4 •i. *»'■ An iEsrape ihat ifb Not Set Me free A lii-PrDhict of iioraan's lath f A janper Hcab UrforF She ©hia ffi^ammanberu 0f thr IQ^aual leiifnit April r. 11115 lly Sfeut-CoL Sniii^ Hastings iloore U5th (!). B. 3. C(HtAJIAL«W«A«a(Mvy 0' COLONEL CICERO COLEMAN An Escape That Did Not Set Me Free. A By- Product of Morgan's Raid. Lieut. -Col. Davip Hastings Moork, 12.5tii O. V. I, CoMMANUEK ANU COMPANIONS: IT was in tlie summer of 1863, before Grant had taken Vieksburg, or Lee had been defeated at Gettysburg. The draft had been declared and — January 1, 1863 — Mr. IJncoln Jiad issued tlie Proclamation of Eman- cipation. Important elections were pending in Ohio. Intense op))osition to the war had developed. Sym- pathy with Secession was open and defiant. Oath- bound organizations were armed and drilled. Treasonable badges were flaunted. In some places children were forbidden by the school authorities to wear Union colors. Recruiting was most difficult. Companies were harder to raise than regiments had been. ^Meetings for volunteers were molested; men inclined to enlist were subjected to jirotest and intimidation. Cnion speakers were annoyed; harness was cut on their horses; and here and there fortifications were thrown up and garrisoned to resist the draft. From New York, thro Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana, Knights of the Golden Circle were organized, apparently only awaiting an o))portunity to raise the flag of Rebellion on Union soil. Is it any wonder that Cjcneral John Morgan, with such an inviting prospect of warlike Knights flocking to his standard, enabling liim to rescue the thousands of valiant Co;nfcderate soldiers imprisoned in Fort Morton, Indianapolis ; to arm and equi)) them from plethoric Lhiion arsenals, and with ever augmenting numbers swee]) on to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio; rescue and arm the thousands there; and being joined every hour by the anti- union hordes, to jnish resistlessly on through Pennsylvania, effecting a junction with Lee; who, tiius mightily strengthened, would toss Meade out of liis path, seize Washington and make it the new capital of the victorious Confederacy — is it any wonder, I re])eat, that Morgan ignored his orders to confine his operations to Ken- tucky, made the Ohio iiis Rubicon, and risked all on a scheme as grand as ever glittered in the mind of a Caesar? There were dangerous possibilities in the audacious undertaking. And those who gave it j^romise, and could have made the promise reality, those fire-eating Knights, refused the hot diet when it was offered, and lured the daring invaders to their doom. And yet, tho 4 the collapse of the greater camjjaign was spectacular, and tho Morgan lost an unequaled cavalry division to Bragg, it cannot be shown that he did not achieve more to disturb and distract Rosecrans and thus to cover Bragg's retreat across the Tennessee, than would have justified the loss of an army corps. But with such a question we have naught to do; only with a personal incident in the Raid. Though robbed of its possibilities and become a frenzied effort to recross the Ohio River, to the people of the invaded states, unused to actual M'arfare, the Raid assumed exaggerated proportions and ]>ossibilities. Stretching three miles along the roads, Morgan's cavalry seemed to their affrighted vision like a conquering army with banners. Indiana put 65,000 and Ohio 55,000 militia into the field. Hobson and Duke were hot on Morgan's trail with more than 7,000 cavalry from the front ; Burnside had the nucleus of an army corps in Cincinnati. The atmosphere was vibrant with excite- ment and apprehension. The Raid was the one topic of conversa- tion, the one subject of interest. ]\Iy detail was to recruit two companies which the regiment lacked when ordered to the front. If the work was difHcult before, after Morgan crossed the river it was impossible. As he swept through Indiana into Ohio, all regular recruiting was suspended by the spasmodic mustering of the militia and the fantastic maneu- vers of the Squirrel Hunters. Officers on detached service were ordered to report to the Adjutant General in Columbus, probably with the thought of their assignment to the command of the militia. Some were so requisitioned, but the majority were ordered to keep in touch with the Office and to make themselves serviceable as their judgment dictated. It pleased me to act with the militia of my own county. At that period the quickest way from Columbus to Athens, by l^ublic conveyance, was by stage to Chillicothe, and thence by the old Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad. Evidences of excitement, amounting in some instances to panic, multiplied as the sections were reached which were threatened by the invaders. Chillicothe was at fever heat — militia mustering, scouts dashing hither and yon, startling rumors buzzing: a)id but one assurance of safety — they had burned the bridge over Paint Creek, albeit its waters were scarcely fetlock deep ! With difficulty I escaped arrest as a spy. All trains being suspended, save those used by the military, I was fortunate to secure permission to ride with the militia who were being hurried to Colonel Runkle at Berlin Cross Roads in Vinton County, where Morgan was to be intercepted on his way to Wilkesville and the Ohio. That would be one stage on my homeward journey, and I was glad to take it. The train was packed with nice young fellows, well equipped, but wholly ignorant of military. The most had never loaded and fired a gun. 5 All went well until, on nearing Hamden Junction, loud and repeated reverberations of artillery were heard. There was but one eonelusion: Rnnkle was en«)ao;in<2; Morgan, and we were running straight into a Hglit ! That was different from a holiday excursion, and the changed features of the men plainly declared it. Being unarmed, I experienced a personal embarrassment, which increased with every cannon shot. But suddenly I saw a way of relief. One of the youngsters resj^onded to every report of the artillery with spasmodic abdominal contractions and pitiful facial pallor. "You are not well?" I solicitously inquired. Then as he pulled out of another collapse, "No," he said, and before he could explain — Boom ! went the cannon and again he doubled up, the picture of despair. "You are not fit to be here, sick as you are; let me have your outfit, and I wall take your place." With a look of ineffable relief and gratitude, he divested himself of musket and cartridge box and belt, and I was equipped for the fray. Hamden readied, we disembarked and formed column to double- quick to the Cross Roads, our movements hastened by the continuous firing. Fortunately one of my recruiting officers was on General Gilmore's staff, and, recognizing me a proud high private in the rear rank, secured me promotion to the staff and a good mount ; and we were off to the front. But soon the firing ceased, and we were met by scouts, who informed us that the firing had been by Morgan to round up our men while he flanked their position and made good his way to the river. We marched back and entrained for Athens. That being my home, I wired to the Military Commission to have rations ready against our arrival ; and never was prouder of our good women than when I saw what must have seemed almost a banquet to the half- famished men. Resigning my staff position, I outfitted from my own stable and armory, and, late as it was, dashed off to catch up with our local militia, who were well on the road to Pomeroy. Found them in bivouac, early enough to feed my horse and get a snatch of sleep before cock-crowing; when, with young Jo. Pickering and Win. Scott, stout and plucky chaps, I pushed on to make reconnoissance on our own account. Our course would intercept Morgan at Rut- land. That we were not too late became evident as we drew near, from the fugitives encountered, who assured us that "an over- whelming force" was trooping through Rutland on toward the Ohio. We moved with increasing caution. The outskirts of the village reached, Scott concealed his horse and made his way on foot over a wooded hill, where lie could see for himself the number and character of the enemy. Pickering followed suit; and, being in citizen's clothes, went on into the village and mixed with the lielpless and frightened Rutlanders. 6 Sometimes one makes a fool of himself, naturally it may have been in this ease; for I rode warily into the village, at the other side from that occupied by the Raiders. Seeing me in military dress and fully armed, the citizens urged me to leave, lest Morgan's men should discover me and burn their town. I could hear the clank of sabres, the hoof-beat of the horses, the rumble of the artillery and baggage wagons and the outcry of the Raiders, but I had seen nothing; and so quietly suggested that it would not be good form for a Union officer to retire without so much as a glimpse of the foe, and that their fears were unfounded. Pickering came back and reported "no end of Johnnies pushing on toward the river" ; and advised me to get away while I could. Reassuring him as to my safety and telling him to go back and learn all he could of the numbers and plans of the