took it very good-humoredly, and drank his wine to her very good health.

We got three hundred and ninety prisoners and hundreds of horses, I have not heard how many. We got all of Pope's staff horses, and two magnificent steeds, which the servant said were Pope's own. We have named one of them "Pope" anyhow.

I was so busy that I did not get any thing at all, but a supper I found neatly spread, and ate on horseback.

After the charge was over, the most terrible storm came up you ever saw-the rain poured down in torrents, the wind blew, and the thunder was like a hundred cannon with a musketry accompaniment. The rain wet every thing, so the wood was hard to burn, and it was so dark you could not see your hand before you.

A regiment was ordered to perform some duty about a mile off, and the colonel and head of the column started, and the regiment remained standing in the road, neither party being aware of the separation until the colonel went to form his line, and found he had not twenty men. My oil. cloth kept my shoulders dry, but my legs got very wet. We were on our horses the whole night, and had been on them all the day before.

IN THE WRONG PLACE.

DURING the return of General Stuart's cavalry from the expedition to Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1862, as the head of the column was pushing toward the Potomac, a rockaway containing a gentleman in a fine suit of light colored oil

man.

cloth, drove up. The gentleman said politely: "Move aside, men-move aside; I am an officer of the seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, on recruiting service, and must get on." The men moved aside, but too slowly for the impatient gentleStuart soon came up. "Are you the officer in command" inquired the occupant of the rockaway. "I am," was the response. "Then be good enough to order your men to make way for me. I am an officer of the seventyninth, on recruiting service, and it is important for me to get ahead as rapidly as possible." "Very well," said Stuart, at the same time giving a significant look at one of his men, who at once dismounted and took a seat in the rockaway. "What do you mean, sir?" exclaimed the indignant occupant. "Nothing," said the man, drily. "Who are you, sir," thundered the officer of the seventy-ninth. "Nobody." "Who is that officer ?" "General Stuart." "What General Stuart?" "Jeb Stuart, Major-General of Cavalry in the Confederate army," was the calm answer. The officer of the seventy-ninth gave a long whistle, and exclaimed: "By —! I am procured." I rather think you are," said the man, turning the rockaway southward. The captured officer managed to escape while our troops were crossing the Potomac, but his rockaway and horse were saved.

LIEUTENANT MCNEILL'S EXPLOIT.

AFTER the surprise and capture of New Creek, Virginia, by General Rosser, Major-General Crook, of the Yankee army, was assigned to the command of the department in which that station is embraced. Major-General Kelley, who

previously commanded the department, still remained in Cumberland, having his headquarters at one of the hotels in the town. General Crook established his headquarters in the same town, at the other principal hotel. As soon as this state of affairs became known to Lieutenant Jesse C. McNeill, upon whom had devolved the command of McNeill's Rangers since the death of his father, the lamented old captain, he resolved to risk an attempt to surprise and bring off those two generals.

Having posted himself thoroughly in regard to the situa tion of affairs in and around Cumberland, he arranged his plan of operations, and with sixty trusty men, crossed Knobby Mountain to the North Branch of the Potomac. Reaching this stream, at a point below the first picket post that overlooked the selected route of ingress into Cumberland, he orossed, and in a few minutes the Yankees on duty were relieved. "Your countersign," demanded Lieutenant McNeill, to a burly Dutchman, with such accompaniments as seemed to impress the fellow with the notion that to divulge it was a matter of self-preservation. "Bool's Kaah," (meaning "Bull's Gap,") was the quick response.

Then on briskly down the county road toward town, near five miles distant, he moved. As the little band struck what is known as the old pike, soon, "Halt! who comes there?" rings out on the air. "Friends, with countersign," is the response. "Dismount, one, advance, and give the oountersign," is the picket's next order to the lieutenant. Having lately had his ankle crushed, the lieutenant was not in a condition to obey; and so urging his horse forward, he quickly heard from the astonished picket, "Don't shoot, I surrender."

On they rushed, and the reserves were gathered in. The

first picket captured was cavalry, the next infantry. The former were brought along; the latter were disarmed, their guns smashed, and they were paroled to remain where they were until morning; were told that the town was surrounded, and it would be impossible for them to escape.

Entering town on the west side, they passed another picket on the right bank of the North Branch. By this picket they were not halted. Crossing Will's Creek, (which flows through the town,) at the Iron Bridge, coolly and deliberately up Baltimore Street they rode, some whistling, some laughing and talking, as if they were Yankees, at home among friends.

To and fro, on the street, by the gas-light, are seen walking Yankee guards. "Helloa, boys! whose command is that?" "Scouts from New Creek," is the response.

Presently here they are, between two and three o'clock in the morning, in front of the St. Nicholas Hotel, Kelley's headquarters. Down spring, quietly and calmly, the men who, by previous arrangement, are to visit Kelley's room. They entered the hall, and having procured a light, they entered the general's room. The general, aroused by the knock, rested on one elbow. "You know me, general, I suppose," says Joseph W. Kuykendall, who had charge of this party. "I do," said the general. "You are ," giving his name. "General, you had me once; it is my honor to have you now. You are a prisoner." "But," says the general, "who am I surrendering to?" "To me, sir," was the emphatic response. "No place or time for ceremony; so you will dress quickly." The order was obeyed.

While this was going on at the St. Nicholas, another scene was transpiring at the Revere IIouse. Thither went promptly a portion of the men, as per arrangement, under Lieutenant

Welton. Reaching it they halt-five men, in charge of Joseph L. Vandiver, dismount, and "Halt !" is the greeting of the sentinel, standing in front of the entrance. "Friends, with countersign, bearing important dispatches for General Crook," is Vandiver's answer. "Advance, one," etc. In a moment, Vandiver had the sentinel's gun, and ordered him to stand aside under guard. The door is rapped at-a voice from within asks, "Who is you? I don't know you." "Open the door; I must see General Crook." The door is opened, and there stands a small darkey. "Is General Crook in?" "Yes, sir." "Show me his room." "I'm afeerd to; but I will, if you don't tell on me." Crook's room is reached; a rap given. "Come in." In obedience to the invitation, a tall and stalwart form, with light in one hand, and pistol undisplayed in the other, stands erect, cool and deliberate, before the general. "General Crook, I presume," says Vandiver. "I am, sir." "I am General Rosser, sir: you are in my power; you have two minutes to dress in." Then the general rubbed his eyes, as if he thought he dreamed. "Come, general, there are your clothes; you can either put them on, or go as you are." The general quickly arose and dressed.

The prisoner and his captors make their exit to their vigilant comrades without. The general is made to mount behind Vandiver. Off they start, soon rejoin the St. Nicholas party with their prize, and then they all commence to "evacuate" the city quietly, coolly, and in good order. Reaching Will's Creek Bridge, they turned to the left, and proceeded down the tow-path.

On the opposite side of the canal, encamped on the hills around the town, are many of Crook's and Kelley's soldiers, who dream not of the surprise the morning shall bring them;