eparate the two small brigades which composed Kilpatrick's division. This was a critical situation. but "Kil.," ever equal to the emergency, ordered his whole force to wheel about and charge the columns of Lee. The Harris Light, having been in front while advancing, now became the rear guard, and by this movement we were compelled to meet the desperate charges of the enemy in pursuit; having reached a little rise of ground we made a stand, and for some time checked the advance of the Rebels by pouring into their ranks deadly volleys from our carbines and revolvers. Gen. Stuart, who was at the head of his command, saw clearly that he could only dislodge us by a charge, and ordering it lead a brigade in person. Our men stood firm and were soon engaged in a hand to hand conflict with the advancing columns of the foe.

At this juncture my horse was shot under me, and our little party, outnumbered ten to one, was hurled back by the overpowering force of the Rebels, their whole command riding over myself and horse.

Being severely injured by the fall of my horse, and by the charging squadrons that passed over me, I was insensible for several moments, and on becoming conscious, found that I was being carried hastily from the scene of action under a Rebel guard. My arms had been stripped from me, my pockets rifled, and watch taken.

Once a prisoner, I was taken to a spot near an old building where a number of others, equally unfor tunate, were being guarded.

Here we witnessed an amusing exhibition of Rebel bravery. The woods were full of skulkers, and in order to make a show of having something to do, each and all were sedulously devoting themselves to guarding the prisoners. Corporals and sergeants and privates in succession had charge of us, and each in his turn would call us into line, count us in an officious manner, and issue orders according to his liking; until some sneak of higher rank came along, when he assumed command, and said in a tone of authority to the others, "Your services are very much needed at the front; go and do your duty like

men.

This was often said with chattering teeth and anxious glances in the direction of our cavalry.

Thus we passed under the notice of one coward after another, each styling himself "Assistant Deputy Provost Marshal," until evening, when we were marched to Warrenton and lodged in the county jail.

While at Warrenton most of the prisoners were robbed of their clothing and watches, and in fact everything which could have been of the slightest value to our captors.

One of these "chivalrous gentleman," whose "vaulting ambition generally o'erleaped itself," demanded my hat, overcoat, and boots, when the following conversation ensued:

Reb. Here, Yank, hand me that hat; yes, and come out of that overcoat and them boots too, you damned son of a

Fed. The articles you demand are my personal property, and you have no right to take them from

me.

Reb. We have authority from Gen. Stuart to take from prisoners whatever we damned please.

Fed. I doubt your authority, sir; and if you are a gentleman you will not be guilty of stripping a defenceless prisoner.

Reb. I will show you my authority, you damned Blue Belly (drawing his revolver). Now take off that coat, or I will blow your brains out.

Fed. Blow away, then; it's as well to be without brains as without clothing, at this season of the year.

Johnny Reb was not quite disposed to fire upon me, and giving his head a shake rode off, thinking, no doubt, that he could supply his wants in another direction without wasting his ammunition.

In the morning before sunrise we started for Culpepper. It was one of the severest tramps of my life. The weather was exceedingly hot, and the distance not less than thirty miles. Our guard was mounted, and evinced but little sympathy for our unfortunate condition as we endeavored to keep pace with them. Their great haste was owing to the fact that Gen. Lee had been defeated at the battle of Bristoe and was in full retreat for the Rapidan, our army in pursuit. None, save those who have been in the cavalry service, know how to sympathize with a dismounted cavalier if compelled to march on foot. Our sufferings were indescribable; curses

and threats long and loud were freely indulged in by the guard because we could not walk faster. Six of our number fell by the wayside before we reached Culpepper from utter exhaustion. I thought of several plans for escape during the day, but the guard were old soldiers and watched us closely. We were guarded in a large public building at Culpepper during the night and remained in town all the next day.

Late in the evening we left Culpepper on a train for Rapidan Station, on the Rapidan River. Here the bridge was down, and we were obliged to march to Orange Court House, a distance of six miles. Thoroughly demoralized by the tramp from Warrenton to Culpepper, it was constant pain to make our way. The boys will long remember that short march. The next morning we left Orange Court House by rail for Gordonsville, at which place we remained until three o'clock on the morning of the 23d of October. The guards became intoxicated on very bad whiskey, and were very abusive. Cursing and threatening, and levelling their muskets at prisoners, finally relieved them from duty, and their places were filled by others. At three o'clock A. M. we started for Richmond, to be consigned to the tender mercies of Libby Prison.

CHAPTER III.

LIBBY PRISON.

At eight o'clock on the morning of Friday, October 23d, we arrived in Richmond. The streets were filled with people whose countenances betokened anxiety concerning the result of the terrible struggle that had just terminated in Northern Virginia.

Immediately after our arrival at the depot we were hurried from the cars and marched through some of the principal streets to Libby Prison.

As we passed along, our ears were greeted with an innumerable number of questions and observations, the general character of which may be inferred from the following: "How are you, Blue Bellies?" "Why didn't you all come into Richmond with your What did you'uns all want to come down here and run off we'uns niggers, and burn our houses for?"

arms on?"

Mrs. Johnny Reb remarked: "If these are the officers of the Yankee army, what must the privates be?"

Another sensitively delicate matron, as if taking her cue from the former remark, chimed in with a tragic shudder: "Oh, what a pity it is that our