Raiders, I took up a still better position, and, with a Colt's revolver ready cocked, awaited developments. Nor was I more than ready when a Morgan scout dashed around the corner, straight toward me. There was only one proper thing for me to do: I pulled down on him, and. as he whirled his horse and, hanging by arm and leg, Indian style, on the further side, spurred back, I pulled down on the saddle and let go. Fortunately I missed him, tho Pickering saw him show a red stripe across his neck and heard him swear that the double-blanked Yankee had come that near getting him. All was uproar in their ranks : the enemy was upon them ! and a strong party struck out to repulse him ! But I had the start and a fresh and fleet horse, and easily left them far behind. Seeing but one man, I fancy they deemed it not worth Avhile to pursue me far. I was free to wait for my comrades to rejoin me, which they promptly did. Naturally we were full of enthusiasm over our adventure, and when from the top of a high hill we saw a picket post, commanded by the auburn-haired and redoubtable sheriff of our county, thinking to try their nerve, we charged down the hill with a blood-curdling Rebel yell. We should not have lived to tell the story; but we did not depend in vain upon the insane alarm everywhere prevailing. They fled precipitately to the camp with frightful reports of the assault. When the militia hastened to the defense, they found three greatly amused Athenians in possession. Having reported the results of our scout, I used up the greater part of the night in reaching Athens. There was too much excite- ment for long sleep. I was up early Sunday morning. Morgan had been driven back from Pomeroy and was making his way toward Buffington's Island, where he was sure to be overtaken by Hobson. Kxcrytiiing was throbbing with excitement. I wanted to be in at the finish, and found one of our leading merchants — Mr. Charles Ballard — who sympathised with me. My own horse being stiffened up. Mr. A. D. Brown, cashier of the bank, loaned me his fine roan saddler. The ride was wondrously hot and wearisome, 7 until at dusk wc were rtvivcd by scfiiif.- in the distance two great clouds of dust, one followino- the other, the first of which we ascribed to Morgan's men and the second to Hobson's. Being joined at this juncture by Messrs. Josephus Tucker and James King, the former of whom had at one time lived in that vicinity and w;is thoroughly familiar with the roads, we followed Mr. Tucker's directions as to the road to intercept Hobson, By this time it was dark and we could see camp fires, which we decided were Hobson's, and increased our speed. Suddenly we heard cavalry coming. Its ai)proach was irregular. The rumble of our wheels-- for Tucker and King were in a buggy — might have been mistaken for artillery and the rattle of our horses' hoofs for envalrv scouts. So the oncomers were feeling their w^ay. Not doubting but they were our men, yet realizing the need of caution, it seemed best that I should go forward and reconnoiter. Nearer and nearer came the approaching cavalry, until I could trace across the road a line darker than the night, and heard the omnious clicking of carbines, as the challenge rang out clear and strong: "Halt! Who comes there? " Which challenge with altered inflection and unwarranted bravado. 1 repeated. Their answer came prompt and free: "Union cavalry, after Morgan: who are you? Dismount and advance !" The latter was peremptory. It had been useless to attempt to escape; besides, they must be our men, none others could be there. So, reluctantly, 1 admit, I dismounted and advanced, only to find myself surrounded by exultant Johnnies, who, as they seized my horse and emjjtied my holsters, swore that they had a field officer! That would nol \\:i\v been so bad. had not two of them in a prankish w;iv not wiiolly enjoyable, brandished their jjistols about my head and demanded my ))urse. Falling back on pure gall, ones only resource under such conditions, I told them the only truth of which I was guilty all that night: "Boys, put those guns down, they might go off and hurt a fellow. I have no purse — report me to (ieneral Morgan." Bluff is a good ally in a tight place. Down went liuir pistols, and they conducted me to General Morgan, whom 1 found being guided by a Methodist minister I knew very well. Re\ . Charles Lewis, who had been pressed into service. "Well, sir, what is it?" said the Cieneral. Saluting, I replied, "Nothing, (Tcneral, only your men in front are decidedly uncivil: I wondered if you wouldn't order me under guard further in the rear? " "By no