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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: An Account of the Escape of Six Federal Soldiers from Prison at Danville, Va. - -Author: William Henry Newlin - -Release Date: January 19, 2016 [EBook #50970] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE OF *** - - - - -Produced by Christopher Wright and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - - <h1>AN ACCOUNT<br /> - <small>OF THE</small><br /> - <span class="smcap">Escape of Six Federal Soldiers</span><br /> - <small>FROM PRISON AT DANVILLE, VA.:</small></h1> - - <p class="ph2 smcap">Their Travels by Night</p> - <p class="ph3">THROUGH</p> - <p class="ph2">THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY TO THE UNION PICKETS</p> - <p class="ph3">AT GAULEY BRIDGE, WEST VIRGINIA,</p> - <p class="ph2 gesperrt">IN THE WINTER OF 1863-64.</p> - - - <p class="ph5">BY</p> - <p class="ph2">W. H. NEWLIN,</p> - <p class="ph4"><em>Lieutenant Seventy-Third Illinois Volunteers</em>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i003.jpg" alt="Decoration" /> -</div> - - <p class="ph3">CINCINNATI:<br /> - WESTERN METHODIST BOOK CONCERN PRINT.<br /> - 1887.</p> - - -<p class="ph4 spaced mt6 mb6 break-before"> -Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870,<br /> -BY W. H. NEWLIN,<br /> -In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.<br /> -</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i003.jpg" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">The</span> account contained in these pages was first written in -1866. Its publication was delayed in the hope that we -should learn something of our two comrades who were left -behind. After revising and abridging it somewhat, it is -presented to the reader in its present form. We were -compelled to rely on memory in preserving for publication -the incidents here narrated, as while on our trip we had -neither pencil nor paper. That reliance, however, was not -in vain, as the scenes through which we passed, though -here poorly portrayed, are of a character not easily forgotten. -They are indelibly enstamped on the memory, and it -seems each year as it passes renders the recollection of -them more vivid and distinct. It is not needful to state -the motives which prompted this compilation. Much of the -same character has been written and published, but as this -differs in one essential particular, at least, from all that has -yet appeared, we hope that fact will form a sufficient -excuse for introducing it to the public.</p> - -<p class="right mb3"> -W. H. N. -</p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - <p class="ph2"><b>This Narrative <span class="smcap">Duly Authenticated</span> by <span class="smcap">Sworn Statements</span> of - Two Comrades who were on the Escape, is on - file in Pension Claim, No. 352,023.</b></p> - - <div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i004.jpg" alt="After Seventeen Years Inquiry." /> - </div> -</div> - -<p>From all the information ever obtained touching the fate of first -comrade left behind, the <em>reasonable</em> conclusion is that he <strong>PERISHED</strong> at -or near the place where we left him, his remains being found and decently -buried near Blue Ridge Mountain. Whatever his <em>fate</em> may have -been, it was <em>self</em> decreed. His reasons for preferring to be left alone -were satisfactory to him, and were not <em>all</em> disclosed to us. One -explanation of this last rather singular circumstance may be found -in the fact that the comrade was an Englishman, and had been in -this country but a few weeks before enlisting.</p> - -<p>How much we should like to see the old "darky" to whom we -said, "Put your ear to the string-hole," and on his compliance with -the request we pronounced the word "<em>Yankees</em>." (See page 60.) -"I'll git my trowserloons on."</p> - -<p>In the case of leaving the second comrade, as described on pages -72-76, there was no option or time for deliberation. The exigencies -of the hour compelled a separation. Mr. Tripp succeeded in escaping -the notice of our pursuers, though hid in their immediate -vicinity, and hearing their talk enumerating reasons for their failure -to "<em>take us in</em>." After several days and nights of wandering and hiding, -and of varied and interesting experience, Mr. Tripp was recaptured, -sent to Richmond, kept there until September, 1864, was -paroled, exchanged, and discharged. He is now living near Burlington, -Kansas.</p> - -<p>John F. Wood died June 20, 1864, "of wounds received in -action." Referring to this, Sutherland, in a letter written not long -since, says: "What a pity Wood had to die so soon after escaping -prison. But he might have died a slow and miserable death at -Andersonville had he not escaped."</p> - -<p>Sutherland is living in Michigan, near Eagle Station. Smith -resides at Dundee, same state. Mr. Smith very narrowly escaped -drowning at Craig's Creek. Mr. Sutherland's opportune landing on -the opposite bank of the rushing stream barely in time to extend to -Smith a helping hand is all that saved him. In addition to all -others, we had the perils by "<em>Bogus Yankees</em>" to encounter or avoid. -We <em>risked</em> our lives to save them, and saving them we <em>risked</em> them -again and again for our country. Having been captured in our -third battle, by escaping, at least two of us, added to the three, -thirteen more. But all this was better than Andersonville. We -<em>might</em> have been numbered among the <strong>MARTYRS</strong> of the nineteenth -century. "I would not make that trip again," said Smith, "for the -whole state of Michigan," adding "unless I had to."</p> - -<p> -<span class="smcap">Danville, Ill.</span>, November 27, 1885. <span class="right">W. H. N.</span> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i003.jpg" alt="" /> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">In</span> those "stirring times," during the late war, when powder, -and ball, and the bayonet were the orders of the day, an escape -from prison and a secret, hidden march through the Confederacy, -was accounted an exciting, as well as a very lucky event. -Even at this day, accounts of such are not stale, but possess a -thrilling interest, especially to those who participated in them -and to their friends. Our journey over mountain and valley, -over hill and dale, and across rivers, branches, and rivulets -almost innumerable, was accomplished mostly in the night time.</p> - -<p>We had neither map nor compass to guide us. The north -star alone served us in shaping our course, and very often it was -concealed by ominous clouds. We took many needless steps, and -made many needless and weary miles in consequence of lack of -knowledge of the country and of the course we were steering. -Sometimes the desolate hour of Winter's midnight found us far -from the public highway, and almost inextricably involved in the -brush and tangled mazes of the forest. At such times, being -almost at our wit's end, we would try to advance on a "bee -line" until the open country or some road was reached.</p> - -<p>At one time, when much bewildered in the shadowy woods, -in night time, we began to despair of success. We sat down to -contemplate our condition and our cheerless prospect. Had an -enemy been approaching us we could have well-nigh welcomed -him, so he brought deliverance. At length the stillness and -thick darkness of the night made our loneliness oppressive,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -and we groped on. Soon we found a road, and realized that the -"darkest hour is just before day."</p> - -<p>Knoxville, East Tennessee, was the point at which we first -aimed, but on nearing the line of the East Tennessee and Virginia -Railroad we learned Longstreet's forces were in Bull's Gap. We -then bore northward.</p> - -<p>On first setting out on our trip we were extremely cautious. -During the first nights and days, after starting, we talked only -in whispers. We passed houses with the utmost care, as dogs -were at almost every house, and their acuteness in discovering -our presence was astonishing, in view of the caution we exercised. -Early in our trip, one night near eleven o'clock, as we -were nearing a house, a dog barked savagely at us. Instantly -the front door opened, and by the light of a fire in the fire-place -we saw a woman in her night clothing, watching us pass. Late -one night, after midnight, we met a citizen on the road. He was -on horseback, moving slowly along. He gave the road, at the -same time checking his horse slightly. When he had passed by, -the way he made his horse scamper was lively, to say the least. -"He must be after the doctor, the way he goes," observed Trippe. -"He took sick mi'ty sudden," rejoined Wood. "The sight -of us at this time is enough to make him sick," put in a third. -We were walking in Indian file, and had our blankets drawn -loosely over our shoulders and dragging almost on the ground. -Doubtless we were scary looking objects, especially as Smith had -his bed-quilt hung over him. Thinking the man had possibly -gone for re-enforcements with which to "gobble" us, we hurried -forward.</p> - -<p>The night of our discovery of the cavalry horses, being much -wearied, and feeling we were going to be "hard pressed" for -food, we climbed into a corn field to hunt for corn that might -have been left on the stalks. Each of our party followed two -rows across the field and two back, but not a "nubbin" could -be found. Not finding a grain of corn on two dozen rows, and -the corn blades being also gone, we concluded, as Taylor observed, -"They gather their nubbins clean in the Confederacy." -"Yes," added Wood, "they can't hold out much longer."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> - -<p>Another night, at a late hour, after Taylor and Trippe had -fallen by the way, when in Craig or Alleghany county, we -reached a point where the road we were traveling crossed a -pike. On reaching the pike we halted, and a disagreement arose -among us as to the course we should take. We quarreled, -words ran high, and we seemed to have forgotten our safety -depended on secrecy, as there was no lack of emphasis in what -we had to say. At last Sutherland ended the dispute by saying -to me, "Let's go on." We started immediately, leaving Smith -and Wood muttering. For more than an hour we steadily pursued -our course, when, discovering it was nearly day, we halted -in the woods, near the road side, to see if our comrades were -coming up. Soon they came along the road, and one of them -said, "They'd better not advance too far without support." -"Yes," said Sutherland, "we are waiting for the reserves to -come up." Soon after we were hid for the day.</p> - -<p>The Union people, the hardy mountaineers of Virginia, or -those of them with whom we came in contact, rendered us valuable -assistance. Without their aid, indeed, and the aid of the -negroes, we could hardly have escaped through the almost barren -country of the enemy, especially in the inclement season. -We have heard from David Hepler, James Huffman, and Mrs. -Mann since the war closed. In a letter from Hepler, received not -long since, he says: "I have not forgotten the time I came to -you in the woods and found you all asleep."</p> - -<p>We copy one of Huffman's letters in part. It was dated -November 11, 1867: "As to information concerning your fellow-prisoner -that was lost the evening you came to my house, it -was not the Botetourt Guards that fired on your squad. It -was the furnace company. I saw a lady, living near the furnace, -who saw the men returning. They said they neither killed nor -captured any of your squad. As to Paxton, he is living yet; -so are the people that had the boy hid under the bed."</p> - -<p>Our latest information respecting Trippe is a report that he -was recaptured, taken back, and shot as an example. Of Taylor, -nothing has ever been heard, by us at least, and our painful -conjecture is that he never reached the lines. Of our three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -comrades who reached the lines, Smith and Sutherland are -living in Michigan, and Wood is supposed to be a resident -of the Key-stone State. Smith, of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, -was present at the capture of the Confederate President, -Jefferson Davis.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - <p class="ph1">A STORY OF THE WAR.</p> - - <div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i003.jpg" alt="" /> - </div> - - - <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>CAPTURE—PRISON AT RICHMOND—AT DANVILLE—SMALL-POX—HOSPITAL AND CONVALESCENT - CAMP—WARD-MASTER AND NURSES—ESCAPE PROM THE GUARDS—TRAIN OF - CARS—FOILED AT SEVEN-MILE FERRY—NARROW ESCAPE—HIDING IN CAROLINA—CROSSING - DAN RIVER—SINGING AND DANCING—EATING AT MIDNIGHT—SABBATH DAY - RETREAT—PROVISION EXHAUSTED—EFFORT TO PROCURE SUPPLIES—ITS FAILURE—HARD - MARCHING—HUNGER AT MIDNIGHT—HIDING PLACE—WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY—SLEEP.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">The</span> writer hereof was among the prisoners captured by the -enemy in the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September -20, 1863. Others of the regiment to which I belonged also fell -into the enemy's hands. As we had served together through -all the vicissitudes of a soldier's life in the camp, on the march, -and in battle, we resolved to remain together, and stand by each -other as prisoners as long as circumstances would permit. On -the day after the battle, September 21st, we were placed on -board the cars at Tunnel Hill, and sent under a strong guard, -by a circuitous route, through Georgia and the Carolinas, to -Richmond, Virginia. We arrived in Richmond on September -29th, eight days having been occupied in the transfer of prisoners -from the battle-field. We remained in Richmond through -the month of October, and until November 14, 1863, when we -were removed to Danville, Virginia, which is south-west of Richmond -about one hundred and fifty miles, in Pittsylvania county. -The transfer was by rail, and each member of our squad succeeded -in getting aboard the same car. Near noon of November -15th we reached Danville, and were immediately introduced to -our new quarters. Our squad was allotted a space on the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -floor of Prison No. 2, a large frame building, where it remained -unbroken until December 15, 1863.</p> - -<p>A short time previous to this date the small-pox had made -its appearance among the prisoners. On December 14th I was -taken sick, the usual symptoms of small-pox appearing in my -case; and on the 15th I was examined by the Confederate surgeon -and sent to the hospital, in company with three other patients -from other prisons in the vicinity.</p> - -<p>As I here separate from the six persons with whom I had -been associated since my capture, and with whom so much discomfort -and inconvenience and so many privations had been -borne, I here give their names. They were John Hesser and -John North, of Company A, Seventy-Third Illinois Infantry Volunteers, -and James Kilpatrick, of Company B; Enoch P. Brown, -John Thornton, and William Ellis, of Company C. They were -all of the same regiment with myself, and the three last named -were of the same company. The two first named and myself -were all of our squad that lived through the term of imprisonment. -My term, however, did not last as long as that of the -others, as the following pages will show. If my information is -correct James Kilpatrick died as a prisoner under parole early -in 1865, at Wilmington, North Carolina. E. P. Brown and John -Thornton died at Andersonville, Georgia, in September, 1864. -Brown died on the first anniversary of his capture, September -20th, and Thornton died a few days before. William Ellis died -at Charleston, South Carolina, near the close of the year 1864. -Hesser and North were among the last of the Andersonville prisoners -that were exchanged and sent North.</p> - -<p>On arriving at the small-pox hospital I was placed on a bunk -in Ward No. 1. I kept in-doors for the space of five or six days, -at the end of which time I was classed among the convalescents. -On or about December 22d, three convalescents, of whom I was -one, accompanied by only one guard, went into the woods on the -right bank of Dan River, in quest of persimmons. We went some -distance into the country, probably four miles, and secured a -quantity of persimmons, which we distributed to the patients in -Ward No. 1 on our return to it in the evening. While out on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -this ramble through the woods, guarded by only one person, I -was favorably impressed with the notion of attempting an escape -from the Confederates at some future time, when strength would -permit. The idea was suggested to my mind by the carelessness -of the guard, who more than once set his gun against trees and -wandered some distance from it.</p> - -<p>About Christmas a row of eight wall tents was put up on the -hospital grounds, to be used as quarters for convalescents. I was -one of eight persons assigned to tent No. 1, and, as I was a non-commissioned -officer, the hospital steward placed me in charge -of the sixty-four men occupying the eight tents. It is needless -to recite here what the duties were that belonged to my position, -but I discharged them as faithfully as I could, so as to keep out -of the prison-house in Danville as long as possible.</p> - -<p>Sometime in the month of January, 1864, the nurses in each -of the three wards of the hospital escaped from the guards, and -started for our lines. This necessitated another detail of nurses -for the wards, and the detail was made from among the convalescents. -The hospital steward did me the favor to appoint me -as ward-master of Ward No. 1, giving me the privilege of selecting -those who were to assist me as nurses in the ward. I selected -those with whom I had become most intimately acquainted as -convalescents. Lucien B. Smith, of Company F, Fourth Michigan -Cavalry; William Sutherland, of Company H, Sixteenth -United States Infantry; Watson C. Trippe, of Company H, Fifteenth -United States Infantry, and John F. Wood, of Company -G, Twenty-Sixth Ohio Infantry, were the persons selected. After -a short time, Robert G. Taylor, of Company G, Second Massachusetts -Cavalry, was added to our force of nurses, to make the -burden of labor in the ward a little lighter on us. We attended -the patients in Ward No. 1 day after day, and night after night, -as well as we could with the scanty supplies of medicine and -food furnished by the Confederates, until the night of February -19, 1864. Very many of our fellow-prisoners came under our -care while we were acting the part of nurses. Many of them -died, and we saw their bodies carted away to the burying-ground -and deposited in their last earthly resting places.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> - -<p>By the 12th of February the small-pox had begun to abate. -As a consequence, the convalescent camp and Ward No. 3 were -discontinued. A day or two later and Ward No. 2 was cleared -of patients and its doors closed. Those who had been attending -as nurses were returned to prison. Two weeks, or three at -most, could hardly elapse before the hospital would be entirely -broken up. In this event we should be returned to the dreary -prisons in Danville, whence escape was scarcely possible. To be -kept in prison many months, perhaps until death alone should -bring release, was an unwelcome prospect, and we looked upon -it with feelings of dread. We had friends and comrades among -the prisoners, whom we disliked to leave behind us, but as our -presence with them could do neither them nor us any good, we -determined to improve the first opportunity of attempting an -escape from the Confederates, and avoid the prison entirely.</p> - -<p>February 19, 1864, was a cool day for lower Virginia, and -we would have deferred our escape for a few nights had we not -luckily and accidentally ascertained that we should be sent into -prison on the morning of the 20th. Our careful, though hasty, -preparations for slipping off from the guards were accordingly -commenced just before dark on the evening of February 19th. -Before entering upon the detailed account of our escape and subsequent -trip to the Union lines, it will be requisite to describe -briefly the hospital buildings and surroundings.</p> - -<p>The hospital was situated one mile south-west of Danville, on -the right bank of Dan River. The river runs in a north-east -course, consequently the hospital was on the south of it. There -were three wards at the hospital, each capable of accommodating -fifty patients. The wards were numbered one, two, and three. -There were also a cook-house, a steward's office, and a dead-house. -These buildings were constructed of undressed pine lumber. -Ward No. 1 was located on the top of a high round hill; -near its south-east corner, and almost adjoining it was the cook-house. -A few steps north of the ward, and equidistant from its -eastern and western extremities, stood the steward's office. At -the west end of the ward was the dead-house. About one hundred -yards south-west of the dead-house Ward No. 2 was situ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>ated, -on the hill-side. At the foot of the hill, nearly one hundred -yards south-west of Ward No. 2, stood Ward No. 3. Directly -east of Ward No. 2, and south of Ward No. 1, was the row of -tents which had been used by convalescents. Still further east, -at the foot of the hill, was a considerable branch, coursing its -way northward to Dan River. Just across the branch, on its -right bank, was a large wall tent, in and near which all the -clothes washing for the hospital was done. The persons detailed -to do the washing slept in the tent. The Confederate surgeon -in charge of the hospital had his quarters in Tent No. 1 of the -row of tents formerly occupied by convalescents. His tent was -nearest the cook-house and Ward No. 1. The tent we occupied, -when not on duty in the ward, stood just south of the surgeon's -tent, and so near it that the ropes supporting it interlocked or -crossed those which supported the surgeon's tent. In Ward -No. 1 was the receptacle or place of deposit for all clothing that -had been washed. Quite a lot of clothing, belonging in part to -patients in the different wards, but mainly to the unfortunate -ones who had died, was stored away for the use and benefit of -those who might be insufficiently clothed. Wards No. 1 and 3 -had been whitewashed, but Ward No. 2, which had been put up -between them, at a subsequent date, was not.</p> - -<p>Near Ward No. 3, at the base of the hill, was a spring of -water, from which the hospital was supplied. Between the wards -and other hospital buildings, and all about over the hill-sides, -stood tall and straight pines. To the north of the hospital, about -three-quarters of a mile distant, was Dan River, with its swift, -noisy waters, hedged in by steep, rugged banks. To the south-east -and south were cleared lands, traversed by a branch and its -tributaries. Still farther south were heavy woods, with one point -of timber projecting some distance northward, into the cleared -land toward the hospital.</p> - -<p>During the afternoon of February 19th, William Sutherland -and myself were wheeling wood on a wheelbarrow from Ward -No. 3 to Ward No. 1. Having to wheel it up hill it was a -wearisome task, and we occasionally stopped for rest. Near four -o'clock in the evening, while resting about half-way up the hill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>-side, -Sutherland said to me, "It looks to me very much as if -this hospital would be broken up soon." I agreed with him in -his opinion, and remarked that our lease of time at the hospital -was growing short. After a little further conversation, we resolved -to consult with the other nurses on the propriety of attempting -an escape, and get them to set out with us for our -lines on the next night.</p> - -<p>In less than an hour's time we had finished our task of wheeling -wood, and were resting on our bunks in the tent. Before -either of us had met with our comrades, Smith, who was off -duty that evening, came to us and informed us he had something -to tell us that we would not like to hear. We told him to acquaint -us with his news, however unwelcome it might be. We -readily conjectured what it was that so interested Smith, and -our conjecture proved correct. He had overheard some of the -guards in their talking, and had learned that it was the purpose -of the Confederates to send us to prison in the morning. This -news did not surprise us, and we were heartily pleased to learn -the intentions of the Confederates, although they were not of an -amicable nature. We resolved to prevent, if possible, the carrying -of these intentions into effect. Smith was then told of the -resolution we had formed an hour before to set out on the next -night for the Union lines. The sun had already disappeared behind -the hills. We knew our fate if we remained at the hospital -until its light should again break forth in the east. Our -purpose to attempt at least, even if we did not succeed, to leave -the hospital, the sick, the Confederate guards, and the Danville -prisons that night was immediately and firmly fixed.</p> - -<p>Our preparations were at once commenced. We were obliged -to exercise the utmost caution in all our movements, as a few -of the guards were standing about over the hospital grounds; -some of them were in the cook-house. We wished by no word, -or look, or act of ours, to lead them to suspect our purpose of -eluding them and striking for liberty.</p> - -<p>Smith left Sutherland and me in the tent and joined Trippe, -Taylor, and Wood, who were on duty in the ward. Smith soon -found an opportunity of conferring with his associates, and telling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -them of the meditated escape. Taylor and Wood were anxious -to join it, but Trippe, who had but recently recovered from the -small-pox, was distrustful of his strength; and as he had once -before escaped, and got some fifty miles away, only to be recaptured -and brought back, he did not so readily sanction the -project. The nurses who were on duty in the ward now, assisted -by Smith, gave their exclusive attention to the sick; they were -even more attentive than usual. No one would have suspected -from their conduct that they would ever forsake the sick ones -under their care.</p> - -<p>Just before dark Sutherland suggested the propriety of determining -on a place of rendezvous for our party after the guards -were passed, as it was certain we could not all pass out at once -without being seen. I stepped outside the tent, and walked -leisurely up hill, and stood near the south end of the cook-house. -Directly south of me, about a mile distant, was a prominent -point of timber, projecting northward from the main body toward -the hospital. This point of timber seemed suitable for the -purposes of a rendezvous, and on returning to the tent I directed -Sutherland's attention to it. He concurred with me as to the -fitness of the place for a rendezvous, and went to the ward to -call the attention of Smith, Trippe, Taylor, and Wood to it. As -it was important that our party should fix in the mind the place -of rendezvous before it was too dark to see, those who were engaged -in the ward came out, one at a time, and glanced across -at the point of timber. By so doing misunderstanding and delay, -at the critical moment, would be prevented. While Trippe -was out taking a look he noticed two or three guards approaching -him. He walked on down hill in the direction of the wash-house, -as if going after clean bed-clothes or other clothing for -patients.</p> - -<p>Near eight o'clock, P. M., Sutherland sought an interview -with the cook, but found the Rebels had not yet left the cook-house -for their own quarters; so he quietly withdrew from the -room. The cook—who of course was one of our own men—followed -him to the door and asked if any thing was wanted. As -the Rebels were within hearing, Sutherland answered, "There is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -a man in the ward who would like to have a little soup, but I -guess he can get along without it. If he must have some," continued -Sutherland, "I will come back and let you know."</p> - -<p>"All right," answered the cook.</p> - -<p>Soon after the guards went to their quarters, which were situated -near the guard line, but little more than a quarter of a -mile distant, south-west of the cook-house. The cook was again -sought by Sutherland, and this time he was found alone, and -just ready to retire for the night. Sutherland lost no time in -making his business known to him. Six haversacks, the best -that could be found in the deposit for clean clothing, were delivered -to the cook, who agreed to fill them with the best provision -the cook-house at the time afforded. Sutherland then -busied himself in selecting clothing for our party from the deposit -of clothing that had been washed and stored away. When -he had selected the number of garments required he carried -them down to our tent. He and I then took off the clothing -we had long worn, and put on entirely clean suits. We then -went to the ward and relieved our four associates, who immediately -went down to our tent and put on clean suits also. The -six haversacks, which were filled with the best provisions the -cook could provide, were brought to the tent from the cook-house.</p> - -<p>Near eleven o'clock, P. M., our arrangements for leaving were -about complete, or as nearly so as was possible with the means -at command. Taylor, Sutherland, and Wood, each had an overcoat -and blanket; Smith had an overcoat and a large bed-quilt. -Trippe and I each had a blanket; we had no overcoats, but we -wore an extra shirt and blouse apiece. For our feet we provided -the best shoes that could be found about the hospital, and took -pains to secure long and strong strings for them. During our -attendance in the ward, patients about dying, or near death, had -in several instances presented the nurses with their overcoats. -These overcoats had been sold by the nurses to the guards for -Confederate scrip. In this way we had obtained near two hundred -dollars in scrip to carry with us on our journey. Taylor -had a watch which was in time-keeping order. He also had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -canteen. Smith had a half-moon tin bucket, which held about -three quarts. The only knives we had were made of sheet-iron.</p> - -<p>We had watched in the ward, and perfected our arrangements -for leaving by turns, until near midnight. A little after eleven -o'clock we waked up two or three of the stoutest patients in the -ward, and told them our departure was near at hand, and that -they must watch in the ward for us, and keep the lights burning -until morning. We then bid them good-by, cast a last -glance over the sick, and closed the door of the ward behind us -for the last time. We repaired immediately to our tent and completed -our final preparations for the trip.</p> - -<p>As our tent was near that of the Rebel surgeon we were -obliged to carry on our conversation in a low tone. We put out -blankets in a convenient shape for carrying, and made every -thing ready for starting. It was settled, in the first place, that -we should slip out from the hospital grounds two at a time. -Which two should go first was the next question that came up -for decision. Six small sticks were prepared, and we drew cuts. -These sticks were of three different lengths, and the two who held -the short ones were to pass out first. The two who held the sticks -next shortest were to follow in a given time, and the two holding -the longest sticks, in due time, were to bring up the rear. When -the drawing was over Sutherland and I held the short sticks.</p> - -<p>As time was precious we placed our haversacks and blankets -under our arms and stepped outside the tent. We stood a moment -at the tent door, listening for the voices or footsteps of the -guards. No sound fell upon our ears save that of the wind blowing -through the tops of the tall pine-trees. On starting we went -to the top of the hill and stopped at the south-east corner of the -cook-house, where we again listened intently, but heard nothing. -The moon, which had been shining at intervals since night-fall, -had become partially obscured by floating vapor clouds. We -kept our haversacks and blankets under our arms in such a shape -as to imitate closely a bundle of clothing. We then walked -slowly down the hill toward the wash-house. We followed the -path leading to the wash-house until we reached the branch. -Instead of crossing the branch on the foot-log we turned to our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -right and went directly up stream, stepping sometimes on the ice -and breaking it. We kept close to the bluff, and stooped slightly, -so that it screened us from the west. To our left, on the east -of the branch, was a flat or bottom, covered with pine shrubs and -other bushes, which hid us from view in that direction. Unless -the sentinel on duty had happened to be near the branch while -we were passing, we could scarcely have done otherwise than -escape unseen. At length we had proceeded, with much caution, -a sufficient distance in the direction of our appointed rendezvous -to feel light-hearted and secure. We pushed forward rapidly, -crossed two rail-fences and gained the shelter of the woods, where -we were to await the coming of Smith and Taylor, who had held -the sticks of medium length at the drawing a few moments before. -Sutherland and I laid our haversacks and blankets aside, and -quietly, though anxiously, awaited their approach.</p> - -<p>While waiting, after the anxiety and excitement of the moment -had somewhat subsided, we found the weather quite cold. Our -whiskers became stiff and whitened with frost, and the winds -penetrated our clothing. The moon shone out brightly. The -sky was without a cloud. Those which had partially covered it, -only a few moments before, had cleared entirely away. Our -patience was severely tried, as our comrades, so anxiously expected, -had not joined us. On getting quite cold in the breezes -of the wintery midnight, we danced about on our feet, and extended -our arms to quicken the circulation of the blood, and get -ourselves warm. In this manner we passed some two or three -minutes, when we stood still to listen for the coming of Smith -and Taylor. We listened anxiously, but the sound of their welcome -footsteps did not greet our ears. "Can it be that they -have been caught?" we asked ourselves.</p> - -<p>"If they have been caught the Rebels will soon miss us, and -be on the alert, searching for us," said Sutherland.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps we had better be off then," I answered.</p> - -<p>We listened a moment longer, but heard nothing. We then -gathered our haversacks and blankets, and started westward -through the woods. We had gone but a few steps before we -heard the noise of persons climbing the fence. We halted and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -remained perfectly still, as we were not sure the rebels were not -on our trail. Soon we could distinguish the forms of two persons -in the moonlight. They were moving toward the point of timber -we had just left. We now knew they were Smith and -Taylor, and soon had the pleasure of hearing our names called -in low, subdued tones by their familiar voices. Our whereabouts -was soon made known to them, and they were soon with us. -Smith and Taylor wished to know why we had not stopped in -the point of timber, as agreed upon. We told them we had -stopped there, had waited some time for them, and had given -them up as lost, and then started on our journey alone, getting -as far as that before hearing them.</p> - -<p>We had not long to wait for Wood and Trippe. They had -followed Smith and Taylor more closely than the latter had followed -Sutherland and myself. When Trippe and Wood had -joined us, we introduced ourselves as Federals, and late nurses -at the small-pox hospital near Danville, Va. As the squads of -two each had formed a junction, our party of six was ready to -move.</p> - -<p>After adjusting our haversacks and blankets about us, so that -we could easily carry them, we set out through the woods in a -westerly direction. In the woods we found that the snow which -had fallen a few days before had not melted. We disliked to -walk on it, as we left a distinct trail behind. We pushed on, -however, and soon struck a wagon road, from which the snow -had either blown off or melted away. It was not a public road, -but was used merely as a timber road, to get out of the woods -with loads of rails and wood. Its surface was very hard and -gravelly, and we followed it a mile or two in a southerly direction -without leaving many distinct foot-prints.</p> - -<p>The railroad leading from Danville, Va., to Greensboro, N. C., -was soon reached, and we followed it in a south-west course: we -walked on the ties, and made very good time. Soon we had -reached a part of the road which ran over a high grading. On -hearing a distant rumbling noise in the south, we judged there -was a train of cars coming. In a few minutes more we saw the -head-light on the engine as it came around the curve made nec<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>essary -by the hills. We quickly slipped down the side of the -grading into the bushes, and watched the train as it passed. -But one person on the train was visible to us, and that was a -man standing at the door of the last car with a lantern in his -hand.</p> - -<p>On regaining the top of the grade, we resumed our travels, -walking on the ties as before. We followed the railroad until -we had gone about five miles from our starting-point, when we -came to a wagon road, which crossed the railroad at right angles. -This road had the appearance of being much traveled; by turning -to our right and following it, we went north-west—the direction -we wished to go. As we passed a house near the road side, -Trippe recognized the place as one he had seen when out before, -making his first attempt to escape. He also knew the road we -were following would lead us to the Seven-mile Ferry. This ferry -was so called from the fact of its being seven miles up Dan -River from Danville. We wished to gain the left or northern -bank of Dan River before daybreak, if possible, and we pushed -on eagerly and rapidly. The road was smooth. Its white sandy -surface could be plainly seen. Dense woods, with thick bushy -undergrowth, closely lined it on either side. The hill leading -down to the ferry was at length reached. It was a long, but not -a steep hill. The road as it led us down the hill-side was -meandering in its course.</p> - -<p>When we were but little more than half-way down hill, the -thought that there might be a guard at the ferry happened to -suggest itself to Trippe's mind. He proposed that we should -retire into the brush near the road side, and wait until he should -go on toward the ferry and reconnoiter. We assented to this -proposal, and went a dozen steps or more from the road and -halted. Trippe went on down hill alone. He was gone several -minutes, a half hour almost it seemed to us in our restless -anxiety and concern. We became impatient for his return, and -quitting our places in the brush, walked down hill on the road. -Near the foot of the hill we saw Trippe slowly retreating from -the ferry. He had seen us, and removing the cap from his head, -was excitedly motioning for us to halt. We stopped immediately, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>and kept still. Trippe also stopped, and turned around, looking -anxiously toward the ferry. He looked only for a moment, and -then quietly rejoined us where we had been waiting. He whispered -to us, saying, "Let's go back up hill." We turned about, -and walked silently up the road. No word was spoken until we -had reached the hill-top. It was to us a moment of deep and -thrilling interest and expectancy.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i021.jpg" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> - <p>"<span class="smcap">Foiled at Seven-Mile Ferry.</span>"—<span class="smcap">Page 20.</span></p></div> -</div> - -<p>On reaching the upland we halted at the road side, and Trippe -reported the discoveries he had made at the ferry. He had gone -very cautiously down hill, and had soon stood where he could -see the river plainly, and also the ferry-boat. He had stood -perfectly still until he had assured himself that no guard was -near. He could see nothing but the forest-trees, the river, and -the ferry-boat, in the light of the brightly shining moon, which -made the frost and waters sparkle. He could hear no sound, -save those of the swiftly running waters, and these amply sufficed -to drown any noise he himself might make. He turned around -and started back to us, to beckon us forward. Almost at the same -instant he heard a noise. Thinking he might have trodden on a -stick and broken it, thus making the noise himself, he proceeded -half a dozen steps further; when, still hearing something, he -stopped, and again looked in the direction of the ferry. A little -to the right of it, in the edge of the woods, he saw the sparks of a -fire flying upward. He watched the fire closely, and it sent up a -blaze which shed light far around. One Butternut cavalryman -was first seen to stir the fire, and then add fuel to it. Soon -three others got up from their bed and warmed themselves. -Trippe stood still, and watched them, until they laid down and -covered themselves in their bed. He then silently withdrew, -feeling sure he had not been heard or seen. As he did so, the -horses of the cavalrymen neighed, and pawed the ground, as if -manifesting uneasiness. As we were sure the Confederates were -not aware of our presence, we felt glad we had escaped so well. -Our escape was a narrow one, however; had we arrived at the -ferry ten minutes sooner, we should most certainly have been -recaptured.</p> - -<p>Our disappointment in not getting across the river at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -ferry was great, as we could make no progress in the direction -we wished to go until we had gained its northern bank. We -consulted briefly as to the course we should pursue; and soon determined -to retrace our steps until we should find another road, -or some path that would lead us up the river. We started. As -the weather was cold and morning approaching, we hurried on. -An obscure road, leading off in a south-west direction, was soon -found. We changed our course, and followed it. It led by some -plantation houses. We left the road and houses some distance -to our right, as we did not wish to alarm the dogs and set them -to barking.</p> - -<p>On returning to the road, we followed it directly up the river -until we had traveled five or six miles, from Seven-mile Ferry. -It became evident that day-break was at hand. A safe hiding-place -for the day next engaged our attention, and we halted. It -was first determined that one of our number should go a quarter -of a mile further up the road, to see if any houses were near in -that direction. Sutherland went some distance ahead, and on -returning reported none. As we had passed but one house since -falling back from the ferry, we judged we were some distance -from any human habitation. The query then arose, shall we -hide in the open woods on our left, or in the inclosed woods on -our right? After a short parley, we concluded to secrete ourselves -in the inclosed woods. We could then get to the river -without having the road to cross. Any parties of cavalrymen -that might be out scouring the country, were also less likely to -come across us in our retreat. Accordingly we crossed the rail-fence, -and left it and the road directly behind us. We worked -our way through the thickets of brush and briers until we were -fully a quarter of a mile from the road, in the direction of the -river. On a spot of ground entirely surrounded by pine-trees -and bushes we made our bed, and, lying down, soon fell asleep.</p> - -<p>The weather being quite cold in the early morning, we waked -up at sunrise, on account of cold feet and general discomfort of -body. Trippe got up and took a partial survey of the adjacent -woods. He went northward, still further from the road we had -left at day-break, and found an open space where we could make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -our bed in the sunshine. To this open space, which was covered -over with tall dead grass, we moved our haversacks and bedding. -As we wished to rest well during the day, we took pains to make -a good bed. Quite a lot of dead grass and leaves was first -gathered. On the grass and leaves we spread the four overcoats -belonging to our party. On the overcoats we spread Smith's -bed quilt. Our caps, haversacks, and blouses were used as pillows, -and our five blankets were used as covering. In this manner -we usually made our bed all through our trip, varying it, -of course, according to circumstances. Having completed our -bed, we laid ourselves down to rest, and slept comfortably until -late in the day. We made it a rule for each of our party to -sleep as much as desired during the day. We did not require -one of our number to keep awake as a watch for the others during -the day. If we had done so, we, of course, would have -watched by turns. The propriety of so doing was often discussed, -but we generally deemed it safest to have no watch, as the person -watching would have to sit or stand up, and would thus expose -himself to the danger of being seen by somebody who might -be passing, and so lead to our recapture.</p> - -<p>It was near four o'clock in the afternoon of February 20th, -when we aroused ourselves from our first slumber as refugees -from prison. We got up and went down into a hollow near us, -where there was running water, and washed our faces. After -combing our hair, we opened our haversacks, and were about -commencing to eat, when we discovered that our corn-bread -was frozen. Our matches—of which we had two small boxes—which -we had luckily procured some two weeks before, now -came in good play, as it was needful to have a small fire in -order to thaw our bread. We secured a small lot of dry pine -limbs and twigs, and built a fire in the hollow sufficient for -our purposes; and soon we had dispatched our first meal since -leaving Ward No. 1. After finishing our meal, we put our -blankets and other baggage in traveling order. As it was too -early to set out, we engaged in conversation, laying plans and -expedients for effecting a crossing of the river. We resolved -to put ourselves across Dan River that night, or on the follow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>ing -day, at almost any risk. As a final preparation for the -night's marching, we each secured a stout stick or cane. One -of the boys alleged our canes would be needed in case of attack. -Taylor had a very large cane for a man of his size. On -being spoken to concerning it, he remarked that he was going to -cross the river on it. The evening wore away. The king of day -having sunk below the western horizon, we began to look for the -moon, whose light was to shine upon our pathway. It had not -appeared above the horizon; soon afterward, however, the moon -arose, and began shedding light. We felt a kind of loneliness on -leaving the place which had sheltered us during the day.</p> - -<p>As Danville, Virginia, was within one mile of the southern -boundary of the State, and as we were at least thirteen miles -south-west of that place, we knew we were in the friendly brush -and thickets of North Carolina. On setting out, instead of going -directly back to the road, we traveled parallel with it for -more than a mile. We then changed our course and went back -to it, thinking it late enough to travel it without meeting any -one. We had gone but a few miles on the road, and passed but -one house, when the noise of the river assured us it was not far -off. We then left the road and sought the banks of the stream. -We crossed an old field, in which we found much mud and -water. The walking was slavish and wearisome, as the wet, -clayey soil adhered to our shoes. The snow, which had recently -melted, had swollen the branches. We found it necessary to -cross a branch or almost go back on our trail. By means of a -fence, a water gate, and some rails, we succeeded in crossing it -without much difficulty. It required time and close watching, -however.</p> - -<p>On leaving the branch behind us we climbed a fence and -entered the woods. These woods were dense, and there was a -thick, brushy undergrowth, which greatly impeded our progress. -We found it impossible to go directly to the river. It was -quite dark, for, although the moon was shining brightly, its -light penetrated the heavy woods imperfectly. From the incessant -roar of waters we judged we were near the river; but -we struggled on through vines and thickets for a full half-hour<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -longer. It was not a great while until we could see, ahead of -us, quite an opening; it was the course of the river through the -forests. We pressed on and soon stood upon the bank, against -which dashed the angry waters. Huge pieces of ice were borne -swiftly down the swollen stream. We had thought of constructing -a raft of poles and rails, lashing them together with bark -and vines; but such materials were not at hand, and the condition -of the river forbade the attempt at crossing on a raft. -We longed to get across the river, but the prospect seemed all -but hopeless.</p> - -<p>We pushed on up stream, hoping to find suitable materials -for building a raft and a place where the condition of the river -would admit of launching it. We had gone a mile or more -without discovering any means by which we could cross the -stream; still we did not despair; hope continued to struggle -against reality. We must get across the river that night, we -thought, or venture too far and risk too much to-morrow. The -current of water became more rapid and impetuous as we advanced; -the roar of the river sounded much louder than before, -and our chances of getting across did not seem to improve. We -soon came to a drift of logs, slabs, and rails, but owing to the -condition of the stream, the quantities of ice and other obstructions -in it, we concluded it would be time and labor lost to make -a raft and attempt a crossing there. Our resolution to follow -on up stream, keeping close to the water's edge until morning, -was then fixed. If we failed to find a canoe or other means of -crossing before that time we were then to resort to other measures -to get us out of our difficulties.</p> - -<p>After our minds were fully made up as to the course we -should pursue we traveled about two and a half or three miles, -when Sutherland and I, who were considerably in advance, espied -a canoe fastened to the shore-with a chain and padlock. We -were almost overjoyed at the discovery. We could not wait for -our associates to come up, but followed back down stream to -meet them. They were soon informed that we had found a canoe, -but they were almost incredulous. In a few minutes, however, -all doubts were removed, as they beheld with their own eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -the object of our anxious and careful search. We felt as jubilant -and hopeful as if deliverance from all our troubles was just -at hand; but, in the excitement of the moment, we did not forget -to exercise caution. It was evident the canoe had not been -used for several days; the oar was lying in it, frozen in the ice, -which had thawed but little; the ice near the middle of the -canoe, where the oar was lying, was about three inches thick. In -loosening the oar and breaking the chain which secured the canoe, -much noise would be made. It was necessary to have two or -three rails or poles. Smith and I went out some distance from -the river to procure them, and to see if any house was near. -We found an old orchard, inclosed by a dilapidated fence. On -the southern borders of the orchard we found two log huts, but -they were old and tenantless.</p> - -<p>We returned to the river carrying with us three or four stout -rails. As we were satisfied we should not be heard we set to -work regardless of the noise we made. We found the canoe -was locked or fastened in a large slab of ice, which extended -beyond it into the swift water. We first used our sheet-iron -knives and some sharp-pointed and sharp-cornered rocks, and -loosened the canoe from its icy bed. A passage-way for the -canoe was next broken through the ice to the current of the -stream. We then took our stoutest rail and broke the chain by -prying on it. I took a rail and placed myself in the end of the -canoe farthest out from the shore. Our haversacks, coats, and -blankets were then placed in it, and Trippe and Taylor came -aboard. Trippe, with the oar in hand, launched us out into the -river. We found a swiftly rushing current, and were compelled -to row up stream. We kept bearing to our right, however, and -soon came in contact with the ice, which extended out from the -opposite bank. I took my rail and began breaking the ice. Soon -I had broken a narrow passage-way for the canoe, into which we -thrust it, and it became steady. I kept on breaking the ice and -pushing the pieces aside. The canoe was pushed nearer and nearer -the bank. Soon I could reach the low branches of a tree, which -stood near the water's brink. I held on to the boughs of the -tree, and walked ashore on the ice. Taylor and I removed our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -baggage from the canoe to the bank. Trippe went to bring over -our three comrades, who had been patiently waiting and watching. -He found some difficulty in entering the passage way as he -neared the bank upon which they stood. In due time our party -was safely landed on the shore, for which we had been anxiously -striving the best part of two nights.</p> - -<p>The first great obstacle to our journey was surmounted. We -felt freer and safer. We were several miles from Danville—at -least twenty. It was past midnight. The sky above us was perfectly -clear. The moon was high in the heavens, and sent down -rays of silvery light. Northward, in the direction we wished to -travel, the country appeared clear of timber, and we had hopes -of finding a good road before going a great distance. When we -were ready to leave the river this question arose: what shall we -do with our canoe—tie it up or allow it to float down the river? -We felt gratefully, even tenderly toward it. It had done us a -great service. We concluded to lash it fast to the tree, whose -branches hung low upon the bank. We did so; and left it and -the river behind us.</p> - -<p>We pushed due northward across the cleared fields. Some -houses were soon discernible in the moonlight, not far ahead of -us. Turning a little to the left, we soon reached a point directly -west of the houses. We heard much noise, and stopped to see -if we could make out what it meant. We approached a few -steps nearer, and heard singing and dancing. We thought it -late for such exercises; but as it was Saturday night all was -explained, that night being known in Carolina as negroes' night. -As we had provisions enough for a meal or two, we did not interrupt -the exercises, or make our presence known to the negroes. -Nor did we tarry long, as we had no time to lose. We were in -Carolina, and had many miles to travel and many weary marches -to make through a bleak mountain country before our escape was -made good. Our circuit around the houses was continued at a -safe distance, until we struck a road running south-east and -north-west. We turned to our left and followed the road north-west -a little more than a mile. As we felt somewhat hungry, -we halted among some bushes at the road side and eat a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -pieces of corn-bread. After eating, we pushed on, feeling much -refreshed. In a short time we came to a cross-road, when we -changed our course and went due north. In that direction we -traveled until day-break. A safe hiding-place for the day was -next in order, and we set about finding it. We went into the -woods some distance to the left of the road, where we found -quite a cluster of cedar bushes, in the midst of which we thought -we could safely spend the Sabbath day, February 21st. Our -bed was at once made and we gladly laid ourselves down to slumber -soundly.</p> - -<p>It was near three o'clock in the evening when we awoke. -On looking about us in all directions, and seeing nobody, we got -up. We ventured to a branch, nearly a hundred yards distant, -and washed our faces. The canteen and bucket were filled with -water and brought near where we had been sleeping. Our toilet -was completed by combing our hair, after which we sat down -and eat the last of our provisions. How we should procure -another supply became the subject of discussion. Various plans -were proposed; one of which we determined to try. If it failed -we were, of course, to resort to another. The late hours of the -evening were passed in adverting to the good fortune which had -attended us so far on the trip. The possibilities and probabilities -of the future were also alluded to.</p> - -<p>As we became deeply interested in our talk the time passed -quickly. The tall forest-trees cast long shadows over us. The -sun was disappearing in the west. The sky was cloudless. Our -preparations for the third night of travel were complete. Soon -after dusk we emerged from our hiding place, and in due time -were upon the road. Our rest during the day had been refreshing, -and we walked briskly forward. We passed one house early -in the night. It was too early, we thought, to try our plan for -procuring food, and the appearance of the house and its surroundings -did not justify the belief that the occupants had any -food to spare. So we passed on. Near ten o'clock we came to -another house on our left. It was near the road, not more than -twenty yards distant. From appearances all inside were asleep. -At least no light was visible, and silence reigned. At most of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -the houses we had passed, the dogs had barked at us. It was -not so at this one. We went a few yards beyond the house and -halted in the road. Five of us were to lie in wait, while the -sixth went forth on the errand of necessity. Which one of us -should go upon the errand was a question for decision. It was -decided by drawing cuts. Taylor was chosen to attempt the experiment. -Taylor's overcoat was of a light-gray color, and had -once belonged to a Confederate soldier. Smith's cap was also of -"secesh" antecedents. Taylor donned them both, and was to -play the Confederate soldier on furlough. He was to go to the -front door of the house and knock. When the door was opened -to him, if he was asked to come in he was to decline on the pretext -of not having time. He was then to apply for something -to eat, enough for himself and two comrades a supper that night -and breakfast the next morning, which would suffice for one meal -for our party. He was to insist on immediate compliance to the -request on the plea that he and his comrades were hungry and -obliged to march all night. If asked why so? he was to answer -that they had been home on furlough, that their time was nearly -out, and that they must report to the company by a certain time—we -had anticipated many questions that we judged would be -asked, and had answers to suit.</p> - -<p>After we had drilled Taylor for a few minutes at the road -side, and found him to be a hungry soldier, with nothing Confederate -about him except his overcoat and cap, he started to the -house. Our eyes followed him as long as he could be seen. We -then retired from the road to the fence and waited about twenty -minutes, until Taylor returned and made report. He entered -the yard in front of the house and approached the door. Before -reaching the door his heart suddenly failed of its purpose. He -felt himself unequal to the emergency. He immediately turned -to his left to examine a smoke-house or other out-house, in -which he hoped to find something that would do to eat. The -door was securely fastened, which fact caused him to suspect -there were some provisions inside. The house was constructed -of round logs, and Taylor reached his arm through the space -between them to see if he could feel any meat. He examined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -carefully on each side, but his arm was too short. He could feel -nothing. In the mean time, his attention was attracted to another -out-building, and he went to examine it. He passed the dwelling, -leaving it between him and the road. His search was still -unfruitful.