseinspection。Itwasfromoneofhisfellow-officers，andwasdatedthedayafterhiscapture。Hereadasfollows:

"MyDEARWINGFIELD-Wearealldelightedthisafternoontohearthatinstead，aswehadbelieved，ofyourbeingknockedontheheadyouareaprisoneramongtheYanks。Severalofusnoticedyoufalljustaswehaltedattheriver，andweallthoughtthatfromthewayinwhichyoufellyouhadbeenshotthroughtheheadorheart。However，therewasnotimetoinquireinthatterrificstormofshotandshell。Inthemorningwhentheburyingpartieswentdownwecouldfindnosignsofyou，althoughweknewalmosttoafootwhereyouhadfallen。

"WecouldonlyconcludeatlastthatyouhadbeencarriedoffinthenightbytheYanks，andastheywouldhardlytakethetroubleofcarryingoffadeadbody，itoccurredtousthatyoumightafterallbealive。SothecolonelwenttoLee，whoatoncesentatrumpeterwithaflagdowntotherivertoinquire，andwewereallmightilypleased，asyoumayimagine，whenhecamebackwiththenewsthatyouwerenotonlyaprisoner，butunwounded，havingbeenonlystunnedinsomeway。Fromthewayyoufellwesupposearoundshotmusthavegrazedyourhead；atleastthatistheonlywaywecanaccountforit。

"Yourhorsecamebackunhurttothetroop，andwillbewellcaredforuntilyourejoinus，whichwehopewillnotbelong。Yourboykeptthecampawakelastnightwithhishowlings，andisatpresentalmostoutofhismindwithdelight。HetellsmehehasmadeuphismindtoslipacrossthelinesandmakehiswayasarunawaytoAlexandria，whereyouwill，ofcourse，betakeninthefirstplace。

Hesayshe"sgotsomemoneyofyours；butIhaveinsistedonhistakinganotherfiftydollars，whichyoucanrepaymewhenwenextmeet。Ashewillnothavetoaskforwork，hemayescapetheusuallotofrunaways，whoaregenerallypounceduponandsettoworkonthefortificationsofAlexandriaandWashington。

"Heintendstofindoutwhatprisonyouaretakento，andtofollowyou，withsomevagueideaofbeingabletoaidyoutoescape。Ashecannotwrite，hehasaskedmetowritethislettertoyou，tellingyouwhathisideais。Hewillgiveittoyouwhenhefindsanopportunity，andhewishesyoutogivehimananswer，makinganysuggestionthatmayoccurtoyouastothebestwayofhissettingaboutit。HesaysthatheshallmakeacquaintancesamongthenegroesNorth，andwillfindsomeonewhowillreadyournotetohimandwriteyouananswer。Ihavetoldhimthatifheiscaughtatthegameheislikelytobeinsideaprisonabitlongerthanyouare，evenifworsedoesn"tbefallhim。However，hemakeslightofthis，andisbentuponcarryingouthisplans，andIcanonlyhopehewillsucceed。

"IhavejustheardthatweshallfallbackacrosstheRappahannockto-morrow，andIimaginetherewillnotbemuchhardfightingagainuntilspring，longbeforewhichIhopeyouwillbeinyourplaceamongusagain。Welosttwenty-threemenandtwoofficers(KetlerandSumner)yesterday。Good-by，oldfellow!Ineednotsaykeepupyourspirits，forthatyouareprettysuretodo。

"Yourstruly，"JAMESSINCLAIR。"

AfterthefirststartatseeingDan，Vincentwasscarcelysurprised，forhehadoftenthoughtoverwhattheboywoulddo，andhadfanciedthatwhile，ifhesupposedhimdead，hewouldgostraightbacktotheOrangery，itwasquitepossiblethat，shouldhehearthathewasaprisoner，Danmighttakeitintohisheadtoendeavortojoinhim。Astohismakinghisescape，thatdidnotappeartobeaverydifficultundertakingnowthathehadafriendoutside。Thewatchkeptupwasnotaveryvigilantone，forsuchnumbersofprisonersweretakenonbothsidesthattheywerenotregardedasofverygreatimportance，and，indeed，thedifficultylayratherinmakingacrossthecountrytotheSouthernborderthaninescapingfromprison；forwithafriendoutside，withadisguiseinreadiness，thatmatterwascomparativelyeasy。Allthatwasrequiredfortheadventurewasalongrope，asharpfile，andadarknight。