manner of means, (hiards, take this man back and keep him and all your prisoners right in front!" And back I trudged, finding my three comiianiuis and a constantly increasing number of captives gathered in. ^^'hen you recall that our bushwhackers were everywhere sniping at the column, notably at its head, which we were; and that when the column advanced it 8 moved rapidly until it encountered the next obstacle, and that we had the alternative of outrunning the horses or of being trampled beneath their hoofs, you can imagine how strenuous was our position. Rest assured we were thankful for the obstacles. They gave us time to catch our breath. Without them we must have perished. I never before knew what weariness was. Those rests were welcome also, because they gave me opportunity to become acquainted with my captors, which was easy, as they evidenth^ were convinced that I was a first-class prize, despite my oft-repeated assertion that I was "a fool militia officer, carried awav by an insane desire to see a cavalry fight. " My liumiliation in being a prisoner was wholly negligible in comparison with my unspeakable regret that I had lost my borrowed horse. If it liad only been my own! So I sought the youth who had him. "My boy," said I, "that's a fine horse you took from me. You won't have him long. You see how the whole country is roused. Soon you will be prisoner, and I will be free. If you take good care of my horse, so that I get him back in good sliape, I will make it mighty pleasant for you. Don't forget. By the way, what is your name.''" "My name.^ My name is John Calvin."* Shades of Methodism ! Had he said "John Wesley" I had fainted dead away; but, as he said "John Calvin," I immediately explained the situation by "the Decrees," and concluded that it had been "fore- ordained fi'om all eternity" that he should steal my horse ! And so I was reconciled, if not comforted. Hut of greater imijortance were the interviews with the Colonel commanding. He was a typical Kentuckian, six feet, symmetrical, with as kindly eyes as ever shone under Southern brows, and voice as gentle as .i lover's. Evidently he took no stock in my being a green militia officer, but believed that I possessed valuable informa- tion, if he could only secure it. From him I learned that the cavalry fight had taken place at Buffington's Island, and that Morgan was flanking Hobson and bending back toward Pomeroy again. But evidently fearing that they miglit be headed off, he thought it prudent to learn the posture of affairs further north. He was particularly anxious to know about Marietta. Now I was pastor in Marietta when I enlisted in May, 1862, and with Judge Davis Green and the Hon. George M. Woodbridge had helped raise the Sixt3'-third and Seventy-seventh O. V. I.* Relying largely on the Colonel's acquaintance with Revolutionary History and Revolutionary heroes, I expostulated: "Marietta! Colonel, surely you wouldn't think of going to Marietta ! Why, it's full of troops, all under command of General Putnam!" How I hoped that the name of the redoubtable hero of Horseneck would deeply and duly impress him. Colonel William Pitt Putnam, Chairman of the *His name was John Calahan, which I misunderstood. 9 Military Commission of Washinjrton County, was a lineal descendant of the Avolf-lninter of Ponifret, Conn. But when my captor shifted from Marietta to Athens, where were my home and my family and my lares and penatcs, I am sure military necessity will excuse the indelible white s])ots that, using my finger nails as tablets, recorded my wilful de]iarture from exact truth. Moreover, there is something ,1 trifle encouraging in the fact that Gabriel, who commands the Gates of the New Jerusalem, is a military hero or nothing. Therefore he knows how it is himself. And surely military "necessity is the mother of invention." And I "invented." So I interjected: "Athens! Colonel — Athens? It would be madness to venture there. General Greene" — how thank- ful that M. M. Greene was Chairman of our ^Military Commission! • — "General Greene is at Athens, with cavalry, infantry and artillery: madness to think of Athens!" That one about the artillery is almost beyond hope; for the only semblance of artillery was an old home-made, cast-iron six-pounder, that never had been mounted, in fact, had no mountings, which we used for Fourth of July celebrations and the like, and was so unworthy' of confidence that we fired it with a slow match — we youngsters peeping up over the brow of the hill like Raphael's cherubs in his "Madonna"! Whether forgiven or not, I am sure the tale so truly told was not