</p> - -<p>While examining the second out-house he noticed a stable or -shed about sixty yards distant. By going to it he would be still -farther from the dwelling, and he would feel safer while prosecuting -his search. As a last resort before going to the dwelling, -he visited the stable in the hope of finding some corn, upon -which we would have subsisted in preference to running too -great a risk in procuring more palatable food. He could find -no corn in the stable, nor grain of any kind. There was some -hay or straw, and a lot of corn-blades tied in bundles. In a shed -adjoining the stable were six or seven horses feeding on corn-blades. -Taylor was impressed with the idea that they were -cavalry horses, and on farther examination a saddle or rig for -each of the horses was found. He then determined not to visit -the dwelling at all, as it was certain there was half a dozen or -more men, perhaps cavalry-men, inside of it, sheltering for the -night. He then quietly rejoined us at the road side. We had -run a great risk; our escape had been narrow. Had Taylor -gone half a dozen steps nearer the house he would have walked -on some plank or slabs in front of the door; his footfalls might -have been heard by those inside, and his presence become known. -It was manifest that good fortune was still a companion of our -journey. Had the plan we had devised been followed our recapture -would certainly have ensued.</p> - -<p>It was yet early in the night—near eleven o'clock—and we -determined to put several miles between those cavalry-men and -our stopping-place in the morning. Before starting, however, -we held a short parley as to the propriety of taking the horses -and riding them until day-break. On the question of taking the -horses our party was about equally divided. The views of those -who opposed the project prevailed. The chief objection to it was -the great and necessary risk, at the time, in getting the horses -to the road without disturbing their owners, and that in case<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -we were retaken, and found guilty of horse-stealing or other -depredations, it might go hard with us. By the light of the -moon we discovered we had made numerous foot-prints in the -road. We could not obliterate them without taking time, and -leaving even plainer traces behind us. So we walked backward -several yards on the road. On the north of the road were open -woods. We stepped aside from the road a few yards and walked -parallel with it, face foremost, through the woods, where we could -make no tracks. On going about a mile we crossed to the opposite -side of the road. In so doing we went south, but left -tracks in the road as though we had gone north. We walked -rapidly through the woods near the road until we had gone -another mile, which brought us to fields. As the walking was -not good in the fields on account of the moist clay, we took the -road and hurried forward. At short intervals we went on the -double-quick. By midnight we had traveled ten or eleven miles. -More than one-third of the distance had been gone over since -we had found the cavalry horses. Our speed had been accelerated -by that discovery. We were much wearied, and halted at -a fence near the road side to rest. We were hungry, and would -have eaten something, but our haversacks were empty, and hanging -loosely at our side. Our rest was brief, but sufficiently long -to stiffen our knee and ankle joints.</p> - -<p>Our journey was resumed, and we trudged on slowly at first, -but soon increased our speed. There were but few houses near -the road, and these we passed with cautious steps. A second -attempt to get rations was not made that night, as we were fearful -of making a second failure, and losing time besides. We -resolved to wait until the morrow, and trust to luck or Providence -to feed us. The road improved as we advanced, and we -made good progress. It bore a little north of west. On crossing -a branch we halted and took up some water in our half-moon -tin-bucket and drank freely. We then filled our canteen -and bucket with water and carried it with us. We were exceedingly -tired, and did not wish to take the time and trouble -to look out for a hiding-place convenient to water. The gray -light of morning was faintly appearing in the east, and we knew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -our journeying must cease for a time. Our sense of hunger had -subsided, or been overcome by weariness. We left the road and -went some distance south of it into a heavy forest. When nearly -a mile from the road we halted, and quickly spread our bed upon -the ground. We then sank wearily to rest, and were sleeping -soundly before sunrise.</p> - -<p>It was on the morning of February 22d that we had thus -sought repose in the wintery forest of Virginia. We had got out -of Carolina soon after crossing Dan River, and had traveled almost -due northward until we passed Martinsville, Henry county, -Virginia. We passed about two miles to the right of Martinsville, -and then bore a little west of north. On February 22d -we were hid not many miles—probably not more than a night's -march—from the southern boundary of Franklin county, Virginia. -It was the anniversary of Washington's birth. We remembered -the fact, and revered the memory of Washington, -although his native State had tendered us a very poor and meager -hospitality, and was treating us shabbily. The forest of -Virginia, however, protected us from her own and our country's -enemies.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>SLEEP DISTURBED—NOISE IN THE WOODS—ITS CAUSE—NEGROES FURNISH FOOD—WE - HIDE NEAR THE TRAIL—HOUNDS AND HORSEMEN—EXCITEMENT OF THE CHASE—WE - BUY A QUANTITY OF PROVISIONS—OUR OBLIGATIONS—ON THE HIGHWAY IN DAYLIGHT—UNDER - DIFFICULTIES—WOOD CHOPPER—WOMAN AND DOGS—WE PASS ROCKY - MOUNT C. H.—INSECURE HIDING-PLACE—CHANGE OF BASE—WE COME ACROSS A CITIZEN—HE - TAKES STEPS TO CATCH US, BUT IS TOO SLOW—OUR FLIGHT—OUR ESCAPE—RUN - INTO A WAGON TRAIN—HID AWAY—MAKING MUSH—SNOW—SORE FEET AND - LAMENESS—TAYLOR FALLS BEHIND—TAYLOR LEFT ALONE—HIS CONDITION.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">When</span> the sun was nearly an hour high, we were aroused -from our slumbers by a loud and incessant racket in the -woods. We did not uncover our heads at first. A squad of -cavalry-men was the first thing of which we thought, but on uncovering -our heads and raising up on our elbows, we found it, -was the noise of wood choppers that had disturbed us. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -looked all around us, but could see nobody. The chopping continued, -and from the noise we judged several axes were being -used. We at once concluded that a party of negroes were at -work not far from us, and that we would have an opportunity -of procuring supplies. The prospect pleased us. Had we known -our conclusion was correct we should have been in an ecstasy of -gratitude.</p> - -<p>About one hundred yards south of us was a high ridge extending -east and west. East of us, about seventy yards distant, -was another ridge or spur putting out due northward from the -main ridge. We judged from the sounds that the wood choppers -were east of us and the ridge last described. By consent of -our party, Sutherland and I got out of bed and walked eastwardly -to the ridge, striking it not far from the point where it -was lost in the level ground. We then crept along on our hands -and feet, keeping close together so that we could talk to each -other and be understood without speaking loudly. Soon we got -around the point of the ridge to a thicket of brush, where we -halted. We could see the colored folks at work, plying their -axes vigorously. We waited and watched anxiously a few minutes, -to see if any whites were with them. We saw none, and -were glad of it; we returned to our comrades and made report. -We were in a blissful state of mind, and comforted ourselves on -the cheering prospect before us. Our feelings no doubt were -similar to those of weary travelers in the desert on approaching -an oasis.</p> - -<p>Our determination to consult with the negroes, and make -overtures for food and such other assistance as they could give, -was soon made. It was agreed that Sutherland and I should go -upon this delicate mission. We went, and soon reached the point -from which we had watched the negroes before. We again -watched them closely, and assuring ourselves that no whites were -near, we emerged from the thicket, and walked briskly toward -them. As we approached one of the negroes noticed us. He -immediately called the attention of the others to us. Instantly -all chopping ceased, and quiet succeeded. At the same moment -we halted, and Sutherland put his hand to his mouth and asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -if any whites were about? The negro nearest us answered, "No, -sah; massa was heah dis mornin', but he done gone home now." -We then advanced to the fires, around which the negroes had -collected to the number of ten or a dozen, large and small. Our -wants were immediately made known to them. They were -quite willing, even anxious to respond to our call for food. They -offered to divide with us at noon, when "missus" brought their -dinner out. We told them they would not have enough to spare, -as there were six of us, and we were very hungry. The oldest -negro or "boss hand," as he was called, then sent one of the -younger ones to bring us something to eat. The negroes were -all deeply interested in us, and were anxious to learn where our -four comrades were hid. We told them, and inquired if that -was a safe place. We were informed it was safe enough, but -there was a better place south of it, across the ridge. We told -the boss we would cross the ridge and look out a good hiding-place. -He promised to bring our dinner to us as soon as it was -brought to him where he was at work.</p> - -<p>Sutherland and I then returned to our comrades and informed -them it would not be long until we should have something -to eat. In accordance with the advice received from our -colored friends we gathered our things and moved across the -ridge. We had passed the summit of the ridge and were going -down its southern declivity when we came to a bench or level -place, where we concluded to stop and make our bed. We had -intended to go to the level ground near the base of the ridge, but -on reaching the bench we knew of no reason why we should not -stop there for the remainder of the day. We made our bed -anew, and then washed our hands and faces, using the water -from our bucket and canteen for that purpose. We then seated -ourselves upon our bed, and quietly awaited the approach of the -"boss" with our dinner. We had waited a short time, probably -a half hour, when we saw him with a large bucket in hand near -the base of the ridge hunting for us. One of our party rolled a -small stone down hill toward him to let him know where we -were. He soon discovered us, and climbed the hill-side, and delivered -to us our dinner. We began eating immediately, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -found we had been bountifully provided for. A bucket full of -eatables, consisting of fried ham, fried eggs, boiled beans, and corn-dodgers, -was furnished us. We had a keen relish for such fare, -and devoured it all. When we had finished eating, the negro -took his bucket and returned to his work; first telling us he -would see us again in the evening. Our appetites were fully -satisfied, and we covered ourselves in our bed and went to sleep.</p> - -<p>We had slept but a short time before our rest was disturbed -by a considerable noise. It was the noise of cavalry-men, without -doubt, we thought, or of horses running at their utmost speed. -We uncovered our heads and raised them slightly. On looking -southward we saw two hounds pass near the base of the ridge. -They ran swiftly, and were hot in pursuit of game. They were -closely followed by three or four white citizens on horseback. -The hounds and horsemen were soon out of hearing, and we felt -greatly relieved. Just then the excitement of the chase was not -agreeable to us. We were heartily glad we were not the objects -of pursuit. Had we gone to the level ground, at the base of the -ridge, before halting, as was at first intended, we would most -likely have placed ourselves directly on the trail. The result to -us in that case would have been unfortunate. As our hiding-place -was on the steep side of the ridge, almost surrounded by -small trees and brush, we thought it a safe one, and again gave -ourselves over to rest. We slept well until late in the day. -When we awoke the first object almost which met our vision -was our colored benefactor sitting near us whittling a stick. -He informed us we should have another meal at dusk. We told -him any thing good to eat would be acceptable to us, and place -us under lasting obligations to those who furnished it. We told -him, too, that we had some Confederate money, and would buy -as much provisions as he could deliver to us at dark, if it was -not more than we could carry. He promised to see if we could -be supplied, and told us to come up where they were at work -after sunset.</p> - -<p>As the day was already far spent, we began to fit up for -another night's journey. On completing our preparations, we -waited a few minutes longer for the sun to disappear in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -west. Soon it had shed its last ray over us for the day, and we -picked up our things and started from our retreat. By the twilight -we made our way through the woods to the place where -the negroes had been at work during the day. Just before dark -we reached them. They had ceased from their labors and were -expecting us. Some fruit pies fried in grease were furnished us -for supper. While we were eating, the negroes asked what kind -of provisions we could carry most of, or most conveniently. We -told them we could do best on meat, salt, and meal. Two or -three of them then went to bring us a supply of those articles. -In due time they returned with a ham of meat, a little salt, half -a bushel of meal, and half a dozen corn-dodgers. Wood had with -him a clean pillow-slip, brought from the hospital. In it we put -the corn-meal. The ham was cut in pieces and put in our haversacks. -The salt was carried by one of our party in a blouse -pocket.</p> - -<p>On setting out we had the corn-dodgers, for which there was -no room in our haversacks; and as, on account of their size, we -could not get them into our blouse pockets without breaking -them, we carried them in our hands until midnight. The ham -had cost the negroes three dollars a pound, and it weighed twelve -pounds and a half. We paid them thirty-seven dollars and fifty -cents for it in Confederate shin-plaster. For the meal, salt, corn-bread, -and what we had eaten during the day, we gave them -twenty-two dollars and fifty cents. We paid them sixty dollars -in all. It was not necessary, they did not exact it, but we had -the scrip and were made no poorer by parting with it. It was -current there at the time, and was much below par in the country -we hoped to reach ere long.</p> - -<p>We conversed briefly with the colored people before leaving -them. We learned from them that we had traveled twenty-three -miles the previous night, and that it was about forty miles to -Rocky Mount Court-House, in Franklin county. It was growing -late. The moon had risen, and was advancing in its course. -Every hour of the night was precious to us and must be improved. -We expressed to our benefactors our obligations. We -thanked them heartily and sincerely. We told them they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -no idea of the value of the service they had performed. It was -a service to us; it was also a service to the cause in which we -had struggled and suffered much. We could not pay them adequately, -but hoped in the end they would have their reward in -the results of the war.</p> - -<p>We bade them good-night and left them, and sought the road -immediately; on reaching it we could but contrast our feelings -with those we had experienced on leaving it early in the morning. -Our minds were at perfect ease on the question of supplies, -as our pillow-slip was full, our haversacks were full, and each -of us had a corn-dodger in his hand besides. We thought we -should make a long stride toward our lines before our supplies -should be exhausted. The meal in the pillow-slip was carried by -turns. As we had eaten a great deal during the day we did not -feel like walking rapidly. We put in the whole time, however, -until after midnight, when we stopped to rest and eat some -bread. A few minutes' rest sufficed, and we resumed our travels.</p> - -<p>As no incident in our travels particularly interesting, or -worthy of record, transpired for two or three nights or days, we -pass on to the events of a subsequent date. We will say, first, -that during the interval of time over which we pass without -noting every circumstance of our journey, we were very cautious. -In the night-time, while passing houses near the road, we maintained -the strictest silence. We walked carefully, and even then -the dogs often discovered us, and made the night dismal with -their howling. We made it a rule not to allow daylight to find -us upon the road; but before we go much farther in our narrative -we will give an instance in which it did so find us. The -first rays of the sun generally shone upon us in our bed asleep. -During our waking hours in day-time, when hid in the lonely -woods, we were careful not to talk, or laugh out boisterously, -knowing the liability to be heard at a distance. We did not -stand up or walk about a great deal. When we had supplies -there was no occasion to incur risks, or purposely come in contact -with any persons, black or white. We always hid, if possible, -where water would be convenient to us. We had fire in -day-time with which to broil our meat and make mush. During<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> -the day we prepared our midnight lunch. When we were in a -secure retreat for the day we generally prepared a quantity of -mush, for fear our hiding-place next day would be in a place -too much exposed to admit of fire or smoke. In all our movements -we tried to exercise the utmost caution. As the distance -between us and our prison became greater we became, if possible, -more cautious. The farther we got from prison the greater -would be our disappointment in being caught and taken back.</p> - -<p>The early morning of February 24th found us upon the road, -which led through an open country. Cleared and fenceless lands -bordered it on either side. We pushed on, in the hope of reaching -woods, until broad daylight. At length the rays of the -rising sun began to illuminate the face of Nature. We were -then obliged to leave the public highway. The road had led us -northward the last two nights, and still led us in that direction. -We looked to our right, where the lands were hilly or a little -broken. We went in that direction, thinking we could hide behind -a knoll, or rising ground. Soon we gained a point or crest, -from which the ground sloped gently to the east. A hundred -yards or more ahead of us we saw the tops of scattering trees -projecting above a bluff. We pressed on, and soon stood upon a -precipice, and looked beyond it, over a narrow wooded valley. -We clambered half-way down the precipice to hide among the -rocks. We had laid our blankets, haversacks, and bag of meal -aside. We were going to make our bed, but found the space in -which we stood was not large enough for all of us. We would -be hampered by the rocks. Smith and I had unrolled our -blankets; Sutherland, Wood, Trippe, and Taylor had gone a -little farther down among the rocks to find more room. About -the same time we saw a smoke rising through the trees in the -valley. We were sure a house was there, although we could not -see it. It was south-east of us, apparently half a mile distant.</p> - -<p>We were about beginning the preparations for our daily rest -when the noise of an ax resounded in our ears. The noise was -so unexpected and so near us that we were startled, and at first -looked around wildly, and in amaze. We soon recovered from -the shock of astonishment and surprise, and peered cautiously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -around the rocks and looked below us. Not more than a hundred -yards from us, in the woods near the base of the precipice, we -saw a single white man wielding his ax. His dog was near him. -On account of the dog we lay low. If he had got a glimpse of -us his master would have become aware of our presence. We -could not make our bed; we could do nothing but keep still. -Smith and I had near us all the blankets, and all the provisions -belonging to our party. Our comrades were about thirty feet -below us, almost under us. Smith ventured to drop their blankets -to them, after which we all kept quiet. We slept but little. As -long as the ax was used we felt no fear of being seen by the -man, but every half hour we peered out from the rocks to see -if the dog was near him.</p> - -<p>About noon, or a little later, the man ceased chopping. We -thought we should have a short respite while the man went to -dinner, and would embrace that opportunity to eat our own. -We looked out to see him leaving. We were greatly disappointed. -A woman—his wife perhaps—had brought his dinner -to him, and he was eating. She was accompanied by another -dog. The two dogs then pranced and prowled about in the -woods, and we watched them closely. We were fearful they -would go around, and get above and behind us, but they did not -do so. We were in a very restless and impatient mood; each -moment seemed an hour almost. We would have parted with -jewels, if we had possessed them, to have been away from there. -When the man had finished eating, the woman took her bucket -and went away, followed by the dogs. We were highly pleased -to know the dogs were gone, for they had annoyed us greatly. -The man resumed his toil unconscious of our presence. As he -chopped almost incessantly, and could, therefore, look around -but little, we felt a little safer. Smith and I opened our haversacks -and took out some meat. We cut off a few thin slices and -sprinkled them with meal. On raw meat and meal we made our -dinner. While eating, Smith and I exhibited ourselves to our -comrades below us. They looked up wishfully, and signified -their desire to eat. As Smith and I had all the commissary -stores we continued eating, to tantalize our comrades. At length<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -we put some meal and a chunk of meat in a haversack and -dropped it to them.</p> - -<p>The day had been a long one to us. Our rest had not been -refreshing. We were in constant apprehension and suspense. -The loss of sleep and comfort, in consequence of having no bed, -had its effect upon our bodies. We felt chilled and sore, and we -longed for the approach of night. Near four o'clock, P. M., the -wood chopper ceased from toil and went off with his ax on his -shoulder. Erelong the sun went down, and, as soon as we got -every thing ready, we climbed the precipice and went directly to -the road. Early in the night we found we were about entering -the suburbs of a town. It was Rocky Mount Court-House, Franklin -county. We approached it on a road which bore a little west -of north. We fell back a few paces and began our circuit around -the place. On leaving the road we first climbed a fence and -went across the corner of an inclosed tract of timber lands. We -then climbed a second fence and entered open fields, in which we -continued until the road north-west of the place was reached. In -making our circuit we were guided by the lights in the town, -which were yet burning. Near midnight we halted and eat -some meal and meat, upon which, with an occasional swallow of -water, we made a respectable supper.</p> - -<p>On the morning of February 25th, as on the previous morning, -we were in an open country. At daylight we looked ahead -of us on the road, but saw no woods. A house, however, was -discernible in the distance. As we dared not pass it, we left the -road which had been leading us westward. South of the road, -about half a mile, we saw a space of ground covered over with -numerous rocks, large and small. To it we directed our steps, -in the hope that the rocks would afford us shelter for the day. -We soon reached the place, but did not much like it, and were -loath to remain in its inadequate protection. But as the sun was -up, we could not look for a better or more secure hiding-place -without incurring even greater risks than there would be in -making our bed, and keeping it during the day, where we were. -We cleared the small rocks from a space sufficiently large for our -bed and spread it upon the ground. We then lay down to sleep.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -Our heads were near the base of a large rock which was between -us and the road we had left a few moments before, and it hid us -from view in that direction. To our right and left and at our -feet were many rocks of smaller size, which partially concealed us -as long as we lay low. On lying down we looked all around us, -but scarcely a tree or bush was visible. Nothing but a waste of -barren ground with an undulating and rocky surface could be -seen. South of us, perhaps a little west, and nearly a mile distant, -was higher ground. Beyond and above it, a few of the topmost -branches of the tallest trees projected. The chief feature of -the country immediately surrounding us was barrenness and -nakedness. We could not resist the impression that our hiding-place -was poorly chosen. A feeling of insecurity crept over us. -The primeval forest of Virginia, with only the exception of the -previous day, had hitherto protected us from the view of the -rebellious citizens of the State. Near three hours of undisturbed -repose was granted us.</p> - -<p>Near ten o'clock, A. M., we were awakened by a clattering -noise. Taylor looked out cautiously and discovered it was made -by a wagon passing over a stony road. It was not on the road -we had left in the morning, but on one just west of us, which -crossed or intersected it. It was nearly two hundred yards from -us. The man in the wagon was driving north-east, having come -on the road from the south-west. On stopping in the morning -we had not noticed the road, as the surface of the ground was a -little broken, and many rocks and knolls intervened between it -and ourselves. It had washed and worn considerably below the -level of the ground. On finding we were so near a public highway, -we felt uneasy, and still more dissatisfied with our hiding-place. -We did not leave it yet, however, as the wagon had -passed on out of hearing.</p> - -<p>We again essayed to sleep. We fell into a kind of dozing -sleep, from which we were soon aroused by the hum of voices. -We looked westward and saw several persons, mostly women and -children, walking on the road. They were a great while passing, -it seemed to us, and were disposed to loiter by the way. We -felt in an exceedingly disagreeable and unsafe position. At<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -length the hum of voices died away and we tried to feel at ease, -but could not. Very soon another rattling on the stony road -disturbed our equanimity and patience. We looked and saw a -cart on the road driven by a negro. It was a one-horse concern, -and was followed by a white man on horseback. We judged we -were not far from town, and resolved to flee our hiding-place, -for fear some strollers, or home guards, or somebody should come -upon us and report us, and take measures to recapture us.</p> - -<p>We waited and watched until nearly noon, when, concluding -there would be no passing on the road, we put our things in -convenient shape for our first day-time traveling. Just as we -had completed our preparations, we looked westward and northward -to see if any persons were upon the road. We saw none. -We immediately started southward, bearing slightly to our left. -We did not run, but walked rapidly, without looking behind us. -When we had gone about a mile, we reached a point from which -we could look down an inclined plane into woods. We halted -and looked all around us, but saw no one. We judged we had -not been seen, and deemed our movement a successful one. We -were glad to see woods once more, and pushed on until we stood -in the midst of forest-trees.</p> - -<p>We sat down on a large rock to rest and watch awhile. We -were on a wooded hill-side, which sloped gently to the south-west. -Trippe got up from his seat and went in a south-east course on -the hill-side, to look for a place in which to hide. He was gone -some time, and we became impatient for his return. We did not -wish to leave the place where he had left us until he came back, -as he would not know where to find us. Nearly a half hour -passed before we saw Trippe returning. He was walking slowly -and hesitatingly. He occasionally looked back in the direction he -had gone. Before he reached us we discovered something wrong -had happened; or if nothing wrong, something at least which we -would rather had not transpired.</p> - -<p>Trippe was vexed and almost spiritless. He had been recaptured -once, and now he thought his time had come to be -caught again and taken back to prison. He told us the cause -of his discouragement. He had gone south-east of us, an eighth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -of a mile, or more, along the hill-side. He had turned directly -south to go down hill, when he saw a man clad in "butternut" -coming up hill. Trippe thought, and hoped, he had not been -noticed by the citizen, and stood still to see if he would pass. -The citizen came on up hill. His foot slipped, and he caught -hold of a little tree to keep from falling. In getting around -and above the tree his head turned slightly, and he noticed -Trippe, about twenty steps from him. As soon as he recovered -from his surprise he approached Trippe, and asked what he was -doing there. Trippe said he was just looking through the woods a -little. Other questions were asked, and answered by each party. -Trippe tried at first to equivocate, but found it useless, as his -uniform was plainly that of a Federal soldier. He told the -citizen he had been a prisoner at Danville, and with others was -trying to make his way to the Union lines. He also told him -where we were, and how many there were of us in all. The -citizen feigned sympathy with Trippe, and expressed a hope that -he would get home all right. Trippe had very little faith in -him. He advised Trippe not to fight any more against the -South, and at the same time offered his hand. Trippe took the -hand in his own with not the slightest confidence in its possessor. -The Rebel pledged to Trippe his word and honor not to lay a -straw in his path, and immediately turned and went directly -back on his trail. Trippe watched him, and soon saw that he -hurried himself, as if suddenly imbued with a new purpose.</p> - -<p>When Trippe related the circumstance to us we became intent -on getting away from there, as quickly and as far as possible. -We placed no reliance in the promise of the Confederate -not to lay a straw in our path, but thought he would take -measures to interpose greater obstacles in the way of our progress. -Our things being already in compact marching order, -we started immediately. The meal in the pillow-slip, though not -heavy, being more than two-thirds used, was all the surplus -thing we had to carry. All else was in our haversacks. We -went south-east, and soon reached the spot where the citizen had -been encountered by Trippe. We then turned to our right and -went south-west. On reaching the base of the ridge we found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -we would emerge from the woods and cross cleared lands, in a -narrow valley, or change our course. There was no time for -debate, and we pushed ahead.</p> - -<p>Near the outskirts of the woods two little boys and a little -girl were playing. As we passed, the largest boy cried out, -"Uncle Jim has gone for the guards to catch you uns with." -We hurried forward, scarcely taking time to thank the children -for the information. If we had to be hunted we were glad to -know it. A short distance ahead of us was a house. We passed -near it, leaving it a little to our right. When we were just -opposite the house, a woman came to the door and exhorted us -to hurry. She said her brother-in-law was a "mean man," and -had gone to report us to the home guards. As time was gold to -us just then, we did not halt, but heeded the exhortation so -earnestly given. As we crossed the branch which traversed the -narrow valley we heard the woman say her husband had been -killed in the war. She talked on, but we were soon out of -hearing.</p> - -<p>As we approached the upland, on the opposite side of the -valley, we began to think about obscuring our trail. We noticed -where a hollow, or ravine, entered the valley from the wooded -hill-side. We got into the hollow and followed on its rocky bed, -where we made no tracks, until we got some distance into the -woods. A portion of the time we went on the double-quick, and -sometimes, when on level ground or going down hill, we went -even more rapidly. It was two o'clock, or a little later in the -day, when we first halted to listen for "Uncle Jim" and his -guards. We did not hear them, nor did we wish to; so we -pressed on. We had so far traveled three miles or more, mostly -in a western direction.</p> - -<p>A point had been reached from which we could look across -fields and open country in all directions, except south, south-west, -and east—the course we should take in retracing our steps. -As we did not wish to cross fields, or go back on our trail, we -turned southward. In that direction we proceeded until we had -gone over a mile, when we turned to our right, and again pushed -rapidly westward, through a heavy wood. Soon we came to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -branch of clear running water. As we were tired we concluded -we would wade in the water, following the stream down, and -thus obscure our trail. As we had made tracks in the wet soil -near the branch on approaching it, we pushed on across it, going -some distance until the solid ground was reached. We then got -back to the branch, walking on scattering rocks, sticks, and logs, -so as to leave no traces behind us. If the guards were on our -trail, we hoped, when they reached the branch, they would cross -it, and push on westward as speedily as possible.</p> - -<p>We followed down stream in a south-west course for more -than a mile. When in the water we traveled at a moderate gait, -as the branch traversed a very narrow, thickly wooded valley, -and we could not be seen at a distance. A point on the branch -was at length reached where a road crossed it. The road had -the appearance of being traveled a great deal, and we looked up -and down it to see if any body could be seen. On seeing no one -we crossed to the south of the road, still wading in the water. -After getting a short distance into the woods, south of the road, -we left the branch and pushed rapidly westward. Our feet had -become wet, and we resorted to brisk walking to get our socks -dry. We would have taken time to take our socks off and wring -the water from them, but, should the guards come upon us, we -did not wish to be barefooted.</p> - -<p>Our flight was continued until sunset. We had intended -traveling on a line parallel with the road, but found it necessary -to bear southward occasionally to avoid crossing open fields. -When the sun had gone down we called a halt. The country -was very rough and broken where we halted; heavy woods and -brushy undergrowth were all around us on all the hill-sides. -We took refuge in a thicket, near a considerable bluff. No sounds -of pursuers could be heard; every thing was still. We rested -well, and slept a little. Our feet were worsted by the wetting -they had received and our subsequent rapid walking. On a few -scraps of meat dipped in meal we made a scanty supper. We -dared not build a fire after dark or we would have made some -mush and taken a fuller meal.</p> - -<p>Before the moon arose it was very dark. We waited half an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -hour or more for its appearance above the horizon. At length -its light shone dimly through the woods. The sky was a little -clouded and the woods were dense, but the moon served to guide -us upon our course, if its light did shine imperfectly and at intervals. -We gathered our things and started. We steered -northward. When obliged to turn aside, or vary from that -course, we varied to the west. Many difficulties beset us. Our -hurried march in the day had considerably taxed our powers of -endurance; our rest at dark was brief, only, long enough for -our limbs to stiffen; our feet were sore; we were hungry; our -hasty meal at dark had not sufficed. It was the first we had -eaten since midnight of the night before, on getting around -Rocky Mount Court-House. The country was hilly; we got -over and down one hill only to begin the ascent of another; -the woods were dark, and logs and brush obstructed our pathway -and impeded our progress. We persevered, however, and -pressed on. One of our party went in advance and pushed the -brush aside; the other five of us followed just behind him, in -"close order."</p> - -<p>Fully an hour passed before we emerged from the brush and -woods into more open ground. We climbed a fence and crossed -a field. On getting out of the field we struck a road running -east and west. We followed it at a moderate gait until we had -gone a mile, when we reached a cross-road. We then turned to -our right and went due north. On going two miles or more we -called a halt. We were much fatigued; nearly worn down, in -fact, and, besides, we were faint and hungry. The road we were -following seemed not to be much traveled. We had passed no -house since dark. We had stopped on the road, where it was -winding along the side of a ridge, which was heavily wooded. -We determined to look for a retreat where we could rest awhile, -build a fire, and make some mush. We left the road and went -up hill west of it. Soon we gained the top of the hill or ridge. -We then went down the hill on its western slope, and in the -bushes near the foot of it we halted. The noise of rippling or -running waters could be distinctly heard. Two of our party -took our canteen and bucket and went to fill them. While they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -were gone we built a fire. A blanket was unrolled and spread -on the bushes above the fire to partially conceal its light. Our -bucket was then made three times full of mush. Small, thin -slices and bits of meat were cut off and put in the mush as it -was cooking. Soon our hunger was appeased, and our weariness -hung not so heavily upon us. We put up our things, scattered -our fire, sought the road, and resumed our journey.</p> - -<p>Near midnight, and just after we had crossed a branch, we -were startled by hearing a solitary shot in the woods. We immediately -halted. Seemingly the sound of the shot came from -a point not very far ahead of us, but some distance to our left. -Our first conjecture was that we were in the vicinity of a cavalry -bivouac. Two or three of our party thought the home guards -had been posted on the roads, and were about to hem us in. -There was no time to be lost in parleying, and we determined -to go on slowly and slyly. Before going two hundred yards we -came to a turn in the road. The road had been leading us -northward, but on going around the turn it led us west. We -again halted, thinking it was possible there was a guard on the -road, as it led in the direction from whence the sound of the -shot had proceeded. Trippe proposed going on a few paces to -see. He did so. We followed him at the distance of fifty or -sixty paces. In this way we advanced fully half a mile, when -we reached a point where the road passed between fields. Trippe -waited until we came up, when he pronounced the road clear, as -far as pickets were concerned.</p> - -<p>We then pushed on, and discovered we were about passing a -house on the left of the road. We checked our speed and passed -the house with care and celerity. When we had got about -twenty steps beyond the house, and just as we were becoming -careless again, the dogs began a lively barking. We proceeded -a dozen steps further when we noticed the sparks of a fire flying -upward. The fire was about twenty steps ahead of us, on the -left of the road. It was near the corner of the rail-fence, where -the lane terminated. We stopped instantly, but said nothing. -We watched the fire closely for a moment. The dogs kept up -their howling. In the light of the fire, which soon blazed up,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -we distinctly saw several covered wagons ahead of us near the -road side. We knew, or thought at least, that we were about -running into a supply train. We hardly knew what to do. The -dogs continued barking furiously, and would soon arouse somebody, -to see what disturbed them. We could not go forward, as -the guards, or teamsters, with the train would discover us. We -did not wish to go back by the house, as there was danger of -being observed by persons within, or about it. There was no -time for deliberation. We climbed the rail-fence to our right -on the north of the road. We were careful not to make any -noise; although the dogs made hubbub enough to drown any -noise we should make.</p> - -<p>We had left tracks on the road, and found on getting into -the field that its surface was moist and impressible. We determined -to make a trail that would mislead any person who might -have the curiosity to follow us. On reaching a point in the field -about a quarter of a mile due north of the road we turned east. -In that direction we traveled half a mile. We then turned -south and crossed the fence at the corner of the field. On getting -into the road we followed it east nearly a quarter of a mile, -when we went some distance in a south-east course. By so doing -we got into thick woods where the ground was covered with -leaves, where we could leave only very indistinct traces behind -us. We then turned and traveled directly west, keeping parallel -with the road, and a little more than a quarter of a mile south -of it. The dogs at the house still kept up their howling; and -as the train and those with it were just at hand, we kept off at -a safe distance. The shot we had heard an hour before, we -judged had been fired by some one with the train.</p> - -<p>When we had gone far enough, in a western direction, to -reach a point directly south of the house, where the dogs were -still barking, we bore considerably to our right, and went north-west. -We continued in that direction until we struck the road -some distance west of the wagon train. After going something -more than a mile further on the road, in a direction a little -north of west, we halted. It lacked an hour or more of being -daylight, but as we were very tired, having traveled many miles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -in the last twenty-four hours, we determined to look out for a -secure hiding-place for the day. We accordingly left the road -and penetrated some distance into the woods on the north of it. -Just after crossing a small branch we halted, and made our preparations -for a refreshing sleep. We fell into a sound slumber -immediately on lying down on our bed.</p> - -<p>About mid-day we awoke and found ourselves very stiff and -sore all over. We felt very little like moving about. We had -pulled off our shoes on lying down, and on getting up we found -our feet were so very sore that we could hardly get them on -again. The sky was overcast with clouds, threatening snow. -Our stock of provisions was getting very low, and other circumstances -seemed to conspire in making the woods around us and -the prospect before us quite cheerless. That we had not fallen -into the hands of the home guards was the only circumstance -that afforded us consolation. After getting our shoes on, we set -about building a fire. We went to the branch near us and -washed our hands and faces; afterward feeling some better. -Our vessels were filled with water at the branch, to be used in -making mush. When we had dispatched our dinner we had -some meal left, also a little salt, but no meat. The meal was -emptied from the pillow-slip and made into mush, which, with -the exception of the last bucket full made, was put into the -pillow-slip. The last mush made was left in the bucket. When -the mush became cold it sliced off nicely, and was ready for our -midnight meal.</p> - -<p>Shortly after noon one of our party wandered out northward -from our hiding-place some distance, and spied a man engaged in -plowing in an old field. It was early in the season, we thought, -for plowing, but as we had seen plowing near Danville in January, -we knew it was nothing unusual for that country. Sutherland -and I went out and lay close to the fence which inclosed -the field, to watch the man who was plowing, and see if we -could determine whether he was white or black. It so happened -that he did not plow on out to the fence near which we were -hid, as a strip of sod or grass land intervened between him and -the fence. We were somewhat disappointed, as we could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -make out at that distance whether the man was white or black. -If we had been assured he was a black man, we would have -made an effort to procure more food.</p> - -<p>Near the close of the day we went to the branch and bathed -our feet thoroughly, hoping, if it did not improve them, it would -keep them from getting sorer than they were already. We then -lay down and slept about an hour, and on waking we found that -our blankets and the ground were covered with snow to the -depth of an inch. We got up and shook the snow from our -blankets, and put every thing in order for the night's marching. -Awhile before sunset the snow ceased falling, the clouds began -to clear away, and the weather was perceptibly cooler. No -clouds obscured the sun as it shed its last rays over us for the -day, and sank from view in the west.</p> - -<p>Just at dark we left our hiding-place and went directly to -the road. It was quite dark, as the moon had not appeared; -but as our feet were sore, we could only advance slowly any how, -and we pushed on. In the road, where there were no leaves, the -snow had melted, making the walking slippery and slavish. -When the moon arose we walked at the side of the road, and -got along some better. Early in the night Taylor began to fall -behind. Sore feet, we judged, was the cause of his slow progress. -He fell behind several times, and we waited as often for -him to come up. We asked him no questions, only supposing -that his feet were sorer than our own. About ten o'clock, or a -little later in the night, we struck a pike running north-east and -south-west. The road we had been following did not cross it. -As we had to change our course, and as Taylor was some distance -behind, we waited for him to catch up. When he had -caught up we waited awhile longer for him to rest.</p> - -<p>On renewing our travels we followed the pike in a north-east -course toward Lynchburg. Before going very far on the pike, -we passed one house on the left. We went nearly half a mile -beyond the house, when we discovered an obscure road leading -westward. We changed our course, as we wished to reach and -cross the Blue Ridge Mountains as soon as possible. Taylor had -kept up with us while following the pike, but again fell behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -on leaving it. The road was a poor one. Its clay surface had -been considerably moistened by the melting snow, late in the -day and early in the night. Before midnight the mud began -freezing, and it stuck tenaciously to our shoes. The country -was rough and broken, and the road led us over a succession of -ridges and hollows. In breaking the frozen crust of mud our -feet were continually slipping backward or forward, or sideways, -as we went up and down the hills, making our march extremely -fatiguing and wearisome. We were obliged to keep the road -on account of the trees, logs, and brush near it on either side. -Our way, however, was plain before us, as the road looked black -in contrast with the snowy woods.</p> - -<p>We trudged on in the difficult and lonely way, and, though -our progress was slow, Taylor had fallen far behind. Near midnight -we were on the point of stopping to eat some mush, but -concluded to move on slowly for awhile, and give Taylor a chance -to catch up with us or gain on us. We slackened our pace considerably, -and, on going half a mile, we halted at the road side. -Taylor had not caught up with us, neither was he in sight or -hearing. We sat on a log, and waited patiently for his approach. -Several minutes passed while we were waiting. We took the -mush from our bucket and cut it in slices ready for eating. While -so doing Taylor came dragging himself along the road. We -called to him, and he turned aside to join us in the woods. He -was lame and weary. On reaching us he sank almost exhausted -to the ground, sitting in the snow and placing his back against -the log upon which we sat. We made no inquiries of Taylor as -to the cause of his lameness, supposing he could not tell us more -than we knew already.</p> - -<p>One or two observations were made respecting the bad condition -of the road, after which we began eating our midnight -lunch. When we had finished eating we gathered our things and -started. Trippe and I were ahead, and had reached the road -and gone on it a few steps. Wood and Sutherland were closely -following us. Sutherland looked back and saw Smith coming, -but did not see Taylor. Sutherland then asked, "Smith, where -is Taylor? an't he coming?" Smith answered, "I thought he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -was following me;" and then looked behind and called aloud, -"Come on, Taylor." Smith not understanding Taylor's reply, -went back to him. On being asked why he had not started, -Taylor said he was unable to go any farther, as his broken leg -had failed him. Smith at once called to us to come back to the -place where Taylor was. We did so. It was painfully apparent -that he could go no farther that night. We learned for the first -time that he had been wounded in the leg, and had one of its -bones broken. He was not a Chickamauga prisoner, but had -been wounded and captured at or near Leesburg, Virginia, in a -cavalry engagement, early in July, 1863, at the time of the battles -of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. During our four or five weeks' -association with him it so happened we had not learned of his -wound.</p> - -<p>We at once concluded that our travels for that night were at -an end, and began looking around for a place in which to lie over -until the following night. When Taylor heard our determination -he objected, saying he felt sure he would not be able to travel -by the following night, and might not be able to renew the journey -for a week. He would not consent that we should remain -with him until the next night, unless he knew he would be able -to go on with us by that time. We insisted on waiting with him -as long as that, as we should lose only three hours' time by so -doing. Taylor still objected, saying he would not detain us a -single hour, and if we failed in reaching the lines, it should not -be laid to his charge. We determined to remain, when Taylor -assured us he could not travel for at least three or four nights, -and was unwilling to feel himself responsible for the consequences -that might ensue from so long a detention of our party. -We then offered to divide our party, to leave two with Taylor, -and let the other three go on. But he objected to this proposal -also, saying he would not delay a single one of us, and probably -be the cause, immediate or remote, of the return of that one to -prison. He would rather take his chances of ultimately reaching -the lines alone, and feel clear of responsibility for any accident -or disaster that might overtake us than to do otherwise.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i055.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"> - <p><span class="smcap">"Left Alone."—Page 53.</span></p> - </div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> -<p>We had offered fairly, as we thought, and concluding Taylor -knew the nature and extent of his disability much better than -we did, we determined to leave the case to him. If he said remain, -we would cheerfully do so; or if he said for us to go on -and leave him behind, we would do that regretfully. Taylor -then said for us to lose no time on his account, but to push on -to the Union lines, and make our escape good. It required but -a few moments to arrange for resuming our journey, and to advise -Taylor as to the best course to pursue; to say to him the -parting good-by, and leave him behind. The mush in the pillow-slip, -all the provisions we had, except a little salt, was then -taken out and divided into six parts. The largest part was given -to Taylor. The other five parts were put in our haversacks. -Nearly or quite half of the scrip on hand was given him, as he -was going to tarry awhile in the Confederacy, and might use it -to advantage. A portion of the salt was also given him. The -canteen which had been used by our party so far on the trip, -and which belonged to Taylor, was left with him. He had a -watch and a supply of scrip to barter for food, or for the services -of a guide, to conduct him to the lines, or both. With -these, and with his canteen and haversack, we left him alone in -the woods, wrapped in his overcoat and blanket. It was a sad -and melancholy scene we witnessed in parting from Taylor. It -was painful and trying to us to shake his hand, and say to him -"good-by." Our feelings were similar to those occasioned by -the fall of a comrade on the battle-field. We had left Taylor, -and were getting into the road when we heard him say, "Company -G, 2d Massachusetts Cavalry," giving his address, and -asking us to write to him if we reached the lines. We each of -us then gave him the name of the company and regiment to -which we respectively belonged, so that he might write to us if -he got through all right.</p> - -<p>The substance of the advice we gave to Taylor was to remain -where he was until daylight, at which time he could move to a -better or more secure hiding-place, if able to do so, where he -could command a view of the road, and see persons that might -pass upon it. The first negro, or party of negroes, he saw passing, -if no whites were with them, he was to hail, and beckon them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -to him and make his condition known, and get them to harbor -him, or take him to some house where he could be harbored -until he was able to renew his journey. If he saw no person -pass during the day, he was to go in the evening in search of a -habitation where assistance might be given him. When able to -travel, he was to secure, if possible, the services of a guide, to -conduct him to some point within or in the vicinity of the -pickets or outposts of our army. He could reward his guide, if -fortunate enough to secure one, with his watch and Confederate -money.</p> - -<p>It was the night of Friday, February 26, 1864, that we -left Taylor behind. We left him within six miles of the Blue -Ridge Mountain, at a point between eighty and one hundred -miles south-west of Lynchburg, Va., and nearly three miles -west of the pike leading to that place. We must have left him -somewhere near the boundary line between Franklin and Bedford -counties, Va., in the north-west corner of one, or in the south-east -corner of the other. If it was trying to us to part with -Taylor and leave him, it must have put his resolution and self-denial -to a severe test to persist in being left alone in his crippled -and almost helpless condition. On stopping he was warm, as the -road was bad, and he had exerted himself to catch up with us. -By sitting down in the snow, he cooled suddenly, and his lame -leg became stiff and useless. His condition was critical and unenviable, -as he was unable to move about with ease or comfort, -and his supply of food was small in quantity and poor in quality. -No house was near him. We had not passed a house since -leaving the pike. The weather was cold, as the snow and mud -was freezing. He was in a bleak mountain country alone. No -friend was near him. We had been his friends and comrades, -and were his friends still, but had forsaken him. His prospect -was cheerless. His desponding heart had little on which to -predicate a hope. He dreaded to meet a man of his own color, -for fear of meeting an enemy, and in the mountain districts -the blacks were few. The woods around him were dreary, although -the ground was covered with snow, and the moon shone -brightly. The trees with their leafless branches and skeleton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -shadows could be dimly seen, but were poor companions for a -maimed and wearied traveler in an enemy's land. It was a -touching, but a necessary or unavoidable incident of our journey -to leave Taylor behind in the Winter, and in the wilderness, as -a lonely and solitary sentinel in the silent watches of the night. -But we could do no better, as our supply of provisions was nearly -exhausted, and we could not recruit it, or seek assistance for him -without jeopardizing his safety as well as our own. So we left -him to whatever fate might fall to him in the merciful dispensation -of Providence.</p> - -<p>I have never heard from or of Taylor to this date, December, -1869. Whether he got able to travel, and succeeded in -making his escape from the Confederacy, or whether he was recaptured -and returned to prison, is not known to me. He may -have perished from starvation where we left him, on account of -inability to get away from there.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>PROVISIONS GONE—CROSS THE BLUE RIDGE—SECURING FOOD—GOING THROUGH BIG - LICK—RAIN AND DARKNESS—WE ARE COMPELLED TO SEEK SHELTER—LYING OVER—THE - TOBACCO—ITS OWNER—MORE FOOD LAID IN—UP THE VALLEY—STRIKE FOR THE - ALLEGHANIES—DIFFICULT TRAVELING—ROUGH COUNTRY—WE REACH A STREAM—TOO - WEARY TO FORD—FALL BACK TO HIDE—MAKING OUR BED—FALL ASLEEP.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">Having</span> parted with Taylor, our travels were resumed -through the later hours of the night. Once or twice in -traveling the distance of four, or four and a half miles, we almost -concluded to return to him, but feared disaster might come -upon us if we turned back. It soon became evident that daybreak -was at hand, but we proceeded a mile farther before turning -into the woods. The sun was just rising when we began -making our bed, for the 27th of February, in a place surrounded -by woods and brush. On lying down we fell asleep. We awoke -about the middle of the afternoon. Shortly after arousing from -our slumbers, we eat the last of our mush. A little salt was all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -we had left of the supplies we had received from our negro -friends in Henry county. When, where, and how our next supply -of food should be secured we did not know. We judged we -should cross the mountain during the approaching night, and determined -to give ourselves no concern on the score of rations -until the valley on the other side was reached.</p> - -<p>The sad event of the previous night formed the subject of our -conversation for the evening. "It wouldn't surprise me a bit," -said Wood, "if Taylor should beat us to the lines yet."</p> - -<p>"He may," said Trippe, "if he lives through the first night -or two, does well, and is lucky enough to secure the services of -a good guide to take him through by the short cuts."</p> - -<p>"Our lines will be down this way some of these days," said -Smith.</p> - -<p>"The only difficulty with Taylor," remarked Trippe, "will be -in avoiding Rebel citizens and finding a true Union friend to care -for him a few days."</p> - -<p>"He must have nothing to do with any body but a negro," -said Sutherland, "or he's a goner." "Boys," he continued, -"supposing it should become necessary for us to separate into -two squads, how'll we divide?"</p> - -<p>"Draw cuts," answered Wood.</p> - -<p>"If it should become necessary for us to separate," remarked -Trippe, "it will most likely be under such circumstances as will -forbid drawing cuts."</p> - -<p>"Yes, boys," answered Wood, "we'll have to draw cuts now, -and have the thing understood."</p> - -<p>Five small sticks were accordingly prepared. They were of -two different lengths. It being understood how the division -should stand, we drew cuts. It was decided that Smith, Wood, -and Sutherland should go in one direction, while Trippe and I -should go in another. We determined, however, never to separate -unless no other alternative would answer, and to push on -and endeavor to reach our lines together.