ThechiefdifficultythatoccurredtoVincentarosefromthefactthatthereweresometwentyotherprisonersinthesameward。Hecouldhardlyfilethroughthebarsofthewindowunnoticedbythem，andtheywouldnaturallywishtoshareinhisflight；butwhereonepersonmightsucceedinevadingthevigilanceoftheguard，itwasunlikelyintheextremethattwentywoulddoso，andthealarmoncegivenallwouldberecaptured。Hewassparedthetroubleofmakinguphismindastohisplans，forbythetimehehadfinishedhisletterthehourthatthehucksterswereallowedtoselltheirgoodswaspassed，andthegateswereshutandallwasquiet。

Aftersomethoughthecametotheconclusionthattheonlyplanwouldbetoconcealhimselfsomewhereintheprisonjustbeforethehouratwhichtheywerelockedupintheirwards。Thealarmwouldbegiven，forthelistofnameswascalledoverbeforelock-up，andasearchwouldofcoursebemade。Still，ifliecouldfindagoodplaceforconcealment，itmightsucceed，sincethesearchafterdarkwouldnotbesocloseandminuteasthatwhichwouldhemadenextmorning。Theonlydisadvantagewouldbethatthesentrieswouldbeespeciallyonthealert，as，unlessthefugitivehadsucceededinsomewayinpassingoutofthegatesindisguise，hemuststillbewithinthewalls，andmightattempttoscalethemthroughthenight。Thiscertaintylargelyincreasedthedanger，andVincentwenttobedthatnightwithoutfinallydeterminingwhathadbetterbedone。

Thenextmorningwhilewalkinginthegroundshequitedeterminedastotheplacehewouldchooseforhisconcealmentifheadoptedtheplanhehadthoughtoftheeveningbefore。Thelowerroomsupononesideofthebuildingwereinhabitedbythegovernorandofficersoftheprison，andifheweretospringthroughanopenwindowunnoticedjustasitbecamedusk，andhidehimselfinacupboardorunderabedtherehewouldbesafeforatime，as，howeverclosethesearchmightbeinotherpartsofthebuilding，itwouldbescarcelysuspected，atanyrateonthefirstalarm，thathehadconcealedhimselfintheofficers"quarters。

Therewould，ofcourse，bethechanceofhisbeingdetectedashegotoutofthewindowagainatnight，butthiswouldnotbeagreatrisk。Itwasthevigilanceofthesentriesthathemostfeared，andthepossibilitythat，assoonusthefactofhisbeingmissingwasknown，acordonofguardsmightbestationedoutsidethewallinadditiontothoseintheyard。Thedangerappearedtohimtobesogreatthathewashalfinclinedtoabandontheenterprise。Itwouldcertainlybewearyworktobeshutupthereforperhapsayearwhilehisfriendswerefightingthebattlesofhiscountry；butitwouldbebetterafterelltoputupwiththatthantorunanyextremeriskofbeingshot。

WhenhehadarrivedatthisconclusionbewentupstairstohisroomtowritealinetoDan。Thedaywasafineone，andhefoundthatthewholeoftheoccupantsoftheroomhadgonebelow。Thiswasanunexpectedbitofgoodfortune，andheatoncewenttothewindowandexaminedthebars。Theywerethickandofnewiron，buthadbeenhastilyputup。Thebuildinghadoriginallybeenalargewarehouse，andwhenithadbeenconvertedintoaprisonfortheConfederateprisonersthebarshadbeenaddedtothewindows。

Instead，therefore，ofbeingbuiltintosolidstoneandfastenedinbylead，theyweremerelyscrewedontothewoodenframeworkofthewindows，andbyastrongturn-screwabarcouldberemovedinfiveminutes。Thisaltogetheralteredtheposition。Hehadonlytowaituntiltherestoftheoccupantsoftheroomwereasleepandthentoremovethebarandlethimselfdown。

Heatoncewrote:

"Iwanttwentyyardsofstrongstring，andthesamelengthofropethatwillbearmyweight；alsoastrongturn-screw。WhenIhavegotthisIwillletyouknownightandhour。Shallwantdisguisereadytoputon。"

Hefoldedthenoteupintoasmallcompass，andatthehouratwhichDanwouldbeabouttoenterhesauntereddowntothegate。

Inashorttimethevendersentered，andweresoonbusysellingtheirwares。Danhad，asbefore，abasketofmelons。Vincentmadehiswayuptohim。

"Iwantanothermelon，"hesaid，"asgoodasthatyoumelastnight。"

"Deyalldesame，sah。First-ratemelyonsdose；justmeltawayinyourmouflikehoney。"

Hehelduponeofthemelons，andVincentplacedinhishandsthecoppersinpayment。Betweentwoofthemhebadplacedthelittlenote。Dan"sbandsclosedquicklyonthecoins，anddroppingthemintohispocketheaddressedthenextcustomer，whileVincentsaunteredawayagain。Thistimethemelonwasawholeone，andVincentdivideditwithacoupleofotherprisonersforthefruitwastoolargeforonepersontoconsume，beingquiteaslargeasaman"shead。

Thenextdayanothermelonwasbought，butthistimeVincentdidnotopenitinpublic。Examiningitclosely，heperceivedthatithadbeencutthroughthemiddle，andnodoubtcontainedaportionoftherope。Hehesitatedastohisnextstep。Ifhetookthemelonuptohisroomhewouldbesuretofindsomementhere，andwouldbenaturallycalledupontodividethefruit；andyettherewasnowhereelsehecouldhideit。Foralongtimehesatwithhisbacktothewallandthemelonbesidehim，abusinghimselfforhisfollyinnothavingtoldDantosendtheropeinsmalllengthsthathecouldhideabouthim。Theplacewherehehadsatdownwasoneofthequietestintheyard，butmenwereconstantlystrollingupanddown。Hedeterminedatlastthattheonlypossibleplanwasinthefirstplacetothrowhiscoatoverhismelon，totuckitupunderneathit，thentogetholdofoneendoftheballofropethatitdoubtlesscontainedandtoendeavortowinditroundhisbodywithoutbeingobserved。Itwasariskybusiness，andhewouldgladlyhavetossedthemelonoverthewallhadhedaredtodoso；

forifheweredetected，notonlywouldhebepunishedwithmuchmoresevereimprisonment，butDanmightbearrestedandpunishedmostseverely。

Unfortunatelytheweatherwasbynomeanshot，anditwouldlookstrangetotakeoffhiscoat，besides，ifhedidso，howcouldhecoiltheroperoundhimwithoutbeingobserved？Sothatideawasabandoned。Hegotupandwalkedtoanangleinthewall，andtheresatdownagain，concealngthemelonaswellashecouldbetweenhimandthewallwhenanyonehappenedtocomenearhim。Hepulledthehalvesapartandfound，ashehadsuspected，itwasbutashell，thewholeofthefruithavingbeenscoopedout。

Buthegaveanexclamationofpleasureonseeingthatinstead，asbefeared，ofalargeballofropebeinginside，theinteriorwasfilledwithneatly-madehanks，eachcontainingseveralyardsofthinbutstrongrope，togetherwithabankofstrongstring。

Unbuttoninghiscoat，hethrustthemin；thenhetookthemelonrindandbrokeitintoverysmallpiecesandthrewthemabout。Hethenwentuptohisroomandthrustthehanks，unobserved，onebyoneamongthestrawwhich，coveredbyanarmyblanket，constitutedhisbed。To-morrow，nodoubt，Danwouldsupplyhimsomehowwithaturn-screw。Ongoingdowntothegatenextdayhefoundthatthenegrobadchangedhiscommodity，andthatthistimehisbasketcontainedverylargeandfinecucumbers。Theseweresellingbriskly，andVincentsawthatDanwaslookingroundanxiously，andthatanexpressionofreliefcameoverhisfaceasheperceivedhim。Hehad，indeed，buteightortencucumbersleft。

"Cucumbersto-day，sah？Berryfinecucumbers-first-ratecucumbersdese。"

"Theylookratherover-ripe，"Vincentsaid。

"Notabit，sah；deyjustripe。Disberryfineone-tencentsdis。"

