letter X and to cut the telegraph wire, before we saw a train of

passenger cars coming like a whirlwind around a curve. They certainly had seen our main column and were trying to get away. At the first intimation of her approach we disappeared into a cornfield immediately alongside. The train shot past like a blazing meteor, and the next thing we saw was a dense cloud of steam above which flew large timbers. Our next sight startled our nerves, for there lay the monster floundering in the field like a fish out of water, with nothing but the tender attached. Her coupling must have broken, for the passenger carriages and express were still on the track, several yards ahead. Over three hundred raw recruits were on board, bound for Camp Dennison. They came tumbling and rolling out in every way imaginable.

Company B was in line ready for action, when we discovered they were unarmed, except for a few having side-arms. All submitted without a single shot, and were sent under guard to the General.

Examining and closely inspecting the prize, orders were received to set her on fire. Just before leaving a locomotive came down from Dennison to see what had caused the train’s delay; but when the engineer discovered our men galloping to his rear to intercept his retreat, he put his engine back at her utmost speed and escaped capture.

There were but two persons hurt at the above break up, and they were the engineer and the fireman. The former was a little scalded and the latter had a bone fractured. Permission was given to several of his friends to carry him to the nearest house and liberty granted them to take care of him.

Soon we were again at the head of the advance, after an hour’s absence, perhaps. Our main force passed to the left of Georgetown several miles, but the advance, according to instructions, made a flank march and went to the county-seat of Brown County, where we halted to dine, feed, and see the “Lion.” We overtook the command at ten o’clock that night and took our position in front.

The next day we crossed the canal leading from Portsmouth to Cleveland, and the Scioto River, marching through Jackson about midday, dispersing a large force of Ohio militia who were guarding the railroad to Ironton and burning depot buildings, railroad and other property belonging to the so-called “Uncle Sam.”

At four in the evening we entered the town of Chester in Meigs County, after great difficulty. Every bridge had been destroyed in our front, and at every pass and ravine the road was blockaded and defended by troops in concealment, but we never failed to dislodge and drive them confusedly away. A large number of “blockaders” were captured and, accompanied by a guard, were compelled to clear away the obstructions that many of them had assisted in making. Poor fellows, they felt their time had come, so badly were they frightened. They would no more halt when we were after them than they could fly. Oftentimes the boys would dismount and go in pursuit of these bushwhackers and command them to halt, but on they ran, like some one that had escaped from the deaf and dumb asylum, never stopping until the boys laid violent hands upon them, holding them fast by main force. Even then they would strive hard to get away, just as some wild animals would do. At times it was difficult to keep the boys from shooting them down for such actions.

Halting in Chester for the arrival of the General and forces, we had a delightful time, certain delicacies having been prepared by the ladies for their gallant and patriotic defenders.

On General Morgan’s arrival we moved on to the river at a double quick, never reining our horses until dark, and then we were on the bank of the Ohio. We soon captured the picket of the forces guarding the ford, which consisted of three hundred militia from Marietta, with three field-pieces, and though strongly entrenched they left the country as soon as they heard of our arrival, leaving their guns in our charge.

Our brigade and artillery did not come up until midnight. It was then extremely dark and foggy, and knowing that we undoubtedly would have to swim a part of the way, at least, across the river, and that it would be extremely difficult to get our battery over it, it was thought advisable to delay until daylight and fair play. I am now confident that had we attempted it very many of our men would have been drowned. Every one was broken down with fatigue, and thus the delay.

Twice during the night I was ordered with twenty of Company B to cross the river in search of flatboats, but failed to secure any. If we had not been under orders, how easily we could have escaped the coming disaster, and yet we never suspected that such would be our fate.

When daylight appeared couriers from every part of the field were seen flying to headquarters. One reported that the rear was attacked, the next our right, and another, our left, and soon the engagement was general and hotly contested. Duke, with two regiments, drove General Judah’s forces back, but being struck in the flank by another force, he retreated. The enemy, so much our superior in numbers, we being reduced to not more than fifteen hundred, if that, had all the advantages, assisted by small gun-boats that had succeeded in getting above the shoals by a rise in the river. Several Yankee officers informed me afterward that over sixty thousand regular troops, not mentioning militia, home guards, bushwhackers, and armed citizens, were opposed to us on that day. However, until noon, we lost little of our position; but it was very evident that we would have to yield finally, or run for it.

Seeing this, the General knew he would have to sacrifice a part of his force to save the other. While a portion was holding the Yankees in check, under a terrible fire of shot and shell, our General made his escape up the river with the remainder. And for the first time a white flag, the sign of surrender, was seen in charge of an officer going to the enemy’s lines.

On sight of the flag the old scouts begged me to lead them out; but this I could not do, except by the permission of my superior officer, and when I asked the Colonel he refused me that liberty, saying it would be impossible or at a great sacrifice of men. I replied on behalf of the scouts that all were ready and willing to run that risk, particularly when imprisonment with all its horrors was staring us in the face. Still, the Colonel would not consent. Had we attempted without his will, and succeeded in cutting our way out, and he been captured, it would have been called a glorious deed. On the other hand, if he had, through some mysterious way, been extricated, our leaving without orders of our superior would have been branded as desertion. But the fight was over, and we prisoners of war.

I will not continue my sketch further. You are well posted as to events which have transpired since the 19th day of July, 1863, the day of our capture. I have written only a very limited account of what happened, and in a humble way; but if it pleases as well as interests her for whom it was designed, I will be richly and amply rewarded for this feeble struggle.

I will say in conclusion, my dear sister, that this unadorned outline was written and intended for your eyes alone, free from comment, for the memory of comrades gone is sacredly dear.

Very affectionately yours, FRANK.

N. B.—Not being with General Morgan after the 19th of July, it would be impossible to relate his further adventures.

FRANK.

Completed December 23d, 1865, expressly for a Christmas Present.