</p> - -<p>At sunset we began arranging our things for journeying. As -soon as it was dark we sought the road, and on reaching it we -heard voices. We retired a few paces into the bushes and waited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -until a half dozen or more persons, mostly if not all colored, had -passed by. "Now, boys," whispered Wood, as the women and -children were passing, "here is a good chance to get something -to eat." But we had decided to cross the mountains before -looking after food, and allowed the opportunity to pass. We -then set out on our ninth night of travel, and had gone but little -more than a mile when we came to a considerable branch. -We crossed it with but little trouble, and soon after passed near -a house on the road whose occupants had not retired for the -night. We got by the house without attracting attention, or at -least without exciting curiosity. On following the road a little -further, we found it commenced its winding ascent of the mountain, -passing through a gap near the boundary line between -Franklin and Bedford counties, Va. We had heard before leaving -prison that the Blue Ridge Mountains were infested with -bush-whackers. We had a wholesome dread of these, and advanced -cautiously up the road, hoping, if there were any, we -should hear or see them before they should hear or see us.</p> - -<p>In little more than an hour's time we reached the highest -point in the gap, over which the road passed. We met with no -one to dispute our progress, and the descent of the western slope -was immediately commenced. We had followed the road but a -short distance down the mountain-side, when, on making a turn -in the road, we saw a light ahead, apparently about one hundred -yards distant from us. Judging it to be the light of a torch, or -small fire, we halted, and, on doing so, we heard voices engaged -in conversation. Trippe at once proposed going ahead alone a -few yards to see what might be seen. We consented, and he did -so. A few minutes of intense anxiety to us passed, as we imagined -the reports concerning bush-whackers were about to be -verified. Before Trippe returned we heard a door shut, the fire -or light at the same time disappearing. We then knew there -was a house, or hut of some kind, near the road, not far from -us; but of the number and character of its occupants we were -not so well informed.</p> - -<p>On coming back to us Trippe reported a house down there, -and the light we had seen was the light of a fire in the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -Trippe said, further, that some one was just leaving the house, -and, as soon as that person had started off down the road, the -conversation ceased, and the door of the house was closed. We -waited a few minutes for the folks in the house to get to sleep, -and for the person on the road ahead of us to get out of our -way, when we again started forward. On coming to the house -we found it a very small one, situated within a few steps of the -road. Passing it without discovery, we slowly walked on, and in -due time reached the valley below.</p> - -<p>Near the foot or base of the ridge was what appeared to be -a considerable stream of water; but on reaching it we found it -to be more wide than deep. We went a short distance down -stream and found four foot logs, from sixteen to twenty feet long, -extending across the stream. On these we crossed, and on reaching -the opposite side we halted for awhile to rest before proceeding -to the road.</p> - -<p>"If we only had some meat and bread," said Smith, "now -would be a good time to eat it."</p> - -<p>"This would be a good place, too," added Sutherland, "as -water is handy."</p> - -<p>"I guess we wouldn't be particular as to the place," observed -Smith, "if we only had something to eat."</p> - -<p>Being reminded of the fact that we were out of rations we -resolved to try our luck at the first house that came in our way. -We were not long in reaching one, probably not more than half -an hour. As we had crossed the mountain without difficulty; -as we felt glad we had not met with guerrillas—felt considerably -hungry, and were, withal, much emboldened, we were not overcautious -in our movements. Each of our party of five entered -the yard through the gate in front, and on reaching the house—an -old two-story frame house, unpainted—we rapped violently at -the front door. There was no answer from within. We called -and rapped repeatedly, but with the same results. We then -passed around the house to its south side, where we found another -door. Sutherland knocked loudly on it, but no response came. -He then put his mouth to the string-hole and asked, "Is any -body at home?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> - -<p>A man inside answered, in a tone of voice indicating fright, -"I guess there's somebody about."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you get up, then?" asked Sutherland. "Nobody's -going to hurt you."</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" inquired the man.</p> - -<p>"We want something to eat, and want you to get up and set -about getting it forthwith," said Sutherland. He refused to even -get out of bed, whereupon Sutherland demanded, "Shall we burst -your door down?" and Wood added, "and come in and burst -your noggin?"</p> - -<p>The man said, "That rests with you," and inquired, "Who -are you, and where are you going?"</p> - -<p>"We are soldiers going to Rocky Mount Court-House," -Sutherland answered.</p> - -<p>"Go on over the mountain, and you will be fed in the morning," -returned the man.</p> - -<p>Preferring to risk our chances at the next house to doing any -very rash or violent acts, we left this one, telling the man he -showed a very poor quality of patriotism.</p> - -<p>"If it was any other time, if it twas daylight, I might do -something for you."</p> - -<p>"We don't have to stand picket in the night-time; we don't -have to march, skirmish, and frequently fight in the night-time, -I suppose?" retorted Sutherland, in a very unamiable voice.</p> - -<p>"And skedaddle in the night-time from such rusty Butternuts -as you are," added Smith, in a tone just loud enough not -to be heard by the man, as we were withdrawing from the yard.</p> - -<p>We passed out of the yard through the gate to the road as -quickly as we could, intending to hurry on our way. As Sutherland -closed the gate he threatened the man with, "We shall report -you when we get to Rocky Mount, mark that."</p> - -<p>On starting forward on the road Wood observed, "We commenced -too heavy on the gentleman: we got him so badly scared -he didn't know what to do, or how to do it."</p> - -<p>We kept up our conversation, dwelling chiefly on the causes, -real and supposed, of our failure in procuring food, and of the -method to be resorted to in supplying our necessities. It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -agreed that Wood and I should try our hands at the next house. -It was after midnight, and should we not reach the next house -soon we decided not to disturb its inmates, as we must have time -to get out of reach after so doing before hiding for the day.</p> - -<p>In a few moments we halted in front of a house on the south -of the road at a distance of sixty or seventy yards from it. -Wood and I entered the yard and approached a door in the one-story -part of the house, supposing the darkies slept there. On -knocking slightly at the door, and hearing no answer, we jerked -the latch string once or twice. A voice inside—which was undoubtedly -that of an elderly white person—remonstrated strongly -against being disturbed at so late an hour. Wood seeing the -smoke-house a few steps to his left, went to examine it, and -proceeded from thence to the yard south of the house.</p> - -<p>At the same time I stepped upon the porch in front of the -two-story part of the house, and walked on it until I discovered -a pair of steps or stairs. On going up the steps I found the -porch had a second story also. Just at the top of the steps -was a doorway to the second story of the main building. I -found the door fastened, when I called out, asking if any one -was inside. A voice, plainly that of a negro, answered there was. -I told him to get up, and come out doors, as there were some -folks at the road who would like very much to see him. The -negro declined, saying, "You can't come dat game on dis chile: -Ise not coming out dar."</p> - -<p>"Get out of bed and come to the string hole," said I, "I -want to speak to you." He did so, when I said, "Put your ear -to the string-hole." He complied; and in a loud, distinct whisper, -I pronounced the word "Yankees." As soon as the negro -could draw on his clothing, the bar of the door came down and -he and I descended the steps into the yard.</p> - -<p>On seeing us, Wood approached, saying to the negro, "Where -did you come from?"</p> - -<p>"Ise from Knoxville," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"But just now, where did you come from just now?" asked -Wood.</p> - -<p>"From up in the loft," was the negro's reply.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come out to the road, old fellow," said I, "there's some -more Yankees out there."</p> - -<p>"Lord, massa! golly! dat so?" ejaculated the astonished -negro.</p> - -<p>We then went to the road accompanied by the negro. On -rejoining Trippe, Smith, and Sutherland, at the point where we -had left them, the last named, on seeing the negro, remarked, -"You don't expect us to eat that fellow, do you?"</p> - -<p>We lost no time in telling the negro what was wanting; that -we were hungry and had no provisions. The negro said the -cellar and smoke-house were locked, and the old master had the -keys. We asked him how soon he could get something for us to -eat. He replied, "In the mornin', 'fore massa and mistress gits -up."</p> - -<p>"How about the keys; don't the whites get up and unlock?"</p> - -<p>"No, sah; we gits de keys, onfastens, and gits breakfast 'fore -de white folks gits out o' bed," replied the negro.</p> - -<p>On ascertaining beyond doubt that provisions would be furnished -us in the morning, we had the negro conduct us to a safe -hiding-place for the day, which was near at hand. He took us -to a secure retreat in the midst of a large grove of heavy oak -timber situated about a mile from the house, on the north of the -road. In all directions from our hiding-place for the day—Sunday, -February 28th—were open fields. The woods or grove we -were in covered three or four hundred acres of land. Our camp -for the day was close to a rivulet, and was immediately surrounded -by tall dead grass; and a little further from us were -numerous small trees and bushes. The negro told us he would -fetch us breakfast by ten o'clock, and then hurried home.</p> - -<p>It was an hour or more before day when we made our usual -preparations for sleep. Soon after lying down we were lost in -slumber. Near nine o'clock, A. M., we awoke from our slumbers -and got up and washed our faces at the rivulet. Our toilet completed, -we had not long to wait for the appearance of our negro -friend, with a small basket of eatables, a pitcher of milk, and a -mug of molasses. We fared sumptuously on wheat cakes, fried -bacon, potatoes, molasses, and milk. When we had finished our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -meal the negro took the molasses and milk pitchers in his basket -and went homeward. While eating we learned from the negro -that we were in Roanoke county, and that the nearest town on -the road we expected to travel was Big Lick, a station on the -East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad.</p> - -<p>Shortly after noon the negro came out and talked quite a -while with us. He wished to know when we would have another -meal brought out. We expressed our willingness to receive -another meal at any time before sunset. We asked the negro -how much provision he could furnish us to carry with us. He -replied that he had not a good chance in day-time to get at the -meat, flour, and potatoes, without being seen by his master or -mistress, and at night he had no chance at all to secure any -thing, as the cellar and smoke-house were always locked at dark -by the whites, who kept the keys until morning.</p> - -<p>The man on whose provision we were subsisting was named -Schooler, or Schuyler. Being an original secessionist, he left -Knoxville, Tennessee, and settled in Roanoke county, Virginia, -where he would be less troubled with Federal troops. The negro -had also lived in Knoxville, and had before seen Yankee soldiers. -When he left us he went home, and soon returned with another -supply of food for our present consumption. While we were eating, -the negro informed us that Schooler, his master, had seen the -man at whose house we had attempted to get rations on the previous -night. The man told Schooler of the demonstrations we -had made at his house before leaving it to go on over the mountain. -Schooler in turn told the man that he, too, had been interrupted -during the night, but the disturbers of his sleep had -done no harm, and gone on, he knew not where.</p> - -<p>Our supper finished, we had an understanding with the negro -as to the place where we should receive the corn and meat. He -then left us, and we rolled up our blankets and made other needful -preparations for our tenth night's travel. Just at dark we -started for the point designated to receive what provisions our -negro host could provide for us. As we found him there with -the corn and meat, we were not long delayed. We were told it -was seven miles to Big Lick, and that Salem Court-House was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -nine miles west of that place. I gave the negro one of my -blouses as a slight compensation for his services to us, and as a -token of remembrance. We thanked the negro heartily for befriending -us in the hour of need, and then put the corn, which -was shelled, in our haversacks, and the meat in our pillow-slip, -and started for the road, accompanied that far by the negro.</p> - -<p>On reaching the road we bade our negro friend farewell and -left him. We found the road better than we expected, and -pushed forward rapidly, hoping to get around Big Lick by midnight. -We had thought of bearing to our right and passing -east of the place. As soon as we thought we had gone six miles -we saw a few small houses not far ahead of us, and concluded to -pass them before commencing our circuit around the town. -When we were just opposite the first house, Wood supposed it to -be the domicile of a negro family, and went to the door, opened -it, and asked how far it was to Big Lick. "You are there -now," was the answer given. Closing the door without asking -any more questions, Wood hastily rejoined us at the road.</p> - -<p>On finding we were in town we pushed on through it, walking -silently and briskly. Near the railroad depot we halted, -and after consulting briefly concluded to leave the road, so as to -elude pursuers, fearing the man we had inquired of might be a -white Rebel, and might collect a party to look after us in the -morning. After leaving the road we reached in a few minutes' -time the railroad bridge. We passed under the bridge, walking -partly in the waters of the little stream which it spanned until -we gained the woods north of the railroad. We then traveled -due northward until the sky became cloudy, when it grew much -darker, and we found great difficulty in making our way through -strange woods, with no road to guide us.</p> - -<p>Before morning it began raining, and the night became black -and dismal in its last hours. We could scarcely proceed, but -we kept on the move. Just at daylight we came to a road running -east and west. It seemed to be a very public one. As it -was raining hard we thought we should not be seen, and we -crossed the road and pushed on northward something more than -a mile, when we halted in the midst of a considerable forest of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -pines. Through this forest was a string of rail-fence, and as it -was raining hard, so that we could not make our bed down on -the ground, we placed rails across from one panel to another, on -which we sat with our coats and blankets disposed about us so -as to shed the water off as much as possible. In this manner -we occupied two corners of the fence; three of us in one corner -and two in the other.</p> - -<p>Near noon we were compelled by the severity of the storm -to seek shelter. We started and kept close to the fence on its -north side, going in an easterly direction. In a few minutes we -came to another fence, running north through open fields. We -changed our course, and followed it until we came to a branch -running in a south-east course. As the ground was much lower -near the branch we could follow it and at the same time be -screened from view. Soon we came in sight of a lone building -to our left a short distance, in the edge of the woods. We went -directly to it, and found it to be a tobacco-house. In it we -found shelter from the rain, as the roof was good. We then -took off our coats and blankets, and wrung the water from them. -As there was a lot of corn-blades tied in bundles stacked in one -corner of the room, we soon had a good resting-place. A small -lot of tobacco leaves, hanging above our heads, soon attracted -our attention, when the following conversation took place:</p> - -<p>"There's some tobacco," said Smith. "I'll bet there will -be somebody out here before night to look at it."</p> - -<p>"Not while it rains this way," said Trippe.</p> - -<p>"Well, let them come," said Wood, "it belongs to nobody -but a darkie, any how."</p> - -<p>"And when he comes out here we'll only have him to furnish -us with more rations," said Sutherland.</p> - -<p>"I'm only afraid he won't come," added Trippe.</p> - -<p>There was no floor in the tobacco-house, and we cleared the -corn-blades and straw from the center and built a fire. For -fuel we used tobacco sticks, of which there was a large quantity -piled up in a corner of the building. After burning enough -sticks to make sufficient coals and ashes for the purpose, we -went to parching corn. This we did by scattering the corn near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -the fire and raking hot ashes and coals over it. When the corn -was parched sufficiently, we raked it from the ashes with small -sticks. After eating all we wished of parched corn and broiled -meat, we parched a lot of corn for future use.</p> - -<p>The rain continued falling, and the day was far spent, when -we came to the conclusion we should be compelled to lie over for -the approaching night—February 29th. At dark we stretched -our blankets on sticks around the fire, for the twofold purpose of -drying them and concealing the fire. Soon we were obliged to -allow the fire to go down, as its light shone against the roof and -through the cracks of the building between the logs. We had -seen but one house during the evening from where we were, and -that was away some distance to the north of us. But for fear -somebody would be passing, and see the light of our fire, and -thus discover us, and publish the fact of our presence in the -vicinity, we put it out entirely. Becoming reconciled to the -necessity of stopping over for the night and following day, we -thought we would make the best of it, and rest, and recuperate -as much as possible in that time. So, taking time and pains, -and a goodly quantity of corn-blades, we made us a good bed. -A roof over our heads and the pelting rain-storm without were -conducive to sleep, and the night was passed in quiet and repose.</p> - -<p>We waked up shortly after daylight in the morning, but did -not get out of bed until about eight o'clock, A. M. The rain -had ceased, but clouds still overspread the sky, causing us to -feel doubtful about getting off even that night. We went out -one at a time to the pools of water, and washed our hands and -faces. Soon after we built a fire and began parching corn, and -broiling meat for breakfast and dinner. While thus engaged, -Sutherland, looking through a crack between logs, espied an old -negro approaching. As he was alone he gave us no concern, -and we were not averse to his coming. Approaching nearer and -nearer the building, the old negro finally came upon our trail -and noticed our tracks. He followed them a few steps, when, -discovering they led to the tobacco-house, he came to a halt. -He watched the house closely for a moment or two, when hear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>ing -or seeing us, he turned to go back. Sutherland opened the -door and said, "Hullo, old man! that'll never do; come in here, -we'll not hurt you."</p> - -<p>The old man turned about, and after further entreaty approached -the house and entered it. He had come out to examine -his tobacco. He was well stricken in years, being ninety years -of age, having children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. -On account of his age he was slow of speech and comprehension. -We had trouble in getting him to understand who and -what we were, and the situation in which we were placed. He -did not seem, at first, to correctly understand the meaning of the -term Yankee, but soon came to it, inquiring, "Is you uns some -of them fellers that's penned up in the 'backer-houses in Richmond?" -We answered that we were. We found it necessary -to impress on his mind the necessity of keeping secret from the -whites the fact of our presence in the country. Our need of -procuring provisions from time to time was also explained to the -old man. We urged the old man to either bring or send us -some meat of some kind, if nothing else, and to have it at the -tobacco-house by sunset. He promised to do so, and shortly -after examining and arranging his tobacco, he went slowly on -his way home. We finished our breakfast, and continued parching -corn for awhile. A little before noon we laid-ourselves down, -and slept until about three o'clock in the evening.</p> - -<p>On getting up we finished parching corn, and then all the -provisions we had with us were ready for eating. When we first -got up the sky was partially clear, and by sunset it was cloudless. -Just after sunset the old negro arrived with some six or -eight pounds of meat, mostly boiled beef, the remainder being a -small piece of side meat. A couple of corn-dodgers were also -furnished us, which we set apart for our midnight meal. Having -got our baggage, quartermaster and commissary stores, ready -for the trip, we expressed our obligations to the aged negro who -had befriended us, and bade him good-by. He then started -home, and soon after we set out on our eleventh night's journey, -March 1, 1864.</p> - -<p>Finding the ground soft and well saturated with water, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -thought we should do well if we trudged through eight or ten -miles that night. On reaching the road, which had been pointed -out to us by the negro, we found the walking much better than -we expected, as the water could not so easily penetrate its hard -surface. In a short time we passed the house where lived the -owner of the plantation to which the tobacco-house in which we -had been sheltering belonged. The house was near the road, -and the lights in it were burning brightly. While we were -passing the house the dogs began a lively barking, and kept it -up until we had gone some distance, and crossed a creek, when -we heard no more of them. Near midnight we halted at the -road side amid a cluster of small trees, and eat some beef and -corn-bread.</p> - -<p>We soon resumed our travels. As we could not walk very -rapidly, owing to the condition of the road, we put in the whole -time until day-break, so that we could have it to say that we -were at least eight or ten miles nearer our goal than when setting -out. The road we were traveling bore northward in its -general direction, but as the country on either side was covered -with unfenced woods, it frequently deviated from its general -course. At length day-break came, and we went to the left of -the road in search of a secure hiding-place for the day, March -2, 1864.</p> - -<p>The distance gone over during the night had not been more -than eleven miles, or twelve at the furthest, but we were that -distance further north, which was a gratifying feature of the -night's journey. The ground being yet very damp, we were -compelled to seek an open space in which to make our bed, and -a quantity of brush and leaves on which to make it, so that our -bedding should not get damp or muddy. A suitable hiding-place -having been found, we collected leaves and brush from the -adjacent woods, and made our bed on them, and retired to sleep -for the day. We went about a mile from the road before locating -our camp. It was further than may have been necessary, -as the road was not a very public one, judging from appearances, -and the country was very sparsely settled.</p> - -<p>Some time in the evening we awoke and got up, finding the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -sky clear, and the weather mild for the time of year. We found -we had not stopped convenient to water, but on looking around -a little we found water not far off sufficient for our needs. As -we had no use for fire we built none, but made a meal on parched -corn and beef, and quietly awaited the approach of night. The -evening was spent in conversation, dwelling chiefly on our trip, -past and prospective. We talked of things that had taken place, -which, if we had them to do over again, we should do differently; -of some fork of the road or cross-road, where, if we were only -there again, we would take a different course. Sometimes we -would imagine certain things to happen us, and decide in our -minds what we should do, should the event actually transpire. -Our minds seemed always occupied, either with thoughts and reflections -on the journey, so far as completed, or with plans and -expedients for the journey yet before us.</p> - -<p>At dark our luggage was fitted up in readiness for starting -out on the twelfth night of our travels, being the thirteenth night -out. In a half hour's time we were on the road, wending our -way northward. We found the road had improved under the -day's sunshine, and we were enabled to make better progress than -we had made on the previous night. On coming to a cross-road -near midnight we stopped a few minutes to eat a little and consult -as to the course to take, north or west. It was evident that, -no matter which course we took, we should soon reach the first -ranges of the Alleghany Mountains. As we had previously determined -to travel in day-time across the ridges, gorges, valleys, -and barren wastes of those mountains, we thought we would turn -west and reverse, as soon as possible, the order of our times of -sleep and travel, sleeping at night and traveling in day-time. -We accordingly turned our faces to the west. By so doing we -did not reach the mountains as soon as we should have done had -we continued in the northward course.</p> - -<p>We spent another night and day, March 3, 1864, in the -valley between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains. Nothing -deserving of particular notice transpired during that day. -An hour or more before day, on the early morning of March 4th, -we came to a considerable stream, washing the base of one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -the principal ridges of the Alleghanies. We had been traveling -the greater part of the night over a very rough and hilly road, -and were getting tired and sleepy. As we expected to begin -traveling in day-time over the mountains on the day then approaching, -in accordance with our previous programme, we determined -not to cross the stream that night, or morning rather, and -followed the road back a short distance to where the woods bordered -it on the south. We then left the road and entered the -woods, going in a south-east course a little more than a half -mile. In a spot surrounded by small trees and bushes, where -the surface of the ground was covered with rock large and small, -we halted for the day, March 4th. We cleared the rocks from -a small space, sufficiently large for our bed. We then made it -and went to rest for a few hours.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>AWAKENED—WATCHING IN AMBUSH—AVERILL'S CAVALRY—WOMAN MAKING SUGAR—WE - SEE MEN DRESSED IN BLUE—DECEIVING THE WOMAN—CHANGE OF BASE—MISLEADING - PURSUERS—WE EAT LAST OF OUR SUPPLIES—START OUT IN DAY-TIME IN ACCORDANCE - WITH AGREEMENT—OUR DISCOVERY—OUR PURSUIT—OUR FLIGHT—TRIPPE FAILS—HE - FALLS BY THE WAY—REBELS THREATEN—OUR SPEED OUR SAFETY—TRIPPE'S PROBABLE - FATE.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">Near</span> nine o'clock, A. M., March 4th, we were awakened by -the rumbling noise of a wagon running over a rough and -stony road not far to the east of us. We supposed this road intersected -the one we had been traveling during the night, but -we had not noticed the point of intersection. On finding we -were near a road upon which persons would be passing during -the day Smith cautiously ventured in the direction of the road -to a cluster of cedar bushes, from which, while concealed from -observation, he could see any one passing. Soon another wagon -was heard coming down the road. Smith watched in the bushes -until the wagon passed, when he returned to us, reporting that -the wagon was a common army wagon, and that the driver had -on a blue overcoat. "Can it be," said Smith, "that Averill's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -cavalry are on a raid through here?" As we knew the Confederates -wore blue coats whenever they got possession of them -we did not comfort ourselves with the hope that Union troopers -were in the vicinity. We rather concluded there was a squad -of Confederate military in the neighborhood, and thought best -to look about us a little.</p> - -<p>Smith, having been out east of us and taken a survey of the -road and adjacent woods, thought he would take a look to the -south and south-west of us. Keeping under cover of the brush -as much as possible, he went out south of us, intending to be -gone only a few minutes. Fully a half hour passed and Smith -had not returned, and, finally, we suspected something wrong, -and quietly, though quickly, folded our blankets and got ready for -a "skedaddle." We did not, however, intend changing our location -before Smith returned, or until it was certain he would -not return at all, unless somebody else came upon us in our -present retreat. We had but a few minutes to wait before we saw -Smith approach from the south in a brisk, though cautious walk.</p> - -<p>"What does this mean?" asked Smith, on noticing we had -torn up camp, and were looking as though we were about ready -to fly.</p> - -<p>"It means that we had given you up as lost or captured," -answered Trippe.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Smith, "I think it will be policy for us to shift -from this place."</p> - -<p>"We have been in momentary expectation of a summons to -surrender," added Trippe.</p> - -<p>Smith had gone south of our camp but little more than a -quarter of a mile. He was bearing considerably to the west, -when he noticed to his right, and just beyond a bluff or ledge, -a smoke curling upward. Not hearing or seeing any one, he -walked up to the edge of the bluff and looked over and saw a -woman engaged in boiling sugar-water. As he was endeavoring -to gain the shelter of the bushes the woman noticed him shying -off and asked, "What are you afeared of?"</p> - -<p>"O nothing; only I was afraid you would be scared if you -saw me," answered Smith.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> - -<p>While conversing briefly with the woman Smith found she -thought it nothing strange to have met a man dressed in blue. -Just as he was on the point of asking if there were Federal soldiers -near he happened to see four or five men approaching a -log cabin, which was situated in the center of a cleared space of -ground. Two of the men were dressed in blue; the others were -clad in butternut. The cabin was quite a quarter of a mile distant -to the south-west. Smith observed to the woman, "There -is a company of soldiers not far from your house."</p> - -<p>This remark was made in such a tone and manner as led the -woman to believe that Smith was acquainted in the vicinity. As -it was also half inquisitive, the woman answered that there was -a company of soldiers not far off, and asked, "An't you one -of 'em?"</p> - -<p>Having gained the information desired, and seeing the opportunity -of deceiving the woman, Smith replied, "Of course I am."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the woman, "I thought it curious if you -wasn't."</p> - -<p>"O, yes," returned Smith, "I'm a soldier."</p> - -<p>As there was a horse tied to a tree near the woman having -a man's saddle on it, Smith expected a man—perhaps a -soldier—would be there presently, and started off, observing as -he left, "Well, I must go back to camp."</p> - -<p>On leaving the woman, Smith went in a direction contrary to -that which he expected to take on getting out of her sight. He -soon after approached our hiding-place from the south, as before -mentioned. On hearing Smith's narration of facts, as given -above, we gathered our things and started eastward. On reaching -the road on which the wagons had passed, we walked backward -across it. We went through the woods some distance -further east, and then we turned north. We soon came to the -road over which we had passed during the night, and crossed it, -walking backward. We continued in a northern direction -until we had gone something more than a mile from the road, -and had reached heavy woods with a thick bushy undergrowth, -in which we halted for awhile. After a few moments' rest and -consultation, we retraced our steps a short distance to a branch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -we had crossed, and in it we washed our hands and faces. We -then eat the last of our provisions, and had nothing left to carry -with us to subsist on.</p> - -<p>Near three o'clock, P. M., having got every thing ready, we -started on our travels in daylight, in accordance with previous -arrangement. We made our way through the woods and brush -with some difficulty, in a western direction, until we had gone -about a mile, when we noticed an opening not far to our left, -where the timber had been cleared away. We approached this -cleared land, in order to avoid the thickets of brush. On reaching -it, we saw a small log cabin in the edge of the woods, on the -opposite side of it. As we saw no one, we went along near the -brush and woods, going toward the stream we had encountered -at day-break, before we had found our place of refuge for the -day. When within two hundred yards of the stream, having -gained a point directly north of the cabin, we looked toward it, -and saw a woman standing near its south-west corner. As she -was not looking at us, we judged she had not noticed us, and as -she was almost half a mile distant, we deemed it unnecessary to -change our course on her account. On reaching the bank of the -stream, and before going down to the water's brink, we again -looked toward the cabin, and saw that the woman was just disappearing. -Almost at the same instant we heard the loud, -shrill, blast of a horn or bugle. Not knowing for what purpose -the bugle had been sounded, we thought it boded us no good -at least. When we reached the margin of the stream we removed -the shoes and socks from our feet, then putting our shoes -on, we waded the stream. Wood and Trippe had reached the -opposite bank, and Smith, Sutherland, and I were nearing it, -when looking to our left we saw a man on horseback coming -down the road that passed between the stream and the ridge of -the mountain. He came toward us rapidly until he saw us -plainly, when he wheeled suddenly about, and dashed back up -the road with great speed. He was bare-headed, and when he -turned about in the road, displaying his long locks of hair, and -the cape of his overcoat, with its brass buttons glistening in the -sunlight, we at once realized our situation, and the necessity of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -getting away from there as quickly as we could. We took time, -however, to put on our dry socks; then putting our shoes on, -and lacing them securely, we left the bank of the stream and the -road directly in our rear, and pushed up the mountain-side as -rapidly as the nature of the ground would permit.</p> - -<p>The ridge near its base was thickly covered over with pine -and cedar bushes, but as we neared its summit, the bushes were -more scattering. The side of the ridge was covered over with -rocks, large and small, and it was impossible to make a footprint -on its stony surface. Near the top of the ridge, and on -its summit, were innumerable rocks of large and massive size. -Trippe having been recaptured once and sent back to prison, was -determined to avoid, if possible, the recurrence of an event -fraught with such calamitous consequences. On the first appearance -of danger he had hurried his preparations for leaving the -stream, and had started out in advance of the other four of us. -We only aimed to keep Trippe in view, and allow the distance -between him and ourselves to grow no greater. Trippe was -within two hundred yards of the summit of the ridge when he -stopped to rest. As soon as we saw he had halted, we did -the same, although we were not much wearied. But we wished -to husband our strength as much as possible, knowing we should -be hunted and pursued. Smith, Sutherland, Wood, and I kept -near together, that we might consult each other as we hurried -forward, for we recognized the value and importance of concerted -action in the expected emergency.</p> - -<p>We had rested a very few minutes when we looked up the -mountain and saw Trippe hurrying to the top of it. Supposing -from his extraordinary exertions that he had seen pursuers from -his more elevated position, we cast a glance below us. At first -glance we saw no one, but thought we could see the tops of the -bushes moving near the base of the ridge. We watched for a -moment only, and then saw five or six bare-headed Butternut -gentry appear in sight, as they emerged from the bushes, about -two hundred yards below us. They had guns, with bayonets attached, -but were minus their cartridge-boxes. We pushed ahead -at a moderate run for the top of the mountain, occasionally looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -behind us to see if the Rebels were gaining on us. On reaching -the summit of the ridge we followed it, as Trippe had, in a -north-eastern direction. Soon we came to a deep chasm, or -gorge, through the top of the mountain. On the sides of this -chasm were many large rocks, and a few scattering trees or -bushes. Should our pursuers fire on us, we thought we could -make it very difficult for them to hit us, by constantly dodging -about, and disappearing behind the huge rocks.</p> - -<p>As Smith, Sutherland, Wood, and I were going down the -south side of the chasm, Trippe was hurrying with might and -main up its north side. Just as our pursuers reached the chasm, -on its south side, we gained the top of the ridge on the north -of it. Should the Rebels all commence to cross the chasm at -once, we should be out of sight before they got over; so they -divided their squad, two remaining to watch our movements, -while the others crossed in pursuit of us. Just as we had gained -the top of the ridge north of the gorge, the two Rebels on the -south side of it cried out, "Halt! halt! you d—d Yankees, you, -or we'll shoot you." Having little fears of bullets at such long -range, and feeling sure they had but one round of ammunition -with them, we paid no attention to their threats. No shots were -fired at us, but threats to shoot were repeated as long as we were -in hearing.</p> - -<p>Although we had hurried considerably, we discovered Trippe -was out of sight, and we increased our speed, as much to get a -view of him as to gain on our pursuers. We had gone but a -few yards after so doing before we came to Trippe lying on the -ground, near a large crevice or opening in a huge rock. He -was completely exhausted, and unable to speak or make himself -understood. We scarcely halted on reaching Trippe, as three or -four of the Confederates had gained the top of the ridge north -of the gorge, and were yelling at us to halt and surrender. They -were not more than a hundred yards distant, but many rocks of -huge proportions intervened between them and ourselves. Trippe -at this moment motioned to us with both arms, and then began -crawling into the opening in the rock near him. What he wished -us to do we did not know, and had no opportunity of ascertain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>ing, -as we were obliged to flee for our own safety. He attempted -to speak but could not.</p> - -<p>We left Trippe to his fate, and hurried on without stopping, -until we were entirely out of hearing of the Rebels. When we -were beyond the immediate reach of the enemy, it was a question -with us whether we should pause for a few moments, to -see if Trippe had escaped their notice, or push ahead. We halted -and listened for a few minutes, but heard nothing. We concluded -the enemy had found Trippe, and were now looking among the -rocks for us, and determined to push forward. We kept on -the top of the ridge for the distance of nearly two miles, when we -came to a gorge leading down the western slope of the mountain -into the valley. We followed down this gorge until we were -fully half-way to the valley. In a place entirely surrounded by -cedar bushes, we halted to rest. The sides of the gorge were -high and rugged, and huge rocks projected from them, and hung -almost directly over our heads. No sound fell upon our ears; -not even of the wind gently blowing, or of running water's low -murmur. It was truly a place of solitude. The unfortunate -event of the evening, the loss of our comrade, made it doubly -sad and solitary to us. As we had made very few, if any, foot-prints, -we knew the enemy could not easily trace us; and though -sorrowing and dejected in spirit, we felt safe in the loneliness and -seclusion of the place. We felt deeply the loss we had sustained -in our separation from Trippe, as we had hitherto deferred to -him in all the straits and critical situations in which we had -been placed. It was the second time he had been recaptured—if -really recaptured this time—and foiled in his attempts to escape -prison, and on that account we felt sorry for him. We -called to mind the reluctance manifested by him to starting with -us on the trip to the lines; also his great discouragement when -he came across the citizen in the woods, about ten days previously. -We conjectured the Rebels had certainly found Trippe. -We conjectured, too, that Trippe, in motioning to us, had intended -to be understood as directing us to hide, as he was doing; that -the Rebels would question him as to where the rest of us were, -and that he would answer that we were hid among the rocks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -somewhere near; that they would look for us, and, failing to find -us, would accuse him of deceiving and delaying them in their -pursuit of us until we were out of reach. Taking this view of -the matter we feared the Rebels would become exasperated at -Trippe, and would treat him cruelly, if they did not murder him. -Whatever the result of the fray might have been to Trippe, we -knew we were yet free. Knowing it was entirely beyond our -power to rescue or protect him, we sadly realized the extent of -our loss, and began to look out again for ourselves.</p> - -<p>To this date, February, 1870, I have never heard either from -or of Trippe, and know nothing as to his fate. He was about -thirty-four years of age, was a man of good judgment, and possessed -many excellent qualities of mind and heart. I think he -had been at one time Orderly Sergeant of his Company, Company -H, 15th United States Infantry. He enlisted at Columbus, -Ohio, in the year 1861. He was never married.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>ACROSS RIDGE AND VALLEY—WE SEE NEW CASTLE IN THE DISTANCE—CHILDREN SCARED—WOMEN - AMAZED—WE VISIT THEM—THEY THINK WE ARE "SECESH"—WE THINK - THEY ARE "SECESH"—EACH PARTY MISTAKEN—ALL GOOD UNIONISTS—A DESERTER - HID UNDER THE BED—HE COMES FORTH—AT "JEEMES" HUFFMAN'S—HE THINKS WE - ARE CONFEDERATES—FINE SUPPER AT MIDNIGHT—WE ARE BEWILDERED IN THE - DARKNESS AND RAIN—DUCKED IN CRAIG'S CREEK—WE AVOID REBEL RENDEZVOUS—HIDE - IN THE MOUNTAINS—AT THE HOUSE OF A CONFEDERATE HOME GUARD—HE IS - SICK—PROVES TO BE A UNION MAN—ONE CORN-DODGER—HE SENDS US TO ANOTHER - UNION MAN—WE LOSE OUR WAY—PRECIOUS TIME LOST—WE ARRIVE AT WM. PAXTON'S—SUPPER - AT MIDNIGHT—AN OLD REBEL BADLY FOOLED—PAXTON DIRECTS US - TO ROBERT CHILDS'S—CHILDS NOT AT HOME—HIS WIFE PRETENDS TO BE SECESH—SHE - THINKS WE ARE SECESH—CHILDS COMES HOME—HE VISITS US IN THE WOODS—HE - IS A RABID SECESH—ADMITS WE ARE UNIONISTS—BUT BELIEVES THE CONTRARY—THE - MYSTERY ACCIDENTALLY SOLVED—MRS. CHILDS A UNIONIST—MR. CHILDS A - UNIONIST—THEY COME TO KNOW WE ARE UNION SOLDIERS—GOOD FEELING—WE ARE - FED—WE ARE SENT TO DAVID HELPER—WE SEPARATE FROM CHILDS.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">We</span> rested in the gorge for the space of half an hour. Soon -after leaving it we reached the valley. We crossed the -valley, and immediately began the ascent of another ridge, and -on gaining its summit we could see a town in the distance to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -west of us. We ascertained, late in the day, that the town was -New Castle, Craig county, Virginia. We went down the mountain-side -into another valley, and then changed our course, and -followed up the valley in a direction a little east of north. In -passing through a dense thicket we came to a dilapidated rail-fence. -We crossed the fence, and soon emerged from the thicket -into more open ground. We were bearing considerably to the -east, following around the thicket, when we suddenly came upon -a hut. Three or four children were at play near the door. They -saw us and ran into the house immediately, when two women -appeared at the door and gazed at us in apparent amazement. -As it was growing late, the sun having gone down, we knew -the women could bring no harm upon us, and we approached the -humble dwelling and entered it without waiting for an invitation. -We took seats, and opened the conversation by telling the women -to set before us, on the table, what they had cooked, as we were -hungry, and had nothing to eat. The women complied, setting -out a few slices of cold boiled meat, a couple of corn-dodgers, -and four bowls of milk. We sat around the table and eat all -that had been placed upon it. After eating we told the women -that was the first milk, with one exception, we had drank for -many months, and that was the first bread we had eaten for -two days.</p> - -<p>The women seemed very much astonished, and inquired who -we were, and where we were from. We told them we had been -prisoners at Danville, Virginia, and were now trying to make -our way through the mountains to the Union lines. They then -apologized to us for the scantiness of the meal they had given -us, saying they thought we were Confederate guards from New -Castle. We also apologized to them for ordering them, in so -abrupt a manner, to set out supper for us, saying we thought -they were "Secesh." The women then called for "Jim" to come -out from under the bed. "Jim" immediately came forth. On -our approach he had hid under the bed, thinking we were Confederate -home guards. Jim was a deserter from Buckner's -army in East Tennessee. We told these Unionists of the event -of the afternoon; of our being pursued, and of losing one of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -number in our flight. They seemed to manifest much anxiety -on account of the lost one, and asked us many questions concerning -him.</p> - -<p>We inquired if there was any good Union man living in the -valley of whom we could procure provisions to carry with us. -We were told that "Jeemes" Huffman lived four miles up the -branch, and could furnish us with provisions. A path was -pointed out to us that led up to Huffman's house. Just at dusk -we bid our Union friends "good evening" and set out, intending -to give Huffman a call. About half the distance had been -gone over when darkness fully set in. After dark our progress -was much slower in following the strange and devious pathway. -Near nine o'clock, P. M., we saw the light of a fire, shining -dimly through Huffman's window. We crossed a fence and followed -the path a short distance up the mountain-side to the -house. The door was standing open, and we entered and stood -before Huffman and his wife. They were not a little surprised, -and seemed doubtful as to the manner in which they should treat -us. We were soon seated before the fire, however, and began -to acquaint Huffman with our condition and necessities. Having -heard with interest our narrative of the facts in our case the -woman asked if we would have supper. We answered in the -affirmative, and she went to work, and by ten o'clock, P. M., we -sat down to a table bountifully supplied with food.</p> - -<p>While eating we learned from Huffman that he lived two and -a half miles from New Castle, Craig county. We learned, also, -that the home guards at New Castle searched the premises of -the mountaineers every two weeks for deserters from the Confederate -army. When we first entered the house Huffman supposed -we were home guards from New Castle, and the hesitancy -on his part to avow, at first, his Union sentiments, was the result. -Huffman said it had been two weeks since his house had -been searched, and he was in hourly expectation of the guards. -As Huffman was engaged in shelling corn, we asked of him the -privilege of shelling a few ears to carry with us to eat on the -morrow. This favor was readily granted, and some three or four -dozens of Irish potatoes were also furnished us.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> - -<p>Near eleven o'clock on that night of March 4th we were ready to -set out again on our travels. Huffman gave us directions how -to get across Craig's Creek, and how to avoid a certain house, -which he described, where a Rebel family lived, and where the -home guards sometimes stopped, when out on their semi-monthly rounds. -After bidding Huffman and his wife good-night, we left -them, and followed, as well as we could, the directions we had -received. It had become very dark and cloudy, and before we -reached Craig's Creek it began raining, and we found it impossible -to follow the directions Huffman had given us. But we -pushed on in the darkness, and in the course of an hour we -reached the stream. We found we were considerably off the -track, having missed the crossing Huffman had described. We -spent half an hour or more in wandering up and down the creek, -looking carefully for the crossing, but failed to find it. We spent -another half hour in procuring a stout staff, or stick, apiece, to -be used in the stream while wading it. Having supplied ourselves, -we plunged into the waters of the creek, steadying ourselves -against the swift current with our sticks as best we could.</p> - -<p>It was very dark, and the rain continued falling. To add to -the difficulty of crossing, we found that the bed or bottom of the -creek was very treacherous, being full of rocks and holes. We -found the water very cold, and the current strong and swift. -We stumbled often, and came near falling into the water, but -finally got safely across, with a thorough and cold wetting. All -our clothing was wet, and dripping with water, as we stood upon -the bank. We took off our blouses and wrung the water from -them. After re-arranging our things, we set out again in a -northern direction, following up the valley. We found it necessary -to walk briskly before morning, in order to excite warmth -of body to dry our clothing. As we had not crossed the creek -at the point where we had expected to do so, we had avoided -the house which was the rendezvous of the Rebel guards. A -road was soon reached, on which we walked with much energy, -and the clothing next our bodies soon became dry of the dampening -effects of the plunging and stumbling in Craig's Creek. -Daylight having broke upon us, we began looking for a hiding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>-place. -Owing to the ill luck attending our first day's travel, we -were induced to fall back on the old plan of lying by in day-time. -As there were home guards in the country, we thought -we should feel safer in trusting ourselves to the friendly shelter -of the woods during the day.</p> - -<p>Day-break found us on the road where it passed between two -high ridges of mountains. There was no alternative but to hide -far up in the side of the ridge east of the road. We began the -ascent of the ridge, and were not long in gaining its summit; -and on its eastern slope we halted for the day, among the huge -rocks. In a short time we cleared a space sufficiently large for -our bed. Our bedding was a little damp; but as we had lost -much sleep in the last twenty hours, that circumstance did not -hinder us from sleeping soundly. We slept until late in the day, -when we made a fire preparatory to parching corn and roasting -potatoes. We eat as much as we wished of the potatoes and -corn, and finding we did not much relish such fare, since the -excellent though late supper at Huffman's the night before, we -determined to have something better to eat the next day, if possible. -We resolved that the first house we came to, after setting -out, should be the scene of an attempt, at least, to get some provisions. -The time of starting having arrived, and all being in -readiness, we crossed the summit of the ridge and descended to -the road in the valley. We walked leisurely along the road, -not wishing to reach the first house too early in the night. -Near nine o'clock we came to a house on our left, a short distance -from us. We heard music as we halted, and questioned the -propriety of entering the house; but finally concluded not to -forego our resolution to try our hand at procuring supplies. -We crossed the rail-fence a few steps from the house, and went to -the door. We opened the door, entered the house, and took -seats without waiting to be asked to do so. Four or five children -were seated before the fire. The oldest, a boy about fifteen -years old, had been playing the violin. As we entered the house -the mother of the children stepped out the back door, but did not -close it entirely. The mother held the door slightly open, and -listened to what we had to say to the children. On finding we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -talked kindly, she came into the room, and then we made known -the object of our call at such a time. The woman represented -herself as being very poor, with a sick husband and five children -to provide for. She pointed to the bed in the corner in which -her husband lay. On looking, we saw the unfortunate man, and -conversed with him. We learned he had lost his health while -serving in the Confederate army under Buckner. On account -of disability, he had been discharged from service, and allowed -to return to his family. He now belonged to a home guard -company. In the course of the conversation, the sick man -claimed he was really a Union man, but had been obliged to yield -to the pressure of public opinion, and had been conscripted into -the army. He now belonged to the home guards, to keep from -being again sent to the front. He said he would gladly give us -something to eat, but as it was beyond his ability to do so, he -could only direct us to a man who could provide for us. After -giving us particular directions how we should find the home of -William Paxton, he said no more. We bade the sick man and -family "good-night," and left the house. Before we had reached -the fence, one of the children opening the door called out to us -to wait a minute. We waited, and the boy brought us one -corn-dodger. Taking it, we expressed our thanks, and went on -our way.</p> - -<p>On getting some distance from the house, we debated as to -the propriety of seeking Paxton's aid. We feared Paxton was a -Rebel. It seemed strange that a late follower of Buckner, and -a Confederate home guard, should give directions to escaping -Federals; but as he had given us bread from his limited supply -and had told us just how to avoid and get around a certain -house where Confederate guards often met, we concluded to follow -his directions, if possible, and if we found things as represented, -we would go to Paxton's.</p> - -<p>It was seven miles to Paxton's house, which was situated on -the road as it passed over a mountain. After going some four -miles on the road, we came to the house where the Rebels congregated. -It was near the road, and lights shone from all the -windows. We passed some distance south of it, but near enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -to hear the noise of revelry. At a point nearly two miles west -of this house, we should have gone on the mountain; but owing -to the indistinctness of the road, and the darkness of the night, -we missed our way. When we found we were off the right -track, we retraced our steps for over a mile. As it was near -morning we began a careful search for the point where the -mountain road led off to the left from the other, and found it -just at day-break. We could now do nothing but look out for -a hiding-place for the day, Sunday, March 6th.</p> - -<p>According to the account of the sick man, we were hid but -little more than a mile from Paxton's abode. Our retreat for -the day was close to a spring, where we could wash and get -water to drink. In the evening, fearing ramblers would come -to the spring, we moved further from it. Having eaten our -corn-dodger the preceding night, we were obliged to resort for -subsistence to the remnant of roasted potatoes and corn left over -from yesterday's fare. The day seemed long, but it wore away, -and we took up our line of march, near nine o'clock, P. M., for -Paxton's house. In less than two hour's time we came to a -house answering the description we had received. We passed -through the gate in front and approached the door. We rapped -gently, and were invited by an old man to come in. As we were -being seated, one of our party asked the old man if his name -was Paxton. He answered that it was; and wished to know -how and where we had learned his name. We told him, and he -seemed much surprised, as our informant had been considered -by him as a disunionist. All had retired to sleep at Paxton's excepting -himself. We told him we wished something to eat, and -he immediately called his two daughters to get our supper for -us. Paxton knew we were Federals, and made no attempt to -conceal his Union sentiments. While waiting for supper, we -conversed on war topics, on prison life, and our trip since leaving -prison. When supper was announced, we sat down to a -table bountifully supplied with food. While we were eating, an -old man stopped at Paxton's, who had been out from Fincastle, -where he lived, to take a woman to her home in the country. -This new-comer did not seem to notice us until we had finished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -supper and taken seats before the fire. As I was sitting next -him, he took hold of my pants at the knee, and inquired rather -roughly, "Where do you belong?" Not knowing what answer -to make, under the circumstances, to such a question, I merely -turned my head, and glanced at my three comrades, who in turn -looked immediately to the old man Paxton, who very quickly -spoke up saying, "They belong to the 22d, which you know is -stationed at the bridge." Paxton immediately added, "They -have been home on furlough, their time is up, and they are now -on their way to the bridge." The old Fincastle man seemed -satisfied with Paxton's explanation. One of our party soon after -observed, as he was rising from his seat, "Well, boys, we must -be off now; we must put in an appearance at the bridge as soon -as possible." We then gathered our things and went out of the -house. As we passed out, Paxton was seating the Fincastle man -at the supper table. That done, he opened the door, and said -to us, "Boys, you'll find it cold traveling over the mountain -to-night."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Wood, laughing, "but we'll only walk the faster -and get to the bridge sooner."</p> - -<p>Paxton then came out, closing the door behind him. He told -us the old fellow at the supper table was a notorious Rebel. As -Paxton wished to get in the house as soon as possible, to attend -to his Rebel guest, thus keeping down suspicion, he told us -where and how to find the house of Robert Childs, who lived -eleven miles from there. Childs, he said, was a good Union -man, and his wife was a true Union woman, who would be glad -to help us on our way. On getting over the mountain, and -reaching a point about seven miles from Paxton's, we were to -turn to our right, and go north four miles to another road, on -which Childs lived.