without its effect. But the more we talked together, the more our spirits seemed to chord: evidently we were kindred souls not estranged hy war. It was our last interview that night. Taking from my side pocket, where she had deposited it, a flask of black- berry wine, made by my blessed mother, and pressed upon me, as I rode away, as a jjreventive of ailments common to a hot July, I said, "Colonel, accept this: it is all your men left me; it will do you good. You look worn and very weary." Oh, how eagerly he took it, and drained its contents in a single gulp, his great frame responding from tongue to toe ! After that he would have done anything for me, anything but to let me go. The latter I was determined to manage without his permission: how, I did not know, but somehow. It was about nine o'clock, Sunday night, when they captured me. It was now two o'clock Monday morning. They were com- pelled to rest, from sheer exhaustion. They marched us into a dooryard of the house where we were to be locked up. My back was unjointed: each vertebra had declared inde]iendence and gone into war on its own account. Xearir than ever before. I was dead tired. I crawled about a man's length from the bunch, to the fence, and sought to rest by leaning against it. Escape then and there did not enter my mind. But the relief guard came and marched *After my escape, I found that Colonel Putnam had wired me to come and assume command of the defences of Marietta. 10 the prisoners into tlie house, locked them up and set the watch. They had overlooked me ! New life leaped through my veins. I threw myself over the fence into the road, which was filled with the Raiders. They could not distinguish me in the darkness. Oh, that I could not liave distinguislied myself! My first thought was a horse; "my kingdom for a horse!" — something to carry me and to turn over as part of the loss of my misadventure. But every horse's bridle rein had a sleeping rider's arm through it. Colonel Dick Morgan asked me, the other day, why I didn't cut the rein. Sure enough, why didn't I.'' I hadn't sense enough; besides, it had been extra hazardous. Finally I mounted a fence enclosing a field of tall timothy, in the midst of which was a barn stored with sheaf oats — a treasure of forage which was being appropriated for the hungry horses. My way lay around that barn. I must crawl through the timothy and over the mushy ground and ignore my terror of water snakes. So hand over hand I made my way, wet and muddy, to the fence. Up to that moment 1 liad cherished warmest admiration for 8-rail staked and ridered fences ; but now that I had to climb one and cross a road, doubtlessly strongly picketed by the enemy, admiration gave place to disgust. But that way lay escape, and I climbed. Just as I threw my leg over the rider, the Queen of Night, who up to that moment had maintained her maiden modesty, lost every sense of proprietv, flung off the clouds that veiled her charms, and flashed her searchlight upon me as I strode the fence, a splendid target for watchful pickets ! I simply relaxed every muscle and dropped limp to the ground ! If you must drop, that is the only safe way — wholly relaxed. No bones were broken, nor joints wrenched nor displaced; and when the Queen of Night had satisfied her irrepressible feminine curiosity and nestled again under her fleecy counteri3anes, I essayed the fence the second time, and successfully; crossed the road and climbed another fence, undiscovered ; went through another field, crossed another road, into a woods pasture, where were horses farmers had concealed from the Raiders. The prospect of a horse gave me new life. A beautiful threee-year-old coquetted with me ; but when I attempted to secure her with an extemporized bridle, she reared and snorted and slung me pitilessly. I was stunned and lay helpless until roused by the voices of Raiders hunting fresh horses. Fear of recapture was a mighty stimulus. I sprang to my feet and sped awaj" as though contending for the Olympian prize. I was not discovered. After a half-mile's run, I came to a liouse; but the inmates had fled. Still further on was another, where the old man and his son were engaged in morning chores. They eyed me with suspicion, not unmixed Avith fear. I told them that I had escaped from Morgan, who had taken my horse and equipments ; that I was 11 E. H. Moore's son — my father's was a name to eonjure M'itli in all that region; that I wanted a horse to ride to Athens; that I would pay well for its use; and that if anything hapjiened to it I would more than make good his loss. A])parently the words made no