The American civil war was at this time in full blast, and large
bounties were offered for volunteers. An American agent, meeting
Jack Rogers in a saloon, which the latter frequented, offered him
two hundred dollars and an outfit if he would go as a substitute for
a young gentleman in New York. This offer Jack readily accepted, and
within a short time found himself _en route_ to Richmond to join the
Federal Army. He was not long in the service when his superior
intelligence and daring exploits made him conspicuous among his
fellows, and he was promoted from one grade to another till he was
placed in command of his company. This was a position Jack was
eminently fitted for, and his reckless bravery was talked of far and
wide throughout the army.
For a long time, in spite of his foolhardiness, Jack remained
without a scratch, save a slight wound from a rifle ball at
Gettysburg, where he made himself particularly conspicuous. Just
before the close of the great struggle, however, he was sent in
command of a foraging party consisting of about forty-five rank and
file and the usual complement of officers. Their path lay through a
deed ravine in which high wooded cliffs looked down on each side.
These cliffs were in possession of a Louisiana regiment, who were
stationed there in the hope of cutting off supplies from the
Northerners, and, just as Captain Rogers with his handful of men,
entered the ravine a murderous fire was opened on them from both
sides.
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