</p> - -<p>We then set out anew on the night's travel. In two hours' -time we had traveled, as we thought, about seven miles, and we -called at a house and inquired of a negro how far we were from -the road leading north to the mill. We were told it was half a -mile east of there; and without delay we hastened back on the -road a short distance, and began looking carefully for the turn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>ing -off place. We soon found it, and also found much difficulty -ahead of us. The road, it seemed, was a new one, having been -cut but recently through a heavy wood. We made slow progress; -we stumbled often over stumps and rocks. The moon was -shining, but its light scarcely reached our pathway, as the dense -woods closely hedged it in. We trudged slowly on, and reached -Childs's Mill before day-break. The mill was near the point -where the road we had been following intersected another running -east and west. Although it was not yet day, we concluded -to call on Childs at his house, tell him our wants, and ask him -to show us where we could stop for the day and be safe.</p> - -<p>We halted opposite the house, and Sutherland went into the -yard and rapped at the door, but no answer came. He next attempted -to raise a window, but a woman's voice protested against -it. Sutherland then inquired if Childs was at home, and the -woman answered that he was not. The woman's tone of voice -plainly indicated that she was considerably frightened; so we -determined to seek a hiding-place in the forest. When we had -found a suitable place, we made our bed and lay down on it to -sleep. Morning was faintly appearing when we lay down, and -we heard chickens crowing in the distance. In about two hours' -time we awoke, and found the sun shining brightly. We consulted -briefly as to what we should do, and determined that one -of our party should go back to Childs's house, to see if he had -got home, and to get something to eat, as we had brought -nothing with us from Paxton's on account of the presence of the -Fincastle Rebel. Each of us was anxious to perform the errand, -and we drew cuts to see which of us should go upon it. It fell -to my lot, and I at once started.</p> - -<p>As it was early in the morning, I encountered no persons -upon the road. On reaching the house I rapped moderately at -the door. Mrs. Childs first looked at me through the window, -and then admitted me. I first told her I was one of those who -had called at the house before day. I then asked her if her -husband had got home. She answered that he had not. I asked -when she expected him. She answered that he would be at -home by ten o'clock in the day. She then inquired what busi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>ness -we were on, and what we wanted with her husband. I told -her we had been prisoners of war at Danville, and had been trying -for over two weeks to make our way through the Confederacy -to the Federal forces. I told her of our stopping at Paxton's, -and of his directing us to Robert Childs. At this Mrs. Childs -seemed surprised, and remarked that Paxton would better be in -other business than giving aid to Federals. Mrs. Childs talked -very much like a Rebel, and though I could hardly understand -the situation, I felt no uneasiness. After further talking I asked -her if she could furnish us something to eat. She said she -supposed she could, but wasn't in the habit of feeding roving -squads of soldiers. She then asked me to sit up to the -table and eat with her; but I declined, telling her if she would -allow me to carry a dishful to the woods, and share it with my -comrades, I would be thankful. Mrs. Childs and her children -eat their breakfast, while I sat by keeping up the talk with her. -Shortly after finishing her meal, Mrs. Childs gathered what she -had left on a large dish and gave it to me. I thanked her, and -told her there must be a mistake somewhere, as we had found -things very different from what Paxton had represented.</p> - -<p>"Paxton don't know every thing," said Mrs. Childs.</p> - -<p>"Time alone will settle the matter," said I. I told the -woman where we were hid, and asked her to send her husband -to see us when he returned. She answered that she would do so.</p> - -<p>"If you will," said I, "we shall have a friendly talk with -him, do him no harm, and send your dish back to you."</p> - -<p>I then returned to our retreat in the woods. On the way I -felt, from some cause, that Paxton was not mistaken in his opinion -of Mrs. Childs, and that some recent development had made -necessary her avowal of disunion sentiments. We found the -provisions furnished by Mrs. Childs very acceptable, whether she -was a secessionist or not. After finishing our meal we spent the -time in conjecturing the cause of Mrs. Childs's strange conduct, -if she was really a Union woman. We became satisfied that, for -some reason yet to be explained, she had only pretended to be a -devotee of the Confederacy.</p> - -<p>Near noon Robert Childs came to us in the woods. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -approached us with extreme caution, and looked as if he would -rather not see us. We talked with him an hour or more. -During the whole conversation he upheld the Confederacy. He -could not imagine how Paxton got the impression he was a Union -man or a disloyal citizen. We asked Childs if he should take -any steps to recapture us. He replied that he would do nothing -either to help or hinder us. To this we replied, that we could -ask no more from a "Secesh." He started home when we gave -him the dish, and told him we were grateful to his wife and to -him for what we had received from them. We urged Childs to -call on us again before night. He said he would if he had time, -and then went homeward.</p> - -<p>Near four o'clock, P. M., he came out again to see us, and -remained with us until near sunset. The tenor of his conversation -was the same as in the morning. He had no word of encouragement -to give us, and, of course, offered us no assistance. -It was growing late, and we began getting ready to travel. We -continued talking with Childs, however, and Smith said to him,</p> - -<p>"I suppose you haven't reported us, have you?"</p> - -<p>"I've seen nobody to report to," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Hasn't any one been to mill?" inquired Smith.</p> - -<p>"O, one or two," answered Childs, "but they were in a hurry, -and didn't stay long?"</p> - -<p>"You didn't say any thing about us, then?" asked Wood.</p> - -<p>"I didn't say a word about you to any body," said Childs.</p> - -<p>Sutherland then said, "I'll be switched if I don't believe he -is a Union man after all."</p> - -<p>Childs manifesting some uneasiness, then said in an emphatic -manner, "Don't fool yourselves about that, boys."</p> - -<p>Sutherland then asked, "Did you ever see or hear of any -Yankee prisoners escaping through here before?"</p> - -<p>Childs said he had heard of a squad passing through about -six weeks before.</p> - -<p>"How many were there in the squad?" Smith inquired.</p> - -<p>"Only two, I believe," was the reply.</p> - -<p>"I'll bet," said Smith, "they were Davis and Tige; they -left the hospital about two months ago."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> - -<p>Childs seemed to evince unusual interest in this remark of -Smith's. Sutherland then said, "I wonder where Davis and -Tige are by this time?"</p> - -<p>"O, they've got through before now," I replied.</p> - -<p>"Unless they've been caught and sent back," added Sutherland.</p> - -<p>Childs then inquired rather anxiously who Davis and Tige -were. We told him who they were, where we had known them, -and described them particularly. Davis had been steward at -the hospital near Danville, and Tige had been a nurse. Childs -then recanted his secession doctrines, and confessed he was a -Union man, and had harbored Davis and Tige for three or four -days. He also explained in full the reasons for his conduct toward -us in pretending to be a Rebel.</p> - -<p>It seems the Confederate commander in that district—General -Echols, I think it was—had adopted a plan of ascertaining who -were aiding Federal prisoners in their efforts to escape. He had -dressed small squads of his men in tattered Federal uniforms, -armed them with weapons concealed about their persons, and had -sent them over the country to such persons as were suspected -of Unionism; to whom they would apply for food and other assistance -in making their way to the Union lines. These squads -were called "bogus Yankees" by the Union people, who learned -to keep continually on the guard against falling victims to their -deceptive practices. Many true Union citizens of the South -were made prisoners by the "bogus Yankees," taken from their -homes, and imprisoned at Richmond, Atlanta, and other points, -for many months.</p> - -<p>Childs thought we were "bogus," and was glad enough to -help us when he found the contrary was true. Paxton had not -yet learned of the "bogus Yankees," and Childs had only been -put on his guard a day or two before by hearing of the arrest -and carrying off in irons of one of his Union friends, who had -the misfortune to fall into the hands of the impostors. Childs -said he would take it upon himself to go and see his friend Paxton, -and warn him of the danger of playing into false hands. -Robert Childs, in treating us as he had, only thought he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -evading arrest and a hopeless imprisonment. He first assured -himself of our genuineness; then, knowing our actual need of assistance, -he did not withhold it. It was purely accidental—perhaps -Providential—that our real character became known to -Childs. The allusion to Davis and Tige was the merest accident -in the world, but proved sufficiently powerful to dispel the mystery -we had been unable to solve.</p> - -<p>The day, March 7th, was drawing to its close. It was time -for us to resume our secret march. Before we set out Childs -went to his house and brought us enough provisions for one meal, -which was all that we required, as he then gave us particular -directions as to how we should find the house of David Hepler, -another good Union man, only eight miles away. We then parted -with Childs, who had so recently proved our friend, in a better -mood than we had anticipated an hour before. We were sorry -we could remain no longer with him after he had found us also -true, and of the number in whom he could confide.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>"HAD NO HORNS LATELY"—WE REACH HEPLER'S—HE IS ON HIS GUARD—WE KNOW HOW - TO TAKE HIM—SUPPER AND LODGING—ADIEU TO HEPLER—WE GO TO LEWIS'S HOUSE—LEWIS - NOT AT HOME—TROUBLE AT LEWIS'S HOUSE—ITS OCCUPANTS PROPOSE MAKING - US PRISONERS—WE PROPOSE DIFFERENTLY—NEITHER PARTY ACTS—ONE-SIDED MISUNDERSTANDING—AN - UNDERSTANDING NOT ATTAINABLE—WE RETURN TO HEPLER—HE - DREADS TO SEE US—HE IS SOON ALL RIGHT AGAIN—HE ASCERTAINS LEWIS'S FATE—IS - UNABLE TO SECURE US A GUIDE—WE ARE PRONOUNCED "SPURIOUS"—FINAL ADIEU TO - HEPLER—WE RETURN TO LEWIS'S HOUSE—GET PROVISION THERE AND SOMETHING - MORE—FURTHER TRAVELS—OUR MATCHES LOST—WE REACH GREENBRIER RIVER—COME - UNEXPECTEDLY TO TWO WOMEN—THEY SEND US TO MRS. MANN'S—WE BEST - OURSELVES—VOLUNTEER GUIDE.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">It</span> was near sunset when we separated from Childs. Just before -dark we felt uncertain as to whether we had not got off -the route to Hepler's. As there was a house a short distance -to our left, we concluded to inquire the way, as we preferred -risking a little to getting bewildered in the darkness. We found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -one young woman and two older ones at the house. On seeing -us they seemed badly scared, and were about to forsake their -dwelling as we entered it, leaving us in full possession. After -some entreaty on our part, the young woman came in cautiously -and deferentially, and was followed by the older ones. Our inquiries -were principally addressed to the young woman, the older -ones standing near gazing in mute astonishment. In the course -of the talk we had occasion to acknowledge that we were -Yankees, when one of the old women blurted out, "I'd say! I -thought they had horns."</p> - -<p>"We do have, sometimes," said Wood, "but not lately."</p> - -<p>On gaining the information desired, we resumed our journey. -By eight o'clock we had traversed the rough, broken country lying -between Childs's and Hepler's house. We found Hepler on -the look out for false Unionists; but as Childs had told us Davis -and Tige had been befriended by him—Hepler—we found no difficulty -in proving our genuineness to him. Near nine o'clock we -took supper at Hepler's table, and after a two hours' talk, we -were comfortably lodged in his house. After breakfasting the -next morning, having got ready to set forth again on our journey, -we bade Hepler's family adieu, and he conducted us to the -top of a lofty range of mountains, at the base of which his house -stood. Having reached the highest elevation in the mountain, -Hepler pointed out to us another range upon which the home of -William Lewis was situated. The exact locality of Lewis's -house was pointed out, although we could scarcely see it, and -were eight and a half miles distant. Hepler told us we could -go to Lewis's in day-time without much risk, but it would be -impossible for strangers to go over the route by night. He also -informed us that it was probable we could get Lewis to guide -us a portion of, if not all, the way to the Federal lines. On -hearing some further instructions to enable us to find our way -more easily, we bade our friend adieu, and left him. It was -fully ten o'clock in the day when we set out on our journey to -Lewis's house. We crossed two ridges, as many valleys, and -many small rivulets of the mountains before reaching our objective -point. On commencing the ascent of a third ridge, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -found a path of which Hepler had spoken. We then knew we -were on the ridge upon which we would find the house of a -friend. We took the path as a guide, and followed its devious -course. When little more than half-way up the mountain side -we met two men and a woman and child. The men were on -foot. The woman, with her child in her arms, was on horseback. -The largest man was carefully leading the horse down the mountain -path. No word was spoken at this meeting, each party -maintaining silence and casting suspicious glances at the other. -Soon after we gained the top of the ridge, and came in sight of -Lewis's house, situated in a bowl-shaped depression in the top -of the mountain. We did not wish to go to the house while it -was yet day, for fear of finding some Secessionist there, and thus -placing Lewis as well as ourselves in an embarrassing situation. -We went aside from the path nearly two hundred yards, and -hid in the brush. We found we had stopped in a place from -which we could watch the house. Our position also commanded -a view of the path we had just left, and of persons that might -pass upon it.</p> - -<p>It was near four o'clock, P. M., when we halted. We kept -our eyes at intervals on the house and its immediate surroundings, -but saw no person during the evening. One dog, a calf, -and a few chickens, were the only living objects visible. The -doors of the house were closed, and we concluded Lewis and his -family had gone from home; but as smoke was issuing from the -chimney, we hoped they would return by dark. We feared the -man we had met leading the horse was Lewis with his family, -going with a friend to make a visit. If so, we should be delayed, -we thought, in our journey, and be compelled to push on without -seeing him. We decided to wait until dark in our hiding-place, -and see if Lewis would return. Just after sunset the man we -had met on the mountain, leading the horse, went along the path -to Lewis's premises. He was leading a horse, and was accompanied -by two other men, each leading horses. They first put -their horses in the stable and fed them. They then chopped -some wood at the wood-pile and carried it to the house. Darkness -came on, and we saw sparks flying from the chimney top.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -Feelings of joyous gratitude heaved our bosoms as we felt certain -we should soon meet Lewis and enjoy the company and consolations -of a native thorough-bred Union man. We were -destined to meet with disappointment, however, and to experience -difficulties from which a mere allusion to Davis and Tige would -not relieve us.</p> - -<p>In less than an hour after dark we left our position in the -thicket and went to the house. We knocked three times before -we were told to come in. With a show of reluctance on the -part of the three men, we were furnished seats near the fire. -Wood, addressing the largest of the men, asked, "Your name is -Lewis, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"No, but Lewis is a brother-in-law of mine," was the answer.</p> - -<p>"Well, this is Lewis's house, is it?" Wood asked. "We were -told it was."</p> - -<p>"Where is Lewis?" inquired Sutherland.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," said the man, "he hasn't been at home for -several days."</p> - -<p>"What's your name?" continued Sutherland.</p> - -<p>"My name is Hepler."</p> - -<p>"Are you akin to David Hepler?" Sutherland asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, David Hepler is my father," replied the man, at the -same time turning very pale.</p> - -<p>Judging Hepler was fearful some great calamity had befallen -his father through the agency of "bogus Yankees," I said, "You -think we are Rebels," and Smith immediately added, "We have -not harmed a hair of your father's head."</p> - -<p>We assured Hepler we were real Union soldiers, honestly -endeavoring to make our way from prison to our lines.</p> - -<p>"I don't know so well about that," said Hepler, "but as for -myself, I belong to the Confederate army."</p> - -<p>We then told him we knew he belonged to the Confederate -army, and knew, too, that he was a Union man, having been -informed of those facts by his father. David Hepler had told us -how his son, in the earlier months of the war, had hid himself -among the rocks and caverns of the mountains for more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -eighteen months, and how at last he was caught by the Rebels -and conscripted into the army.</p> - -<p>We spent some time, two hours at least, in trying to convince -young Hepler we were not "bogus," but all in vain. He said -he knew what he was, and supposed we knew what we were, and -was going to have nothing to do with Federal prisoners, unless -it would be to catch them and take them to Jim Crow's. As he -spoke thus he directed our attention to a stack of guns in the -corner.</p> - -<p>"There's as many of us as there is of you," suggested Wood, -"when it comes to that."</p> - -<p>"Jim Crow's" was a small town a few miles distant, as we -afterward learned.</p> - -<p>We became satisfied that our efforts to procure assistance, or -derive information from young Hepler and his associates would -prove unavailing, as they refused to answer our questions as to -the roads, the streams, or the nature of the country west and -north of us, and refused us the shelter of the house until morning. -We, however, understood the situation perfectly, knowing -that the only difficulty with us was our inability to furnish satisfactory -proof of our genuineness as real "Yankees." Hepler -having been absent in the service, knew nothing of Davis and -Tige, or of the aid his father had rendered them, and our telling -him of them was of no avail. We could not establish our character -as escaping Federals to the satisfaction of those who, we -knew, would have been our friends could we have done so, but -were compelled to leave them under the impression we were really -soldiers of the Confederacy.</p> - -<p>Near eleven o'clock that night, March 8th, we left the house -of Lewis not a little discomfited. Where we had expected assistance -and encouragement we met only with disappointment -and defeat. We felt our defeat more keenly in consequence of -the certainty we felt that Hepler and his associates would have -been quite willing, even anxious, to aid us on our way had they -been assured beyond a doubt as to our real character.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i097.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>"<span class="smcap">Trouble at Lewis's House."—Page 93.</span></p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> -<p>After we had gone out of the house we halted at the fence, -a few steps from the door, and consulted briefly as to the course -to pursue. Our situation was critical in the extreme. We were -in Alleghany county, in the midst of the rugged and barren -mountains, where the country was thinly inhabited. We had -no supplies with us, as we had left David Hepler's expecting to -get food at Lewis's. We soon determined to return to David -Hepler's, tell him of the situation at Lewis's house, and see if -he could give us other directions to follow. Smith suggested -that young Hepler might be willing to go with us to his father -if we should wait until morning. Smith called to him to come -out, saying, "We wish to talk with you."</p> - -<p>Hepler did not come out; but on being called the third time -he came to the door and said, "Kill me in the house if you -want to; I sha'n't come out there to be killed."</p> - -<p>We were trying to assure him that we would do him no harm -when he closed the door in our faces and barred it. We then -started away from the house, going about a mile east of it. Near -the mountain top we halted until daylight of March 9th. The -sky was overcast with clouds, threatening rain, when we stopped, -and we felt very much disheartened. Our hopes were exultant -before going to Lewis's house. We expected to get assistance -there, and possibly a guide to conduct us on our way; but all -had failed. We felt we had been turned empty away from the -house of a friend, and Nature it seemed was about to frown on -us. We came near regretting the start we had made from prison. -One consolation, however, was left us; if there was any change -in our prospects it would be for the better.</p> - -<p>We made preparations for sleep, but there was little sleep -for us that night. Before day rain commenced falling, and we -were obliged to fold our blankets, to keep them as dry as possible. -We leaned against trees, and so disposed our coats over our -shoulders as to shed most of the rain off until daylight. As -soon as we could see our way plainly we set out on our return -to David Hepler's. We had a very disagreeable time in walking -over the mountains in a drenching rain shower. We reached -Hepler's just at twelve o'clock. We found him at home. He -was very much surprised, even astonished, at seeing us again. -He even dreaded to see us, as he at once concluded his time had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -come to surrender himself a prisoner into the hands of sham -Yankees, his country's worst enemies. We soon explained to -him the reason for our return, telling him all that had transpired -since separating from him the morning before. He immediately -conjectured that Lewis had fallen a victim to "bogus -Yankees," and said he would go to-morrow to see his son, with -whom we had met at Lewis's house, and ascertain what had become -of him. After taking dinner with Hepler's family we went -some distance up the mountain-side and hid ourselves among the -rocks. The rain continued; but we could not shelter under -Hepler's roof, as it would not do, either for Hepler or ourselves, -to be found there by Rebel citizens. Near night our suppers -were brought to us by Hepler. Soon after dark we took refuge -from the storm in a small log hut near the road, which passed -through Hepler's premises. Early in the morning of March 10th -we breakfasted at Hepler's table, and soon after hid for the day -among the rocks of the mountains. At noon our dinner was -brought to us by Hepler's wife and daughter.</p> - -<p>At night Hepler brought our suppers out, and reported the -information he had received from his son concerning Lewis. As -had been conjectured, a squad of Confederates had called at -Lewis's house, and solicited his services as a guide to conduct -them to the Union lines. As they were dressed in blue, and -represented themselves as Federal prisoners trying to escape, -Lewis consented to conduct them as far as Greenbrier River. -After the necessary preparations, he started with them from his -house, and, when only a few hundred yards away, these "bogus -Yankees" suddenly presented their revolvers and made him their -prisoner. His captors conducted him to White Sulphur Springs, -and from that place he was sent, in company with three or four -others, under a strong guard, to Richmond.</p> - -<p>David Hepler's son was a brother-in-law of Lewis. At the -time we were at Lewis's house, young Hepler and those with -him had come there to get the household goods belonging to the -family, intending to carry them over the mountain on horses the -next morning. It was young Hepler, with Lewis's wife and -child, accompanied by another person, that we had met on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -mountain. Mrs. Lewis and her child, and the plunder, were -moved to her father's house, to remain during her husband's -captivity, or longer if he died. Had young Hepler known we -were not "bogus," and not trying to deceive him, we could have -had all the provisions we desired when at Lewis's house, and -could have been sheltered there until morning. But, unhappily, -we had been unable to convince him of our honesty of purpose, -and as he was determined to avoid the calamity which had befallen -his brother-in-law, he felt obliged to deny us all "aid and -comfort."</p> - -<p>In the evening of March 10th the rain ceased and the -weather became cooler. On the morning of the 11th the mountains -were covered with snow. During the day the snow melted -away, and the mountain streams became swollen and almost impassable. -While waiting for the waters to subside, we mended -our shoes and other clothing, and washed our shirts. The pegs -and other materials for cobbling were furnished by Hepler. We -parched a quantity of corn, to carry with us on going forth anew -on our journey. During our stay Hepler tried to procure a -guide to conduct us to the lines, but failed. One man whom he -tried to enlist in our behalf, although a good Union man, refused -to have any thing to do with us, alleging we would yet prove -spurious. Hepler would have guided us as far as the Greenbrier -River, had not his aged parents, who were in a feeble condition, -been under his care.</p> - -<p>On the morning of March 12th we took leave of Hepler and -his family. In our most cheerless hour of adversity we had -found with them a harboring place. They befriended us when -we were encompassed by enemies and suspected by friends. -During the days of rain and snow, and swollen streams, we incurred -a debt we can not easily repay. We are under lasting -obligations to them. Having been provided with sufficient food -to last us two days, we set out for the lines afresh. Hepler -could send us to no one who could direct us on our way, and we -went westward until we came to Lewis's house. We reached it -before three o'clock in the evening. We watched in its vicinity -for over an hour, and saw no one; not even the dog, the calf, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -smoke curling from the chimney, could be seen as when we had -watched it before. We went to it, and finding the doors securely -fastened, we judged there was something inside worth looking -after. We thought we might get a supply of provisions that -would partially compensate us for the disappointment of our first -visit to the house. We entered it through the window, and -levied on all we could find that would do to eat. A small sack -nearly full of meal, a cup of salt, a part of a ham of meat and -a ham of venison, were obtained as the fruits of our seizure. -We got out of the house with our commissary stores, taking an -iron pot with us, and went west about a mile into a gorge -through which ran a small stream of water. Here we halted, -built a fire, and made mush by the quantity. After eating to -our satisfaction, we had enough left for breakfast the next morning. -By ten o'clock that night we had made our arrangements -for a comfortable sleep. We rested well.</p> - -<p>With the first dawning of morning light on the 13th, Wood -and Sutherland returned to Lewis's house and got four case-knives, -one for each of our party, a file, and a tin cup. The -file we thought would be of use in loosening canoes or in opening -smoke-houses as a last resort in procuring food. We completed -our preparations for the day's travel, and were on our way -shortly after sunrise. The country traversed was very rough -and mountainous, being little more than a barren waste. It -would have been impossible for us to have made our way over -it in the night-time. We saw no person during the day. When -following high ridges we occasionally saw huts and houses in the -valley on either side below us. Sometimes we could see smoke -when the house or chimney from which it came was concealed. -Just after sunset we halted in a depression of the ridge we had -been following, prepared our suppers, and made ready for the -night's rest. As near as we could estimate, we had traveled -during the day about fourteen miles in a north-west course. The -night was passed in quiet sleep.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 14th we awoke before day. On getting -up we rebuilt our fire, and hastily prepared our breakfast. -Soon after we were equipped for our day's journey. We were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -in excellent spirits. We could but contrast our feelings with -those we had experienced in the early morning, after our signal -disappointment at Lewis's house. Then we were discouraged and -baffled, now we were cheerful and hopeful. The sky was clear, -the air was pure and bracing, and we made good progress. We -traveled quite fifteen miles in a direction a little north of west, -over the ridges, valleys, and streams of the mountain districts. -At night we halted in the valley, where water was convenient. -After making a fire, we spent an hour or more in preparing and -eating our suppers. Our sleep during the night was refreshing.</p> - -<p>Before sunrise on the 15th we had finished our breakfast. -Our provisions were not yet exhausted, and there was no need -of running any risks in replenishing our stock. We traveled -only about six miles before discovering that the country became -more open and more thickly settled. It was prudent for us to -go no further in day-time. We accordingly looked about for a -safe retreat for the residue of the day. After finding a place in -the woods in which we thought we could trust ourselves, we -devoted the greater part of the day to sleep, as we expected to -travel at night. Just at dark we were ready to move. The -first thing necessary on setting out was to find a road on which -to travel. Our journeyings of the past three days had been off -the roads, across mountains and valleys, in a rough, broken -country, almost inaccessible to travelers except on foot or on -horseback. We found much difficulty in finding a road that -would lead us aright. We kept on the move, however, taking -care that our steps should be toward the goal we wished to gain.</p> - -<p>A little after midnight we halted, as the sky became cloudy, -and we could not see our way plainly before us. We went some -distance north of the last road we had been following, and made -our bed in the woods. Very soon after lying down we fell -asleep. On waking up on the morning of the 16th, we found -the ground covered with snow. Getting up we found the air -very cool. We set about collecting suitable material for building -a fire, but on searching for our matches we found we had lost -them. As it was too cool for comfort without briskly exercising -ourselves, we determined to set out in a northern direction.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> - -<p>After getting our things in readiness we started through the -woods. We had proceeded but little more than a mile before -we reached an open space. In crossing it we noticed not far to -our left, just beyond the crest of a hill, a small log cabin. Smoke -was issuing from the mud and stick chimney and curling gently -upward. After a moment's deliberation we concluded we should -hazard little in visiting the tenants of this humble abode and -warming at their fire. We did so, and found the two women -and one boy whom we found there to be friendly and disposed -to make us comfortable. While waiting half an hour for a warm -breakfast we learned we were in Greenbrier county, and within -three miles of the Greenbrier River. Having ascertained that -the folks were Unionists, we questioned them concerning the -people in the surrounding country. We learned that the Rebel -element held sway and that the few Union people were obliged -to keep their sentiments to themselves.</p> - -<p>Breakfast over, we set out again on our travels. Before -leaving the cabin we discovered that snow had commenced falling. -We had not gone far until the large flakes almost blinded -us as they fell. We felt certain no one would be out on such a -wintery day, and we thought we should incur but little risk in -pushing forward to the river. Near ten o'clock we reached it, -and began looking up and down the bank for a canoe in which -to cross. After the snow had almost ceased falling, we were passing -through a sugar-camp and came suddenly to two women, who -were turning the troughs over. As they had seen us plainly, -we being within a few yards of them when we first noticed them, -we did not try to avoid them. We approached nearer the women, -and one of our party made some observation on the state of the -weather, and Sutherland added, "It's a bad day to be out." -One of the women, smiling, answered, "I'll guess you are out -a good piece from home."</p> - -<p>On being questioned further, we told the women who we were, -where we were from, and the point we were aiming to reach. -They told us their "men folks" were in the Kanawha Valley, -which was within the Union lines. We were not long in assuring -ourselves that the women, as well as their "men folks," were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -strong Unionists. We were invited to the house. We accepted -the invitation, and were soon seated before the fire, where we -remained for a few minutes. Just before noon the women told -us they were poor and unable to furnish us a meal, but Mrs. -Mann, who lived about a mile back from the river, was not only -able, but willing to keep us over until the following night, if we -wished to stop so long as that. The eldest woman had already -gone to Mrs. Mann's to see if any Secessionists were there. She -soon returned, accompanied by two of Mrs. Mann's little boys, -who were to conduct us by an obscure way to their mother's -house. As no one was at Mrs. Mann's, we started immediately -to her house, her boys leading the way. These boys were quite -young—aged about nine and eleven years—but seemed to understand -perfectly the necessity of our keeping out of sight of the -Rebels.</p> - -<p>We arrived at the house of Mrs. Mann by one o'clock. A -little after two o'clock we took dinner. The dinner reminded us -of the days gone by, and made us think we were almost home -again. After dinner we conversed at length with Mrs. Mann -and her family, treating mainly of the war as it affected the -Union people of the South. Mrs. Mann had been despoiled of -much property during the war by Confederates; and soon after -the breaking out of hostilities her husband had been arrested -because he would not forsake his Union principles. He had been -imprisoned at Richmond, where, after lingering a few months, he -died.</p> - -<p>In the evening a man was seen approaching the house. When -he was near enough to be recognized it was ascertained that he -was a Rebel, and we were sent upstairs forthwith, to remain -there until he should leave. We were detained nearly an hour -upstairs, when the "Secesh" having taken leave, we were -permitted to come down, and were interrupted no more that -evening.</p> - -<p>A little after dark we had supper. Soon after supper we began -our preparations for setting forth on our way, but Mrs. Mann -urged us to stop until the following night. As we were considerably -worn and fatigued, we decided, after a short consulta<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>tion, -to do so. We passed the night of March 16th in Mrs. -Mann's haymow. We could not stop in the house for the reason -that a Rebel doctor from Frankfort was expected there that -night to see a sick child. On the morning of the 17th, after the -doctor had gone, we returned to the house for breakfast, and remained -there during the day. When any one was seen coming -we went upstairs, being very careful not to leave any caps behind -to excite inquiries.</p> - -<p>About four o'clock, P. M., a young man called at Mrs. Mann's, -who belonged to a Union family west of the river. He offered -to conduct us, after dark, to a man who would guide us some -distance on our way, and give us directions to follow which would -lead us to Gauley River. We eagerly accepted the offer. Our -delay of twenty-four hours, it seemed, was going to prove profitable. -We had supper just at dark, and soon after our preparations -for the journey were complete. Our haversacks were filled -with food sufficient to last us two or three days. We tendered -our sincere thanks to Mrs. Mann and family for generous treatment -received, and bade them farewell.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>ARE GUIDED BY NIGHT TO ALDERMAN—ALDERMAN CONDUCTS US TWENTY MILES NEXT - DAY—GIVES US PLAIN DIRECTIONS—RETURNS HOME—WE FIND ALDERMAN'S BROTHER-IN-LAW, - WHO PUTS US ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GAULEY RIVER—WE FOLLOW DOWN - GAULEY RIVER—PASS THROUGH SUMMERVILLE—COME IN CONTACT WITH AN IRISHMAN—RECEIVE - ADVICE FROM HIM AND FOLLOW IT—WE REACH THE PICKETS AT - GAULEY BRIDGE—WE RECUPERATE AT CAMP REYNOLDS—GO TO CINCINNATI, OHIO—GO - HOME ON FURLOUGH.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">Our</span> volunteer guide mounted his horse and started to the -ford, some distance up the river, to cross it, while we were -conducted to a point below, where there was a canoe, by Mrs. -Mann's two boys. On reaching the river, and being told by the -boys to fasten the canoe to the opposite shore, we said "good-by" -to them, and set about crossing. In about twenty minutes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -after running aground two or three times, and being compelled -to get out into the water to set the canoe afloat again, we landed -on the opposite bank. After securing the canoe, we took our -shoes and socks off, drained the water from our shoes and wrung -our socks dry. We then put on our socks and shoes, and laced -the latter securely, and hastened to join our guide at the point -previously agreed upon. We were soon on the way, our guide -on horseback going some distance in advance on the road. In -little more than an hour we reached the home of our guide. -We waited close by for a few minutes while he put his horse -away. He then conducted us on foot to a point within a mile -of James Alderman's house, and then he returned homeward.</p> - -<p>Following instructions we had received, we soon reached the -house of the man whose services as a guide we expected to secure -to conduct us on our journey. As we approached it the -dogs set up a furious barking. Mrs. Alderman soon succeeded -in quieting the dogs, and we entered the house. On seeing no -one but the woman, we asked where Alderman was. The woman -said he wasn't at home, and she didn't know exactly where he -had gone. We made known our object in calling at such a late -hour in the night, it being near midnight. Mrs. Alderman was -evidently alarmed at our coming. She wished to know how we -learned that Alderman lived there. We told her a young man -named Gillilan had piloted us to the foot of the ridge, and directed -us how to find the house. We told her further that the -young man had informed us her husband would conduct us a -portion of the way to the Union lines. The woman's fear seemed -to be allayed on hearing this, and she stepped out the door and -called her husband. Mr. Alderman soon made his appearance, -but acted as if he was not sure we were there on an honest -errand. When his dogs commenced barking he had hurried out -of bed, and gone to the woods to secrete himself—as he had -often done before—from the Confederate guards, who were on -the watch for him to impress him into the service. Our business -was soon made known to Alderman, and he consented to conduct -us as far on our way as we could travel by four o'clock the -next day.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was after midnight when we made our bed on the floor of -Alderman's cabin, to rest until the light of the 18th dawned. -By sunrise we had breakfasted, and were on the way, Mr. -Alderman going ahead of us several steps. Alderman carried -his flint-lock gun with him, saying he "might shoot something -before he got back." We suggested the risk in traveling by daylight, -but Alderman said he would take us over a route where -we would be seen by none but good Union people. By one -o'clock we reached a house where lived a family named Ramsey. -We took dinner with them. Shortly after two o'clock we set -out again on the way. One of the Ramseys gave us a letter -to be left at a point twenty miles east of Gauley Bridge, known -as the Twenty-mile House. By four o'clock we had reached the -small stream called Cherry Run, where we halted under a temporary -shed which had been erected by hunters for shelter. We -had no matches, and Alderman struck fire with his knife from -the flint of his gun and kindled a fire for us. After receiving -from Alderman particular directions how to find his brother-in-law's -house, on the north side of Gauley River, he left us, saying -he "must be at home by midnight."</p> - -<p>We had traveled twenty miles, and had stopped for the night -in a dense forest, several miles from any house. In all directions -from our hiding-place the ground was deeply marked by narrow -paths made by deer going back and forth for water. We made -our supper on the supplies brought from Mrs. Mann's. We were -in a place where we would not be likely to be seen, and we kept -our fire burning until late in the night. Being surrounded by -dense and darkening woods, with nothing to break the almost -perfect stillness of the night but the murmurs of the little brook -near us, we felt very lonely, more so than we had felt before -on our travels. By ten o'clock we were soundly sleeping.</p> - -<p>We awoke at the break of day on the morning of March -19th. We breakfasted early and were on the way by sunrise. -We had only to follow down Cherry Run to its mouth at Cranberry -Creek, and then follow down Cranberry Creek until we -came to a road crossing it and running on its west side to -Gauley River. The ford on Cranberry Creek was reached before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -three o'clock in the evening. We secreted ourselves in the -woods south of the road and east of the creek until after dark, -when we could travel the road in safety. The greater part of -the evening was passed in sleep. On waking we snatched a -hasty meal, and made ready for further travels. Soon after dark -we were on the way. In due time we were wading Cranberry -Creek at the ford, having first taken off our shoes and socks. -We found the water very cool, and a little more than ankle -deep. As soon as we got on our socks and shoes we set out on -the road for Gauley River. The road led to a ferry on the -Gauley, near the mouth of Cranberry Creek. It lacked nearly -two hours of daylight when we reached the ferry. We went -up Gauley River until we came to Cranberry Creek. We then -partially stripped ourselves and waded Cranberry Creek to its -east side. We found the water much deeper and the current -stronger than when we had crossed it early in the night.</p> - -<p>After dressing ourselves, we went on up the river nearly a -mile further, and halted in the woods to await the dawn of day. -We had not long to wait. As soon as we could see our way we -started on up the river. Soon we noticed a smoke over the river, -rising through the woods, and a few more steps brought us to a -point from which a house could be seen. We gave two or three -loud hallooes, and a man came out of the house and toward the -river. A few moments more and he was in his canoe and half -across the stream. As he neared the shore on which we stood -we asked, "Are you a brother-in-law to Alderman?" He said -he was, and we exclaimed, "All's right," with feelings of exultation. -We were soon set across, and the sun was just rising when -we sat down to breakfast.</p> - -<p>After breakfast we went to the woods north of the house -and hid away for the day, March 20th. At noon we returned -to the house for dinner. Our host stood in the yard while we -were eating, to notify us of the approach of any one, so we might -slip into the brush adjoining the yard and hide. We were not -molested, however, and after making arrangements with our -host—whose name we can not now recall—to furnish us at our -hiding-place enough food for two or three meals, we left the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -house. Just at sunset, according to arrangement, we received -supplies. Our host informed us that his house was forty-eight -miles east of Gauley Bridge, and twelve miles from Summerville, -the county seat of Nicholas county. We were also told that the -road leading from the ferry ran down Gauley River, through -Summerville, and by the Twenty Mile House, to Gauley Bridge, -where the nearest Union pickets were posted. Our things having -been put in readiness, we started out just at dark on our travels. -In a half hour's time we were upon the road, and making reasonable -progress in a western direction.</p> - -<p>A little after midnight we reached the suburbs of Summerville. -No lights were anywhere to be seen. Every thing was -still. We stopped and listened carefully for a few moments, -when, hearing nothing, we advanced briskly through the town on -the main road. We kept a keen lookout on either side of us as -we passed through the place. The town seemed fully half burnt -down. On reaching its western borders we again halted and -listened, but all was quiet as before. We supposed the place -might be, at least, a harboring place for scouts. On starting -we pushed forward rapidly, traveling four miles, if not more, by -day-break. During the last hours of the night the weather was -quite cold, and the early morning was frosty.</p> - -<p>At daylight, on the morning of the 21st, the road was leading -us through an open country. Ahead of us, over a half mile distant, -were woods, through which the road passed. We intended -halting for the day as soon as we gained the shelter of the woods, -and we pushed on briskly. Just ahead of us, inside an inclosure -and beyond a turn of the road, were a few scattering trees. -Among the trees were two or three hay-stacks. After getting -around the turn of the road, and just as we were leaving the -stacks in our rear, we discovered an aged man pitching hay to -his sheep. As he was staring at us, we accosted him with, -"How are you, old fellow?" The old gentleman was an Irishman, -and it was only with close attention we could understand -what he said. We luckily found him strong in his attachment -to the Union, and too old, as he said, to change his principles. -He evinced much interest in our welfare, and readily answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -all our inquiries. He told us it was only twenty-eight and a -half miles to Gauley Bridge, and that Captain Ramsey's Union -Scouts were patrolling the country between that place and Summerville -on both sides of Gauley River. He assured us it would -be perfectly safe to travel the road that day provided we did -not stop short of the pickets at night. Rebel citizens would -make no attempt to capture us in day-time, we were told, but -should they see us hiding for the night they would most likely -collect a party and take us prisoners. We decided, after consulting -briefly, to push on, at least to the woods, now only a -quarter of a mile distant. As we started the old man said, "Go -on to the bridge, boys, and you'll be safe; don't stop outside the -pickets." We did not suspect the old man of intending to get -us into trouble, and his last injunction fully established our faith -in his Unionism.</p> - -<p>On reaching the woods we stepped aside from the road to -consider further upon the propriety of going on. We dreaded -to be retaken on the eve of entering the lines, and we determined -to avoid such a calamity, if possible. We had twenty-eight -miles to travel before our safety would be assured. Since -we had already traveled twenty miles without rest or sleep, the -question was, Can we reach the picket-post by dark? Our resolution -to push on, and reach the goal for which we had been so -long striving, was soon formed. We immediately started, and -in little more than a half hour's time we came to a house on our -right. As it was near the road we went to it and asked for -breakfast, thinking we needed something in addition to what we -had to strengthen us in view of the journey to be accomplished -that day. We were denied breakfast at first, and had started -away from the house. As we were passing out the gate one of -our party observed, "That's a pretty way to treat prisoners -that's been half starved." The old lady overheard the remark -and called us back. She first assured herself we were escaping -prisoners, and then set before us what she had cooked. She -apologized for refusing at first to give us a breakfast, saying she -thought we were some of the scouts from Gauley Bridge, who -too frequently applied for meals. We were informed it was not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -uncommon to see "blue coats" passing, which caused us to feel -less uneasiness, as we thought we should not be molested on our -way.</p> - -<p>On finishing our breakfast we set out again, having only five -miles to travel before reaching the Twenty Mile House. We -arrived at the place by ten o'clock. We called at the principal -house and left the letter we had brought from Greenbrier -county. The lady to whom it was addressed happened to be in -the house, and was exceedingly well pleased to receive it. Many -questions were asked us concerning the affairs and people in -Greenbrier county, but as our information was limited we could -answer but few of them. After learning the time of day and -receiving a biscuit apiece, we went on our way. We had -eight hours or more in which to travel twenty miles, and we -pressed on with exultant hopes. The soles of our shoes had -worn considerably, and were too thin to afford adequate protection -to our feet in walking over a stony road. As a consequence -our feet became very sore. Smith once concluded he would be -obliged to stop, and more than once fell far behind. On coming -to a stream of water, Sutherland, Wood, and I, while waiting -for Smith to catch up, removed our shoes and socks from our -feet and waded it. We found the cold water improved our feet -wonderfully. Smith soon came up in any thing but a pleasant -mood, and was much disheartened besides. He thought we -"must be in a hurry, keeping so far ahead all the time." We -answered we were in no hurry, and Wood added, "We had forgot -a cavalry-man couldn't stand marching." We told Smith to -pull off his shoes and socks and wade the stream. He complied, -but his feet were so very sore he occupied several minutes in -crossing.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/i113.jpg" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"> - <p><span class="smcap">"Out of the Woods."—Page 107.</span></p> - </div> -</div> - -<p>On getting our shoes on we again pushed forward slowly. -At the first house we came to after fording the stream, we inquired -the distance to Gauley Bridge. "Five miles and a half," -was the answer given us. The sun was more than two hours -high, but now the journey seemed more doubtful and difficult -of accomplishment than the journey of twenty-seven miles had -seemed in the morning. We pressed on, however, and in the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>course of an hour we met a man of whom we asked, "How far -is it to the pickets?" "Nearly three miles," was the reply. -Our feet were sore, our limbs were weary, but our flagging -spirits revived, and we persistently urged ourselves onward. -The sun had almost run its daily course. The distance to be -gone over, before our twenty-four-hour's march was accomplished, -was gradually growing less. At length the picket-guard was -reached, and our goal won; but the sun had gone down and the -stars were appearing. As the twilight was passing into night -we approached the sentinel in the road who came out to meet -and welcome us. Giving each of us a hearty shake of the hand, -he said, "I know where you are from; will you have some -coffee?" We replied that we could not object, and were assured -there was plenty of it at the Company quarters.</p> - -<p>Although we were nearly worn down, almost exhausted, in -fact, from the effects of twenty-four hours of constant wakefulness -and travel, we felt an indescribable but silent ecstasy of joy -and thankfulness for our deliverance from the rigorous and -pinching destitution of Confederate prisons. But in the height -and fullness of our heart-felt rapture, we did not forget Taylor -and Trippe, the early companions of our journey. We thought -it possible they had perished, but hoped they had been more -fortunate than ourselves. Very soon after passing the pickets -we went, in company with two or three soldiers of Companies I -and H, 5th Virginia Infantry, to their quarters in the old town -of Gauley Bridge, where supper, consisting of bread, meat, and -coffee, was provided us. After supper we visited Captain Dixon, -of Company I, 5th Virginia, in his quarters, he having sent -for us.</p> - -<p>Companies I and H, 5th Virginia, under command of Captain -Dixon, were stationed at Gauley Bridge as an outpost from -Camp Reynolds, which was below the falls of the Kanawha. -We remained at the quarters of Captain Dixon during the night -of March 21st. We did not retire for sleep until a late hour. -From Dixon we first heard the particulars of the battle of Mission -Ridge, in which our Companies had participated. We told -Dixon of the number and condition of the prisoners about Dan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>ville, -and of the strength and disposition of the Rebel garrison -there.</p> - -<p>On March 22d we went to Camp Reynolds, where we remained -two days, during which time we were furnished by the -soldiers and their officers with entire suits of clean clothing. -In the evening of March 23d each of us wrote a letter to our -respective homes, to let the folks know we were alive, and once -more within the Union lines. Our feet having recovered from -their soreness, we went next day, in company with three or four -soldiers who were going home on veteran furlough, to Charleston, -Virginia. On the 25th we got aboard a steamer, the "Victress -No. 2," and went down the Kanawha to Gallipolis, Ohio, arriving -there on the day following. On the 28th, having stopped over -Sabbath in Gallipolis, we boarded the steamer "C. T. Dumont," -and went down the river to Cincinnati. At ten o'clock, A. M., -March 29th, we landed at Cincinnati, and immediately reported -at Post Head-Quarters, Colonel Swayne, 99th Ohio, commanding.</p> - -<p>After a brief talk with Colonel Swayne, and other officers at -Head-Quarters, we were told to go to the Soldiers' Home and -get our dinners, and then return. We started, and had got but -a few steps from Head-Quarters when the sentinel at the door -called out to us to come back, that the Colonel wished to speak -to us. Sutherland, Smith, and I waited on the street, while -Wood went to see what the Colonel wanted. Swayne asked -Wood if he would like a furlough, and Wood answered he would. -The remainder of our party were called in from the street, and -asked the same question, to which we answered in the affirmative. -Furloughs were immediately filled out, signed by the Post -commander, and forwarded to Columbus, Ohio, to be approved by -General Heintzleman, the department commander. We went to -the Soldiers' Home, got our dinners, and by two o'clock reported -again at Head-Quarters, where we received orders to report at -Lytle Barracks. Each of us was furnished with a pass good for -five days and nights, giving us the freedom of the city.</p> - -<p>On reaching Lytle Barracks we gave Colonel Swayne's order -to the Captain commanding. The order required him to admit -us to the barracks; to issue us the full allowance of rations; to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -issue us clothing, if we desired it; and allow us to pass in and -out at all times of day and night until nine o'clock, P. M. On -the afternoon of the 29th we made out partial descriptive lists, -and drew new clothing, a full suit each, the next morning. On -the 30th, after washing and dressing ourselves, we went out into -the city. On the morning of the 31st our furloughs came from -Columbus, approved. With our furloughs we received transportation -papers. Early in the day, Wood took the train and -was off for his home in Western Pennsylvania. Wood, although -a resident of Pennsylvania, had enlisted in the 26th Ohio Volunteers. -Later in the day, Smith and Sutherland left together for -their homes in Michigan. On being left alone of our party, I -went to H. H. Hills's drug store, and remained there over night -with a friend, from whom I learned for the first time of the sad -losses my Company had sustained in battle at Chickamauga. -On April 1st I took breakfast at the Indiana House, and very -soon after was aboard the cars and homeward bound. I arrived -home in Georgetown, Illinois, Sunday evening, April 3, 1864, -and found my letter written at Camp Reynolds, Virginia, had -not been received. My visit was unexpected, and the first intimation -my father and folks had received for many weeks that I -was yet alive, was when I entered the old home. The letter -came the next morning, April 4th.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="hangingindent"> - <p>CONCLUSION—STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCE—WE BRING GLAD TIDINGS—ARE HOSPITABLY - TREATED—THE END.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="drop-cap-simple"><span class="upper-case">As</span> a conclusion to the foregoing imperfect sketches, we will -briefly narrate an incident which happened after our arrival -within the lines. On March 23d, at Camp Reynolds, while we -were writing letters home, a soldier named Gasper came into the -quarters where we were. As soon as we were at leisure he asked,</p> - -<p>"Are you the boys that came in from prison two days ago?"</p> - -<p>One of our party answered we were. Gasper then said he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -had just been writing a letter to an old friend in Cincinnati, -whose son was supposed to have been killed at Chickamauga, -and hearing we had been captured in that battle, he thought he -would inquire if we knew any person among the prisoners named -Jack Phillips.</p> - -<p>"Jack Phillips," repeated Smith, "certainly, I know him."</p> - -<p>"Is it possible!" said Gasper.</p> - -<p>"He was in the same prison with me, and in the same mess," -said Smith.</p> - -<p>"He lived in Cincinnati, did he, and belonged to Company —— -—— Regiment, Ohio Volunteers?" asked Gasper. (I have forgotten -the Company and Regiment to which Phillips belonged.)</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," said Smith, "we are talking of the same Jack -Phillips." Smith went on, and described Phillips as to size, -height, appearance, and general characteristics.</p> - -<p>"Same fellow," said Gasper, "but his captain reports seeing -him fall in battle."</p> - -<p>"No doubt of that," said Smith, "I have heard Jack tell -how he was stunned by a ball grazing his forehead, cutting the -skin, and leaving a small scar after healing."</p> - -<p>"The captain said Jack's forehead was bleeding when he saw -him fall," remarked Gasper.