impression. He eyed me quizically, as mueh as to say, "Do you take me for a marine?" Before exploding with indignation, 1 glaneed at myself, and then 1 did not wonder; for a more bedrag- gled, woe-begone speeimen of humanity would be unimaginable. All the gold aiul tinsel of the field offieer's uniform had disappeared in the slush and mud through whieh he had wallowed to liberty: literally, he was "the limit. " But I did not propose to be denied. I was so weak that either of them eould have mastered me with one hand. But reeolleeting that the fear of ^Morgan was still upon them, and that bluff was never more servieeable, I assumed an angry mien and voice, and declared that the end had come to parleying — that I must have a horse instanter — peaceably, if they would, but in any event, a horse. Once more bluff won ; and the old man ordered his son to bring me a horse. Perhaps that was what he called the beast he brought. You should have seen it: yew-necked, sway-backed, ring-boned, spavined; foretop, mane and tail matted with burs; blind in one eye; bridle without browband or throat latch, and the reins all chewed and knotted up as tho used by the cattle for a cud; the saddle, a frayed-out, old yellow thing; stirrup straps knotted and girth in strings! But it was a four-footed beast, and, as I mounted it, the dear old housewife — - after w'hat she did for me I shall never be satisfied until one of her sex is President of the United States ! — she came out with her checked apron full of hot biscuits and butter ! Talk about Paradise and the Peri ! Then I was off' — my steed now going a wriggling pace with left foot front, now with right, now breaking into a gallop, and now back again by a trot into the higglety-pigglety gait with which he started ! But to my delighted surprise, the further he went the faster he went, until, like a genuine Ford, he passed everything on the road ! And did seventeen miles in record time ! When I ri/ulitd Alliens it w;is crowded with citizens and farmers and militia, keyed to the highest jnteh of excitement and apprehension. When they saw me, who the morning before had ridden forth in such royal array, with a mount such as a Richard would have chosen — when they recognized me in that disreputable and bedraggled figure, riding such an apology of a horse, not knowing before what the apparition was, they yelled out : "Oh, it's only Dave Moore! He's seen the elephant!" "Yes," I replied, "but not the elephant only — the whole menagerie!" They literally pulled me off' my Rozinante, and rushed me onto the court house stile to tell my experience ! Well that I was a Methodist, and used to it ! 12 The cashier, whose horse I had lost, was good natured about it; knowing that in the end lie would have his own liorse or its value. How I got the one block to my home I know not. But some- thing to eat, a glorious bath, an alcohol massage, and two hours' sleep, made me as good as new ; and I was up and off on ^Morgan's trail, mounted on my own fleet horse, but reduced for arms to a double-barreled shotgun: literally a stern chase. Hobson was speedily after the doughty chief, and all day long there had been a running fight. In one of these, Pickering, my gallant comrade of the first day, had been wounded. I found him resting in a cabin, prouder of the shot through his leg than he would have been of the decoration of the Iron Cross. jNIeantime, INIorgan had been headed off' near Cheshire and was compelled to consider terms of surrender; but while negotiations were in progress he managed to slip away with some four hundred men, leaving the remainder our prisoners, under Colonel Coleman, my captor. Hobson having broken down with illness, General Kautz was commanding. All was bustle and excitement, disposing of the prisoners and preparing for the further pursuit of Morgan. There was a large number of captured horses, among which those who knew of my loss had recognized the cashier's roan, and greeted me with the news. Sure enough, there he was, apparently unin- jured. Thinking that I would need only to establish my identity and prove my property to secure my horse, I was taken aback when General Kautz very politely and kindly, yet positively, declined to turn him over. "You are on detached service, Major," he said, "and do not need your liorse, which is one of the best we have taken. We have to push right on after Morgan and must iiave the best mounts we can secure. Government will pay you for your horse. Sorry, but we can't give him up." At last I got it into his head how that it was a borrowed horse, loaned to me as a special favor; that if