"Youareputtingupyourprices，darkey，andaremakingafortuneoutofus，"Vincentsaidashetookthecucumber，whichwasaverylargeandstraightone。Hehadnodifficultywiththis，aswiththemelon；asharptwistbrokeitintwoasbereachedthecornerhehadusedthedaypreviously。Ithadbeenoutinhalf，oneendhalbeenscoopedoutforthereceptionofthehandleoftheturn-screw，andthemetalbeendrivenintotheheadintheotherhalf。Hidingitunderhisjacket，hefeltthathewasnowpreparedforescape。

Henowaskedhimselfwhetherbeshouldgoaloneortakeoneormoreofhiscomradesintohisconfidence，andfinallydeterminedtogiveayoungVirginianofficernamedGeary，withwhomhehadbeenspeciallyfriendlyduringhisimprisonment，andJackson，achanceofescape。Hedidnotlikethelatter，butbethoughtthatafterthereconciliationthathadtakenplacebetweenthemitwasonlyrighttotakehimratherthanastranger。Drawingthemaside，then，hetoldthemthathehadarrangedamodeofescape；itwasimpossiblethatallcouldavailthemselvesofit，butthattheywerewelcometoaccompanyhim。Theythankedhimheartilyfortheoffer，and，whenheexplainedthemannerinwhichbeintendedtomakeoff，agreedtotrytheirfortunewithhim。

"Ipropose，"hesaid，"assoonaswearefairlybeyondtheprison，weseparate，andeachtrytogainthefrontierasbesthecan。Thefactthatthreeprisonershaveescapedwillsoonbeknownalloverthecountry，andtherewouldbenochancewhateverforusifwekepttogether。Iwilltellmyboytohavethreedisguisesready；andwhenweonceputasideouruniformsIseenoreasonwhy，travelingseparately，suspicionshouldfalluponus；weoughttohavenodifficultyuntilatanyratewearriveneartheborder，andtheremustbeplentyofpointswherewecancrosswithoutgoinganywhereneartheFederalcamps。"Theothersatonceagreedthatthechancesofmakingtheirwayseparatelyweremuchgreaterthaniftogether。Thisbeingarranged，VincentpassedanotenextdaytoDan，tellinghimtohavethreedisguisesinreadiness，andtobeatthefootofthewesternwall，halfwayalong，attwelveo"clockonthefirstwetnight。Astringwouldbethrownover，withaknifefastenedtoit。Hewastopullonthestringtilltheropecameintohisband，andtoholdthattightuntiltheywereover。Vincentchosethisspotbecauseitwasequallyremovedfromthesentry-boxesatthecornersoftheyard，andbecausetherewasastoneseatintheyardtowhichoneendoftheropecouldbeattached。

Thatnightwasfine，butthenextwasthickandmisty。Atnineo"clockallwereinbed，andhelaylisteningtotheclocksinthedistance。Tenstruck，andeleven，andwhenhethoughtitwasapproachingtwelvehegotupandcrepttothewindow。Hewasjoinedimmediatelybytheothers；theturn-screwwassettowork；

and，asheexpected，Vincentfoundnotroublewhateverwiththescrews，whichwerenotyetrustedinthewood，andturnedimmediatelywhenthepowerfulscrew-driverwasappliedtothem。

Whenallwereoutthebarwascarefullyliftedfromitsplaceandlaiduponthefloor。

Theropewasthenputroundoneoftheotherbarsanddrawnthroughituntilthetwoendscametogether。Thesewerethendroppedtothegroundbelow。Gearywentfirst，Jacksonfollowed，andVincentwassoonstandingbesidethem。Takingoneendoftherope，hepulledituntiltheotherpassedroundthebarandfellattheirfeet。Allthreewerebarefooted，andtheystolenoiselesslyacrosstheyardtotheseat，whichwasnearlyoppositetheirwindow。Vincenthadalreadyfastenedhisclasp-knifetotheendofthestring，andhenowthrewitoverthewall，whichwasabouttwentyfeethigh。

Hehadtiedaknotatfortyfeetfromtheend，and，standingclosetothewall，hedrewinthestringuntiltheknotwasinhishand。