</p> - -<p>Gasper concluded Smith's former fellow-prisoner and messmate -was the son of John Phillips, of Cincinnati, to whom he -was just writing, and said he would finish his letter by giving -the old man the information Smith had furnished concerning his -son. Gasper then left us, but returned in the course of an hour, -saying he had not yet mailed his letter. He wished us to promise -to call on Mr. Phillips if we passed through Cincinnati. We -told him we did not know that Cincinnati would lie in our route, -but should we get there, in our travels, we would call on Mr. -Phillips if he would give us some clew as to where we might -find him. Gasper did not know the street on which Mr. Phillips -did business, but thought it was somewhere near the Public -Landing. He had also forgotten the street on which Mr. -Phillips's residence was situated. We, however, promised Gasper -to inquire for Mr. Phillips if we visited Cincinnati, and if we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -happened to learn either his residence or place of business, to -call on him and corroborate the statements made in the letter to -him. On leaving us Gasper said he would put in a postscript, -telling Mr. Phillips of us, and of our promise to inquire for him -if we visited Cincinnati. Gasper was seen no more by us, and -we gave but little thought to the errand with which he had -charged us, as we had no idea what route we should take in rejoining -our commands.</p> - -<p>It was the 30th of March, after we had dressed ourselves -anew, when Smith came to me in Lytle Barracks, saying, -"Where's Wood and Sutherland?"</p> - -<p>"Gone to the city," I answered.</p> - -<p>Smith then said, "Suppose we go into the city, look around, -and make a few inquiries for the old man Phillips."</p> - -<p>"Agreed," said I; "there is one chance in a thousand that -we may find him."</p> - -<p>We then went into the city, passing up one street and down -another. Wherever sight or curiosity led us we went. We had -wandered over the city, or a great portion of it, going into many -shops and stores, with scarcely a thought of Phillips; but at -length we came to a corner from which the river and many -steam-boats lying at the wharves could be seen. Smith stood -still until I came up, when he said, "Here is the Public Landing."</p> - -<p>"It looks much like it," I replied.</p> - -<p>Smith then asked, "Didn't that man at Camp Reynolds say -that Phillips did business near the Public Landing?"</p> - -<p>"I believe he did," said I, after reflecting. "Suppose we -go in here and inquire for him."</p> - -<p>We stepped in at the first door. It was a confectioner's establishment, -and there were several men in the room. We looked -into the show-cases and at other objects of interest, when presently -all left the room except one elderly looking man and ourselves. -Just as the old man was filling the stove with coal I -approached him and asked, "Is there a person doing business -anywhere in this part of the city named John Phillips?" As -the old man set his coal bucket down he said, "My name is -John Phillips." It was the first inquiry we had made and would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -have been the last, as we were anxious to get back to the barracks -for dinner. After our surprise had subsided somewhat -the old gentleman wished to know what we wanted. We told -him of our promise to a man at Camp Reynolds, Virginia, and -asked if he had received a letter from a man by the name of -Gasper. He answered that he had not. After telling him we -had been prisoners of war, and had come into the lines at Gauley -Bridge about a week before, Smith went on to tell him all he -knew about "Jack Phillips" as a prisoner at Danville, Virginia.</p> - -<p>On hearing Smith's account of Jack, the old gentleman, -bursting into tears, said he had long since given his son up as -dead, and could hardly hope or believe he was yet alive; at -least he should not tell the news to his family, for fear the man -we spoke of might be another of the same name. Smith thought -there could be no mistake, as it would not be likely to happen -that two of the same name should enlist in the same regiment -from the same city. "Strange things sometimes happen in this -world," observed Mr. Phillips. The old gentleman wished us to -eat some cakes and pies and drink some wine, of which there -seemed to be an abundance in the room. We consented, as it -was noon, and would save us a walk to the barracks for dinner. -Just as we had finished eating, a man entered the room holding -several letters in his hand, two of which he handed to Mr. Phillips. -On opening the first letter Mr. Phillips found it to be the -one Gasper had written at Camp Reynolds, Virginia. The coincidence -caused Mr. Phillips to conclude his son must yet be -alive, and he determined to acquaint his family with the news -he had received. The letter coming to hand, telling about us, -while we were present to answer for ourselves, and our addressing -our first, last, and only inquiry for Mr. Phillips to Mr. Phillips -himself, in a great city, where there were thousands of people, -seemed strange, and forbade the suspicion that our report was -untrue. Mr. Phillips invited us to call on him each day during -our stay in the city. We called on him the next day, March -31st, which was our last day in Cincinnati. I have since -learned—though indirectly—that "Jack" afterward died as a -prisoner, either at Danville, Virginia, or Andersonville, Georgia.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> - <h2>Historical Memoranda.</h2> - - <p class="ph3">COMPANY "C,"<br /> - <b>73D REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.</b></p> - - <p class="ph3 gesperrt">BY W. H. NEWLIN.</p> -</div> - - -<p><span class="upper-case">Enlistments</span> in the company dated from July 12, 1862, to -April 11, 1864. One hundred and four names appear on the -company roll. All members who enlisted on or before July 23, -1862, were sworn in, the first time, by John Newlin, J. P., in -West's pasture, village of Georgetown, Vermillion County, Ill. -On the same day, July 23d, Patterson McNutt, Mark D. Hawes, -and Richard N. Davies, were elected captain, first and second -lieutenants respectively.</p> - -<p>July 24th, company transported in wagons from Georgetown -to the "Y," a point on the T. W. & W. R. R., near the site of -Tilton. Taking the cars at the "Y," company reached Camp -Butler early next morning.</p> - -<p>By August 1st company organization was completed, by appointment -of the following named as sergeants: Tilmon D. -Kyger, first sergeant; Wm. R. Lawrence, second sergeant; David -A. Smith, third sergeant; Wm. H. Newlin, fourth sergeant; -Robert B. Drake, fifth sergeant; and by the following named as -corporals, in their order: David McDonald, John W. Smith, -Carey A. Savage, Wm. M. Sheets, Samuel W. Sigler, Wm. O. -Underwood, John V. Don Carlos, William Henderson. Pleasant -B. Huffman, fifer; William B. Cowan, drummer; and -Amacy M. Hasty, teamster.</p> - -<p>Time, at Camp Butler, was spent in drilling, guarding prisoners, -and other duty. Some pay and an installment of bounty -was received by each member of the company. Twenty-five -dollars bounty was paid by Vermillion County to each married<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -man and ten dollars to each unmarried man. To hasten the -muster in of regiment, Company C loaned to Company E—also -enlisted in Vermillion County—fourteen men, all but three -of whom were re-transferred to C. Regiment was mustered into -United States service August 21, 1862.</p> - -<p>August 24th, left camp Butler, going by rail via Danville, Ill., -Lafayette Junction, Indianapolis, and Seymour, Ind., to Louisville, -Ky. Went into quarters at Camp Jaquess—named for our -colonel—south-west of the city. At this camp some guard duty -was done, without arms, other than clubs and revolvers; all the -clubs and nearly all the revolvers being soon discarded.</p> - -<p>About August 30th regiment was supplied with muskets—Austrian -or Belgium pattern—and ammunition for same. Muskets -were of the <em>kicking</em> kind. From July 24th company had -been in receipt of government rations, and was becoming inured -to service in this respect.</p> - -<p>September 1st or 2d moved to Camp Yates, three or four -miles south-east of the city. Other regiments were at this -camp, and a Division was formed, the Seventy-third and One -Hundreth Illinois, and Seventy-ninth and Eighty-eighth Indiana -Regiments making one brigade, commanded by Colonel -Kirk. Lieutenant Hawes and Sergeant Lawrence were detailed -for duty at Kirk's head-quarters, and a very <em>ludicrous</em> mistake -was made, in <em>supposing</em> there were two vacancies created. Accordingly -there was an advance along the line; Davies being -promoted first lieutenant, as was thought; Orderly Kyger to -second lieutenant; D. A. Smith to orderly, and Corporal John -W. Smith to second sergeant, the latter being promoted over the -writer. The joke fell heaviest on Kyger, as he incurred the expense -of the purchase of sword, belt and straps. J. W. Smith -resumed his place as corporal, much to the gratification of the -writer, who did not like the idea of being "jumped."</p> - -<p>Before the middle of September an inspection was ordered, -requiring the command to march to Louisville, taking all luggage, -accompanied also by wagon-train. The number and -variety of articles thrown out of knapsacks and train was <em>amazing</em> -to the <em>old</em> soldiers. This inspection was for the purpose of -reducing luggage and baggage to articles of necessity. Directly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -after this the defeat of Union forces at Richmond, Ky., occurred. -A rapid advance of a day's march was made by the command to -assist in covering the retreat of those forces. Following this defeat -came the invasion by Kirby Smith's Confederate forces, -menacing Cincinnati and Covington. To meet this emergency -the command was ordered at once to the latter place, going via -Jeffersonville and Seymour, Ind., and Cincinnati, Ohio. The -marching of the Seventy-third in the streets of Cincinnati excited -comment, and inquiry was made if it was an old regiment. -There was a fine engraving produced about this time representing -the regiment, marching in column, on to the pontoon -bridge.</p> - -<p>Fears of invasion subsiding, the command was ordered back -to Louisville, returning via Indianapolis. Buell's army having -reached Louisville, a general reorganization of all forces—old -and new—took place. The Forty-fourth and Seventy-third Illinois, -and Second and Fifteenth Missouri Regiments formed the -Thirty-fifth Brigade, Eleventh Division of reorganized army.</p> - -<p>Bragg's army, which had followed Buell's into Kentucky, -was gathering much strength and material in its march in the -interior, and on October 1st the Union army was put in motion -and started in pursuit. A dozen or more members of the company -were left sick at Louisville. Army caught up with the -enemy October 8th. Regiment was placed in and withdrawn -from an exposed position, just in the "nick of time," a position -within easy range of Confederate battery. Being withdrawn, as -above, and resuming position in main line, regiment was actively -engaged in battle of Perryville, nearly two hours, the casualties -to Company C being as follows:</p> - -<table summary="Casualties to Company C"> - <tr> - <td>Josiah Cooper, wounded,</td> - <td>Died Oct. 31, 1862.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Samuel Boen, wounded,</td> - <td></td> - </tr><tr> - <td>David W. Doop, wounded,</td> - <td>Discharged Feb. 9, 1863.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>John S. Long, wounded,</td> - <td>Discharged Jan. 13, 1863, died.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Francis M. Stevens, wounded,</td> - <td>Discharged Dec. 5, 1862.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Zimri Thornton, wounded,</td> - <td>Died Oct. 30, 1862.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>James E. Moore, wounded,</td> - <td>Discharged March 17, 1863, lost foot.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>John Murdock, Co. E, wounded,</td> - <td>Died, Oct. 9, 1862.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>The last named enlisted in C, but had been one of the fourteen -men "loaned," as before mentioned. Several members of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -Company C, who had been left at Louisville, came up Oct. 9th -and 10th.</p> - -<p>Followed to Crab Orchard, marching from there, via Danville, -Lebanon, Bowling Green, and Mitchellsville, to Nashville, -Tenn. At Bowling Green, Rosecrans relieved Buell. Arrived -at Nashville Nov. 7, 1862, encamping first at Edgefield, then -at Mill Creek. Nov. 20, 1862, Second Lieutenant Richard N. -Davies, resigned. Nov. 28th, First Lieutenant Mark D. Hawes -resigned. These resignations, the losses resulting from the action -at Perryville, the loss by death of the following named members: -Samuel W. Blackburn, John C. Sheets, Thomas Millholland, Israel -H. Morgan, John and Alex. Gerrard, and William Henderson; -and the following named discharged for disability: Thos. T. -Ashmore, John Trimble, and Wm. O. Underwood, discharged, -Oct. 9, 1862, made a total loss to company by Jan. 1, 1863, of -eighteen men. Three of these, viz: David W. Doop, John S. -Long, and James E. Moore, were discharged after Jan. 1st, on -Feb. 9th, Jan. 13th, and March 17th, 1863, respectively. Nov. -25, 1862, Kyger was mustered in as first lieutenant, and Dec. -6, 1862, Lawrence was mustered in as second lieutenant.</p> - -<p>Dec. 26, 1862, started on movement to Stone River. Regiment -not engaged until Dec. 31st, was then engaged fully one-third, -and under fire two-thirds of the day. Seventy-third was -in Second Brigade, of Sheridan's (Third) Division, Twentieth -A. C., and associated with the same regiments as before. The -change in number of Brigade and Division occurred when Rosecrans -assumed command. At Stone River Company C suffered -casualties as follows: John Dye and James Yoho, killed; John -J. Halsted, wounded, discharged Feb. 23, 1863; three or four -others very slightly wounded, and Lieutenant Lawrence and -Daniel Suycott, captured. Lawrence and Suycott were exchanged -in the following Spring, returning to the Company in -May. About Jan. 7, 1863, a detail from company, Lieutenant -Kyger in charge, sought the bodies of Dye and Yoho and buried -them. The writer saw both these men expire; they were near -together, and died at about the same time.<a name="Anchor-A" id="Anchor-A"></a><a href="#Footnote-A" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote A.">[A]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a><br /><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> - -<p>Were in two different camps at Murfreesboro, first Bradley, -then Shafer—named for our brigade commander killed at Stone -River. From Jan. 1st to June 30th, 1863, inclusive, the company -lost members as follows, in addition to the three already -noted, viz:</p> - -<table summary="Lost Members"> - <tr> - <td>John W. Smith,</td> - <td>Discharged, Jan. 3, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Carey A. Savage,</td> - <td>Discharged, Feb. 6, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>John V. Don Carlos,</td> - <td>Discharged, May 10, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Enoch Braselton,</td> - <td>Discharged, March 12, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>William Cook,</td> - <td>Discharged, Jan. 28, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Robert W. Cowan,</td> - <td>Discharged, Feb. 9, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Lawrence Dye,</td> - <td>Discharged, Jan. 28, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Benj. F. Edmonds,</td> - <td>Discharged, Feb. 10, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Wright Madden,</td> - <td>Transferred to gun-boat service, April 16, 1863.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Jacob Martin,</td> - <td>Died at Murfreesboro, Feb. 21, 1863.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>William McEntyre,</td> - <td>Died at Nashville, Jan. 15, 1863.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Thomas Elwood Madden,</td> - <td>Discharged, Feb. 20, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Joshua T. Nicholson,</td> - <td>Died at Nashville, Jan. 18, 1863.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Christopher C. Shires,</td> - <td>Discharged, May 28, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>John M. Thompson,</td> - <td>Discharged, Feb. 20, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>James F. Williams,</td> - <td>Discharged, March 26, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>George Miley,</td> - <td>Died at Nashville, Feb. 3, 1863.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td>Robert B. Drake,</td> - <td>Discharged, June 30, 1863, disability.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>In all, twenty-one men, making a total loss to July 1, 1863, -of thirty-nine men.</p> - -<p>Started June 23, 1863, on Chattanooga campaign. First injury -to member of Company was the wounding of Alex. C. -Nicholson, at Fairfield.</p> - -<p>Followed on, passing Manchester and Estill Springs, wading -Elk River, and passing through Winchester to Cowan's Station. -Halted at latter place, July 3, 1863, hearing next day the news -of Gettysburg and Vicksburg.</p> - -<p>A few days later passed through Cumberland Tunnel, and -on to Stevenson, Alabama. At Stevenson there was a delay -until Sept. 2d, when the command pushed on to the Tennessee -River, at Bridgeport, crossing on the 3d, and going over Sand -Mountain, and on down to Alpine, Georgia. When company left -Stevenson I remained, with others, in consequence of chills, -having had medicine prescribed for breaking same about -August 30th.</p> - -<p>Captain Patterson McNutt resigned July 29, 1863, and First -Lieutenant Tilmon D. Kyger was mustered in as captain of -company, Sept. 4th, following.<a name="Anchor-B" id="Anchor-B"></a><a href="#Footnote-B" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote B.">[B]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> -<p>The movement to Alpine, by Thomas' and McCook's corps, -having forced Bragg out of Chattanooga, next came the hard -marching necessary to concentrate the Union forces, before the -reinforced enemy should turn and crush Crittenden's corps.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> -<p>Arrived in vicinity of Chickamauga battlefield, late September -18th. Got nearer next day; was under fire, but not engaged.</p> - -<p>Saturday night, September 19th, company furnished a corporal, -R. J. Hasty, and two or three guards for duty at Sheridan's -head-quarters. McCook, Crittenden, and other generals, -were at head-quarters in course of the night. Sheridan was -restless and dissatisfied, and altogether indications, as interpreted -by our corporal and guards, were unfavorable as to our prospects -for to-morrow. Bradley's brigade (Sheridan's third), had -been very roughly used in the afternoon, and his first and -second brigades would probably "catch it" to-morrow. We were -in the second (Laibold's brigade.) The night was dark, the -weather was cool, and fire was forbidden. Our position was in -heavy woods; the noise and racket in our front, whether made -by the enemy or by our own troops, sounded and resounded -terribly ominous in our ears. Daybreak came, and with it orders -to move; we were out of rations, or nearly so, and not allowed -time to draw a supply. Lytle persisted in drawing rations for -his (the first) brigade, notwithstanding orders to move immediately. -Moved two miles or more to the left; took position, and -awaited further orders.</p> - -<p>Before noon orders came, and we "went in." Of this memorable -battle history tells; it has been "fought over," and -"wrote up," many times. As within an hour from "going in," -we had, with others, surrendered, and passed to the rear of five -lines, two ranks each, of Confederate troops, we will not attempt -a description of the small part of the battle we witnessed. For -the first time we viewed the situation amid and to rear of the -enemy. Doubt and uncertainty seemed to have place among -the Confederates, although they were advancing. Officers were -busy gathering up stragglers and hurrying them forward. Too -many wanted to guard prisoners. Swords were drawn, and -wildly flourished, and much ado made, probably because of the -presence of so many "Yankees." Rope lines and traces, and -other rope rigging to artillery, and sorghum stalks, sticking in -haversacks of Bragg's men, attracted our attention. We saw -Gen. Longstreet with an immense escort following him. We -saw Gen. Hood lying under the fly of a tent, wounded; later he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -had his leg taken off. After one o'clock enemy's right fell -back, and our left advanced. We saw several solid shot, skipping -over the ground, which had been sent by Crittenden's batteries. -We had many companions in our new and strange experience, -and formed many new acquaintances, most of them of -short duration. Some fourteen hundred of Gen. Sheridan's division, -and many from other commands, had been collected in -one place. Hesser and North, of Company A, and Brown and -myself, of Company C, were one little squad of the Seventy-third -that did not scatter much. We encountered no other members -of our regiment until reaching Richmond.</p> - -<p>Up to this point we have given facts, in the history of the -company, of which we had personal knowledge. What few incidents -or accidents in its history, from Chickamauga up to -opening of Atlanta campaign here given are vouched for, my -information touching the same being derived from reliable -sources. The losses sustained by company in battle of Chickamauga -were as follows: David A. Smith, Enoch Smith, and -Artemas Terrell, killed; Wm. R. Lawrence, John R. Burk, -Henderson Goodwin, Nathaniel Henderson, Henry C. Henderson, -Austin Henderson, Jehu Lewis (color bearer), and John -Bostwick (discharged May 27, 1864), wounded; and all the -following named were captured, viz: Enoch P. Brown, Wm. -H. Newlin, John R. Burk, Wm. F. Ellis, Austin Henderson, -and John Thornton. Of those that were captured, Burk and -Lewis were soon exchanged, being seriously wounded; Burk, -however, went to Richmond; losing an arm, he was discharged -June 9, 1864. Lewis was exchanged on battlefield. -Austin Henderson was exchanged late in 1864. John Thornton, -Enoch P. Brown, and William F. Ellis, died in Andersonville -prison, in order named: September 16th, 20th, and 23d, -1864, respectively. Number of Brown's grave, 9,350; Ellis', -9,703. Number of Thornton's grave not given. Wm. H. Newlin -was never either paroled or exchanged. Nearly every member -of company was struck by balls, or fragments of shell, or -trees, in some part of the body, accoutrements, or clothing. At -nightfall only three of the company were present at call of the -captain. During the night a dozen or more others rallied upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> -this feeble remnant. Chickamauga was a dreadful strain upon -the strength and powers of endurance of the soldier, and September -20, 1863, is, and will ever be, a memorable day in our -country's history. By September 22d, some twenty or more of -the company had reached Chattanooga, and were beginning to -assume at least a defensive attitude. Early in September -commissions for Lawrence and Smith, as first and second -lieutenants, respectively, were sent for, but neither were ever -mustered in on them; Lawrence resigning, November 24, 1863, -as second lieutenant, and Smith having met his fate as already -noted.</p> - -<p>Following Chickamauga came the siege of Chattanooga, and -with it very scant supplies, and hard picket and forage duty. -The "cracker line" being often disturbed, and foraging not -yielding, or "panning out" very heavily, the supply of rations, -provender, for man and beast, was far short of ordinary -demands. November 25th the battle of Missionary Ridge occurred, -in which Company C fortunately suffered very few casualties, -the most serious one being the wounding of Stephen Newlin. -After Missionary Ridge company and command went to -the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. On this winter campaign -much hard marching and great fatigue were endured. Some -one or two, or more, of the company, not starting with the command, -followed up later with squads and detachments. In one -or more instances the enemy's cavalry attempted to "gobble -up" these squads. During its stay in East Tennessee, regiment -encamped for a time at Haworth's Mill, near New Market, and -also at Lenoir's Station. From latter place, it is said, some -members of company made frequent visits in the country east -of river, and it is further alleged, one or more of them got -married. Dandridge, I believe, was the farthest point eastward -to which command penetrated in the Knoxville campaign. Capt. -Kyger was very sick at Knoxville, in course of winter, and on -recovering sufficiently was granted leave of absence.</p> - -<p>Winter breaking, and time for opening of the Atlanta campaign -approaching, the regiment returned to vicinity of Chattanooga, -encamping at Cleveland, at which point we rejoined it, -on our return from prison. April 11, 1864, Wm. R. Cook was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -mustered in, as a recruit to company, being last name entered -on company roll.<a name="Anchor-C" id="Anchor-C"></a><a href="#Footnote-C" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote C.">[C]</a> -</p> - -<p>From June 30, 1863, to July 1, 1864, the total loss to company, -from all causes, was fourteen men, including Amos Bogue. -Transferred to Invalid corps, August 1, 1863; Clark B. Brant,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -discharged November 12, 1863; Merida Thornton and Aaron -Willison, transferred to Invalid corps, January 15th and February -1, 1864; James T. Slaughter, transferred to V. R. C., -May 1, 1864; Charles W. Cook, permanently detached as blacksmith -to Bat. G., First Mo. Art., August 26, 1863; and James<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -W. Trimble, transferred to V. R. C., April 10, 1864, the other -seven already noted; making a total loss to date of fifty-three -men.</p> - -<p>Moved from Cleveland, May 3, 1864, with command, first -brigade, second division, fourth army corps. Under fire first -time, on Atlanta campaign, in the vicinity of Catoosa Springs, -May 5. At Rocky Faced Ridge, May 9th, was again under -fire, but not engaged. Sharpshooters from the regiment did -good work here; Company C being represented by John P.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -Jones, Alex. C. Nicholson, and James T. Maudlin. Was engaged -at Resaca, May 14th. Wm. D. Bales struck by piece of -shell. Was engaged at Adairsville, May 17th. Up to, and including -Adairsville, Company C was in my charge, there being -no commissioned officer present. On this date Capt. Kyger -arrived at the front and took command of company. At Kingston -there was a delay of three or four days. Pursuant to orders, -all vacancies in line, and non-commissioned officers were filled, -or selections made with that object in view. May 22d, Company -C attended to this duty. The company was entitled to a -lieutenant, and an election was held. Candidates were voted -for, for orderly sergeant, with the understanding that the successful -candidate should be commissioned first lieutenant. Election -resulted in my favor by a small majority—four votes, I believe—which, -considering all the circumstances, my long absence, -and the fact that my competitor had been present all the -time, was a No. 1 soldier, none better, I regarded as extremely -flattering, and was therefore very thankful for the advancement.</p> - -<p>My commission was sent for; it bears date June 9, 1864. -The list of non-commissioned officers being filled, stood as -follows:</p> - -<table summary="Non-commissioned Officers"> - <tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Wm. M. Sheets</span>,</td> - <td>orderly sergeant.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">James T. Maudlin</span>,</td> - <td>second sergeant.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Jehu Lewis</span>,</td> - <td>third sergeant.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Robert J. Hasty</span>,</td> - <td>fourth sergeant.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Alex. C. Nicholson</span>,</td> - <td>fifth sergeant.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Wesley Bishop</span>,</td> - <td>first corporal.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Jonathan Ellis</span>,</td> - <td>second corporal.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Austin Henderson</span>,</td> - <td>third corporal.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Samuel Hewitt</span>,</td> - <td>fourth corporal.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Alfred E. Lewis</span>,</td> - <td>fifth corporal.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">George W. Martin</span>,</td> - <td>sixth corporal.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Stephen Newlin</span>,</td> - <td>seventh corporal.</td> - </tr><tr> - <td><span class="smcap">Geo. Hollingsworth</span>,</td> - <td>eighth corporal.</td> - </tr> -</table> - - -<p>It was at this time and place that A. E. Lewis notified Ellis -of his appointment as corporal; adding, "and your commission -has gone on to Washington for approval." All of the above -were mustered out June 12, 1865. The list does not contain one -of the original sergeants or corporals; except that Orderly Sheets -was one of the first corporals.</p> - -<p>Recommenced active operations about May 25th. June 18th -John Braselton was wounded. By June 25th the actions at -Pine and Lost Mountains, Dallas, New Hope Church, and preliminary -battles before Kenesaw Mountain had taken place, -without inflicting serious damage to company. Capt. Kyger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -was sick, a week or more, up to and including June 27th, the -day of the assault on Kenesaw. This assault was the first -heavy battle occurring after my muster in as lieutenant, and -owing to the formation of each regiment preparatory to the -assault, and the absence of my seniors, I was placed in command -of two companies, C and H, forming the third or middle -division of regiment. Two lines, of two ranks each, were in -front of, and two lines, of two ranks each, were in rear of companies -C and H. Owing to nature of ground these companies -came off well, suffered less than any of the others. From point -of starting in, the ground sloped considerably to line immediately -without, or in front of the very elaborate, systematic obstructions -in front of enemy's works, and from this same line -the ground covered by these obstructions was gradually ascending -to line of fortifications. Pending the heaviest fire of enemy, -companies C and H were on the lowest ground, all the other -companies, whether in front or rear, being on higher ground, so -that fire of enemy was comparatively harmless to C and H, -there being only four or five slight wounds received in the two -companies, and these inflicted while getting back to position -from which they started. Of the regiment, three were killed, -and some twelve or fifteen wounded. There were several cases -of overheating, the weather being extremely hot, and the assault, -from some cause, not being made as early as intended. The -casualties to regiment, seeming so few, in an assault of such -magnitude, it is proper to state that number of men in regiment -that day, present for duty, did not exceed three hundred. -In our front, too, were very heavy earth-works, feebly manned; -but for the arrival of reinforcements we could have effected, at -least, a <em>temporary</em> breach in the enemy's line.</p> - -<p>Early July 3d it was found that the enemy had fallen back. -Followed up immediately; regiment lost one man, killed, July -4th. There was a delay of a week at the Chattahoochie River. -Command took position, near river, above Vining's Station. -July 9th division marched to Roswell; destroyed some mills or -factories, and crossed and recrossed the Chattahoochie while -gone, returning on the 12th. Writer was not with company on -Roswell trip; but owing to depletion of strength was favored;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -left behind in charge of regimental camp, and those who had -been excused from duty. July 13th, crossed Chattahoochie -River on pontoon bridge. While crossing, writer was taken -sick, and was obliged to drop behind soon after getting across -the river. In attempting to reach the upland and overtake -company, was prostrated, the result of over-heating or partial -sun-stroke, and have no recollection whatever of events occurring -after the crossing of the Chattahoochie, up to the crossing -of Nance's Creek, July 18. There had, however, been a delay -at Buck's Head, and also a general inspection. Late on the -19th there were two or three severe skirmishes along the line -of Peach Tree Creek, one of which approached the dignity of a -battle, and several prisoners, including a general officer, were -captured by our forces. Crossed Peach Tree Creek at ten o'clock, -P. M., of the 19th.</p> - -<p>About noon, on the 20th, brigade was assigned position in -line, and hastily built slight breast-works of logs, limbs, and -rails. This done, was ordered to make reconnoisance to front. -In execution of this order, the enemy was found in force, and -we came back at a double-quick, to find our temporary works -occupied by other troops. Took another position, further to -right, the Seventy-third holding the extreme right of fourth -corps. There was a gap of two hundred yards or more, between -right of fourth and left of twentieth corps; so the right -of Seventy-third was retired, swung back a little in order to -cover this gap. The battle immediately opened, giving no time -for construction of works, however slight, and continued about -an hour, with two casualties to Company C—William Martin -and the writer, wounded. Sampson McCool, of Company E, -was also wounded. Sampson and William McCool, and John -Murdock, the latter killed at Perryville, being the three loaned -by Company C to Company E, that were never retransferred to -C. Of regiment, one man was killed, and several others -wounded. My wound, being slight, healed entirely by August -1st, but I was detained at division field hospital until August -16th, on account of general physical debility, resulting from the -sunstroke of 13th. Command was not in the battles of July -22d and 28th, so my hospital and prison experience, covering in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -all eight months, deprived me of participation in only one battle—Missionary -Ridge—and one campaign—the East Tennessee—in -which the company engaged.</p> - -<p>The latter part of August, started on the flanking movement -to Jonesboro and Lovejoy station. September 1st, engaged in -tearing up railroad, burning the ties, and twisting the heated -rails around trees. Arrived at Jonesboro too late to accomplish -more than the capture of a hospital and a few hundred prisoners, -as the battle there was closing. Night of September 1st, -Company C stood picket out north-east of Jonesboro, and toward -morning the rumble of Hood's artillery and trains could -be heard, as they were passing hurriedly on a road still further -eastward, retreating from Atlanta. Later, the explosions at -Atlanta were distinctly heard. Followed on to Lovejoy's. -Were under fire, but had no good opportunity of returning it. -Withdrew from enemy's front at Lovejoy's the night of September -5th or 6th, returning to Atlanta, arriving on the 8th. -Went into quarters with some expectation of remaining inactive -for a longer time than we did. Writer, however, saw the exterior -of the barracks, the interior of which he had seen, as a -prisoner, just a year before.</p> - -<p>About September 26th to 28th, were ordered to Chattanooga, -going by railway; and from thence marched down into Alpine -valley again, about October 18th, returning the latter part of -October, via Chickamauga battle-ground, to Chattanooga. On -this return march from Alpine, quite a number of recruits of -Fifty-first Illinois fell behind, "straggled," and no wonder, as -most of them wore overcoats, and carried knapsacks packed full; -one of them carried his bayonet fixed, instead of in scabbard, -whereupon Corporal Lewis (who had just awakened from a -short sleep at roadside, where company was resting) cried out, -"Halt, halt, you Fifty-firster; I want to know <strong>WHERE YOU GOT YOUR GUN SHARPENED</strong>."</p> - -<p>About November 1, 1864, went by rail to Huntsville, Alabama, -and from there marched to Athens, and from thence, via -Lynnville and Pulaski, to Columbia, Tenn. Here a part of -twenty-third corps met, and reinforced the fourth corps. Hood's -rebel army was becoming very troublesome and apparently im<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>patient -for large results, and was pressing ours very <em>closely</em>. -Considerable skirmishing took place about Columbia, in which -Company C bore its full share. Under pressure of enemy our -forces crossed Duck River the night of November 28th, the -Seventy-third standing picket the balance of that night on north -bank of river. Next morning, the pressure being great, there -was no time to relieve us, and being already deployed, we fell -back, first as flankers, then as skirmishers, in the direction of -Spring Hill, arriving there about four o'clock in afternoon of -29th. We were to the right, or south-east of Pike and of -Spring Hill. The part of the Seventy-third in the action at -Spring Hill was to assist in resisting a cavalry dash by enemy, -just before sunset. To do this we were only compelled to -shorten our line a little, and deliver a brisk fire for the space -of about ten minutes. Heavy fighting was going on near us, in -which enemy's infantry was engaged, pending which, night fall -ended the contest, luckily for our forces. There was great confusion, -one result of which was, our being compelled to stand -picket all night, as on the preceding night. We must have -been <strong>VERY CLOSE</strong> indeed to enemy's pickets, though we did -not see or hear them; but could distinctly see the enemy at a -little distance around his camp-fires. Our trains were hustling -the whole night through, and got well on the way before morning -toward Franklin.</p> - -<p>Daylight of November 30th came, and we were still on the -picket line. By sunrise we began falling back, deployed as -skirmishers, and skirmishing began, and was kept up with more -or less severity to within one mile of Franklin, when our brigade -was relieved. Very soon after skirmishing began in the -morning we crossed to the left of the road, and when but little -more than half way to Franklin, Capt. Kyger being sick, was -unable to remain longer with company, and was taken in -charge by Surgeon Pond, and we saw him no more until arriving -at Nashville. Being relieved, as before mentioned, by passing -within, and to rear, of skirmish line, which had been -thrown out, the brigade, Opedycke's first brigade, second division, -fourth army corps, formed and marched in column, with little -delay, to Franklin, passing on the way a brigade which must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -have been the third brigade of our division, posted some distance -in front of a temporary line of breastworks, which had been hastily -built, extending from a point above to another point on the river -below the town. These works, scarcely a mile in length, semi-circular -in form, and covering, not only Franklin, but also the bridge -across the Harpeth, were filled with troops; so our brigade passed -on to the rear, and took position behind Carter's Hill. This was at -about 3:30 o'clock, P. M. The men at once set about preparing -coffee and something to eat, being greatly fatigued from loss -of sleep, and almost constant duty since evening of 28th, on -crossing Duck River. All the trains, and the first division of -the fourth corps, were north of the Harpeth.</p> - -<p>Dinner over once, we should probably have followed and -taken the advance, having assisted two days in covering the retreat. -But no; not all of us were permitted to finish dinner -before Hood had martialed his forces, swept up suddenly, driving -in the brigade, posted in front, as before stated, in its wake, -and under cover of same crushing in, making a fearful breach -in our main line. Heavy firing began, clouds of dust and smoke -arose, hundreds of rebel troops were thrust into the breach -which they had made, and beyond; singly, and in squads, small -and great, our men began flying from the front, throwing away -their guns; pieces of artillery and cassions, with horses attached, -came thundering down; confusion and consternation indescribable -had been wrought in five minutes or less time.</p> - -<p>The Thirty-sixth, Forty-fourth, and Seventy-third Illinois, -and Twenty-fourth Wisconsin, and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth -Ohio, five regiments, composing Opedycke's brigade, were -instantly on their feet, anticipating orders, seizing their guns, -which had been stacked on one line, made a simultaneous, irresistible -rush to the front, carrying every thing before them at -the point of the bayonet, capturing thirteen battle-flags, nearly -one thousand prisoners, and restoring and strengthening our -line, so that it was broken no more. Stung to desperation at -this sudden turning of the scales in this important battle, the infuriated -enemy <em>charged</em>, and <strong>CHARGED</strong> <em>again</em> and <strong>AGAIN</strong>, carrying -his reckless resistance right up to, yes on to, our slight -works, to the very muzzles of our guns. But we were there to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -stay, at least until getting ready to leave of our own accord; -but it took <em>work</em>, <strong>HARD WORK</strong>, <strong>PERSISTENT</strong>, <strong>UNFLAGGING</strong> and -<strong>UNFLINCHING WORK</strong>, to maintain our position. How it was -done I can scarcely hope to describe.</p> - -<p>On arriving at the point from whence our forces had been -driven, there were too many troops to operate to advantage, -and afford all a semblance of protection. Fortunately, the -ground, beginning at the works, was gradually declining to the -rear. Company C, with a few soldiers of other companies, was -posted between, and to the front of, two pieces of artillery. All -were either lying on the ground or in a low, stooping posture. -Immediately at the works was a strong line of men, with barely -elbow room, who did nothing but fire; in rear of this line were -two or three tiers of men, who were busy loading pieces and -passing them forward; to rear of these were still others, who -were cleaning guns, breaking open boxes of ammunition, and -distributing cartridges to the loaders; others still further back, -carried up the boxes of ammunition from a point where left by -ammunition wagons. There was <em>work</em> for all, and all <strong>WORKED</strong>. -There was a full half hour of desperate fighting, perhaps equalled -at some time and place, but scarcely ever, if ever, surpassed. -For several fearful minutes, as a result of combined, sturdy, -heroic effort on the part of all, from end to end of our line, the -small arms volleyed; there was no determining of intervals between -volleys; it was as one. The cannon thundered; the shell -shrieked; the smoke rolled; the earth trembled; the heroic, -reckless, desperate, enemy surged, and <em>surged</em> again and <strong>AGAIN</strong>, -right up to our line, and recoiled as often, <em>recoiling last</em>, before -the merciless tempest of death.</p> - -<p>Darkness came on, and shrouded the scene; there was a lull in -the fight; a great calm after a great storm. Many of our soldiers -had been slain, but for each one, from three to five of the rebels -had bitten the dust. Very many on both sides were wounded, the -few mortally, the many slightly. Did those who had not finished -dinner, now finish it? No. Was supper prepared? No. Was -there time for coffee? Not much. The foe, threatening and defiant, -was right there, within sixty feet, waiting to pounce upon -us. Guns were put in order, ammunition in abundance was got<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -ready at hand, and all precautions taken. Nor had we long to -wait until the first night assault was made; right up to our -works they charged, coming within space measured by the -flashes from our rifles. But before our galling fire the enemy -quailed and fell back. Our fire slackened some; but within an -hour two or more assaults were made, with like result.</p> - -<p>After the last assault we kept up a heavy fire for some minutes, -until some person, some officer perhaps, between the lines, -but nearest ours, yelled out: "Cease firing, cease firing;" repeating -the command several times. Amid the smoke and -darkness it could not be told who or what he was, whether -Union or rebel. In a few minutes the firing did, in a great -measure, cease; later it ceased almost entirely. At same time a -burning building in the suburbs of Franklin fell in, making a -great light, by which we saw several, as many as a dozen, standards -raise along enemy's line. He was preparing, no doubt, for -a last desperate effort to break our front. Brisk firing immediately -opened from our side, increasing in volume and ceasing -not until every battle-flag on enemy's front was laid low. This -ended the contest; quiet succeeded; and by midnight our weary -forces had withdrawn from the field; crossed the Harpeth, and -were slowly wending their way to Nashville.</p> - -<p>The loss to Seventy-third, in this battle, was nine killed and -two wounded that died soon afterward; one of the former being -Adjt. Wilmer, and one of the latter being Major Motherspaw; the -loss to Company C being one killed, Zenas Fulton, and one -wounded, Joseph A. Allison, who died in enemy's hands. There -were three or four others of company wounded, including the -writer; and there were several others of the regiment wounded; -but nearly all of these were slight wounds, excepting that of -Captain Jonas Jones, and one or two others. Some two or -three years ago writer saw a statement from Gen. D. S. Stanley, -who commanded the fourth corps, until wounded, in this battle; -which statement, published in a Philadelphia paper, asserted -that the fourth corps used ninety wagon loads of ammunition -the afternoon and night of November 30, 1864. It is reasonable -to suppose that much of this ammunition was destroyed; wasted -in other ways than in "wild firing," the enemy's losses, all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -told, being about five thousand five hundred, or three times -our own.</p> - -<p>Col. Opedycke was breveted brigadier-general, and merited -praise was bestowed in congratulatory orders, for the part borne -by his brigade in the battle of Franklin. Any other brigade -that was there would probably have done as well, under the -same circumstances; but as three-fifths of the brigade were Illinoisians -we take a pardonable pride in making this imperfect -record of its most conspicuous achievement.</p> - -<p>Arrived at Nashville at one o'clock, P. M., December 1, -1864. We were a very tired, sorely-taxed, and dirty lot of soldiers. -Sleep was imperatively demanded; and most of us, as -soon as halted, or assigned camping space, dropped on the -ground and slept until sunset; by which time Capt. Kyger had -found us, and was anxiously ascertaining how we had fared. -Hood followed up immediately, taking position in our front; -and on December 3d, James Ashmore, of Company C, a faithful -soldier, was shot dead while standing picket. His body was -buried in the cemetery at Nashville. This was the last loss -which befell Company C, except in case of two or three members -who were mustered out a few days in advance of the regiment -at hospitals, and one recruit—Wm. R. Cook—transferred -to the Forty-fourth Illinois. About this time we received notification -of the death of three members of the company in Andersonville -prison, as before noted, viz.: Brown, Ellis, and Thornton, -with whom the writer had spent three months as a prisoner. -How fortunate had we been, not only in escaping prison, but in -passing comparatively unharmed through twelve battles, since -separating from prison comrades, and standing now upon the -threshold of the thirteenth, destined to pass safely through that. -Fortunate indeed we were, and thankful, very thankful we are, -and ought to be.</p> - -<p>On December 15th and 16th, 1864, occurred the battles of -Nashville, in which command performed the part assigned it -both days; in the afternoon of the 16th joining in the grand, -majestic charge, which was the finishing stroke to the rebellion -in the west. Casualties to Company C, none to speak of, and -to regiment very few, only one man killed, and probably a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -dozen wounded. Enemy hugged his works so closely that his -fire passed above our heads. On our reaching the works, those -of the enemy who did not surrender fled with precipitated -haste. With utmost enthusiasm our troops pursued the flying -enemy, until darkness closed the race. Started early on the -17th, but our cavalry took the job off our hands, pursuing -Hood so closely that he crossed the Tennessee River, with only -a few shattered and broken fragments of his late offensive -army. We followed to Pulaski, Tenn., at which point, a day or -two before Christmas, we heard, for the last time, the whiz of -an enemy's bullet.</p> - -<p>Leaving Pulaski we took up our line of march for Huntsville, -Ala., arriving January 5, 1865. Here we remained until -March 28th; then going by rail to Blue Springs, East Tennessee. -While at Blue Springs the war closed; Lee and Johnston surrendered, -and Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. News of the -latter produced the wildest frenzy among our troops. The latter -part of April were ordered to Nashville. Going by rail, we -arrived in due course. Hostilities having ceased, the excitement -incident thereto having subsided, we led a quiet camp life -up to middle of June. The regiment was mustered out June -12, 1865, starting a day or two later for Springfield, Ill., to receive -final payment and to disband.</p> - -<p>We give name of each member of Company C that was -present for muster out June 12th, except where already noted; -see list of sergeants and corporals and remarks below on page -126, which with the fifty-three men dropped from the roll by -July 1, 1864, and the following dropped since, or mustered out -in advance of the regiment, make the one hundred and four -men, with which company entered the service: N. Brady and -I. W. Ward, transferred to United States engineer corps, July -20th and August 21st, 1864; E. P. Brown, Wm. F. Ellis, and -John Thornton, died at Andersonville; James A. Allison and -Zenas Fulton, killed at Franklin; James Ashmore, killed at -Nashville; Nathaniel Henderson, mustered out May 4th; William -B. Cowan, May 17th, John Braselton, June 2d, and Daniel -Suycott, June 8, 1865; Samuel W. Sigler, transferred to Veteran -Reserve Corps, January 10, 1865, and William R. Cook,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -transferred to Forty-fourth Illinois, June 12, 1865, fourteen -in all.</p> - -<table summary="Other members"> -<tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Tilmon D. Kyger</span>, deceased.</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">William H. Newlin.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">David McDonald.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Pleasant B. Huffman.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Samuel J. Boen.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">David Branson</span>,<a name="Anchor-D" id="Anchor-D"></a><a href="#Footnote-D" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote D.">[D]</a> deceased.</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">William D. Bales.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">John Doop.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Henderson Goodwin.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Amacy M. Hasty.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Henry C. Henderson.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">George J. Harrier.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">John P. Jones.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Thomas Judd.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Abraham Jones.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Claiborne Madden.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">William Martin.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">James S. Peck</span>, deceased.</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Harland H. Reagon.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Joseph W. Reagon.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Walter Scott.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Isaac H. Thompson.</span><a href="#Footnote-D" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote D.">[D]</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Benjamin Purdum.</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><span class="smcap">Isaac R. Thornton.</span></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<table summary="Comapny totals"> -<tr> -<td>In all,</td><td class="tdr">24</td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Add five sergeants and eight corporals,</td><td class="tdr">13</td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Previously dropped from all causes as indicated,</td><td class="tdr bb">67</td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Total,</td><td class="tdr">104</td> -</tr> -</table> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Danville, Ill.</span>, September 4, 1886.</p> - -<div class="footnotes mt3"> - -<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<ol> - <li class="footnote"> - - <p><a name="Footnote-A" id="Footnote-A"><span class="epubonly">[A]</span></a><span class="smcap">Note.</span>—The latter part of January, or early in February, the company, - in pursuance of general orders from Rosecrans, chose a man whose name - should be inscribed on a "roll of honor." Through some unaccountable - circumstance, or accident, or perhaps through compromise, the choice fell - on the writer hereof. Though conscious of having tried to do my duty at - Stone River, I knew this honor was undeserved; that there were others - more entitled to it. As the honor was bestowed by comrades who had - passed with me through the smoke and fire of that eventful day I will - cherish it to my dying hour as a precious legacy, one that I would proudly - transmit to my children if possible. Having mentioned the foregoing, I - must not fail to record another scrap of history equally important in its outcome, - as placing me under a weight of obligation to the company. - </p> - <p> - Some time in May, 1863, I was on picket duty as sergeant at outpost, - from which guards were sent out every two hours to relieve those on the - line. Guards at this outpost were expected to, and usually did, turn out - and present arms to the officer of the day, or other officer, when he came - around. On this particular day a cold, drizzling rain was falling, and the - officer wore a gum coat, concealing insignia of office, or special duty. Four - of the boys were pitching quoits (horse-shoes), as a means of diversion, - when the officer on horseback was observed in the distance through - woods. The quoit pitching ceased, and the boys made ready to "take - arms" and "fall in." But the horseman either did not see, or pretended - that he did not see the outpost, until he got well past a point in our front, - then quickly turning, dashed upon us. As I was satisfied the officer was - playing a "smart Aleck" game, I had said to the boys, "never mind; pay - no attention to him," and only two or three turned out. Arriving at the - outpost, reining his steed, and bowing up his neck with a self-satisfied air, - as though he thought himself "autocrat of all the Russias," officer demanded, - "Where's the corporal or sergeant in charge?" I responded "Here." - Officer inquired my name, rank, and regiment. Noting the information I - gave him, officer rode away, without giving his name, or business, as requested. - The latter I learned next day on returning to camp. An order - from Sheridan had been received by the company commander to "reduce - Sergeant Wm. H. Newlin to the ranks; fill vacancy, etc." An investigation - was had; those who had been on duty with me the past twenty-four hours - and myself, were summoned, and all the facts were stated. The general's - order was complied with—that had to be done—and an election was ordered - to be held at nine o'clock next morning, to fill vacancy thus created. The - hour for election arrived, and as there was no candidate against me I received - a <em>unanimous</em> vote, and was elected—not appointed—to "fill vacancy." - Division head-quarters was notified, "Order complied with; Wm. H. Newlin - reduced, and vacancy filled." And that was the end of it, except that - Lieutenant Kyger cautioned all the boys not to say any thing about the - matter in writing home, adding, "What if news of that should get back to - Georgetown?" But I didn't care where the news went to, whether to - Georgetown or Damascus, so all the facts were given.</p> - <a class="nounderline" href="#Anchor-A"><span class="epubonly">Return to </span><span class="label">[A]</span></a> - </li> - - - <li class="footnote"> - - <p><a name="Footnote-B" id="Footnote-B"><span class="epubonly">[B]</span></a><span class="smcap">Note.</span>—On morning, Sept. 3d, we followed company to Bridgeport, - arriving just as command was starting to cross the river. Being wearied by - the tramp, James T. Maudlin, Henderson Goodwin, William Martin, and - myself were again left in temporary hospital. Next morning, feeling much - refreshed, concluded to apply for passes to go on to company. We were - disappointed, myself in particular, as that date, Sept. 4, 1863, marked the - end of my twenty-first year. About noon, a long wagon train began crossing - the river, and while at dinner we conceived the idea of getting across, - under the guise of train guards. So, striking the train at a little distance - from the river, we distributed ourselves at intervals, among the wagons, - loading our luggage, except gun and bayonet. The scheme worked; and on - getting across, we repossessed ourselves of our luggage, and passed ahead - of the train. We diligently pressed forward until sunset. We then located - a camp, got roasting-ears from a field to our right, an iron pot, and water - at a house to our left, and in due time feasted, chatted, and retired for the - night, not knowing how near we might be to enemies, or how far from - friends. After midnight a terrible racket, to our front, awakened and - frightened us. Imagining the commotion was produced by a dash of the - enemy's cavalry, we arose in great haste, scattered our fire, gathered our - traps, and hied us away to the brush. The disturbance ceased, our excitement - subsided, and we resumed our former position. After breakfast next - morning we started, and on going one-fourth of a mile we came to a lot, of - say three acres, in which were a dozen or more horses, colts, and cows. - Up to nearly noon at least, we attributed the racket to the stock. Keeping - steadily on, and not meeting or overtaking any troops or trains, and the - road showing less indications of any having passed, we began to feel lonesome. - Just before noon, after passing a house on our left, we stopped, - and sent one of our squad back to inquire if any troops had passed that - morning. Comrade soon returned with information that a small body of - cavalry had passed, going south, about two hours before. Signs in the road, - and on either side, seemed to confirm the report, but as our scout had - failed to ascertain the character of the cavalry, he was sent for further - information. In answer to question as to whose, or what cavalry had - passed, our man was told it was "we'rn." Further inquiry established a - probability that it was a detachment of Roddy's Confederate cavalry. For - certain reasons we did not go back past the house, but kept straight - ahead, as though it was our business to overtake that detachment. Fifteen - minutes later we were following a road in an easterly direction. Going at - a "quick" gait, and being about to pass a bunch of pigs, averaging about - sixty pounds weight, we concluded we wouldn't pass all of them. It was - very quickly done, as we dare not fire a gun, or allow a pig to squeal much. - The choice parts of the pig were appropriated to our own special purposes. - After dinner we pursued our way, and soon discovered intersecting roads, - and evidences of the passage of troops and trains. Later our suspense was - ended, and before dark, of Sept. 6th, we had reached the company.</p> - <a class="nounderline" href="#Anchor-B"><span class="epubonly">Return to </span><span class="label">[B]</span></a> - </li> - - - <li class="footnote"> - - <p><a name="Footnote-C" id="Footnote-C"><span class="epubonly">[C]</span></a><span class="smcap">Note.