it had been my own I would not have minded it, etc. Something touched him, and he said, "All right, INIajor, turn us in a fresh horse, and you shall have yours." A friend graciously sold me a good horse for a hundred dollars, which the General accepted, and my lost horse was recovered. Being very anxious to see my captor, now our prisoner, I secured a pass into the enclosure where the captives were detained. I do not know whether I could have picked out the Colonel, as this was our first daylight interview. But when he was brought to me, his commanding presence, gentle voice and kindly eye made his identi- fication complete. "Colonel," I said, "do you recollect the 'militia officer' you captured Sunday night, and who gave you a flask of blackberry wine, and later escaped?" "I should say I do. Are yoii the man.^ We missed you at once and hunted everywhere for you. How you managed to get away I can't imagine. I am glad to see you. Sorry you were not here sooner. This was a conditional 13 surrender, officers being permitted to retain their private property. We got a fine liorse and equipments from you. Had you been here sooner, you should have had mine; but I have given him away. But — wait — I think our surgeon has his yet, and I will see if he will not turn him over to you." And the surgeon did — horse, saddle, bridle, pistols: a Kentucky thoroughbred, sorrel, badly run down, but needing only rest and care. And everv moment, with cords invisible, tlie Colonel was binding me to his heart, a thrice willing ])ris()ner. Taking from my jxK-ket. as I said good-bye, a tidy roll of greenbacks, I pressed it upon him. "You will not enjoy your ))rison diet: this will secure you a change of fare. Besides. Colonel, it is the very roll I had when A'our mischievous boys demanded my ))urse and I told them I had no 'purse' — the only truth I told them or you all that night. I beg you to accejjt it, with my best wishes." Despite the genial smile that overspread his face, then* was a mist in his eyes and a tremor in his voice ; and when at the gate I cast a look back, he was standing where I had left him. following my footsteps as tho I had been a brother. ^\'itli a jiarting salute the strange intervicAv was ended. At last the war was over. I'roui 187-5 to 1880 I was President of the then flourishing \\'esleyan College for Women in Cincinnati. Many of our best students were from the Kentucky Blue Grass, through whom I heard fretjuently of Morgan's brave men and of the high standing and growing influence of Colonel Coleman. A few verbal messages ))assed between us, but we did not meet. We came near it, however, o:ie "calling day " at the College. Nellie Weathers, a Kentuekian of the Keiituckians, was one of our best students, with deportment so ])erfeet that she was on the self- governing list. On this particular day the public parlors were full of callers, when a Captain McCann sent in his card for Nellie. Glad to show her a favor, I had her called to my pri\ate j^arlor. to which I ushered the Captain through my oftiee. It was the time when the country seemed on the verge of another Civil War, over the dispute as to Tilden's or Hay's election to the Presidency. As the Captain came out after his call, I engaged him in conversa- tion, naturally on the sinister aspect of ]iublic aifairs. "Things look bad in the country. Captain." "Very bad, indeed," he replied. "For my part, I have had all the fighting I want. How is it with you.''" "Exacth'' the same. I want no more. " "By the way, Captain, where did you serve.'' " "Oh, I was in the Confederate Army." "That I take for granted, Captain; all the officers from the Kentucky side who call on our students were in the Confederate service. But what branch of the service. Captain." 14 "The cavalry." "The cavalry? Whose cavalry, Captain?" "Oh, I — I was with Morgan." "With Morgan ! Did you know a Colonel Cicero Coleman of that command?" "Yes, indeed, he was my Colonel." "Your Colonel ! Then did you chance to know a private in his regiment by the name of John Calvin?" "Oh, yes; John Calvin was in my company." "John Calvin in your company! You blessed horse thief, you! Not content with capturing me and my horse, here you are trying to capture one of the best girls I have in school! What do you think of yourself, anyhow?" Rest assured we had a most interesting and enjoyable camp- fire, and through the Captain my communication with Colonel Cole- man became more direct. Some time in the '80's the Grand Army of the Republic held its national encampment in Denver. The great parade was led by General John A. Logan, whose mount I had the -proud privilege of furnisliing. I had organized the University of Denver and was living there. To my measureless delight, taking advantage of the rates. Colonel Coleman made me a visit. A more welcome guest I could not have had. Friendship's fetters were forged anew. Tlienceforth each was essential to the other. In 1889 I was elected to the editorship of the Western Christian Advocate, and returned to Cincinnati. No section of our patron- izing territory had greater attractions for me than that which grew such men as Colonel Coleman and sucli students as Nellie Weathers, and I was quick to respond to all calls which took me to the Blue Grass. On one occasion, at a lecture in I>exington, I saw in the rear of tlie audience Miss Nellie standing by the side of a tall, fine-looking gentleman, to whom, at the close of the exercises, she made fast and, like a tug with a schooner, towed him down the aisle to greet her old President. "Dr. Moore," she exclaimed, "I am so glad to see you again. Let me introduce my husband, ]\Ir. Stall." "Thrice happy tomeet you both ; but, Nellie, this is not the Captain. The Captain didn't get you, Nellie?" "No, Dr. :Moore, the Captain got you, but he didn't get me !"* These visits brought me into closer association with Colonel Coleman,. but the intimacy was interrupted by my election to the Episcoi)aev and residence for four years in China and for four in Oregon. In 1908 the General Conference fixed my home in Cincinnati, and the Colonel drew a new bond about me by procuring to have me made an honorary member of Morgan's Rough Riders, at their Estill Si)rings Reunicm, where I was his guest. He was pleased *Her husband was a'prominent attorney, now resident in New York City. After her death he married her^sister. 15 to introduce a Bislioj) w Irmi lie caiiturcd in the Raid, and whom speedily lie met under reversed conditions. It was a great reunion. Those Kentucky natures were like tinder to the spark of friendship. Loyal to the limit to their old flag, under which they had fought and suffered and lost; ard, equally true to the new order, they displayed the Stars and Stri])es above and over the Stars and Bars, the Bonnie Blue I''lag, the l'la«.>; with hut a Single Star, and all the rest — as though, while protecting them, it had drawn into its am))le folds all the sublime sentiments they once expressed. And on that glad day, their ])oet sang: "Then furl the flags of red and white, And fold them all away, To wave the grand old Stars and Stri))es, Ours for Kternity ! In 1!)12. as a retired Bishoj). I changed my residence to Indian- apolis, and our eorrespoi;denee became more frequent and ever more tender. \A'e covenanted that the survivor should be notiiied of liis comrade's death, and, if possible, should attend his funeral, each having tlie assurance that it was "well with his soul." On Sunday afternoon, .January 21, 1915, a long-distance mes- sage from the family announced that the Colonel had answered roll call that morning, and that the funeral would be the next Tuesday forenoon. It was near midnight. Monday, when I reached Lexington. Colonel W. R. Milward. Sixteenth Kentucky Union Infantry, gave me fraternal hospitality; and the next morning conveyed me with our mutual friend. Colonel Dick Morgan, General John Morgans brother, to Colonel Coleman's country home, which was thronged with relatives, friends and comrades, to honor his memory. Beautiful flov.crs brightened the ])all of death, and the remains of the noble object of this affection lay in sweet and calm repose. Had I been his brother. I could not have been more sincerely welcomed by the sorrowing widow and her widowed daugliter-in-law. So it was also with the pastor and neighbors and the aged survivors of Morgan's men. I was permitted to speak out of the fullness of my heart my appreciation of the Colonel and words of sym))athy and consolation for the bereaved ; and at the burial in the City Cemetery, over which the monument of Henry Clay keeps watcli and ward, when the jiastor had concluded the beautiful ritual service, the Commander of Morgan's Veterans summoned them about the grave, and asked me to offer prayer especially in their behalf. "Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love." Escape from the Colonel I did; but the escape did not set me free; for the affection, whose seed was planted while I was his prisoner, watered by the dews of peace, s))rang up in both our hearts, and grew with the jjassing years, and. jilease Ciod. mocking the frosts of death, shall grow on forever. 16 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 706 834 5