</span>—Soon after capture were placed under a strong guard, our partners, - being Brown, Hesser, and North. Jos. C. Squires, an attachee, before - capture, of Gen. Rosecrans' staff, "stood in" with us a day or so, until - catching sight of Col. Von Strader. We dropped our extra ammunition in - Chickamauga Creek. Passed Ringgold, Sunday evening, about eight o'clock. - Four miles farther on, halted until morning. Arrived at Tunnell Hill about - noon, September 21st. A morsel of bacon issued to each man, a piece four - inches long, could have been drawn through a half-inch augur hole, without - squeezing out much grease. Boarded railroad train about three o'clock, - P. M., and started on tour of Confederacy. Rode on top of car part of time; - came near rolling off. Reached Atlanta night of September 22d. Put up - at Barracks. Next day were marched past a clerk at a table; gave clerk our - name, company and regiment. Drew rations, September 24th. Started - early; arrived at Augusta before night. Bought a huge watermelon; all we - could do to carry it; cost fifty cents. Were guarded closely in court-house - enclosure. Got away with melon by calling neighbors. September 25th, - took an early train for Columbia. Cars crowded as usual; excitement subsiding; - novelty of trip wearing off. Reached Columbia morning of 26th. - Were delayed three hours. Finally got started northward, the direction we - wanted to go, if we didn't stop too soon. Rode all day up to three o'clock. - Stopped at a little station near line between the Carolinas. Lots of sweet - potatoes on the platform; we let them alone. Many people were there, - mostly women, young and old. An old lady delivered an off-hand address, - giving advice to the "Yankees." She wanted to know why we "couldn't - let the South alone. We're not meddlin' with your affairs. You all go - back North and stay on your farms, and in your factories, and work-shops. - Yes, go back to your homes and make shoes for us." Reached Charlotte - late in the day. A few of the boys got away, and trouble and delay were - occasioned in getting them to train again. Next day, Sunday, September - 27th, arrived at Raleigh. Were viewed by many people, mostly colored, - while waiting. Got under way again, traveled all night, arriving at Weldon - next day. Dismounted from cars; were guarded near railroad; drew - rations. Invested one dollar and a half in extras. Boarded train early on - September 29th, and dismounted no more until arriving at Richmond. Put - up at Libby about eleven o'clock the night of 29th. Paid Dick Turner - twelve dollars next day under protest. He said he would pay it back when - we were paroled or exchanged. Was never paroled or exchanged, so the - twelve dollars ain't due yet. Went to the Rosser (tobacco) house late on - the 30th. We were guided around to it. Stayed one night with Rosser, - then went to Smith and Pemberton houses, October 1st. On the way fell - in with Ellis and Thornton, of Company C. Stationary for quite a while; - had a diversity of pastime, read Testament, played checkers, fought vermin, - but never carried any rations over from one day to next. Kilpatrick—Jesse - D., not James, as we have it on page 10—joined our Seventy-third - delegation; his credentials were from Company B. Got our share of the - sugar. Stopped one night at Scott House; next day, November 14th, took - train for Danville, Va., arriving November 15th. Our delegation generally - agreed, worked and voted as a unit on all questions. Consisting of seven - members, we settled things among ourselves in committee, before going to - the full house. Attention was occupied a few days considering a plan for a - general break; plan never fully matured, i. e. in the full house; killed in - committee, no doubt. December 15th we seceded, withdrew from prison - No. 2, on account of small-pox, and went to hospital. In time recovered, - and was variously employed up to February 19, 1864. Formed new - acquaintances; organized a new alliance; seceded again, the night of date - last mentioned. - </p> - <p> - In issue of <cite>National Tribune</cite> of November 16, 1882, my comrade L. B. - Smith, criticises my narrative, in a manner complimentary to it, however. - He says, "Many important points are left out; all he has written is true, - and much more." Have supplied one of those "important points" on page - 4, the very <em>important</em> one to comrade Smith. I refer to his rescue, by Sutherland, - from drowning in Craig's Creek. Another interesting, if not "important - point," left out, is that which includes the proposal, from a mulatto - girl of some fifteen Summers, that we should leave Smith with herself and - parents as a "hostage," security that we, after getting through, would send - a squad of cavalry after the whole family. Other interesting points were - some of our discussions as to feasibility of things proposed, such as the - taking of the horses, the third night out; which road to take—this, that, or - the other; and the project of unearthing money said to be hid in a certain - portion of a river bank. Another important and interesting point in Mr. - Smith's life did not come within the compass of my narrative, viz.: his - standing guard for a few minutes over Mr. Jefferson Davis, immediately - after, or within a day or two of his capture. Mr. Smith became twenty-one - years old in February, 1864, while on our trip. The cut—upper left - corner—represents Smith as he appeared at about the age of thirty years. - Another interesting point was the management, making a friend, by - Sutherland, of Huffman's dog. So skillfully did Sutherland get on the "good - side" of the dog that he never barked once, or gave his owner the slightest - intimation or warning of our approach. Comrade Sutherland, I believe, was - connected, in or about, the despatching of Maj. Ross' dog in Richmond. Mr. - Sutherland is, and has always been a farmer; is now fifty years old; cut—lower - right corner—represents him as he appeared probably ten years ago. - Other interesting points left out are those in the experience of comrade - Tripp, after his separation from our party, March 4, 1864. Did not know - until November, 1881, that Tripp had survived these experiences. Visiting - him last November I learned the particulars of his singular and somewhat - protracted wanderings after we left him. Want of space forbids any thing - like a record of them here. His loneliness, immediately following his misfortune - in being left, must have been oppressive; hungry and foodless, the - shades of night closing around him amid those rugged mountains, his feelings - can scarcely be imagined. With reluctance and fear he called, hoping - his recent companions, or some belated pursuer, might hear him; but there - was no answering voice, nothing but distressing silence, and his disappointment - was very great. Mr. Tripp is now fifty-seven years old; cut—lower - left corner—shows him as he appeared for some months after his discharge - in December, 1864. Wood and Taylor are accounted for on page 4. In - Wood's case the information is direct and official; he was about twenty-six - years old at time of his death. In Taylor's case the information is indirect - and circumstantial, but his fate is probably correctly indicated on - page 4. He was about twenty-seven years old at time we left him. - </p> - <p> - The engravings herewith, "The Ferry Scene," and "Left Alone," are - reasonably accurate and true to the reality. "Out of the Woods" is intended - to represent the general idea of escape, our troubles behind, our persevering, - unremitting efforts ended, and our safety assured. Though as - uniting, bringing together, two or three separate scenes, "Out of the Woods" - is also a faithful picture. Conceding that Taylor's fate, as the principal - figure in "Left Alone," was that, which all the information suggests, indescribably - sad, and gloomy must have been his last hour. Nothing of hope - or comfort in his anticipations of the future, his busy thoughts must have - drifted away from his surroundings and recent events, and sped across the - sea, and dwelt upon his father and mother there, who were ignorant of his - fate. This brings us to the events mentioned on page 109. At Georgetown, - while on furlough, we met Capt. Kyger and P. B. Huffman, of Company C. - Furlough soon run out. The rocks and hills about Georgetown seemed - very small. Separated from home and friends once more, and started in - company with Huffman for the front. This was in the latter part of April. - Encountered my escaping comrade Sutherland in Indianapolis, and accompanied - him the greater part of the way to Chattanooga. Arrived in camp - at Cleveland, May 2, 1864, just at sunset. Had to talk nearly all night, and - then get up next morning and start on the Atlanta campaign.</p> - - <a class="nounderline" href="#Anchor-C"><span class="epubonly">Return to </span> <span class="label">[C]</span></a> - </li> - - - <li class="footnote"> - <p><a name="Footnote-D" id="Footnote-D"><span class="epubonly">[D]</span></a> On detached service in rear, full term.</p> - - <a class="nounderline" href="#Anchor-D"><span class="epubonly">Return to </span><span class="label">[D]</span></a> - </li> -</ol> - -</div> - -<div class="transnote mt2"> - <h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> - <p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings, inconsistent hyphenation, and other inconsistencies.</p> - <p>Obvious punctuation errors and minor printer errors repaired.</p> - <p>Frequent use of 'eat' in place of 'ate' kept as printed. </p> -</div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Escape of Six -Federal Soldiers from Prison at Danville, Va., by William Henry Newlin - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE OF *** - -***** This file should be named 50970-h.htm or 50970-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/7/50970/ - -Produced by Christopher Wright and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: An Account of the Escape of Six Federal Soldiers from Prison at Danville, Va. - -Author: William Henry Newlin - -Release Date: January 19, 2016 [EBook #50970] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE OF *** - - - - -Produced by Christopher Wright and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - AN ACCOUNT - OF THE - ESCAPE OF SIX FEDERAL SOLDIERS - FROM PRISON AT DANVILLE, VA.: - THEIR TRAVELS BY NIGHT - THROUGH - THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY TO THE UNION PICKETS - AT GAULEY BRIDGE, WEST VIRGINIA, - IN THE WINTER OF 1863-64. - - BY - - W. H. NEWLIN, - _Lieutenant Seventy-Third Illinois Volunteers_. - - CINCINNATI: - WESTERN METHODIST BOOK CONCERN PRINT. - 1887. - - - - - Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, - BY W. H. NEWLIN, - In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The account contained in these pages was first written in 1866. Its -publication was delayed in the hope that we should learn something of -our two comrades who were left behind. After revising and abridging it -somewhat, it is presented to the reader in its present form. We were -compelled to rely on memory in preserving for publication the incidents -here narrated, as while on our trip we had neither pencil nor paper. -That reliance, however, was not in vain, as the scenes through which -we passed, though here poorly portrayed, are of a character not easily -forgotten. They are indelibly enstamped on the memory, and it seems -each year as it passes renders the recollection of them more vivid and -distinct. It is not needful to state the motives which prompted this -compilation. Much of the same character has been written and published, -but as this differs in one essential particular, at least, from all -that has yet appeared, we hope that fact will form a sufficient excuse -for introducing it to the public. - - W. H. N. - - - - -This Narrative DULY AUTHENTICATED by SWORN STATEMENTS of Two Comrades -who were on the Escape, is on file in Pension Claim, No. 352,023. - -[Illustration: After Seventeen Years Inquiry.] - -From all the information ever obtained touching the fate of first -comrade left behind, the _reasonable_ conclusion is that he PERISHED -at or near the place where we left him, his remains being found and -decently buried near Blue Ridge Mountain. Whatever his _fate_ may have -been, it was _self_ decreed. His reasons for preferring to be left -alone were satisfactory to him, and were not _all_ disclosed to us. -One explanation of this last rather singular circumstance may be found -in the fact that the comrade was an Englishman, and had been in this -country but a few weeks before enlisting. - -How much we should like to see the old "darky" to whom we said, "Put -your ear to the string-hole," and on his compliance with the request -we pronounced the word "_Yankees_." (See page 60.) "I'll git my -trowserloons on." - -In the case of leaving the second comrade, as described on pages -72-76, there was no option or time for deliberation. The exigencies of -the hour compelled a separation. Mr. Tripp succeeded in escaping the -notice of our pursuers, though hid in their immediate vicinity, and -hearing their talk enumerating reasons for their failure to "_take us -in_." After several days and nights of wandering and hiding, and of -varied and interesting experience, Mr. Tripp was recaptured, sent to -Richmond, kept there until September, 1864, was paroled, exchanged, and -discharged. He is now living near Burlington, Kansas. - -John F. Wood died June 20, 1864, "of wounds received in action." -Referring to this, Sutherland, in a letter written not long since, -says: "What a pity Wood had to die so soon after escaping prison. But -he might have died a slow and miserable death at Andersonville had he -not escaped." - -Sutherland is living in Michigan, near Eagle Station. Smith resides -at Dundee, same state. Mr. Smith very narrowly escaped drowning at -Craig's Creek. Mr. Sutherland's opportune landing on the opposite bank -of the rushing stream barely in time to extend to Smith a helping hand -is all that saved him. In addition to all others, we had the perils by -"_Bogus Yankees_" to encounter or avoid. We _risked_ our lives to save -them, and saving them we _risked_ them again and again for our country. -Having been captured in our third battle, by escaping, at least two of -us, added to the three, thirteen more. But all this was better than -Andersonville. We _might_ have been numbered among the MARTYRS of the -nineteenth century. "I would not make that trip again," said Smith, -"for the whole state of Michigan," adding "unless I had to." - - DANVILLE, ILL., November 27, 1885. W. H. N. - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -In those "stirring times," during the late war, when powder, and ball, -and the bayonet were the orders of the day, an escape from prison -and a secret, hidden march through the Confederacy, was accounted an -exciting, as well as a very lucky event. Even at this day, accounts of -such are not stale, but possess a thrilling interest, especially to -those who participated in them and to their friends. Our journey over -mountain and valley, over hill and dale, and across rivers, branches, -and rivulets almost innumerable, was accomplished mostly in the night -time. - -We had neither map nor compass to guide us. The north star alone served -us in shaping our course, and very often it was concealed by ominous -clouds. We took many needless steps, and made many needless and weary -miles in consequence of lack of knowledge of the country and of the -course we were steering. Sometimes the desolate hour of Winter's -midnight found us far from the public highway, and almost inextricably -involved in the brush and tangled mazes of the forest. At such times, -being almost at our wit's end, we would try to advance on a "bee line" -until the open country or some road was reached. - -At one time, when much bewildered in the shadowy woods, in night -time, we began to despair of success. We sat down to contemplate our -condition and our cheerless prospect. Had an enemy been approaching -us we could have well-nigh welcomed him, so he brought deliverance. -At length the stillness and thick darkness of the night made our -loneliness oppressive, and we groped on. Soon we found a road, and -realized that the "darkest hour is just before day." - -Knoxville, East Tennessee, was the point at which we first aimed, but -on nearing the line of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad we -learned Longstreet's forces were in Bull's Gap. We then bore northward. - -On first setting out on our trip we were extremely cautious. During -the first nights and days, after starting, we talked only in whispers. -We passed houses with the utmost care, as dogs were at almost every -house, and their acuteness in discovering our presence was astonishing, -in view of the caution we exercised. Early in our trip, one night near -eleven o'clock, as we were nearing a house, a dog barked savagely at -us. Instantly the front door opened, and by the light of a fire in the -fire-place we saw a woman in her night clothing, watching us pass. -Late one night, after midnight, we met a citizen on the road. He was -on horseback, moving slowly along. He gave the road, at the same time -checking his horse slightly. When he had passed by, the way he made -his horse scamper was lively, to say the least. "He must be after the -doctor, the way he goes," observed Trippe. "He took sick mi'ty sudden," -rejoined Wood. "The sight of us at this time is enough to make him -sick," put in a third. We were walking in Indian file, and had our -blankets drawn loosely over our shoulders and dragging almost on the -ground. Doubtless we were scary looking objects, especially as Smith -had his bed-quilt hung over him. Thinking the man had possibly gone for -re-enforcements with which to "gobble" us, we hurried forward. - -The night of our discovery of the cavalry horses, being much wearied, -and feeling we were going to be "hard pressed" for food, we climbed -into a corn field to hunt for corn that might have been left on the -stalks. Each of our party followed two rows across the field and two -back, but not a "nubbin" could be found. Not finding a grain of corn on -two dozen rows, and the corn blades being also gone, we concluded, as -Taylor observed, "They gather their nubbins clean in the Confederacy." -"Yes," added Wood, "they can't hold out much longer." - -Another night, at a late hour, after Taylor and Trippe had fallen by -the way, when in Craig or Alleghany county, we reached a point where -the road we were traveling crossed a pike. On reaching the pike we -halted, and a disagreement arose among us as to the course we should -take. We quarreled, words ran high, and we seemed to have forgotten -our safety depended on secrecy, as there was no lack of emphasis in -what we had to say. At last Sutherland ended the dispute by saying -to me, "Let's go on." We started immediately, leaving Smith and Wood -muttering. For more than an hour we steadily pursued our course, when, -discovering it was nearly day, we halted in the woods, near the road -side, to see if our comrades were coming up. Soon they came along the -road, and one of them said, "They'd better not advance too far without -support." "Yes," said Sutherland, "we are waiting for the reserves to -come up." Soon after we were hid for the day. - -The Union people, the hardy mountaineers of Virginia, or those of them -with whom we came in contact, rendered us valuable assistance. Without -their aid, indeed, and the aid of the negroes, we could hardly have -escaped through the almost barren country of the enemy, especially in -the inclement season. We have heard from David Hepler, James Huffman, -and Mrs. Mann since the war closed. In a letter from Hepler, received -not long since, he says: "I have not forgotten the time I came to you -in the woods and found you all asleep." - -We copy one of Huffman's letters in part. It was dated November 11, -1867: "As to information concerning your fellow-prisoner that was lost -the evening you came to my house, it was not the Botetourt Guards that -fired on your squad. It was the furnace company. I saw a lady, living -near the furnace, who saw the men returning. They said they neither -killed nor captured any of your squad. As to Paxton, he is living yet; -so are the people that had the boy hid under the bed." - -Our latest information respecting Trippe is a report that he was -recaptured, taken back, and shot as an example. Of Taylor, nothing has -ever been heard, by us at least, and our painful conjecture is that he -never reached the lines. Of our three comrades who reached the lines, -Smith and Sutherland are living in Michigan, and Wood is supposed to -be a resident of the Key-stone State. Smith, of the Fourth Michigan -Cavalry, was present at the capture of the Confederate President, -Jefferson Davis. - - - - -A STORY OF THE WAR. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - CAPTURE--PRISON AT RICHMOND--AT DANVILLE--SMALL-POX--HOSPITAL - AND CONVALESCENT CAMP--WARD-MASTER AND NURSES--ESCAPE PROM - THE GUARDS--TRAIN OF CARS--FOILED AT SEVEN-MILE FERRY--NARROW - ESCAPE--HIDING IN CAROLINA--CROSSING DAN RIVER--SINGING AND - DANCING--EATING AT MIDNIGHT--SABBATH DAY RETREAT--PROVISION - EXHAUSTED--EFFORT TO PROCURE SUPPLIES--ITS FAILURE--HARD - MARCHING--HUNGER AT MIDNIGHT--HIDING PLACE--WASHINGTON'S - BIRTHDAY--SLEEP. - - -The writer hereof was among the prisoners captured by the enemy in -the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863. Others of the -regiment to which I belonged also fell into the enemy's hands. As we -had served together through all the vicissitudes of a soldier's life in -the camp, on the march, and in battle, we resolved to remain together, -and stand by each other as prisoners as long as circumstances would -permit. On the day after the battle, September 21st, we were placed -on board the cars at Tunnel Hill, and sent under a strong guard, by -a circuitous route, through Georgia and the Carolinas, to Richmond, -Virginia. We arrived in Richmond on September 29th, eight days having -been occupied in the transfer of prisoners from the battle-field. -We remained in Richmond through the month of October, and until -November 14, 1863, when we were removed to Danville, Virginia, which -is south-west of Richmond about one hundred and fifty miles, in -Pittsylvania county. The transfer was by rail, and each member of our -squad succeeded in getting aboard the same car. Near noon of November -15th we reached Danville, and were immediately introduced to our new -quarters. Our squad was allotted a space on the second floor of -Prison No. 2, a large frame building, where it remained unbroken until -December 15, 1863. - -A short time previous to this date the small-pox had made its -appearance among the prisoners. On December 14th I was taken sick, the -usual symptoms of small-pox appearing in my case; and on the 15th I -was examined by the Confederate surgeon and sent to the hospital, in -company with three other patients from other prisons in the vicinity. - -As I here separate from the six persons with whom I had been associated -since my capture, and with whom so much discomfort and inconvenience -and so many privations had been borne, I here give their names. They -were John Hesser and John North, of Company A, Seventy-Third Illinois -Infantry Volunteers, and James Kilpatrick, of Company B; Enoch P. -Brown, John Thornton, and William Ellis, of Company C. They were all -of the same regiment with myself, and the three last named were of the -same company. The two first named and myself were all of our squad -that lived through the term of imprisonment. My term, however, did -not last as long as that of the others, as the following pages will -show. If my information is correct James Kilpatrick died as a prisoner -under parole early in 1865, at Wilmington, North Carolina. E. P. Brown -and John Thornton died at Andersonville, Georgia, in September, 1864. -Brown died on the first anniversary of his capture, September 20th, -and Thornton died a few days before. William Ellis died at Charleston, -South Carolina, near the close of the year 1864. Hesser and North were -among the last of the Andersonville prisoners that were exchanged and -sent North. - -On arriving at the small-pox hospital I was placed on a bunk in Ward -No. 1. I kept in-doors for the space of five or six days, at the end of -which time I was classed among the convalescents. On or about December -22d, three convalescents, of whom I was one, accompanied by only one -guard, went into the woods on the right bank of Dan River, in quest -of persimmons. We went some distance into the country, probably four -miles, and secured a quantity of persimmons, which we distributed to -the patients in Ward No. 1 on our return to it in the evening. While -out on this ramble through the woods, guarded by only one person, I -was favorably impressed with the notion of attempting an escape from -the Confederates at some future time, when strength would permit. The -idea was suggested to my mind by the carelessness of the guard, who -more than once set his gun against trees and wandered some distance -from it. - -About Christmas a row of eight wall tents was put up on the hospital -grounds, to be used as quarters for convalescents. I was one of eight -persons assigned to tent No. 1, and, as I was a non-commissioned -officer, the hospital steward placed me in charge of the sixty-four -men occupying the eight tents. It is needless to recite here what -the duties were that belonged to my position, but I discharged them -as faithfully as I could, so as to keep out of the prison-house in -Danville as long as possible. - -Sometime in the month of January, 1864, the nurses in each of the -three wards of the hospital escaped from the guards, and started for -our lines. This necessitated another detail of nurses for the wards, -and the detail was made from among the convalescents. The hospital -steward did me the favor to appoint me as ward-master of Ward No. -1, giving me the privilege of selecting those who were to assist me -as nurses in the ward. I selected those with whom I had become most -intimately acquainted as convalescents. Lucien B. Smith, of Company F, -Fourth Michigan Cavalry; William Sutherland, of Company H, Sixteenth -United States Infantry; Watson C. Trippe, of Company H, Fifteenth -United States Infantry, and John F. Wood, of Company G, Twenty-Sixth -Ohio Infantry, were the persons selected. After a short time, Robert -G. Taylor, of Company G, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, was added to -our force of nurses, to make the burden of labor in the ward a little -lighter on us. We attended the patients in Ward No. 1 day after day, -and night after night, as well as we could with the scanty supplies of -medicine and food furnished by the Confederates, until the night of -February 19, 1864. Very many of our fellow-prisoners came under our -care while we were acting the part of nurses. Many of them died, and -we saw their bodies carted away to the burying-ground and deposited in -their last earthly resting places. - -By the 12th of February the small-pox had begun to abate. As a -consequence, the convalescent camp and Ward No. 3 were discontinued. A -day or two later and Ward No. 2 was cleared of patients and its doors -closed. Those who had been attending as nurses were returned to prison. -Two weeks, or three at most, could hardly elapse before the hospital -would be entirely broken up. In this event we should be returned to the -dreary prisons in Danville, whence escape was scarcely possible. To -be kept in prison many months, perhaps until death alone should bring -release, was an unwelcome prospect, and we looked upon it with feelings -of dread. We had friends and comrades among the prisoners, whom we -disliked to leave behind us, but as our presence with them could do -neither them nor us any good, we determined to improve the first -opportunity of attempting an escape from the Confederates, and avoid -the prison entirely. - -February 19, 1864, was a cool day for lower Virginia, and we would -have deferred our escape for a few nights had we not luckily and -accidentally ascertained that we should be sent into prison on the -morning of the 20th. Our careful, though hasty, preparations for -slipping off from the guards were accordingly commenced just before -dark on the evening of February 19th. Before entering upon the detailed -account of our escape and subsequent trip to the Union lines, it -will be requisite to describe briefly the hospital buildings and -surroundings. - -The hospital was situated one mile south-west of Danville, on the right -bank of Dan River. The river runs in a north-east course, consequently -the hospital was on the south of it. There were three wards at the -hospital, each capable of accommodating fifty patients. The wards were -numbered one, two, and three. There were also a cook-house, a steward's -office, and a dead-house. These buildings were constructed of undressed -pine lumber. Ward No. 1 was located on the top of a high round hill; -near its south-east corner, and almost adjoining it was the cook-house. -A few steps north of the ward, and equidistant from its eastern and -western extremities, stood the steward's office. At the west end of -the ward was the dead-house. About one hundred yards south-west of the -dead-house Ward No. 2 was situated, on the hill-side. At the foot of -the hill, nearly one hundred yards south-west of Ward No. 2, stood -Ward No. 3. Directly east of Ward No. 2, and south of Ward No. 1, was -the row of tents which had been used by convalescents. Still further -east, at the foot of the hill, was a considerable branch, coursing its -way northward to Dan River. Just across the branch, on its right bank, -was a large wall tent, in and near which all the clothes washing for -the hospital was done. The persons detailed to do the washing slept -in the tent. The Confederate surgeon in charge of the hospital had -his quarters in Tent No. 1 of the row of tents formerly occupied by -convalescents. His tent was nearest the cook-house and Ward No. 1. -The tent we occupied, when not on duty in the ward, stood just south -of the surgeon's tent, and so near it that the ropes supporting it -interlocked or crossed those which supported the surgeon's tent. In -Ward No. 1 was the receptacle or place of deposit for all clothing -that had been washed. Quite a lot of clothing, belonging in part to -patients in the different wards, but mainly to the unfortunate ones who -had died, was stored away for the use and benefit of those who might -be insufficiently clothed. Wards No. 1 and 3 had been whitewashed, but -Ward No. 2, which had been put up between them, at a subsequent date, -was not. - -Near Ward No. 3, at the base of the hill, was a spring of water, -from which the hospital was supplied. Between the wards and other -hospital buildings, and all about over the hill-sides, stood tall and -straight pines. To the north of the hospital, about three-quarters of -a mile distant, was Dan River, with its swift, noisy waters, hedged -in by steep, rugged banks. To the south-east and south were cleared -lands, traversed by a branch and its tributaries. Still farther south -were heavy woods, with one point of timber projecting some distance -northward, into the cleared land toward the hospital. - -During the afternoon of February 19th, William Sutherland and myself -were wheeling wood on a wheelbarrow from Ward No. 3 to Ward No. 1. -Having to wheel it up hill it was a wearisome task, and we occasionally -stopped for rest. Near four o'clock in the evening, while resting about -half-way up the hill-side, Sutherland said to me, "It looks to me very -much as if this hospital would be broken up soon." I agreed with him -in his opinion, and remarked that our lease of time at the hospital -was growing short. After a little further conversation, we resolved to -consult with the other nurses on the propriety of attempting an escape, -and get them to set out with us for our lines on the next night. - -In less than an hour's time we had finished our task of wheeling wood, -and were resting on our bunks in the tent. Before either of us had -met with our comrades, Smith, who was off duty that evening, came to -us and informed us he had something to tell us that we would not like -to hear. We told him to acquaint us with his news, however unwelcome -it might be. We readily conjectured what it was that so interested -Smith, and our conjecture proved correct. He had overheard some of the -guards in their talking, and had learned that it was the purpose of -the Confederates to send us to prison in the morning. This news did -not surprise us, and we were heartily pleased to learn the intentions -of the Confederates, although they were not of an amicable nature. We -resolved to prevent, if possible, the carrying of these intentions into -effect. Smith was then told of the resolution we had formed an hour -before to set out on the next night for the Union lines. The sun had -already disappeared behind the hills. We knew our fate if we remained -at the hospital until its light should again break forth in the east. -Our purpose to attempt at least, even if we did not succeed, to leave -the hospital, the sick, the Confederate guards, and the Danville -prisons that night was immediately and firmly fixed. - -Our preparations were at once commenced. We were obliged to exercise -the utmost caution in all our movements, as a few of the guards were -standing about over the hospital grounds; some of them were in the -cook-house. We wished by no word, or look, or act of ours, to lead them -to suspect our purpose of eluding them and striking for liberty. - -Smith left Sutherland and me in the tent and joined Trippe, Taylor, and -Wood, who were on duty in the ward. Smith soon found an opportunity -of conferring with his associates, and telling them of the meditated -escape. Taylor and Wood were anxious to join it, but Trippe, who had -but recently recovered from the small-pox, was distrustful of his -strength; and as he had once before escaped, and got some fifty miles -away, only to be recaptured and brought back, he did not so readily -sanction the project. The nurses who were on duty in the ward now, -assisted by Smith, gave their exclusive attention to the sick; they -were even more attentive than usual. No one would have suspected from -their conduct that they would ever forsake the sick ones under their -care. - -Just before dark Sutherland suggested the propriety of determining on -a place of rendezvous for our party after the guards were passed, as -it was certain we could not all pass out at once without being seen. -I stepped outside the tent, and walked leisurely up hill, and stood -near the south end of the cook-house. Directly south of me, about a -mile distant, was a prominent point of timber, projecting northward -from the main body toward the hospital. This point of timber seemed -suitable for the purposes of a rendezvous, and on returning to the -tent I directed Sutherland's attention to it. He concurred with me as -to the fitness of the place for a rendezvous, and went to the ward to -call the attention of Smith, Trippe, Taylor, and Wood to it. As it was -important that our party should fix in the mind the place of rendezvous -before it was too dark to see, those who were engaged in the ward came -out, one at a time, and glanced across at the point of timber. By so -doing misunderstanding and delay, at the critical moment, would be -prevented. While Trippe was out taking a look he noticed two or three -guards approaching him. He walked on down hill in the direction of the -wash-house, as if going after clean bed-clothes or other clothing for -patients. - -Near eight o'clock, P. M., Sutherland sought an interview with the -cook, but found the Rebels had not yet left the cook-house for their -own quarters; so he quietly withdrew from the room. The cook--who of -course was one of our own men--followed him to the door and asked if -any thing was wanted. As the Rebels were within hearing, Sutherland -answered, "There is a man in the ward who would like to have a little -soup, but I guess he can get along without it. If he must have some," -continued Sutherland, "I will come back and let you know." - -"All right," answered the cook. - -Soon after the guards went to their quarters, which were situated near -the guard line, but little more than a quarter of a mile distant, -south-west of the cook-house. The cook was again sought by Sutherland, -and this time he was found alone, and just ready to retire for the -night. Sutherland lost no time in making his business known to him. -Six haversacks, the best that could be found in the deposit for clean -clothing, were delivered to the cook, who agreed to fill them with the -best provision the cook-house at the time afforded. Sutherland then -busied himself in selecting clothing for our party from the deposit of -clothing that had been washed and stored away. When he had selected the -number of garments required he carried them down to our tent. He and I -then took off the clothing we had long worn, and put on entirely clean -suits. We then went to the ward and relieved our four associates, who -immediately went down to our tent and put on clean suits also. The six -haversacks, which were filled with the best provisions the cook could -provide, were brought to the tent from the cook-house. - -Near eleven o'clock, P. M., our arrangements for leaving were about -complete, or as nearly so as was possible with the means at command. -Taylor, Sutherland, and Wood, each had an overcoat and blanket; Smith -had an overcoat and a large bed-quilt. Trippe and I each had a blanket; -we had no overcoats, but we wore an extra shirt and blouse apiece. -For our feet we provided the best shoes that could be found about the -hospital, and took pains to secure long and strong strings for them. -During our attendance in the ward, patients about dying, or near death, -had in several instances presented the nurses with their overcoats. -These overcoats had been sold by the nurses to the guards for -Confederate scrip. In this way we had obtained near two hundred dollars -in scrip to carry with us on our journey. Taylor had a watch which was -in time-keeping order. He also had a canteen. Smith had a half-moon -tin bucket, which held about three quarts. The only knives we had were -made of sheet-iron. - -We had watched in the ward, and perfected our arrangements for leaving -by turns, until near midnight. A little after eleven o'clock we waked -up two or three of the stoutest patients in the ward, and told them -our departure was near at hand, and that they must watch in the ward -for us, and keep the lights burning until morning. We then bid them -good-by, cast a last glance over the sick, and closed the door of the -ward behind us for the last time. We repaired immediately to our tent -and completed our final preparations for the trip. - -As our tent was near that of the Rebel surgeon we were obliged to carry -on our conversation in a low tone. We put out blankets in a convenient -shape for carrying, and made every thing ready for starting. It was -settled, in the first place, that we should slip out from the hospital -grounds two at a time. Which two should go first was the next question -that came up for decision. Six small sticks were prepared, and we drew -cuts. These sticks were of three different lengths, and the two who -held the short ones were to pass out first. The two who held the sticks -next shortest were to follow in a given time, and the two holding -the longest sticks, in due time, were to bring up the rear. When the -drawing was over Sutherland and I held the short sticks. - -As time was precious we placed our haversacks and blankets under our -arms and stepped outside the tent. We stood a moment at the tent door, -listening for the voices or footsteps of the guards. No sound fell upon -our ears save that of the wind blowing through the tops of the tall -pine-trees. On starting we went to the top of the hill and stopped -at the south-east corner of the cook-house, where we again listened -intently, but heard nothing. The moon, which had been shining at -intervals since night-fall, had become partially obscured by floating -vapor clouds. We kept our haversacks and blankets under our arms in -such a shape as to imitate closely a bundle of clothing. We then -walked slowly down the hill toward the wash-house. We followed the -path leading to the wash-house until we reached the branch. Instead of -crossing the branch on the foot-log we turned to our right and went -directly up stream, stepping sometimes on the ice and breaking it. We -kept close to the bluff, and stooped slightly, so that it screened -us from the west. To our left, on the east of the branch, was a flat -or bottom, covered with pine shrubs and other bushes, which hid us -from view in that direction. Unless the sentinel on duty had happened -to be near the branch while we were passing, we could scarcely have -done otherwise than escape unseen. At length we had proceeded, with -much caution, a sufficient distance in the direction of our appointed -rendezvous to feel light-hearted and secure. We pushed forward rapidly, -crossed two rail-fences and gained the shelter of the woods, where we -were to await the coming of Smith and Taylor, who had held the sticks -of medium length at the drawing a few moments before. Sutherland and I -laid our haversacks and blankets aside, and quietly, though anxiously, -awaited their approach. - -While waiting, after the anxiety and excitement of the moment had -somewhat subsided, we found the weather quite cold. Our whiskers became -stiff and whitened with frost, and the winds penetrated our clothing. -The moon shone out brightly. The sky was without a cloud. Those which -had partially covered it, only a few moments before, had cleared -entirely away. Our patience was severely tried, as our comrades, so -anxiously expected, had not joined us. On getting quite cold in the -breezes of the wintery midnight, we danced about on our feet, and -extended our arms to quicken the circulation of the blood, and get -ourselves warm. In this manner we passed some two or three minutes, -when we stood still to listen for the coming of Smith and Taylor. -We listened anxiously, but the sound of their welcome footsteps did -not greet our ears. "Can it be that they have been caught?" we asked -ourselves. - -"If they have been caught the Rebels will soon miss us, and be on the -alert, searching for us," said Sutherland. - -"Perhaps we had better be off then," I answered. - -We listened a moment longer, but heard nothing. We then gathered our -haversacks and blankets, and started westward through the woods. We had -gone but a few steps before we heard the noise of persons climbing the -fence. We halted and remained perfectly still, as we were not sure -the rebels were not on our trail. Soon we could distinguish the forms -of two persons in the moonlight. They were moving toward the point of -timber we had just left. We now knew they were Smith and Taylor, and -soon had the pleasure of hearing our names called in low, subdued tones -by their familiar voices. Our whereabouts was soon made known to them, -and they were soon with us. Smith and Taylor wished to know why we had -not stopped in the point of timber, as agreed upon. We told them we had -stopped there, had waited some time for them, and had given them up as -lost, and then started on our journey alone, getting as far as that -before hearing them. - -We had not long to wait for Wood and Trippe. They had followed Smith -and Taylor more closely than the latter had followed Sutherland and -myself. When Trippe and Wood had joined us, we introduced ourselves as -Federals, and late nurses at the small-pox hospital near Danville, Va. -As the squads of two each had formed a junction, our party of six was -ready to move. - -After adjusting our haversacks and blankets about us, so that we -could easily carry them, we set out through the woods in a westerly -direction. In the woods we found that the snow which had fallen a few -days before had not melted. We disliked to walk on it, as we left a -distinct trail behind. We pushed on, however, and soon struck a wagon -road, from which the snow had either blown off or melted away. It was -not a public road, but was used merely as a timber road, to get out of -the woods with loads of rails and wood. Its surface was very hard and -gravelly, and we followed it a mile or two in a southerly direction -without leaving many distinct foot-prints. - -The railroad leading from Danville, Va., to Greensboro, N. C., was soon -reached, and we followed it in a south-west course: we walked on the -ties, and made very good time. Soon we had reached a part of the road -which ran over a high grading. On hearing a distant rumbling noise in -the south, we judged there was a train of cars coming. In a few minutes -more we saw the head-light on the engine as it came around the curve -made necessary by the hills. We quickly slipped down the side of the -grading into the bushes, and watched the train as it passed. But one -person on the train was visible to us, and that was a man standing at -the door of the last car with a lantern in his hand. - -On regaining the top of the grade, we resumed our travels, walking on -the ties as before. We followed the railroad until we had gone about -five miles from our starting-point, when we came to a wagon road, which -crossed the railroad at right angles. This road had the appearance of -being much traveled; by turning to our right and following it, we went -north-west--the direction we wished to go. As we passed a house near -the road side, Trippe recognized the place as one he had seen when out -before, making his first attempt to escape. He also knew the road we -were following would lead us to the Seven-mile Ferry. This ferry was -so called from the fact of its being seven miles up Dan River from -Danville. We wished to gain the left or northern bank of Dan River -before daybreak, if possible, and we pushed on eagerly and rapidly. -The road was smooth. Its white sandy surface could be plainly seen. -Dense woods, with thick bushy undergrowth, closely lined it on either -side. The hill leading down to the ferry was at length reached. It was -a long, but not a steep hill. The road as it led us down the hill-side -was meandering in its course. - -When we were but little more than half-way down hill, the thought -that there might be a guard at the ferry happened to suggest itself -to Trippe's mind. He proposed that we should retire into the brush -near the road side, and wait until he should go on toward the ferry -and reconnoiter. We assented to this proposal, and went a dozen steps -or more from the road and halted. Trippe went on down hill alone. He -was gone several minutes, a half hour almost it seemed to us in our -restless anxiety and concern. We became impatient for his return, and -quitting our places in the brush, walked down hill on the road. Near -the foot of the hill we saw Trippe slowly retreating from the ferry. -He had seen us, and removing the cap from his head, was excitedly -motioning for us to halt. We stopped immediately, and kept still. -Trippe also stopped, and turned around, looking anxiously toward the -ferry. He looked only for a moment, and then quietly rejoined us where -we had been waiting. He whispered to us, saying, "Let's go back up -hill." We turned about, and walked silently up the road. No word was -spoken until we had reached the hill-top. It was to us a moment of deep -and thrilling interest and expectancy. - -[Illustration: "FOILED AT SEVEN-MILE FERRY."--PAGE 20.] - -On reaching the upland we halted at the road side, and Trippe reported -the discoveries he had made at the ferry. He had gone very cautiously -down hill, and had soon stood where he could see the river plainly, -and also the ferry-boat. He had stood perfectly still until he had -assured himself that no guard was near. He could see nothing but the -forest-trees, the river, and the ferry-boat, in the light of the -brightly shining moon, which made the frost and waters sparkle. He -could hear no sound, save those of the swiftly running waters, and -these amply sufficed to drown any noise he himself might make. He -turned around and started back to us, to beckon us forward. Almost at -the same instant he heard a noise. Thinking he might have trodden on -a stick and broken it, thus making the noise himself, he proceeded -half a dozen steps further; when, still hearing something, he stopped, -and again looked in the direction of the ferry. A little to the right -of it, in the edge of the woods, he saw the sparks of a fire flying -upward. He watched the fire closely, and it sent up a blaze which shed -light far around. One Butternut cavalryman was first seen to stir the -fire, and then add fuel to it. Soon three others got up from their bed -and warmed themselves. Trippe stood still, and watched them, until -they laid down and covered themselves in their bed. He then silently -withdrew, feeling sure he had not been heard or seen. As he did so, -the horses of the cavalrymen neighed, and pawed the ground, as if -manifesting uneasiness. As we were sure the Confederates were not aware -of our presence, we felt glad we had escaped so well. Our escape was a -narrow one, however; had we arrived at the ferry ten minutes sooner, we -should most certainly have been recaptured. - -Our disappointment in not getting across the river at the ferry was -great, as we could make no progress in the direction we wished to go -until we had gained its northern bank. We consulted briefly as to the -course we should pursue; and soon determined to retrace our steps until -we should find another road, or some path that would lead us up the -river. We started. As the weather was cold and morning approaching, we -hurried on. An obscure road, leading off in a south-west direction, -was soon found. We changed our course, and followed it. It led by some -plantation houses. We left the road and houses some distance to our -right, as we did not wish to alarm the dogs and set them to barking. - -On returning to the road, we followed it directly up the river until -we had traveled five or six miles, from Seven-mile Ferry. It became -evident that day-break was at hand. A safe hiding-place for the day -next engaged our attention, and we halted. It was first determined that -one of our number should go a quarter of a mile further up the road, -to see if any houses were near in that direction. Sutherland went some -distance ahead, and on returning reported none. As we had passed but -one house since falling back from the ferry, we judged we were some -distance from any human habitation. The query then arose, shall we hide -in the open woods on our left, or in the inclosed woods on our right? -After a short parley, we concluded to secrete ourselves in the inclosed -woods. We could then get to the river without having the road to cross. -Any parties of cavalrymen that might be out scouring the country, were -also less likely to come across us in our retreat. Accordingly we -crossed the rail-fence, and left it and the road directly behind us. We -worked our way through the thickets of brush and briers until we were -fully a quarter of a mile from the road, in the direction of the river. -On a spot of ground entirely surrounded by pine-trees and bushes we -made our bed, and, lying down, soon fell asleep. - -The weather being quite cold in the early morning, we waked up at -sunrise, on account of cold feet and general discomfort of body. -Trippe got up and took a partial survey of the adjacent woods. He -went northward, still further from the road we had left at day-break, -and found an open space where we could make our bed in the sunshine. -To this open space, which was covered over with tall dead grass, we -moved our haversacks and bedding. As we wished to rest well during the -day, we took pains to make a good bed. Quite a lot of dead grass and -leaves was first gathered. On the grass and leaves we spread the four -overcoats belonging to our party. On the overcoats we spread Smith's -bed quilt. Our caps, haversacks, and blouses were used as pillows, and -our five blankets were used as covering. In this manner we usually -made our bed all through our trip, varying it, of course, according -to circumstances. Having completed our bed, we laid ourselves down to -rest, and slept comfortably until late in the day. We made it a rule -for each of our party to sleep as much as desired during the day. We -did not require one of our number to keep awake as a watch for the -others during the day. If we had done so, we, of course, would have -watched by turns. The propriety of so doing was often discussed, but -we generally deemed it safest to have no watch, as the person watching -would have to sit or stand up, and would thus expose himself to the -danger of being seen by somebody who might be passing, and so lead to -our recapture. - -It was near four o'clock in the afternoon of February 20th, when we -aroused ourselves from our first slumber as refugees from prison. We -got up and went down into a hollow near us, where there was running -water, and washed our faces. After combing our hair, we opened our -haversacks, and were about commencing to eat, when we discovered that -our corn-bread was frozen. Our matches--of which we had two small -boxes--which we had luckily procured some two weeks before, now came -in good play, as it was needful to have a small fire in order to thaw -our bread. We secured a small lot of dry pine limbs and twigs, and -built a fire in the hollow sufficient for our purposes; and soon we had -dispatched our first meal since leaving Ward No. 1. After finishing our -meal, we put our blankets and other baggage in traveling order. As it -was too early to set out, we engaged in conversation, laying plans and -expedients for effecting a crossing of the river. We resolved to put -ourselves across Dan River that night, or on the following day, at -almost any risk. As a final preparation for the night's marching, we -each secured a stout stick or cane. One of the boys alleged our canes -would be needed in case of attack. Taylor had a very large cane for a -man of his size. On being spoken to concerning it, he remarked that he -was going to cross the river on it. The evening wore away. The king of -day having sunk below the western horizon, we began to look for the -moon, whose light was to shine upon our pathway. It had not appeared -above the horizon; soon afterward, however, the moon arose, and began -shedding light. We felt a kind of loneliness on leaving the place which -had sheltered us during the day. - -As Danville, Virginia, was within one mile of the southern boundary of -the State, and as we were at least thirteen miles south-west of that -place, we knew we were in the friendly brush and thickets of North -Carolina. On setting out, instead of going directly back to the road, -we traveled parallel with it for more than a mile. We then changed -our course and went back to it, thinking it late enough to travel it -without meeting any one. We had gone but a few miles on the road, and -passed but one house, when the noise of the river assured us it was not -far off. We then left the road and sought the banks of the stream. We -crossed an old field, in which we found much mud and water. The walking -was slavish and wearisome, as the wet, clayey soil adhered to our -shoes. The snow, which had recently melted, had swollen the branches. -We found it necessary to cross a branch or almost go back on our -trail. By means of a fence, a water gate, and some rails, we succeeded -in crossing it without much difficulty. It required time and close -watching, however. - -On leaving the branch behind us we climbed a fence and entered -the woods. These woods were dense, and there was a thick, brushy -undergrowth, which greatly impeded our progress. We found it impossible -to go directly to the river. It was quite dark, for, although the moon -was shining brightly, its light penetrated the heavy woods imperfectly. -From the incessant roar of waters we judged we were near the river; -but we struggled on through vines and thickets for a full half-hour -longer. It was not a great while until we could see, ahead of us, quite -an opening; it was the course of the river through the forests. We -pressed on and soon stood upon the bank, against which dashed the angry -waters. Huge pieces of ice were borne swiftly down the swollen stream. -We had thought of constructing a raft of poles and rails, lashing them -together with bark and vines; but such materials were not at hand, and -the condition of the river forbade the attempt at crossing on a raft. -We longed to get across the river, but the prospect seemed all but -hopeless. - -We pushed on up stream, hoping to find suitable materials for building -a raft and a place where the condition of the river would admit of -launching it. We had gone a mile or more without discovering any means -by which we could cross the stream; still we did not despair; hope -continued to struggle against reality. We must get across the river -that night, we thought, or venture too far and risk too much to-morrow. -The current of water became more rapid and impetuous as we advanced; -the roar of the river sounded much louder than before, and our chances -of getting across did not seem to improve. We soon came to a drift of -logs, slabs, and rails, but owing to the condition of the stream, the -quantities of ice and other obstructions in it, we concluded it would -be time and labor lost to make a raft and attempt a crossing there. Our -resolution to follow on up stream, keeping close to the water's edge -until morning, was then fixed. If we failed to find a canoe or other -means of crossing before that time we were then to resort to other -measures to get us out of our difficulties. - -After our minds were fully made up as to the course we should pursue -we traveled about two and a half or three miles, when Sutherland -and I, who were considerably in advance, espied a canoe fastened -to the shore-with a chain and padlock. We were almost overjoyed at -the discovery. We could not wait for our associates to come up, but -followed back down stream to meet them. They were soon informed that we -had found a canoe, but they were almost incredulous. In a few minutes, -however, all doubts were removed, as they beheld with their own eyes -the object of our anxious and careful search. We felt as jubilant and -hopeful as if deliverance from all our troubles was just at hand; but, -in the excitement of the moment, we did not forget to exercise caution. -It was evident the canoe had not been used for several days; the oar -was lying in it, frozen in the ice, which had thawed but little; the -ice near the middle of the canoe, where the oar was lying, was about -three inches thick. In loosening the oar and breaking the chain which -secured the canoe, much noise would be made. It was necessary to have -two or three rails or poles. Smith and I went out some distance from -the river to procure them, and to see if any house was near. We found -an old orchard, inclosed by a dilapidated fence. On the southern -borders of the orchard we found two log huts, but they were old and -tenantless. - -We returned to the river carrying with us three or four stout rails. As -we were satisfied we should not be heard we set to work regardless of -the noise we made. We found the canoe was locked or fastened in a large -slab of ice, which extended beyond it into the swift water. We first -used our sheet-iron knives and some sharp-pointed and sharp-cornered -rocks, and loosened the canoe from its icy bed. A passage-way for the -canoe was next broken through the ice to the current of the stream. We -then took our stoutest rail and broke the chain by prying on it. I took -a rail and placed myself in the end of the canoe farthest out from the -shore. Our haversacks, coats, and blankets were then placed in it, and -Trippe and Taylor came aboard. Trippe, with the oar in hand, launched -us out into the river. We found a swiftly rushing current, and were -compelled to row up stream. We kept bearing to our right, however, and -soon came in contact with the ice, which extended out from the opposite -bank. I took my rail and began breaking the ice. Soon I had broken -a narrow passage-way for the canoe, into which we thrust it, and it -became steady. I kept on breaking the ice and pushing the pieces aside. -The canoe was pushed nearer and nearer the bank. Soon I could reach the -low branches of a tree, which stood near the water's brink. I held on -to the boughs of the tree, and walked ashore on the ice. Taylor and I -removed our baggage from the canoe to the bank. Trippe went to bring -over our three comrades, who had been patiently waiting and watching. -He found some difficulty in entering the passage way as he neared the -bank upon which they stood. In due time our party was safely landed on -the shore, for which we had been anxiously striving the best part of -two nights. - -The first great obstacle to our journey was surmounted. We felt freer -and safer. We were several miles from Danville--at least twenty. It was -past midnight. The sky above us was perfectly clear. The moon was high -in the heavens, and sent down rays of silvery light. Northward, in the -direction we wished to travel, the country appeared clear of timber, -and we had hopes of finding a good road before going a great distance. -When we were ready to leave the river this question arose: what shall -we do with our canoe--tie it up or allow it to float down the river? -We felt gratefully, even tenderly toward it. It had done us a great -service. We concluded to lash it fast to the tree, whose branches hung -low upon the bank. We did so; and left it and the river behind us. - -We pushed due northward across the cleared fields. Some houses were -soon discernible in the moonlight, not far ahead of us. Turning a -little to the left, we soon reached a point directly west of the -houses. We heard much noise, and stopped to see if we could make out -what it meant. We approached a few steps nearer, and heard singing -and dancing. We thought it late for such exercises; but as it was -Saturday night all was explained, that night being known in Carolina -as negroes' night. As we had provisions enough for a meal or two, we -did not interrupt the exercises, or make our presence known to the -negroes. Nor did we tarry long, as we had no time to lose. We were in -Carolina, and had many miles to travel and many weary marches to make -through a bleak mountain country before our escape was made good. Our -circuit around the houses was continued at a safe distance, until we -struck a road running south-east and north-west. We turned to our left -and followed the road north-west a little more than a mile. As we felt -somewhat hungry, we halted among some bushes at the road side and eat -a few pieces of corn-bread. After eating, we pushed on, feeling much -refreshed. In a short time we came to a cross-road, when we changed -our course and went due north. In that direction we traveled until -day-break. A safe hiding-place for the day was next in order, and we -set about finding it. We went into the woods some distance to the -left of the road, where we found quite a cluster of cedar bushes, in -the midst of which we thought we could safely spend the Sabbath day, -February 21st. Our bed was at once made and we gladly laid ourselves -down to slumber soundly. - -It was near three o'clock in the evening when we awoke. On looking -about us in all directions, and seeing nobody, we got up. We ventured -to a branch, nearly a hundred yards distant, and washed our faces. The -canteen and bucket were filled with water and brought near where we -had been sleeping. Our toilet was completed by combing our hair, after -which we sat down and eat the last of our provisions. How we should -procure another supply became the subject of discussion. Various plans -were proposed; one of which we determined to try. If it failed we were, -of course, to resort to another. The late hours of the evening were -passed in adverting to the good fortune which had attended us so far on -the trip. The possibilities and probabilities of the future were also -alluded to. - -As we became deeply interested in our talk the time passed quickly. The -tall forest-trees cast long shadows over us. The sun was disappearing -in the west. The sky was cloudless. Our preparations for the third -night of travel were complete. Soon after dusk we emerged from our -hiding place, and in due time were upon the road. Our rest during the -day had been refreshing, and we walked briskly forward. We passed -one house early in the night. It was too early, we thought, to try -our plan for procuring food, and the appearance of the house and its -surroundings did not justify the belief that the occupants had any -food to spare. So we passed on. Near ten o'clock we came to another -house on our left. It was near the road, not more than twenty yards -distant. From appearances all inside were asleep. At least no light was -visible, and silence reigned. At most of the houses we had passed, -the dogs had barked at us. It was not so at this one. We went a few -yards beyond the house and halted in the road. Five of us were to lie -in wait, while the sixth went forth on the errand of necessity. Which -one of us should go upon the errand was a question for decision. It was -decided by drawing cuts. Taylor was chosen to attempt the experiment. -Taylor's overcoat was of a light-gray color, and had once belonged to -a Confederate soldier. Smith's cap was also of "secesh" antecedents. -Taylor donned them both, and was to play the Confederate soldier on -furlough. He was to go to the front door of the house and knock. When -the door was opened to him, if he was asked to come in he was to -decline on the pretext of not having time. He was then to apply for -something to eat, enough for himself and two comrades a supper that -night and breakfast the next morning, which would suffice for one meal -for our party. He was to insist on immediate compliance to the request -on the plea that he and his comrades were hungry and obliged to march -all night. If asked why so? he was to answer that they had been home on -furlough, that their time was nearly out, and that they must report to -the company by a certain time--we had anticipated many questions that -we judged would be asked, and had answers to suit. - -After we had drilled Taylor for a few minutes at the road side, and -found him to be a hungry soldier, with nothing Confederate about him -except his overcoat and cap, he started to the house. Our eyes followed -him as long as he could be seen. We then retired from the road to -the fence and waited about twenty minutes, until Taylor returned and -made report. He entered the yard in front of the house and approached -the door. Before reaching the door his heart suddenly failed of its -purpose. He felt himself unequal to the emergency. He immediately -turned to his left to examine a smoke-house or other out-house, in -which he hoped to find something that would do to eat. The door was -securely fastened, which fact caused him to suspect there were some -provisions inside. The house was constructed of round logs, and Taylor -reached his arm through the space between them to see if he could -feel any meat. He examined carefully on each side, but his arm was -too short. He could feel nothing. In the mean time, his attention was -attracted to another out-building, and he went to examine it. He passed -the dwelling, leaving it between him and the road. His search was still -unfruitful. - -While examining the second out-house he noticed a stable or shed about -sixty yards distant. By going to it he would be still farther from -the dwelling, and he would feel safer while prosecuting his search. -As a last resort before going to the dwelling, he visited the stable -in the hope of finding some corn, upon which we would have subsisted -in preference to running too great a risk in procuring more palatable -food. He could find no corn in the stable, nor grain of any kind. -There was some hay or straw, and a lot of corn-blades tied in bundles. -In a shed adjoining the stable were six or seven horses feeding on -corn-blades. Taylor was impressed with the idea that they were cavalry -horses, and on farther examination a saddle or rig for each of the -horses was found. He then determined not to visit the dwelling at -all, as it was certain there was half a dozen or more men, perhaps -cavalry-men, inside of it, sheltering for the night. He then quietly -rejoined us at the road side. We had run a great risk; our escape had -been narrow. Had Taylor gone half a dozen steps nearer the house he -would have walked on some plank or slabs in front of the door; his -footfalls might have been heard by those inside, and his presence -become known. It was manifest that good fortune was still a companion -of our journey. Had the plan we had devised been followed our recapture -would certainly have ensued. - -It was yet early in the night--near eleven o'clock--and we determined -to put several miles between those cavalry-men and our stopping-place -in the morning. Before starting, however, we held a short parley as to -the propriety of taking the horses and riding them until day-break. -On the question of taking the horses our party was about equally -divided. The views of those who opposed the project prevailed. The -chief objection to it was the great and necessary risk, at the time, -in getting the horses to the road without disturbing their owners, -and that in case we were retaken, and found guilty of horse-stealing -or other depredations, it might go hard with us. By the light of the -moon we discovered we had made numerous foot-prints in the road. We -could not obliterate them without taking time, and leaving even plainer -traces behind us. So we walked backward several yards on the road. -On the north of the road were open woods. We stepped aside from the -road a few yards and walked parallel with it, face foremost, through -the woods, where we could make no tracks. On going about a mile we -crossed to the opposite side of the road. In so doing we went south, -but left tracks in the road as though we had gone north. We walked -rapidly through the woods near the road until we had gone another mile, -which brought us to fields. As the walking was not good in the fields -on account of the moist clay, we took the road and hurried forward. -At short intervals we went on the double-quick. By midnight we had -traveled ten or eleven miles. More than one-third of the distance had -been gone over since we had found the cavalry horses. Our speed had -been accelerated by that discovery. We were much wearied, and halted -at a fence near the road side to rest. We were hungry, and would have -eaten something, but our haversacks were empty, and hanging loosely at -our side. Our rest was brief, but sufficiently long to stiffen our knee -and ankle joints. - -Our journey was resumed, and we trudged on slowly at first, but soon -increased our speed. There were but few houses near the road, and these -we passed with cautious steps. A second attempt to get rations was not -made that night, as we were fearful of making a second failure, and -losing time besides. We resolved to wait until the morrow, and trust -to luck or Providence to feed us. The road improved as we advanced, -and we made good progress. It bore a little north of west. On crossing -a branch we halted and took up some water in our half-moon tin-bucket -and drank freely. We then filled our canteen and bucket with water and -carried it with us. We were exceedingly tired, and did not wish to -take the time and trouble to look out for a hiding-place convenient to -water. The gray light of morning was faintly appearing in the east, -and we knew our journeying must cease for a time. Our sense of hunger -had subsided, or been overcome by weariness. We left the road and went -some distance south of it into a heavy forest. When nearly a mile from -the road we halted, and quickly spread our bed upon the ground. We then -sank wearily to rest, and were sleeping soundly before sunrise. - -It was on the morning of February 22d that we had thus sought repose in -the wintery forest of Virginia. We had got out of Carolina soon after -crossing Dan River, and had traveled almost due northward until we -passed Martinsville, Henry county, Virginia. We passed about two miles -to the right of Martinsville, and then bore a little west of north. -On February 22d we were hid not many miles--probably not more than a -night's march--from the southern boundary of Franklin county, Virginia. -It was the anniversary of Washington's birth. We remembered the fact, -and revered the memory of Washington, although his native State had -tendered us a very poor and meager hospitality, and was treating us -shabbily. The forest of Virginia, however, protected us from her own -and our country's enemies. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - SLEEP DISTURBED--NOISE IN THE WOODS--ITS CAUSE--NEGROES FURNISH - FOOD--WE HIDE NEAR THE TRAIL--HOUNDS AND HORSEMEN--EXCITEMENT OF - THE CHASE--WE BUY A QUANTITY OF PROVISIONS--OUR OBLIGATIONS--ON THE - HIGHWAY IN DAYLIGHT--UNDER DIFFICULTIES--WOOD CHOPPER--WOMAN AND - DOGS--WE PASS ROCKY MOUNT C. H.--INSECURE HIDING-PLACE--CHANGE OF - BASE--WE COME ACROSS A CITIZEN--HE TAKES STEPS TO CATCH US, BUT IS TOO - SLOW--OUR FLIGHT--OUR ESCAPE--RUN INTO A WAGON TRAIN--HID AWAY--MAKING - MUSH--SNOW--SORE FEET AND LAMENESS--TAYLOR FALLS BEHIND--TAYLOR LEFT - ALONE--HIS CONDITION. - - -When the sun was nearly an hour high, we were aroused from our slumbers -by a loud and incessant racket in the woods. We did not uncover our -heads at first. A squad of cavalry-men was the first thing of which we -thought, but on uncovering our heads and raising up on our elbows, we -found it, was the noise of wood choppers that had disturbed us. We -looked all around us, but could see nobody. The chopping continued, -and from the noise we judged several axes were being used. We at once -concluded that a party of negroes were at work not far from us, and -that we would have an opportunity of procuring supplies. The prospect -pleased us. Had we known our conclusion was correct we should have been -in an ecstasy of gratitude. - -About one hundred yards south of us was a high ridge extending east -and west. East of us, about seventy yards distant, was another ridge -or spur putting out due northward from the main ridge. We judged from -the sounds that the wood choppers were east of us and the ridge last -described. By consent of our party, Sutherland and I got out of bed -and walked eastwardly to the ridge, striking it not far from the point -where it was lost in the level ground. We then crept along on our hands -and feet, keeping close together so that we could talk to each other -and be understood without speaking loudly. Soon we got around the point -of the ridge to a thicket of brush, where we halted. We could see the -colored folks at work, plying their axes vigorously. We waited and -watched anxiously a few minutes, to see if any whites were with them. -We saw none, and were glad of it; we returned to our comrades and made -report. We were in a blissful state of mind, and comforted ourselves on -the cheering prospect before us. Our feelings no doubt were similar to -those of weary travelers in the desert on approaching an oasis. - -Our determination to consult with the negroes, and make overtures for -food and such other assistance as they could give, was soon made. It -was agreed that Sutherland and I should go upon this delicate mission. -We went, and soon reached the point from which we had watched the -negroes before. We again watched them closely, and assuring ourselves -that no whites were near, we emerged from the thicket, and walked -briskly toward them. As we approached one of the negroes noticed us. -He immediately called the attention of the others to us. Instantly all -chopping ceased, and quiet succeeded. At the same moment we halted, -and Sutherland put his hand to his mouth and asked if any whites were -about? The negro nearest us answered, "No, sah; massa was heah dis -mornin', but he done gone home now." We then advanced to the fires, -around which the negroes had collected to the number of ten or a dozen, -large and small. Our wants were immediately made known to them. They -were quite willing, even anxious to respond to our call for food. They -offered to divide with us at noon, when "missus" brought their dinner -out. We told them they would not have enough to spare, as there were -six of us, and we were very hungry. The oldest negro or "boss hand," as -he was called, then sent one of the younger ones to bring us something -to eat. The negroes were all deeply interested in us, and were anxious -to learn where our four comrades were hid. We told them, and inquired -if that was a safe place. We were informed it was safe enough, but -there was a better place south of it, across the ridge. We told the -boss we would cross the ridge and look out a good hiding-place. He -promised to bring our dinner to us as soon as it was brought to him -where he was at work. - -Sutherland and I then returned to our comrades and informed them it -would not be long until we should have something to eat. In accordance -with the advice received from our colored friends we gathered our -things and moved across the ridge. We had passed the summit of the -ridge and were going down its southern declivity when we came to a -bench or level place, where we concluded to stop and make our bed. We -had intended to go to the level ground near the base of the ridge, but -on reaching the bench we knew of no reason why we should not stop there -for the remainder of the day. We made our bed anew, and then washed our -hands and faces, using the water from our bucket and canteen for that -purpose. We then seated ourselves upon our bed, and quietly awaited the -approach of the "boss" with our dinner. We had waited a short time, -probably a half hour, when we saw him with a large bucket in hand -near the base of the ridge hunting for us. One of our party rolled a -small stone down hill toward him to let him know where we were. He -soon discovered us, and climbed the hill-side, and delivered to us our -dinner. We began eating immediately, and found we had been bountifully -provided for. A bucket full of eatables, consisting of fried ham, fried -eggs, boiled beans, and corn-dodgers, was furnished us. We had a keen -relish for such fare, and devoured it all. When we had finished eating, -the negro took his bucket and returned to his work; first telling us he -would see us again in the evening. Our appetites were fully satisfied, -and we covered ourselves in our bed and went to sleep. - -We had slept but a short time before our rest was disturbed by a -considerable noise. It was the noise of cavalry-men, without doubt, -we thought, or of horses running at their utmost speed. We uncovered -our heads and raised them slightly. On looking southward we saw two -hounds pass near the base of the ridge. They ran swiftly, and were -hot in pursuit of game. They were closely followed by three or four -white citizens on horseback. The hounds and horsemen were soon out of -hearing, and we felt greatly relieved. Just then the excitement of -the chase was not agreeable to us. We were heartily glad we were not -the objects of pursuit. Had we gone to the level ground, at the base -of the ridge, before halting, as was at first intended, we would most -likely have placed ourselves directly on the trail. The result to us in -that case would have been unfortunate. As our hiding-place was on the -steep side of the ridge, almost surrounded by small trees and brush, we -thought it a safe one, and again gave ourselves over to rest. We slept -well until late in the day. When we awoke the first object almost which -met our vision was our colored benefactor sitting near us whittling a -stick. He informed us we should have another meal at dusk. We told him -any thing good to eat would be acceptable to us, and place us under -lasting obligations to those who furnished it. We told him, too, that -we had some Confederate money, and would buy as much provisions as he -could deliver to us at dark, if it was not more than we could carry. He -promised to see if we could be supplied, and told us to come up where -they were at work after sunset. - -As the day was already far spent, we began to fit up for another -night's journey. On completing our preparations, we waited a few -minutes longer for the sun to disappear in the west. Soon it had shed -its last ray over us for the day, and we picked up our things and -started from our retreat. By the twilight we made our way through the -woods to the place where the negroes had been at work during the day. -Just before dark we reached them. They had ceased from their labors -and were expecting us. Some fruit pies fried in grease were furnished -us for supper. While we were eating, the negroes asked what kind of -provisions we could carry most of, or most conveniently. We told them -we could do best on meat, salt, and meal. Two or three of them then -went to bring us a supply of those articles. In due time they returned -with a ham of meat, a little salt, half a bushel of meal, and half a -dozen corn-dodgers. Wood had with him a clean pillow-slip, brought from -the hospital. In it we put the corn-meal. The ham was cut in pieces and -put in our haversacks. The salt was carried by one of our party in a -blouse pocket. - -On setting out we had the corn-dodgers, for which there was no room -in our haversacks; and as, on account of their size, we could not -get them into our blouse pockets without breaking them, we carried -them in our hands until midnight. The ham had cost the negroes three -dollars a pound, and it weighed twelve pounds and a half. We paid -them thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents for it in Confederate -shin-plaster. For the meal, salt, corn-bread, and what we had eaten -during the day, we gave them twenty-two dollars and fifty cents. We -paid them sixty dollars in all. It was not necessary, they did not -exact it, but we had the scrip and were made no poorer by parting with -it. It was current there at the time, and was much below par in the -country we hoped to reach ere long. - -We conversed briefly with the colored people before leaving them. We -learned from them that we had traveled twenty-three miles the previous -night, and that it was about forty miles to Rocky Mount Court-House, -in Franklin county. It was growing late. The moon had risen, and was -advancing in its course. Every hour of the night was precious to us and -must be improved. We expressed to our benefactors our obligations. We -thanked them heartily and sincerely. We told them they had no idea of -the value of the service they had performed. It was a service to us; it -was also a service to the cause in which we had struggled and suffered -much. We could not pay them adequately, but hoped in the end they would -have their reward in the results of the war. - -We bade them good-night and left them, and sought the road immediately; -on reaching it we could but contrast our feelings with those we had -experienced on leaving it early in the morning. Our minds were at -perfect ease on the question of supplies, as our pillow-slip was full, -our haversacks were full, and each of us had a corn-dodger in his hand -besides. We thought we should make a long stride toward our lines -before our supplies should be exhausted. The meal in the pillow-slip -was carried by turns. As we had eaten a great deal during the day we -did not feel like walking rapidly. We put in the whole time, however, -until after midnight, when we stopped to rest and eat some bread. A few -minutes' rest sufficed, and we resumed our travels. - -As no incident in our travels particularly interesting, or worthy of -record, transpired for two or three nights or days, we pass on to -the events of a subsequent date. We will say, first, that during the -interval of time over which we pass without noting every circumstance -of our journey, we were very cautious. In the night-time, while -passing houses near the road, we maintained the strictest silence. We -walked carefully, and even then the dogs often discovered us, and made -the night dismal with their howling. We made it a rule not to allow -daylight to find us upon the road; but before we go much farther in -our narrative we will give an instance in which it did so find us. The -first rays of the sun generally shone upon us in our bed asleep. During -our waking hours in day-time, when hid in the lonely woods, we were -careful not to talk, or laugh out boisterously, knowing the liability -to be heard at a distance. We did not stand up or walk about a great -deal. When we had supplies there was no occasion to incur risks, or -purposely come in contact with any persons, black or white. We always -hid, if possible, where water would be convenient to us. We had fire in -day-time with which to broil our meat and make mush. During the day we -prepared our midnight lunch. When we were in a secure retreat for the -day we generally prepared a quantity of mush, for fear our hiding-place -next day would be in a place too much exposed to admit of fire or -smoke. In all our movements we tried to exercise the utmost caution. -As the distance between us and our prison became greater we became, if -possible, more cautious. The farther we got from prison the greater -would be our disappointment in being caught and taken back. - -The early morning of February 24th found us upon the road, which led -through an open country. Cleared and fenceless lands bordered it on -either side. We pushed on, in the hope of reaching woods, until broad -daylight. At length the rays of the rising sun began to illuminate the -face of Nature. We were then obliged to leave the public highway. The -road had led us northward the last two nights, and still led us in that -direction. We looked to our right, where the lands were hilly or a -little broken. We went in that direction, thinking we could hide behind -a knoll, or rising ground. Soon we gained a point or crest, from which -the ground sloped gently to the east. A hundred yards or more ahead -of us we saw the tops of scattering trees projecting above a bluff. -We pressed on, and soon stood upon a precipice, and looked beyond it, -over a narrow wooded valley. We clambered half-way down the precipice -to hide among the rocks. We had laid our blankets, haversacks, and bag -of meal aside. We were going to make our bed, but found the space in -which we stood was not large enough for all of us. We would be hampered -by the rocks. Smith and I had unrolled our blankets; Sutherland, Wood, -Trippe, and Taylor had gone a little farther down among the rocks to -find more room. About the same time we saw a smoke rising through the -trees in the valley. We were sure a house was there, although we could -not see it. It was south-east of us, apparently half a mile distant. - -We were about beginning the preparations for our daily rest when the -noise of an ax resounded in our ears. The noise was so unexpected and -so near us that we were startled, and at first looked around wildly, -and in amaze. We soon recovered from the shock of astonishment and -surprise, and peered cautiously around the rocks and looked below us. -Not more than a hundred yards from us, in the woods near the base of -the precipice, we saw a single white man wielding his ax. His dog was -near him. On account of the dog we lay low. If he had got a glimpse of -us his master would have become aware of our presence. We could not -make our bed; we could do nothing but keep still. Smith and I had near -us all the blankets, and all the provisions belonging to our party. -Our comrades were about thirty feet below us, almost under us. Smith -ventured to drop their blankets to them, after which we all kept quiet. -We slept but little. As long as the ax was used we felt no fear of -being seen by the man, but every half hour we peered out from the rocks -to see if the dog was near him. - -About noon, or a little later, the man ceased chopping. We thought we -should have a short respite while the man went to dinner, and would -embrace that opportunity to eat our own. We looked out to see him -leaving. We were greatly disappointed. A woman--his wife perhaps--had -brought his dinner to him, and he was eating. She was accompanied by -another dog. The two dogs then pranced and prowled about in the woods, -and we watched them closely. We were fearful they would go around, and -get above and behind us, but they did not do so. We were in a very -restless and impatient mood; each moment seemed an hour almost. We -would have parted with jewels, if we had possessed them, to have been -away from there. When the man had finished eating, the woman took her -bucket and went away, followed by the dogs. We were highly pleased -to know the dogs were gone, for they had annoyed us greatly. The man -resumed his toil unconscious of our presence. As he chopped almost -incessantly, and could, therefore, look around but little, we felt -a little safer. Smith and I opened our haversacks and took out some -meat. We cut off a few thin slices and sprinkled them with meal. On raw -meat and meal we made our dinner. While eating, Smith and I exhibited -ourselves to our comrades below us. They looked up wishfully, and -signified their desire to eat. As Smith and I had all the commissary -stores we continued eating, to tantalize our comrades. At length we -put some meal and a chunk of meat in a haversack and dropped it to them. - -The day had been a long one to us. Our rest had not been refreshing. -We were in constant apprehension and suspense. The loss of sleep and -comfort, in consequence of having no bed, had its effect upon our -bodies. We felt chilled and sore, and we longed for the approach of -night. Near four o'clock, P. M., the wood chopper ceased from toil -and went off with his ax on his shoulder. Erelong the sun went down, -and, as soon as we got every thing ready, we climbed the precipice -and went directly to the road. Early in the night we found we were -about entering the suburbs of a town. It was Rocky Mount Court-House, -Franklin county. We approached it on a road which bore a little west -of north. We fell back a few paces and began our circuit around the -place. On leaving the road we first climbed a fence and went across the -corner of an inclosed tract of timber lands. We then climbed a second -fence and entered open fields, in which we continued until the road -north-west of the place was reached. In making our circuit we were -guided by the lights in the town, which were yet burning. Near midnight -we halted and eat some meal and meat, upon which, with an occasional -swallow of water, we made a respectable supper. - -On the morning of February 25th, as on the previous morning, we were -in an open country. At daylight we looked ahead of us on the road, but -saw no woods. A house, however, was discernible in the distance. As we -dared not pass it, we left the road which had been leading us westward. -South of the road, about half a mile, we saw a space of ground covered -over with numerous rocks, large and small. To it we directed our steps, -in the hope that the rocks would afford us shelter for the day. We -soon reached the place, but did not much like it, and were loath to -remain in its inadequate protection. But as the sun was up, we could -not look for a better or more secure hiding-place without incurring -even greater risks than there would be in making our bed, and keeping -it during the day, where we were. We cleared the small rocks from a -space sufficiently large for our bed and spread it upon the ground. We -then lay down to sleep. Our heads were near the base of a large rock -which was between us and the road we had left a few moments before, -and it hid us from view in that direction. To our right and left and -at our feet were many rocks of smaller size, which partially concealed -us as long as we lay low. On lying down we looked all around us, but -scarcely a tree or bush was visible. Nothing but a waste of barren -ground with an undulating and rocky surface could be seen. South of us, -perhaps a little west, and nearly a mile distant, was higher ground. -Beyond and above it, a few of the topmost branches of the tallest trees -projected. The chief feature of the country immediately surrounding us -was barrenness and nakedness. We could not resist the impression that -our hiding-place was poorly chosen. A feeling of insecurity crept over -us. The primeval forest of Virginia, with only the exception of the -previous day, had hitherto protected us from the view of the rebellious -citizens of the State. Near three hours of undisturbed repose was -granted us. - -Near ten o'clock, A. M., we were awakened by a clattering noise. Taylor -looked out cautiously and discovered it was made by a wagon passing -over a stony road. It was not on the road we had left in the morning, -but on one just west of us, which crossed or intersected it. It was -nearly two hundred yards from us. The man in the wagon was driving -north-east, having come on the road from the south-west. On stopping in -the morning we had not noticed the road, as the surface of the ground -was a little broken, and many rocks and knolls intervened between it -and ourselves. It had washed and worn considerably below the level -of the ground. On finding we were so near a public highway, we felt -uneasy, and still more dissatisfied with our hiding-place. We did not -leave it yet, however, as the wagon had passed on out of hearing. - -We again essayed to sleep. We fell into a kind of dozing sleep, from -which we were soon aroused by the hum of voices. We looked westward and -saw several persons, mostly women and children, walking on the road. -They were a great while passing, it seemed to us, and were disposed to -loiter by the way. We felt in an exceedingly disagreeable and unsafe -position. At length the hum of voices died away and we tried to feel -at ease, but could not. Very soon another rattling on the stony road -disturbed our equanimity and patience. We looked and saw a cart on the -road driven by a negro. It was a one-horse concern, and was followed -by a white man on horseback. We judged we were not far from town, -and resolved to flee our hiding-place, for fear some strollers, or -home guards, or somebody should come upon us and report us, and take -measures to recapture us. - -We waited and watched until nearly noon, when, concluding there -would be no passing on the road, we put our things in convenient -shape for our first day-time traveling. Just as we had completed our -preparations, we looked westward and northward to see if any persons -were upon the road. We saw none. We immediately started southward, -bearing slightly to our left. We did not run, but walked rapidly, -without looking behind us. When we had gone about a mile, we reached -a point from which we could look down an inclined plane into woods. -We halted and looked all around us, but saw no one. We judged we had -not been seen, and deemed our movement a successful one. We were glad -to see woods once more, and pushed on until we stood in the midst of -forest-trees. - -We sat down on a large rock to rest and watch awhile. We were on a -wooded hill-side, which sloped gently to the south-west. Trippe got -up from his seat and went in a south-east course on the hill-side, to -look for a place in which to hide. He was gone some time, and we became -impatient for his return. We did not wish to leave the place where he -had left us until he came back, as he would not know where to find -us. Nearly a half hour passed before we saw Trippe returning. He was -walking slowly and hesitatingly. He occasionally looked back in the -direction he had gone. Before he reached us we discovered something -wrong had happened; or if nothing wrong, something at least which we -would rather had not transpired. - -Trippe was vexed and almost spiritless. He had been recaptured once, -and now he thought his time had come to be caught again and taken back -to prison. He told us the cause of his discouragement. He had gone -south-east of us, an eighth of a mile, or more, along the hill-side. -He had turned directly south to go down hill, when he saw a man clad -in "butternut" coming up hill. Trippe thought, and hoped, he had not -been noticed by the citizen, and stood still to see if he would pass. -The citizen came on up hill. His foot slipped, and he caught hold of -a little tree to keep from falling. In getting around and above the -tree his head turned slightly, and he noticed Trippe, about twenty -steps from him. As soon as he recovered from his surprise he approached -Trippe, and asked what he was doing there. Trippe said he was just -looking through the woods a little. Other questions were asked, and -answered by each party. Trippe tried at first to equivocate, but found -it useless, as his uniform was plainly that of a Federal soldier. He -told the citizen he had been a prisoner at Danville, and with others -was trying to make his way to the Union lines. He also told him where -we were, and how many there were of us in all. The citizen feigned -sympathy with Trippe, and expressed a hope that he would get home all -right. Trippe had very little faith in him. He advised Trippe not to -fight any more against the South, and at the same time offered his -hand. Trippe took the hand in his own with not the slightest confidence -in its possessor. The Rebel pledged to Trippe his word and honor not to -lay a straw in his path, and immediately turned and went directly back -on his trail. Trippe watched him, and soon saw that he hurried himself, -as if suddenly imbued with a new purpose. - -When Trippe related the circumstance to us we became intent on getting -away from there, as quickly and as far as possible. We placed no -reliance in the promise of the Confederate not to lay a straw in -our path, but thought he would take measures to interpose greater -obstacles in the way of our progress. Our things being already in -compact marching order, we started immediately. The meal in the -pillow-slip, though not heavy, being more than two-thirds used, was all -the surplus thing we had to carry. All else was in our haversacks. We -went south-east, and soon reached the spot where the citizen had been -encountered by Trippe. We then turned to our right and went south-west. -On reaching the base of the ridge we found we would emerge from the -woods and cross cleared lands, in a narrow valley, or change our -course. There was no time for debate, and we pushed ahead. - -Near the outskirts of the woods two little boys and a little girl were -playing. As we passed, the largest boy cried out, "Uncle Jim has gone -for the guards to catch you uns with." We hurried forward, scarcely -taking time to thank the children for the information. If we had to -be hunted we were glad to know it. A short distance ahead of us was a -house. We passed near it, leaving it a little to our right. When we -were just opposite the house, a woman came to the door and exhorted us -to hurry. She said her brother-in-law was a "mean man," and had gone to -report us to the home guards. As time was gold to us just then, we did -not halt, but heeded the exhortation so earnestly given. As we crossed -the branch which traversed the narrow valley we heard the woman say her -husband had been killed in the war. She talked on, but we were soon out -of hearing. - -As we approached the upland, on the opposite side of the valley, we -began to think about obscuring our trail. We noticed where a hollow, or -ravine, entered the valley from the wooded hill-side. We got into the -hollow and followed on its rocky bed, where we made no tracks, until we -got some distance into the woods. A portion of the time we went on the -double-quick, and sometimes, when on level ground or going down hill, -we went even more rapidly. It was two o'clock, or a little later in the -day, when we first halted to listen for "Uncle Jim" and his guards. We -did not hear them, nor did we wish to; so we pressed on. We had so far -traveled three miles or more, mostly in a western direction. - -A point had been reached from which we could look across fields and -open country in all directions, except south, south-west, and east--the -course we should take in retracing our steps. As we did not wish to -cross fields, or go back on our trail, we turned southward. In that -direction we proceeded until we had gone over a mile, when we turned -to our right, and again pushed rapidly westward, through a heavy wood. -Soon we came to a branch of clear running water. As we were tired we -concluded we would wade in the water, following the stream down, and -thus obscure our trail. As we had made tracks in the wet soil near the -branch on approaching it, we pushed on across it, going some distance -until the solid ground was reached. We then got back to the branch, -walking on scattering rocks, sticks, and logs, so as to leave no traces -behind us. If the guards were on our trail, we hoped, when they reached -the branch, they would cross it, and push on westward as speedily as -possible. - -We followed down stream in a south-west course for more than a mile. -When in the water we traveled at a moderate gait, as the branch -traversed a very narrow, thickly wooded valley, and we could not be -seen at a distance. A point on the branch was at length reached where a -road crossed it. The road had the appearance of being traveled a great -deal, and we looked up and down it to see if any body could be seen. -On seeing no one we crossed to the south of the road, still wading in -the water. After getting a short distance into the woods, south of the -road, we left the branch and pushed rapidly westward. Our feet had -become wet, and we resorted to brisk walking to get our socks dry. -We would have taken time to take our socks off and wring the water -from them, but, should the guards come upon us, we did not wish to be -barefooted. - -Our flight was continued until sunset. We had intended traveling on a -line parallel with the road, but found it necessary to bear southward -occasionally to avoid crossing open fields. When the sun had gone -down we called a halt. The country was very rough and broken where we -halted; heavy woods and brushy undergrowth were all around us on all -the hill-sides. We took refuge in a thicket, near a considerable bluff. -No sounds of pursuers could be heard; every thing was still. We rested -well, and slept a little. Our feet were worsted by the wetting they -had received and our subsequent rapid walking. On a few scraps of meat -dipped in meal we made a scanty supper. We dared not build a fire after -dark or we would have made some mush and taken a fuller meal. - -Before the moon arose it was very dark. We waited half an hour or -more for its appearance above the horizon. At length its light shone -dimly through the woods. The sky was a little clouded and the woods -were dense, but the moon served to guide us upon our course, if its -light did shine imperfectly and at intervals. We gathered our things -and started. We steered northward. When obliged to turn aside, or -vary from that course, we varied to the west. Many difficulties beset -us. Our hurried march in the day had considerably taxed our powers of -endurance; our rest at dark was brief, only, long enough for our limbs -to stiffen; our feet were sore; we were hungry; our hasty meal at dark -had not sufficed. It was the first we had eaten since midnight of the -night before, on getting around Rocky Mount Court-House. The country -was hilly; we got over and down one hill only to begin the ascent of -another; the woods were dark, and logs and brush obstructed our pathway -and impeded our progress. We persevered, however, and pressed on. One -of our party went in advance and pushed the brush aside; the other five -of us followed just behind him, in "close order." - -Fully an hour passed before we emerged from the brush and woods into -more open ground. We climbed a fence and crossed a field. On getting -out of the field we struck a road running east and west. We followed -it at a moderate gait until we had gone a mile, when we reached a -cross-road. We then turned to our right and went due north. On going -two miles or more we called a halt. We were much fatigued; nearly worn -down, in fact, and, besides, we were faint and hungry. The road we -were following seemed not to be much traveled. We had passed no house -since dark. We had stopped on the road, where it was winding along the -side of a ridge, which was heavily wooded. We determined to look for a -retreat where we could rest awhile, build a fire, and make some mush. -We left the road and went up hill west of it. Soon we gained the top -of the hill or ridge. We then went down the hill on its western slope, -and in the bushes near the foot of it we halted. The noise of rippling -or running waters could be distinctly heard. Two of our party took our -canteen and bucket and went to fill them. While they were gone we -built a fire. A blanket was unrolled and spread on the bushes above the -fire to partially conceal its light. Our bucket was then made three -times full of mush. Small, thin slices and bits of meat were cut off -and put in the mush as it was cooking. Soon our hunger was appeased, -and our weariness hung not so heavily upon us. We put up our things, -scattered our fire, sought the road, and resumed our journey. - -Near midnight, and just after we had crossed a branch, we were startled -by hearing a solitary shot in the woods. We immediately halted. -Seemingly the sound of the shot came from a point not very far ahead -of us, but some distance to our left. Our first conjecture was that we -were in the vicinity of a cavalry bivouac. Two or three of our party -thought the home guards had been posted on the roads, and were about to -hem us in. There was no time to be lost in parleying, and we determined -to go on slowly and slyly. Before going two hundred yards we came to -a turn in the road. The road had been leading us northward, but on -going around the turn it led us west. We again halted, thinking it was -possible there was a guard on the road, as it led in the direction -from whence the sound of the shot had proceeded. Trippe proposed going -on a few paces to see. He did so. We followed him at the distance of -fifty or sixty paces. In this way we advanced fully half a mile, when -we reached a point where the road passed between fields. Trippe waited -until we came up, when he pronounced the road clear, as far as pickets -were concerned. - -We then pushed on, and discovered we were about passing a house on the -left of the road. We checked our speed and passed the house with care -and celerity. When we had got about twenty steps beyond the house, -and just as we were becoming careless again, the dogs began a lively -barking. We proceeded a dozen steps further when we noticed the sparks -of a fire flying upward. The fire was about twenty steps ahead of us, -on the left of the road. It was near the corner of the rail-fence, -where the lane terminated. We stopped instantly, but said nothing. We -watched the fire closely for a moment. The dogs kept up their howling. -In the light of the fire, which soon blazed up, we distinctly saw -several covered wagons ahead of us near the road side. We knew, or -thought at least, that we were about running into a supply train. We -hardly knew what to do. The dogs continued barking furiously, and -would soon arouse somebody, to see what disturbed them. We could not -go forward, as the guards, or teamsters, with the train would discover -us. We did not wish to go back by the house, as there was danger of -being observed by persons within, or about it. There was no time for -deliberation. We climbed the rail-fence to our right on the north of -the road. We were careful not to make any noise; although the dogs made -hubbub enough to drown any noise we should make. - -We had left tracks on the road, and found on getting into the field -that its surface was moist and impressible. We determined to make a -trail that would mislead any person who might have the curiosity to -follow us. On reaching a point in the field about a quarter of a mile -due north of the road we turned east. In that direction we traveled -half a mile. We then turned south and crossed the fence at the corner -of the field. On getting into the road we followed it east nearly a -quarter of a mile, when we went some distance in a south-east course. -By so doing we got into thick woods where the ground was covered with -leaves, where we could leave only very indistinct traces behind us. -We then turned and traveled directly west, keeping parallel with the -road, and a little more than a quarter of a mile south of it. The dogs -at the house still kept up their howling; and as the train and those -with it were just at hand, we kept off at a safe distance. The shot we -had heard an hour before, we judged had been fired by some one with the -train. - -When we had gone far enough, in a western direction, to reach a point -directly south of the house, where the dogs were still barking, we bore -considerably to our right, and went north-west. We continued in that -direction until we struck the road some distance west of the wagon -train. After going something more than a mile further on the road, in -a direction a little north of west, we halted. It lacked an hour or -more of being daylight, but as we were very tired, having traveled -many miles in the last twenty-four hours, we determined to look out -for a secure hiding-place for the day. We accordingly left the road -and penetrated some distance into the woods on the north of it. Just -after crossing a small branch we halted, and made our preparations for -a refreshing sleep. We fell into a sound slumber immediately on lying -down on our bed. - -About mid-day we awoke and found ourselves very stiff and sore all -over. We felt very little like moving about. We had pulled off our -shoes on lying down, and on getting up we found our feet were so very -sore that we could hardly get them on again. The sky was overcast with -clouds, threatening snow. Our stock of provisions was getting very -low, and other circumstances seemed to conspire in making the woods -around us and the prospect before us quite cheerless. That we had not -fallen into the hands of the home guards was the only circumstance -that afforded us consolation. After getting our shoes on, we set about -building a fire. We went to the branch near us and washed our hands -and faces; afterward feeling some better. Our vessels were filled with -water at the branch, to be used in making mush. When we had dispatched -our dinner we had some meal left, also a little salt, but no meat. -The meal was emptied from the pillow-slip and made into mush, which, -with the exception of the last bucket full made, was put into the -pillow-slip. The last mush made was left in the bucket. When the mush -became cold it sliced off nicely, and was ready for our midnight meal. - -Shortly after noon one of our party wandered out northward from our -hiding-place some distance, and spied a man engaged in plowing in an -old field. It was early in the season, we thought, for plowing, but as -we had seen plowing near Danville in January, we knew it was nothing -unusual for that country. Sutherland and I went out and lay close to -the fence which inclosed the field, to watch the man who was plowing, -and see if we could determine whether he was white or black. It so -happened that he did not plow on out to the fence near which we were -hid, as a strip of sod or grass land intervened between him and the -fence. We were somewhat disappointed, as we could not make out at that -distance whether the man was white or black. If we had been assured he -was a black man, we would have made an effort to procure more food. - -Near the close of the day we went to the branch and bathed our feet -thoroughly, hoping, if it did not improve them, it would keep them from -getting sorer than they were already. We then lay down and slept about -an hour, and on waking we found that our blankets and the ground were -covered with snow to the depth of an inch. We got up and shook the -snow from our blankets, and put every thing in order for the night's -marching. Awhile before sunset the snow ceased falling, the clouds -began to clear away, and the weather was perceptibly cooler. No clouds -obscured the sun as it shed its last rays over us for the day, and sank -from view in the west. - -Just at dark we left our hiding-place and went directly to the road. -It was quite dark, as the moon had not appeared; but as our feet were -sore, we could only advance slowly any how, and we pushed on. In the -road, where there were no leaves, the snow had melted, making the -walking slippery and slavish. When the moon arose we walked at the -side of the road, and got along some better. Early in the night Taylor -began to fall behind. Sore feet, we judged, was the cause of his slow -progress. He fell behind several times, and we waited as often for him -to come up. We asked him no questions, only supposing that his feet -were sorer than our own. About ten o'clock, or a little later in the -night, we struck a pike running north-east and south-west. The road we -had been following did not cross it. As we had to change our course, -and as Taylor was some distance behind, we waited for him to catch up. -When he had caught up we waited awhile longer for him to rest. - -On renewing our travels we followed the pike in a north-east course -toward Lynchburg. Before going very far on the pike, we passed one -house on the left. We went nearly half a mile beyond the house, when -we discovered an obscure road leading westward. We changed our course, -as we wished to reach and cross the Blue Ridge Mountains as soon as -possible. Taylor had kept up with us while following the pike, but -again fell behind on leaving it. The road was a poor one. Its clay -surface had been considerably moistened by the melting snow, late in -the day and early in the night. Before midnight the mud began freezing, -and it stuck tenaciously to our shoes. The country was rough and -broken, and the road led us over a succession of ridges and hollows. -In breaking the frozen crust of mud our feet were continually slipping -backward or forward, or sideways, as we went up and down the hills, -making our march extremely fatiguing and wearisome. We were obliged -to keep the road on account of the trees, logs, and brush near it on -either side. Our way, however, was plain before us, as the road looked -black in contrast with the snowy woods. - -We trudged on in the difficult and lonely way, and, though our progress -was slow, Taylor had fallen far behind. Near midnight we were on the -point of stopping to eat some mush, but concluded to move on slowly -for awhile, and give Taylor a chance to catch up with us or gain on -us. We slackened our pace considerably, and, on going half a mile, we -halted at the road side. Taylor had not caught up with us, neither was -he in sight or hearing. We sat on a log, and waited patiently for his -approach. Several minutes passed while we were waiting. We took the -mush from our bucket and cut it in slices ready for eating. While so -doing Taylor came dragging himself along the road. We called to him, -and he turned aside to join us in the woods. He was lame and weary. -On reaching us he sank almost exhausted to the ground, sitting in the -snow and placing his back against the log upon which we sat. We made no -inquiries of Taylor as to the cause of his lameness, supposing he could -not tell us more than we knew already. - -One or two observations were made respecting the bad condition of the -road, after which we began eating our midnight lunch. When we had -finished eating we gathered our things and started. Trippe and I were -ahead, and had reached the road and gone on it a few steps. Wood and -Sutherland were closely following us. Sutherland looked back and saw -Smith coming, but did not see Taylor. Sutherland then asked, "Smith, -where is Taylor? an't he coming?" Smith answered, "I thought he was -following me;" and then looked behind and called aloud, "Come on, -Taylor." Smith not understanding Taylor's reply, went back to him. On -being asked why he had not started, Taylor said he was unable to go any -farther, as his broken leg had failed him. Smith at once called to us -to come back to the place where Taylor was. We did so. It was painfully -apparent that he could go no farther that night. We learned for the -first time that he had been wounded in the leg, and had one of its -bones broken. He was not a Chickamauga prisoner, but had been wounded -and captured at or near Leesburg, Virginia, in a cavalry engagement, -early in July, 1863, at the time of the battles of Gettysburg, -Pennsylvania. During our four or five weeks' association with him it so -happened we had not learned of his wound. - -We at once concluded that our travels for that night were at an end, -and began looking around for a place in which to lie over until the -following night. When Taylor heard our determination he objected, -saying he felt sure he would not be able to travel by the following -night, and might not be able to renew the journey for a week. He would -not consent that we should remain with him until the next night, unless -he knew he would be able to go on with us by that time. We insisted on -waiting with him as long as that, as we should lose only three hours' -time by so doing. Taylor still objected, saying he would not detain us -a single hour, and if we failed in reaching the lines, it should not be -laid to his charge. We determined to remain, when Taylor assured us he -could not travel for at least three or four nights, and was unwilling -to feel himself responsible for the consequences that might ensue -from so long a detention of our party. We then offered to divide our -party, to leave two with Taylor, and let the other three go on. But he -objected to this proposal also, saying he would not delay a single one -of us, and probably be the cause, immediate or remote, of the return -of that one to prison. He would rather take his chances of ultimately -reaching the lines alone, and feel clear of responsibility for any -accident or disaster that might overtake us than to do otherwise. - -[Illustration: "LEFT ALONE."--PAGE 53.] - -We had offered fairly, as we thought, and concluding Taylor knew -the nature and extent of his disability much better than we did, we -determined to leave the case to him. If he said remain, we would -cheerfully do so; or if he said for us to go on and leave him behind, -we would do that regretfully. Taylor then said for us to lose no -time on his account, but to push on to the Union lines, and make our -escape good. It required but a few moments to arrange for resuming -our journey, and to advise Taylor as to the best course to pursue; -to say to him the parting good-by, and leave him behind. The mush in -the pillow-slip, all the provisions we had, except a little salt, was -then taken out and divided into six parts. The largest part was given -to Taylor. The other five parts were put in our haversacks. Nearly or -quite half of the scrip on hand was given him, as he was going to tarry -awhile in the Confederacy, and might use it to advantage. A portion of -the salt was also given him. The canteen which had been used by our -party so far on the trip, and which belonged to Taylor, was left with -him. He had a watch and a supply of scrip to barter for food, or for -the services of a guide, to conduct him to the lines, or both. With -these, and with his canteen and haversack, we left him alone in the -woods, wrapped in his overcoat and blanket. It was a sad and melancholy -scene we witnessed in parting from Taylor. It was painful and trying -to us to shake his hand, and say to him "good-by." Our feelings -were similar to those occasioned by the fall of a comrade on the -battle-field. We had left Taylor, and were getting into the road when -we heard him say, "Company G, 2d Massachusetts Cavalry," giving his -address, and asking us to write to him if we reached the lines. We each -of us then gave him the name of the company and regiment to which we -respectively belonged, so that he might write to us if he got through -all right. - -The substance of the advice we gave to Taylor was to remain where he -was until daylight, at which time he could move to a better or more -secure hiding-place, if able to do so, where he could command a view -of the road, and see persons that might pass upon it. The first negro, -or party of negroes, he saw passing, if no whites were with them, he -was to hail, and beckon them to him and make his condition known, -and get them to harbor him, or take him to some house where he could -be harbored until he was able to renew his journey. If he saw no -person pass during the day, he was to go in the evening in search of a -habitation where assistance might be given him. When able to travel, -he was to secure, if possible, the services of a guide, to conduct him -to some point within or in the vicinity of the pickets or outposts of -our army. He could reward his guide, if fortunate enough to secure one, -with his watch and Confederate money. - -It was the night of Friday, February 26, 1864, that we left Taylor -behind. We left him within six miles of the Blue Ridge Mountain, at a -point between eighty and one hundred miles south-west of Lynchburg, -Va., and nearly three miles west of the pike leading to that place. We -must have left him somewhere near the boundary line between Franklin -and Bedford counties, Va., in the north-west corner of one, or in the -south-east corner of the other. If it was trying to us to part with -Taylor and leave him, it must have put his resolution and self-denial -to a severe test to persist in being left alone in his crippled and -almost helpless condition. On stopping he was warm, as the road was -bad, and he had exerted himself to catch up with us. By sitting down -in the snow, he cooled suddenly, and his lame leg became stiff and -useless. His condition was critical and unenviable, as he was unable -to move about with ease or comfort, and his supply of food was small -in quantity and poor in quality. No house was near him. We had not -passed a house since leaving the pike. The weather was cold, as the -snow and mud was freezing. He was in a bleak mountain country alone. No -friend was near him. We had been his friends and comrades, and were his -friends still, but had forsaken him. His prospect was cheerless. His -desponding heart had little on which to predicate a hope. He dreaded -to meet a man of his own color, for fear of meeting an enemy, and in -the mountain districts the blacks were few. The woods around him were -dreary, although the ground was covered with snow, and the moon shone -brightly. The trees with their leafless branches and skeleton shadows -could be dimly seen, but were poor companions for a maimed and wearied -traveler in an enemy's land. It was a touching, but a necessary or -unavoidable incident of our journey to leave Taylor behind in the -Winter, and in the wilderness, as a lonely and solitary sentinel in the -silent watches of the night. But we could do no better, as our supply -of provisions was nearly exhausted, and we could not recruit it, or -seek assistance for him without jeopardizing his safety as well as our -own. So we left him to whatever fate might fall to him in the merciful -dispensation of Providence. - -I have never heard from or of Taylor to this date, December, 1869. -Whether he got able to travel, and succeeded in making his escape from -the Confederacy, or whether he was recaptured and returned to prison, -is not known to me. He may have perished from starvation where we left -him, on account of inability to get away from there. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - PROVISIONS GONE--CROSS THE BLUE RIDGE--SECURING FOOD--GOING THROUGH - BIG LICK--RAIN AND DARKNESS--WE ARE COMPELLED TO SEEK SHELTER--LYING - OVER--THE TOBACCO--ITS OWNER--MORE FOOD LAID IN--UP THE VALLEY--STRIKE - FOR THE ALLEGHANIES--DIFFICULT TRAVELING--ROUGH COUNTRY--WE REACH A - STREAM--TOO WEARY TO FORD--FALL BACK TO HIDE--MAKING OUR BED--FALL - ASLEEP. - - -Having parted with Taylor, our travels were resumed through the later -hours of the night. Once or twice in traveling the distance of four, or -four and a half miles, we almost concluded to return to him, but feared -disaster might come upon us if we turned back. It soon became evident -that daybreak was at hand, but we proceeded a mile farther before -turning into the woods. The sun was just rising when we began making -our bed, for the 27th of February, in a place surrounded by woods and -brush. On lying down we fell asleep. We awoke about the middle of the -afternoon. Shortly after arousing from our slumbers, we eat the last -of our mush. A little salt was all we had left of the supplies we had -received from our negro friends in Henry county. When, where, and how -our next supply of food should be secured we did not know. We judged we -should cross the mountain during the approaching night, and determined -to give ourselves no concern on the score of rations until the valley -on the other side was reached. - -The sad event of the previous night formed the subject of our -conversation for the evening. "It wouldn't surprise me a bit," said -Wood, "if Taylor should beat us to the lines yet." - -"He may," said Trippe, "if he lives through the first night or two, -does well, and is lucky enough to secure the services of a good guide -to take him through by the short cuts." - -"Our lines will be down this way some of these days," said Smith. - -"The only difficulty with Taylor," remarked Trippe, "will be in -avoiding Rebel citizens and finding a true Union friend to care for him -a few days." - -"He must have nothing to do with any body but a negro," said -Sutherland, "or he's a goner." "Boys," he continued, "supposing it -should become necessary for us to separate into two squads, how'll we -divide?" - -"Draw cuts," answered Wood. - -"If it should become necessary for us to separate," remarked Trippe, -"it will most likely be under such circumstances as will forbid drawing -cuts." - -"Yes, boys," answered Wood, "we'll have to draw cuts now, and have the -thing understood." - -Five small sticks were accordingly prepared. They were of two different -lengths. It being understood how the division should stand, we drew -cuts. It was decided that Smith, Wood, and Sutherland should go in one -direction, while Trippe and I should go in another. We determined, -however, never to separate unless no other alternative would answer, -and to push on and endeavor to reach our lines together. - -At sunset we began arranging our things for journeying. As soon as it -was dark we sought the road, and on reaching it we heard voices. We -retired a few paces into the bushes and waited until a half dozen or -more persons, mostly if not all colored, had passed by. "Now, boys," -whispered Wood, as the women and children were passing, "here is a -good chance to get something to eat." But we had decided to cross -the mountains before looking after food, and allowed the opportunity -to pass. We then set out on our ninth night of travel, and had gone -but little more than a mile when we came to a considerable branch. -We crossed it with but little trouble, and soon after passed near a -house on the road whose occupants had not retired for the night. We -got by the house without attracting attention, or at least without -exciting curiosity. On following the road a little further, we found -it commenced its winding ascent of the mountain, passing through a -gap near the boundary line between Franklin and Bedford counties, Va. -We had heard before leaving prison that the Blue Ridge Mountains were -infested with bush-whackers. We had a wholesome dread of these, and -advanced cautiously up the road, hoping, if there were any, we should -hear or see them before they should hear or see us. - -In little more than an hour's time we reached the highest point in -the gap, over which the road passed. We met with no one to dispute -our progress, and the descent of the western slope was immediately -commenced. We had followed the road but a short distance down the -mountain-side, when, on making a turn in the road, we saw a light -ahead, apparently about one hundred yards distant from us. Judging it -to be the light of a torch, or small fire, we halted, and, on doing so, -we heard voices engaged in conversation. Trippe at once proposed going -ahead alone a few yards to see what might be seen. We consented, and he -did so. A few minutes of intense anxiety to us passed, as we imagined -the reports concerning bush-whackers were about to be verified. Before -Trippe returned we heard a door shut, the fire or light at the same -time disappearing. We then knew there was a house, or hut of some kind, -near the road, not far from us; but of the number and character of its -occupants we were not so well informed. - -On coming back to us Trippe reported a house down there, and the -light we had seen was the light of a fire in the house. Trippe said, -further, that some one was just leaving the house, and, as soon as that -person had started off down the road, the conversation ceased, and the -door of the house was closed. We waited a few minutes for the folks in -the house to get to sleep, and for the person on the road ahead of us -to get out of our way, when we again started forward. On coming to the -house we found it a very small one, situated within a few steps of the -road. Passing it without discovery, we slowly walked on, and in due -time reached the valley below. - -Near the foot or base of the ridge was what appeared to be a -considerable stream of water; but on reaching it we found it to be -more wide than deep. We went a short distance down stream and found -four foot logs, from sixteen to twenty feet long, extending across -the stream. On these we crossed, and on reaching the opposite side we -halted for awhile to rest before proceeding to the road. - -"If we only had some meat and bread," said Smith, "now would be a good -time to eat it." - -"This would be a good place, too," added Sutherland, "as water is -handy." - -"I guess we wouldn't be particular as to the place," observed Smith, -"if we only had something to eat." - -Being reminded of the fact that we were out of rations we resolved -to try our luck at the first house that came in our way. We were not -long in reaching one, probably not more than half an hour. As we had -crossed the mountain without difficulty; as we felt glad we had not -met with guerrillas--felt considerably hungry, and were, withal, -much emboldened, we were not overcautious in our movements. Each of -our party of five entered the yard through the gate in front, and on -reaching the house--an old two-story frame house, unpainted--we rapped -violently at the front door. There was no answer from within. We called -and rapped repeatedly, but with the same results. We then passed around -the house to its south side, where we found another door. Sutherland -knocked loudly on it, but no response came. He then put his mouth to -the string-hole and asked, "Is any body at home?" - -A man inside answered, in a tone of voice indicating fright, "I guess -there's somebody about." - -"Why don't you get up, then?" asked Sutherland. "Nobody's going to hurt -you." - -"What do you want?" inquired the man. - -"We want something to eat, and want you to get up and set about getting -it forthwith," said Sutherland. He refused to even get out of bed, -whereupon Sutherland demanded, "Shall we burst your door down?" and -Wood added, "and come in and burst your noggin?" - -The man said, "That rests with you," and inquired, "Who are you, and -where are you going?" - -"We are soldiers going to Rocky Mount Court-House," Sutherland answered. - -"Go on over the mountain, and you will be fed in the morning," returned -the man. - -Preferring to risk our chances at the next house to doing any very rash -or violent acts, we left this one, telling the man he showed a very -poor quality of patriotism. - -"If it was any other time, if it twas daylight, I might do something -for you." - -"We don't have to stand picket in the night-time; we don't have to -march, skirmish, and frequently fight in the night-time, I suppose?" -retorted Sutherland, in a very unamiable voice. - -"And skedaddle in the night-time from such rusty Butternuts as you -are," added Smith, in a tone just loud enough not to be heard by the -man, as we were withdrawing from the yard. - -We passed out of the yard through the gate to the road as quickly as -we could, intending to hurry on our way. As Sutherland closed the gate -he threatened the man with, "We shall report you when we get to Rocky -Mount, mark that." - -On starting forward on the road Wood observed, "We commenced too heavy -on the gentleman: we got him so badly scared he didn't know what to do, -or how to do it." - -We kept up our conversation, dwelling chiefly on the causes, real and -supposed, of our failure in procuring food, and of the method to be -resorted to in supplying our necessities. It was agreed that Wood and -I should try our hands at the next house. It was after midnight, and -should we not reach the next house soon we decided not to disturb its -inmates, as we must have time to get out of reach after so doing before -hiding for the day. - -In a few moments we halted in front of a house on the south of the -road at a distance of sixty or seventy yards from it. Wood and I -entered the yard and approached a door in the one-story part of the -house, supposing the darkies slept there. On knocking slightly at -the door, and hearing no answer, we jerked the latch string once or -twice. A voice inside--which was undoubtedly that of an elderly white -person--remonstrated strongly against being disturbed at so late an -hour. Wood seeing the smoke-house a few steps to his left, went to -examine it, and proceeded from thence to the yard south of the house. - -At the same time I stepped upon the porch in front of the two-story -part of the house, and walked on it until I discovered a pair of steps -or stairs. On going up the steps I found the porch had a second story -also. Just at the top of the steps was a doorway to the second story of -the main building. I found the door fastened, when I called out, asking -if any one was inside. A voice, plainly that of a negro, answered there -was. I told him to get up, and come out doors, as there were some folks -at the road who would like very much to see him. The negro declined, -saying, "You can't come dat game on dis chile: Ise not coming out dar." - -"Get out of bed and come to the string hole," said I, "I want to speak -to you." He did so, when I said, "Put your ear to the string-hole." -He complied; and in a loud, distinct whisper, I pronounced the word -"Yankees." As soon as the negro could draw on his clothing, the bar of -the door came down and he and I descended the steps into the yard. - -On seeing us, Wood approached, saying to the negro, "Where did you come -from?" - -"Ise from Knoxville," was the answer. - -"But just now, where did you come from just now?" asked Wood. - -"From up in the loft," was the negro's reply. - -"Come out to the road, old fellow," said I, "there's some more Yankees -out there." - -"Lord, massa! golly! dat so?" ejaculated the astonished negro. - -We then went to the road accompanied by the negro. On rejoining Trippe, -Smith, and Sutherland, at the point where we had left them, the last -named, on seeing the negro, remarked, "You don't expect us to eat that -fellow, do you?" - -We lost no time in telling the negro what was wanting; that we were -hungry and had no provisions. The negro said the cellar and smoke-house -were locked, and the old master had the keys. We asked him how soon he -could get something for us to eat. He replied, "In the mornin', 'fore -massa and mistress gits up." - -"How about the keys; don't the whites get up and unlock?" - -"No, sah; we gits de keys, onfastens, and gits breakfast 'fore de white -folks gits out o' bed," replied the negro. - -On ascertaining beyond doubt that provisions would be furnished us in -the morning, we had the negro conduct us to a safe hiding-place for -the day, which was near at hand. He took us to a secure retreat in -the midst of a large grove of heavy oak timber situated about a mile -from the house, on the north of the road. In all directions from our -hiding-place for the day--Sunday, February 28th--were open fields. -The woods or grove we were in covered three or four hundred acres of -land. Our camp for the day was close to a rivulet, and was immediately -surrounded by tall dead grass; and a little further from us were -numerous small trees and bushes. The negro told us he would fetch us -breakfast by ten o'clock, and then hurried home. - -It was an hour or more before day when we made our usual preparations -for sleep. Soon after lying down we were lost in slumber. Near nine -o'clock, A. M., we awoke from our slumbers and got up and washed our -faces at the rivulet. Our toilet completed, we had not long to wait for -the appearance of our negro friend, with a small basket of eatables, a -pitcher of milk, and a mug of molasses. We fared sumptuously on wheat -cakes, fried bacon, potatoes, molasses, and milk. When we had finished -our meal the negro took the molasses and milk pitchers in his basket -and went homeward. While eating we learned from the negro that we were -in Roanoke county, and that the nearest town on the road we expected -to travel was Big Lick, a station on the East Tennessee and Virginia -Railroad. - -Shortly after noon the negro came out and talked quite a while with -us. He wished to know when we would have another meal brought out. We -expressed our willingness to receive another meal at any time before -sunset. We asked the negro how much provision he could furnish us to -carry with us. He replied that he had not a good chance in day-time to -get at the meat, flour, and potatoes, without being seen by his master -or mistress, and at night he had no chance at all to secure any thing, -as the cellar and smoke-house were always locked at dark by the whites, -who kept the keys until morning. - -The man on whose provision we were subsisting was named Schooler, or -Schuyler. Being an original secessionist, he left Knoxville, Tennessee, -and settled in Roanoke county, Virginia, where he would be less -troubled with Federal troops. The negro had also lived in Knoxville, -and had before seen Yankee soldiers. When he left us he went home, and -soon returned with another supply of food for our present consumption. -While we were eating, the negro informed us that Schooler, his master, -had seen the man at whose house we had attempted to get rations on the -previous night. The man told Schooler of the demonstrations we had made -at his house before leaving it to go on over the mountain. Schooler in -turn told the man that he, too, had been interrupted during the night, -but the disturbers of his sleep had done no harm, and gone on, he knew -not where. - -Our supper finished, we had an understanding with the negro as to the -place where we should receive the corn and meat. He then left us, and -we rolled up our blankets and made other needful preparations for our -tenth night's travel. Just at dark we started for the point designated -to receive what provisions our negro host could provide for us. As we -found him there with the corn and meat, we were not long delayed. We -were told it was seven miles to Big Lick, and that Salem Court-House -was nine miles west of that place. I gave the negro one of my blouses -as a slight compensation for his services to us, and as a token of -remembrance. We thanked the negro heartily for befriending us in -the hour of need, and then put the corn, which was shelled, in our -haversacks, and the meat in our pillow-slip, and started for the road, -accompanied that far by the negro. - -On reaching the road we bade our negro friend farewell and left him. -We found the road better than we expected, and pushed forward rapidly, -hoping to get around Big Lick by midnight. We had thought of bearing -to our right and passing east of the place. As soon as we thought we -had gone six miles we saw a few small houses not far ahead of us, and -concluded to pass them before commencing our circuit around the town. -When we were just opposite the first house, Wood supposed it to be -the domicile of a negro family, and went to the door, opened it, and -asked how far it was to Big Lick. "You are there now," was the answer -given. Closing the door without asking any more questions, Wood hastily -rejoined us at the road. - -On finding we were in town we pushed on through it, walking silently -and briskly. Near the railroad depot we halted, and after consulting -briefly concluded to leave the road, so as to elude pursuers, fearing -the man we had inquired of might be a white Rebel, and might collect -a party to look after us in the morning. After leaving the road we -reached in a few minutes' time the railroad bridge. We passed under -the bridge, walking partly in the waters of the little stream which -it spanned until we gained the woods north of the railroad. We then -traveled due northward until the sky became cloudy, when it grew much -darker, and we found great difficulty in making our way through strange -woods, with no road to guide us. - -Before morning it began raining, and the night became black and dismal -in its last hours. We could scarcely proceed, but we kept on the move. -Just at daylight we came to a road running east and west. It seemed to -be a very public one. As it was raining hard we thought we should not -be seen, and we crossed the road and pushed on northward something more -than a mile, when we halted in the midst of a considerable forest of -pines. Through this forest was a string of rail-fence, and as it was -raining hard, so that we could not make our bed down on the ground, we -placed rails across from one panel to another, on which we sat with our -coats and blankets disposed about us so as to shed the water off as -much as possible. In this manner we occupied two corners of the fence; -three of us in one corner and two in the other. - -Near noon we were compelled by the severity of the storm to seek -shelter. We started and kept close to the fence on its north side, -going in an easterly direction. In a few minutes we came to another -fence, running north through open fields. We changed our course, and -followed it until we came to a branch running in a south-east course. -As the ground was much lower near the branch we could follow it and -at the same time be screened from view. Soon we came in sight of a -lone building to our left a short distance, in the edge of the woods. -We went directly to it, and found it to be a tobacco-house. In it we -found shelter from the rain, as the roof was good. We then took off our -coats and blankets, and wrung the water from them. As there was a lot -of corn-blades tied in bundles stacked in one corner of the room, we -soon had a good resting-place. A small lot of tobacco leaves, hanging -above our heads, soon attracted our attention, when the following -conversation took place: - -"There's some tobacco," said Smith. "I'll bet there will be somebody -out here before night to look at it." - -"Not while it rains this way," said Trippe. - -"Well, let them come," said Wood, "it belongs to nobody but a darkie, -any how." - -"And when he comes out here we'll only have him to furnish us with more -rations," said Sutherland. - -"I'm only afraid he won't come," added Trippe. - -There was no floor in the tobacco-house, and we cleared the corn-blades -and straw from the center and built a fire. For fuel we used tobacco -sticks, of which there was a large quantity piled up in a corner of -the building. After burning enough sticks to make sufficient coals -and ashes for the purpose, we went to parching corn. This we did by -scattering the corn near the fire and raking hot ashes and coals over -it. When the corn was parched sufficiently, we raked it from the ashes -with small sticks. After eating all we wished of parched corn and -broiled meat, we parched a lot of corn for future use. - -The rain continued falling, and the day was far spent, when we came to -the conclusion we should be compelled to lie over for the approaching -night--February 29th. At dark we stretched our blankets on sticks -around the fire, for the twofold purpose of drying them and concealing -the fire. Soon we were obliged to allow the fire to go down, as its -light shone against the roof and through the cracks of the building -between the logs. We had seen but one house during the evening from -where we were, and that was away some distance to the north of us. But -for fear somebody would be passing, and see the light of our fire, and -thus discover us, and publish the fact of our presence in the vicinity, -we put it out entirely. Becoming reconciled to the necessity of -stopping over for the night and following day, we thought we would make -the best of it, and rest, and recuperate as much as possible in that -time. So, taking time and pains, and a goodly quantity of corn-blades, -we made us a good bed. A roof over our heads and the pelting rain-storm -without were conducive to sleep, and the night was passed in quiet and -repose. - -We waked up shortly after daylight in the morning, but did not get -out of bed until about eight o'clock, A. M. The rain had ceased, but -clouds still overspread the sky, causing us to feel doubtful about -getting off even that night. We went out one at a time to the pools -of water, and washed our hands and faces. Soon after we built a fire -and began parching corn, and broiling meat for breakfast and dinner. -While thus engaged, Sutherland, looking through a crack between logs, -espied an old negro approaching. As he was alone he gave us no concern, -and we were not averse to his coming. Approaching nearer and nearer -the building, the old negro finally came upon our trail and noticed -our tracks. He followed them a few steps, when, discovering they led -to the tobacco-house, he came to a halt. He watched the house closely -for a moment or two, when hearing or seeing us, he turned to go back. -Sutherland opened the door and said, "Hullo, old man! that'll never do; -come in here, we'll not hurt you." - -The old man turned about, and after further entreaty approached the -house and entered it. He had come out to examine his tobacco. He was -well stricken in years, being ninety years of age, having children, -grandchildren, and great grandchildren. On account of his age he was -slow of speech and comprehension. We had trouble in getting him to -understand who and what we were, and the situation in which we were -placed. He did not seem, at first, to correctly understand the meaning -of the term Yankee, but soon came to it, inquiring, "Is you uns some of -them fellers that's penned up in the 'backer-houses in Richmond?" We -answered that we were. We found it necessary to impress on his mind the -necessity of keeping secret from the whites the fact of our presence -in the country. Our need of procuring provisions from time to time was -also explained to the old man. We urged the old man to either bring -or send us some meat of some kind, if nothing else, and to have it at -the tobacco-house by sunset. He promised to do so, and shortly after -examining and arranging his tobacco, he went slowly on his way home. -We finished our breakfast, and continued parching corn for awhile. A -little before noon we laid-ourselves down, and slept until about three -o'clock in the evening. - -On getting up we finished parching corn, and then all the provisions -we had with us were ready for eating. When we first got up the sky was -partially clear, and by sunset it was cloudless. Just after sunset -the old negro arrived with some six or eight pounds of meat, mostly -boiled beef, the remainder being a small piece of side meat. A couple -of corn-dodgers were also furnished us, which we set apart for our -midnight meal. Having got our baggage, quartermaster and commissary -stores, ready for the trip, we expressed our obligations to the aged -negro who had befriended us, and bade him good-by. He then started -home, and soon after we set out on our eleventh night's journey, March -1, 1864. - -Finding the ground soft and well saturated with water, we thought we -should do well if we trudged through eight or ten miles that night. -On reaching the road, which had been pointed out to us by the negro, -we found the walking much better than we expected, as the water -could not so easily penetrate its hard surface. In a short time we -passed the house where lived the owner of the plantation to which the -tobacco-house in which we had been sheltering belonged. The house was -near the road, and the lights in it were burning brightly. While we -were passing the house the dogs began a lively barking, and kept it up -until we had gone some distance, and crossed a creek, when we heard no -more of them. Near midnight we halted at the road side amid a cluster -of small trees, and eat some beef and corn-bread. - -We soon resumed our travels. As we could not walk very rapidly, owing -to the condition of the road, we put in the whole time until day-break, -so that we could have it to say that we were at least eight or ten -miles nearer our goal than when setting out. The road we were traveling -bore northward in its general direction, but as the country on either -side was covered with unfenced woods, it frequently deviated from its -general course. At length day-break came, and we went to the left of -the road in search of a secure hiding-place for the day, March 2, 1864. - -The distance gone over during the night had not been more than eleven -miles, or twelve at the furthest, but we were that distance further -north, which was a gratifying feature of the night's journey. The -ground being yet very damp, we were compelled to seek an open space in -which to make our bed, and a quantity of brush and leaves on which to -make it, so that our bedding should not get damp or muddy. A suitable -hiding-place having been found, we collected leaves and brush from the -adjacent woods, and made our bed on them, and retired to sleep for the -day. We went about a mile from the road before locating our camp. It -was further than may have been necessary, as the road was not a very -public one, judging from appearances, and the country was very sparsely -settled. - -Some time in the evening we awoke and got up, finding the sky clear, -and the weather mild for the time of year. We found we had not stopped -convenient to water, but on looking around a little we found water not -far off sufficient for our needs. As we had no use for fire we built -none, but made a meal on parched corn and beef, and quietly awaited -the approach of night. The evening was spent in conversation, dwelling -chiefly on our trip, past and prospective. We talked of things that -had taken place, which, if we had them to do over again, we should do -differently; of some fork of the road or cross-road, where, if we were -only there again, we would take a different course. Sometimes we would -imagine certain things to happen us, and decide in our minds what we -should do, should the event actually transpire. Our minds seemed always -occupied, either with thoughts and reflections on the journey, so far -as completed, or with plans and expedients for the journey yet before -us. - -At dark our luggage was fitted up in readiness for starting out on the -twelfth night of our travels, being the thirteenth night out. In a half -hour's time we were on the road, wending our way northward. We found -the road had improved under the day's sunshine, and we were enabled to -make better progress than we had made on the previous night. On coming -to a cross-road near midnight we stopped a few minutes to eat a little -and consult as to the course to take, north or west. It was evident -that, no matter which course we took, we should soon reach the first -ranges of the Alleghany Mountains. As we had previously determined -to travel in day-time across the ridges, gorges, valleys, and barren -wastes of those mountains, we thought we would turn west and reverse, -as soon as possible, the order of our times of sleep and travel, -sleeping at night and traveling in day-time. We accordingly turned our -faces to the west. By so doing we did not reach the mountains as soon -as we should have done had we continued in the northward course. - -We spent another night and day, March 3, 1864, in the valley between -the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains. Nothing deserving of particular -notice transpired during that day. An hour or more before day, on the -early morning of March 4th, we came to a considerable stream, washing -the base of one of the principal ridges of the Alleghanies. We had -been traveling the greater part of the night over a very rough and -hilly road, and were getting tired and sleepy. As we expected to begin -traveling in day-time over the mountains on the day then approaching, -in accordance with our previous programme, we determined not to cross -the stream that night, or morning rather, and followed the road back -a short distance to where the woods bordered it on the south. We then -left the road and entered the woods, going in a south-east course a -little more than a half mile. In a spot surrounded by small trees and -bushes, where the surface of the ground was covered with rock large and -small, we halted for the day, March 4th. We cleared the rocks from a -small space, sufficiently large for our bed. We then made it and went -to rest for a few hours. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - AWAKENED--WATCHING IN AMBUSH--AVERILL'S CAVALRY--WOMAN MAKING - SUGAR--WE SEE MEN DRESSED IN BLUE--DECEIVING THE WOMAN--CHANGE OF - BASE--MISLEADING PURSUERS--WE EAT LAST OF OUR SUPPLIES--START OUT IN - DAY-TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH AGREEMENT--OUR DISCOVERY--OUR PURSUIT--OUR - FLIGHT--TRIPPE FAILS--HE FALLS BY THE WAY--REBELS THREATEN--OUR SPEED - OUR SAFETY--TRIPPE'S PROBABLE FATE. - - -Near nine o'clock, A. M., March 4th, we were awakened by the rumbling -noise of a wagon running over a rough and stony road not far to the -east of us. We supposed this road intersected the one we had been -traveling during the night, but we had not noticed the point of -intersection. On finding we were near a road upon which persons would -be passing during the day Smith cautiously ventured in the direction -of the road to a cluster of cedar bushes, from which, while concealed -from observation, he could see any one passing. Soon another wagon -was heard coming down the road. Smith watched in the bushes until the -wagon passed, when he returned to us, reporting that the wagon was a -common army wagon, and that the driver had on a blue overcoat. "Can -it be," said Smith, "that Averill's cavalry are on a raid through -here?" As we knew the Confederates wore blue coats whenever they got -possession of them we did not comfort ourselves with the hope that -Union troopers were in the vicinity. We rather concluded there was a -squad of Confederate military in the neighborhood, and thought best to -look about us a little. - -Smith, having been out east of us and taken a survey of the road -and adjacent woods, thought he would take a look to the south and -south-west of us. Keeping under cover of the brush as much as possible, -he went out south of us, intending to be gone only a few minutes. -Fully a half hour passed and Smith had not returned, and, finally, we -suspected something wrong, and quietly, though quickly, folded our -blankets and got ready for a "skedaddle." We did not, however, intend -changing our location before Smith returned, or until it was certain -he would not return at all, unless somebody else came upon us in our -present retreat. We had but a few minutes to wait before we saw Smith -approach from the south in a brisk, though cautious walk. - -"What does this mean?" asked Smith, on noticing we had torn up camp, -and were looking as though we were about ready to fly. - -"It means that we had given you up as lost or captured," answered -Trippe. - -"Well," said Smith, "I think it will be policy for us to shift from -this place." - -"We have been in momentary expectation of a summons to surrender," -added Trippe. - -Smith had gone south of our camp but little more than a quarter of a -mile. He was bearing considerably to the west, when he noticed to his -right, and just beyond a bluff or ledge, a smoke curling upward. Not -hearing or seeing any one, he walked up to the edge of the bluff and -looked over and saw a woman engaged in boiling sugar-water. As he was -endeavoring to gain the shelter of the bushes the woman noticed him -shying off and asked, "What are you afeared of?" - -"O nothing; only I was afraid you would be scared if you saw me," -answered Smith. - -While conversing briefly with the woman Smith found she thought it -nothing strange to have met a man dressed in blue. Just as he was on -the point of asking if there were Federal soldiers near he happened to -see four or five men approaching a log cabin, which was situated in the -center of a cleared space of ground. Two of the men were dressed in -blue; the others were clad in butternut. The cabin was quite a quarter -of a mile distant to the south-west. Smith observed to the woman, -"There is a company of soldiers not far from your house." - -This remark was made in such a tone and manner as led the woman to -believe that Smith was acquainted in the vicinity. As it was also half -inquisitive, the woman answered that there was a company of soldiers -not far off, and asked, "An't you one of 'em?" - -Having gained the information desired, and seeing the opportunity of -deceiving the woman, Smith replied, "Of course I am." - -"Well," said the woman, "I thought it curious if you wasn't." - -"O, yes," returned Smith, "I'm a soldier." - -As there was a horse tied to a tree near the woman having a man's -saddle on it, Smith expected a man--perhaps a soldier--would be there -presently, and started off, observing as he left, "Well, I must go back -to camp." - -On leaving the woman, Smith went in a direction contrary to that -which he expected to take on getting out of her sight. He soon after -approached our hiding-place from the south, as before mentioned. On -hearing Smith's narration of facts, as given above, we gathered our -things and started eastward. On reaching the road on which the wagons -had passed, we walked backward across it. We went through the woods -some distance further east, and then we turned north. We soon came to -the road over which we had passed during the night, and crossed it, -walking backward. We continued in a northern direction until we had -gone something more than a mile from the road, and had reached heavy -woods with a thick bushy undergrowth, in which we halted for awhile. -After a few moments' rest and consultation, we retraced our steps a -short distance to a branch we had crossed, and in it we washed our -hands and faces. We then eat the last of our provisions, and had -nothing left to carry with us to subsist on. - -Near three o'clock, P. M., having got every thing ready, we started on -our travels in daylight, in accordance with previous arrangement. We -made our way through the woods and brush with some difficulty, in a -western direction, until we had gone about a mile, when we noticed an -opening not far to our left, where the timber had been cleared away. We -approached this cleared land, in order to avoid the thickets of brush. -On reaching it, we saw a small log cabin in the edge of the woods, on -the opposite side of it. As we saw no one, we went along near the brush -and woods, going toward the stream we had encountered at day-break, -before we had found our place of refuge for the day. When within two -hundred yards of the stream, having gained a point directly north of -the cabin, we looked toward it, and saw a woman standing near its -south-west corner. As she was not looking at us, we judged she had not -noticed us, and as she was almost half a mile distant, we deemed it -unnecessary to change our course on her account. On reaching the bank -of the stream, and before going down to the water's brink, we again -looked toward the cabin, and saw that the woman was just disappearing. -Almost at the same instant we heard the loud, shrill, blast of a horn -or bugle. Not knowing for what purpose the bugle had been sounded, we -thought it boded us no good at least. When we reached the margin of the -stream we removed the shoes and socks from our feet, then putting our -shoes on, we waded the stream. Wood and Trippe had reached the opposite -bank, and Smith, Sutherland, and I were nearing it, when looking to -our left we saw a man on horseback coming down the road that passed -between the stream and the ridge of the mountain. He came toward us -rapidly until he saw us plainly, when he wheeled suddenly about, and -dashed back up the road with great speed. He was bare-headed, and when -he turned about in the road, displaying his long locks of hair, and -the cape of his overcoat, with its brass buttons glistening in the -sunlight, we at once realized our situation, and the necessity of -getting away from there as quickly as we could. We took time, however, -to put on our dry socks; then putting our shoes on, and lacing them -securely, we left the bank of the stream and the road directly in our -rear, and pushed up the mountain-side as rapidly as the nature of the -ground would permit. - -The ridge near its base was thickly covered over with pine and cedar -bushes, but as we neared its summit, the bushes were more scattering. -The side of the ridge was covered over with rocks, large and small, -and it was impossible to make a footprint on its stony surface. Near -the top of the ridge, and on its summit, were innumerable rocks of -large and massive size. Trippe having been recaptured once and sent -back to prison, was determined to avoid, if possible, the recurrence -of an event fraught with such calamitous consequences. On the first -appearance of danger he had hurried his preparations for leaving the -stream, and had started out in advance of the other four of us. We -only aimed to keep Trippe in view, and allow the distance between him -and ourselves to grow no greater. Trippe was within two hundred yards -of the summit of the ridge when he stopped to rest. As soon as we saw -he had halted, we did the same, although we were not much wearied. -But we wished to husband our strength as much as possible, knowing -we should be hunted and pursued. Smith, Sutherland, Wood, and I kept -near together, that we might consult each other as we hurried forward, -for we recognized the value and importance of concerted action in the -expected emergency. - -We had rested a very few minutes when we looked up the mountain and -saw Trippe hurrying to the top of it. Supposing from his extraordinary -exertions that he had seen pursuers from his more elevated position, -we cast a glance below us. At first glance we saw no one, but thought -we could see the tops of the bushes moving near the base of the ridge. -We watched for a moment only, and then saw five or six bare-headed -Butternut gentry appear in sight, as they emerged from the bushes, -about two hundred yards below us. They had guns, with bayonets -attached, but were minus their cartridge-boxes. We pushed ahead at a -moderate run for the top of the mountain, occasionally looking behind -us to see if the Rebels were gaining on us. On reaching the summit of -the ridge we followed it, as Trippe had, in a north-eastern direction. -Soon we came to a deep chasm, or gorge, through the top of the -mountain. On the sides of this chasm were many large rocks, and a few -scattering trees or bushes. Should our pursuers fire on us, we thought -we could make it very difficult for them to hit us, by constantly -dodging about, and disappearing behind the huge rocks. - -As Smith, Sutherland, Wood, and I were going down the south side -of the chasm, Trippe was hurrying with might and main up its north -side. Just as our pursuers reached the chasm, on its south side, we -gained the top of the ridge on the north of it. Should the Rebels all -commence to cross the chasm at once, we should be out of sight before -they got over; so they divided their squad, two remaining to watch our -movements, while the others crossed in pursuit of us. Just as we had -gained the top of the ridge north of the gorge, the two Rebels on the -south side of it cried out, "Halt! halt! you d--d Yankees, you, or -we'll shoot you." Having little fears of bullets at such long range, -and feeling sure they had but one round of ammunition with them, we -paid no attention to their threats. No shots were fired at us, but -threats to shoot were repeated as long as we were in hearing. - -Although we had hurried considerably, we discovered Trippe was out of -sight, and we increased our speed, as much to get a view of him as -to gain on our pursuers. We had gone but a few yards after so doing -before we came to Trippe lying on the ground, near a large crevice -or opening in a huge rock. He was completely exhausted, and unable -to speak or make himself understood. We scarcely halted on reaching -Trippe, as three or four of the Confederates had gained the top of the -ridge north of the gorge, and were yelling at us to halt and surrender. -They were not more than a hundred yards distant, but many rocks of -huge proportions intervened between them and ourselves. Trippe at this -moment motioned to us with both arms, and then began crawling into the -opening in the rock near him. What he wished us to do we did not know, -and had no opportunity of ascertaining, as we were obliged to flee for -our own safety. He attempted to speak but could not. - -We left Trippe to his fate, and hurried on without stopping, until we -were entirely out of hearing of the Rebels. When we were beyond the -immediate reach of the enemy, it was a question with us whether we -should pause for a few moments, to see if Trippe had escaped their -notice, or push ahead. We halted and listened for a few minutes, but -heard nothing. We concluded the enemy had found Trippe, and were now -looking among the rocks for us, and determined to push forward. We kept -on the top of the ridge for the distance of nearly two miles, when we -came to a gorge leading down the western slope of the mountain into the -valley. We followed down this gorge until we were fully half-way to -the valley. In a place entirely surrounded by cedar bushes, we halted -to rest. The sides of the gorge were high and rugged, and huge rocks -projected from them, and hung almost directly over our heads. No sound -fell upon our ears; not even of the wind gently blowing, or of running -water's low murmur. It was truly a place of solitude. The unfortunate -event of the evening, the loss of our comrade, made it doubly sad -and solitary to us. As we had made very few, if any, foot-prints, we -knew the enemy could not easily trace us; and though sorrowing and -dejected in spirit, we felt safe in the loneliness and seclusion of -the place. We felt deeply the loss we had sustained in our separation -from Trippe, as we had hitherto deferred to him in all the straits and -critical situations in which we had been placed. It was the second time -he had been recaptured--if really recaptured this time--and foiled in -his attempts to escape prison, and on that account we felt sorry for -him. We called to mind the reluctance manifested by him to starting -with us on the trip to the lines; also his great discouragement when -he came across the citizen in the woods, about ten days previously. -We conjectured the Rebels had certainly found Trippe. We conjectured, -too, that Trippe, in motioning to us, had intended to be understood as -directing us to hide, as he was doing; that the Rebels would question -him as to where the rest of us were, and that he would answer that we -were hid among the rocks somewhere near; that they would look for us, -and, failing to find us, would accuse him of deceiving and delaying -them in their pursuit of us until we were out of reach. Taking this -view of the matter we feared the Rebels would become exasperated at -Trippe, and would treat him cruelly, if they did not murder him. -Whatever the result of the fray might have been to Trippe, we knew we -were yet free. Knowing it was entirely beyond our power to rescue or -protect him, we sadly realized the extent of our loss, and began to -look out again for ourselves. - -To this date, February, 1870, I have never heard either from or of -Trippe, and know nothing as to his fate. He was about thirty-four -years of age, was a man of good judgment, and possessed many excellent -qualities of mind and heart. I think he had been at one time Orderly -Sergeant of his Company, Company H, 15th United States Infantry. He -enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, in the year 1861. He was never married. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - ACROSS RIDGE AND VALLEY--WE SEE NEW CASTLE IN THE DISTANCE--CHILDREN - SCARED--WOMEN AMAZED--WE VISIT THEM--THEY THINK WE ARE "SECESH"--WE - THINK THEY ARE "SECESH"--EACH PARTY MISTAKEN--ALL GOOD UNIONISTS--A - DESERTER HID UNDER THE BED--HE COMES FORTH--AT "JEEMES" HUFFMAN'S--HE - THINKS WE ARE CONFEDERATES--FINE SUPPER AT MIDNIGHT--WE ARE BEWILDERED - IN THE DARKNESS AND RAIN--DUCKED IN CRAIG'S CREEK--WE AVOID REBEL - RENDEZVOUS--HIDE IN THE MOUNTAINS--AT THE HOUSE OF A CONFEDERATE HOME - GUARD--HE IS SICK--PROVES TO BE A UNION MAN--ONE CORN-DODGER--HE SENDS - US TO ANOTHER UNION MAN--WE LOSE OUR WAY--PRECIOUS TIME LOST--WE - ARRIVE AT WM. PAXTON'S--SUPPER AT MIDNIGHT--AN OLD REBEL BADLY - FOOLED--PAXTON DIRECTS US TO ROBERT CHILDS'S--CHILDS NOT AT HOME--HIS - WIFE PRETENDS TO BE SECESH--SHE THINKS WE ARE SECESH--CHILDS COMES - HOME--HE VISITS US IN THE WOODS--HE IS A RABID SECESH--ADMITS WE - ARE UNIONISTS--BUT BELIEVES THE CONTRARY--THE MYSTERY ACCIDENTALLY - SOLVED--MRS. CHILDS A UNIONIST--MR. CHILDS A UNIONIST--THEY COME TO - KNOW WE ARE UNION SOLDIERS--GOOD FEELING--WE ARE FED--WE ARE SENT TO - DAVID HELPER--WE SEPARATE FROM CHILDS. - - -We rested in the gorge for the space of half an hour. Soon after -leaving it we reached the valley. We crossed the valley, and -immediately began the ascent of another ridge, and on gaining its -summit we could see a town in the distance to the west of us. We -ascertained, late in the day, that the town was New Castle, Craig -county, Virginia. We went down the mountain-side into another valley, -and then changed our course, and followed up the valley in a direction -a little east of north. In passing through a dense thicket we came to -a dilapidated rail-fence. We crossed the fence, and soon emerged from -the thicket into more open ground. We were bearing considerably to the -east, following around the thicket, when we suddenly came upon a hut. -Three or four children were at play near the door. They saw us and ran -into the house immediately, when two women appeared at the door and -gazed at us in apparent amazement. As it was growing late, the sun -having gone down, we knew the women could bring no harm upon us, and we -approached the humble dwelling and entered it without waiting for an -invitation. We took seats, and opened the conversation by telling the -women to set before us, on the table, what they had cooked, as we were -hungry, and had nothing to eat. The women complied, setting out a few -slices of cold boiled meat, a couple of corn-dodgers, and four bowls -of milk. We sat around the table and eat all that had been placed upon -it. After eating we told the women that was the first milk, with one -exception, we had drank for many months, and that was the first bread -we had eaten for two days. - -The women seemed very much astonished, and inquired who we were, and -where we were from. We told them we had been prisoners at Danville, -Virginia, and were now trying to make our way through the mountains to -the Union lines. They then apologized to us for the scantiness of the -meal they had given us, saying they thought we were Confederate guards -from New Castle. We also apologized to them for ordering them, in so -abrupt a manner, to set out supper for us, saying we thought they were -"Secesh." The women then called for "Jim" to come out from under the -bed. "Jim" immediately came forth. On our approach he had hid under -the bed, thinking we were Confederate home guards. Jim was a deserter -from Buckner's army in East Tennessee. We told these Unionists of the -event of the afternoon; of our being pursued, and of losing one of our -number in our flight. They seemed to manifest much anxiety on account -of the lost one, and asked us many questions concerning him. - -We inquired if there was any good Union man living in the valley of -whom we could procure provisions to carry with us. We were told that -"Jeemes" Huffman lived four miles up the branch, and could furnish us -with provisions. A path was pointed out to us that led up to Huffman's -house. Just at dusk we bid our Union friends "good evening" and set -out, intending to give Huffman a call. About half the distance had been -gone over when darkness fully set in. After dark our progress was much -slower in following the strange and devious pathway. Near nine o'clock, -P. M., we saw the light of a fire, shining dimly through Huffman's -window. We crossed a fence and followed the path a short distance up -the mountain-side to the house. The door was standing open, and we -entered and stood before Huffman and his wife. They were not a little -surprised, and seemed doubtful as to the manner in which they should -treat us. We were soon seated before the fire, however, and began to -acquaint Huffman with our condition and necessities. Having heard with -interest our narrative of the facts in our case the woman asked if we -would have supper. We answered in the affirmative, and she went to -work, and by ten o'clock, P. M., we sat down to a table bountifully -supplied with food. - -While eating we learned from Huffman that he lived two and a half miles -from New Castle, Craig county. We learned, also, that the home guards -at New Castle searched the premises of the mountaineers every two weeks -for deserters from the Confederate army. When we first entered the -house Huffman supposed we were home guards from New Castle, and the -hesitancy on his part to avow, at first, his Union sentiments, was the -result. Huffman said it had been two weeks since his house had been -searched, and he was in hourly expectation of the guards. As Huffman -was engaged in shelling corn, we asked of him the privilege of shelling -a few ears to carry with us to eat on the morrow. This favor was -readily granted, and some three or four dozens of Irish potatoes were -also furnished us. - -Near eleven o'clock on that night of March 4th we were ready to set -out again on our travels. Huffman gave us directions how to get across -Craig's Creek, and how to avoid a certain house, which he described, -where a Rebel family lived, and where the home guards sometimes -stopped, when out on their semi-monthly rounds. After bidding Huffman -and his wife good-night, we left them, and followed, as well as we -could, the directions we had received. It had become very dark and -cloudy, and before we reached Craig's Creek it began raining, and we -found it impossible to follow the directions Huffman had given us. But -we pushed on in the darkness, and in the course of an hour we reached -the stream. We found we were considerably off the track, having missed -the crossing Huffman had described. We spent half an hour or more in -wandering up and down the creek, looking carefully for the crossing, -but failed to find it. We spent another half hour in procuring a stout -staff, or stick, apiece, to be used in the stream while wading it. -Having supplied ourselves, we plunged into the waters of the creek, -steadying ourselves against the swift current with our sticks as best -we could. - -It was very dark, and the rain continued falling. To add to the -difficulty of crossing, we found that the bed or bottom of the creek -was very treacherous, being full of rocks and holes. We found the water -very cold, and the current strong and swift. We stumbled often, and -came near falling into the water, but finally got safely across, with a -thorough and cold wetting. All our clothing was wet, and dripping with -water, as we stood upon the bank. We took off our blouses and wrung the -water from them. After re-arranging our things, we set out again in a -northern direction, following up the valley. We found it necessary to -walk briskly before morning, in order to excite warmth of body to dry -our clothing. As we had not crossed the creek at the point where we had -expected to do so, we had avoided the house which was the rendezvous -of the Rebel guards. A road was soon reached, on which we walked with -much energy, and the clothing next our bodies soon became dry of the -dampening effects of the plunging and stumbling in Craig's Creek. -Daylight having broke upon us, we began looking for a hiding-place. -Owing to the ill luck attending our first day's travel, we were induced -to fall back on the old plan of lying by in day-time. As there were -home guards in the country, we thought we should feel safer in trusting -ourselves to the friendly shelter of the woods during the day. - -Day-break found us on the road where it passed between two high ridges -of mountains. There was no alternative but to hide far up in the side -of the ridge east of the road. We began the ascent of the ridge, and -were not long in gaining its summit; and on its eastern slope we halted -for the day, among the huge rocks. In a short time we cleared a space -sufficiently large for our bed. Our bedding was a little damp; but as -we had lost much sleep in the last twenty hours, that circumstance did -not hinder us from sleeping soundly. We slept until late in the day, -when we made a fire preparatory to parching corn and roasting potatoes. -We eat as much as we wished of the potatoes and corn, and finding we -did not much relish such fare, since the excellent though late supper -at Huffman's the night before, we determined to have something better -to eat the next day, if possible. We resolved that the first house -we came to, after setting out, should be the scene of an attempt, at -least, to get some provisions. The time of starting having arrived, -and all being in readiness, we crossed the summit of the ridge and -descended to the road in the valley. We walked leisurely along the -road, not wishing to reach the first house too early in the night. Near -nine o'clock we came to a house on our left, a short distance from us. -We heard music as we halted, and questioned the propriety of entering -the house; but finally concluded not to forego our resolution to try -our hand at procuring supplies. We crossed the rail-fence a few steps -from the house, and went to the door. We opened the door, entered the -house, and took seats without waiting to be asked to do so. Four or -five children were seated before the fire. The oldest, a boy about -fifteen years old, had been playing the violin. As we entered the house -the mother of the children stepped out the back door, but did not close -it entirely. The mother held the door slightly open, and listened to -what we had to say to the children. On finding we talked kindly, she -came into the room, and then we made known the object of our call at -such a time. The woman represented herself as being very poor, with -a sick husband and five children to provide for. She pointed to the -bed in the corner in which her husband lay. On looking, we saw the -unfortunate man, and conversed with him. We learned he had lost his -health while serving in the Confederate army under Buckner. On account -of disability, he had been discharged from service, and allowed to -return to his family. He now belonged to a home guard company. In the -course of the conversation, the sick man claimed he was really a Union -man, but had been obliged to yield to the pressure of public opinion, -and had been conscripted into the army. He now belonged to the home -guards, to keep from being again sent to the front. He said he would -gladly give us something to eat, but as it was beyond his ability to do -so, he could only direct us to a man who could provide for us. After -giving us particular directions how we should find the home of William -Paxton, he said no more. We bade the sick man and family "good-night," -and left the house. Before we had reached the fence, one of the -children opening the door called out to us to wait a minute. We waited, -and the boy brought us one corn-dodger. Taking it, we expressed our -thanks, and went on our way. - -On getting some distance from the house, we debated as to the propriety -of seeking Paxton's aid. We feared Paxton was a Rebel. It seemed -strange that a late follower of Buckner, and a Confederate home guard, -should give directions to escaping Federals; but as he had given us -bread from his limited supply and had told us just how to avoid and get -around a certain house where Confederate guards often met, we concluded -to follow his directions, if possible, and if we found things as -represented, we would go to Paxton's. - -It was seven miles to Paxton's house, which was situated on the road as -it passed over a mountain. After going some four miles on the road, we -came to the house where the Rebels congregated. It was near the road, -and lights shone from all the windows. We passed some distance south of -it, but near enough to hear the noise of revelry. At a point nearly -two miles west of this house, we should have gone on the mountain; -but owing to the indistinctness of the road, and the darkness of the -night, we missed our way. When we found we were off the right track, -we retraced our steps for over a mile. As it was near morning we began -a careful search for the point where the mountain road led off to the -left from the other, and found it just at day-break. We could now do -nothing but look out for a hiding-place for the day, Sunday, March 6th. - -According to the account of the sick man, we were hid but little more -than a mile from Paxton's abode. Our retreat for the day was close to -a spring, where we could wash and get water to drink. In the evening, -fearing ramblers would come to the spring, we moved further from it. -Having eaten our corn-dodger the preceding night, we were obliged to -resort for subsistence to the remnant of roasted potatoes and corn left -over from yesterday's fare. The day seemed long, but it wore away, and -we took up our line of march, near nine o'clock, P. M., for Paxton's -house. In less than two hour's time we came to a house answering the -description we had received. We passed through the gate in front and -approached the door. We rapped gently, and were invited by an old -man to come in. As we were being seated, one of our party asked the -old man if his name was Paxton. He answered that it was; and wished -to know how and where we had learned his name. We told him, and he -seemed much surprised, as our informant had been considered by him as -a disunionist. All had retired to sleep at Paxton's excepting himself. -We told him we wished something to eat, and he immediately called his -two daughters to get our supper for us. Paxton knew we were Federals, -and made no attempt to conceal his Union sentiments. While waiting -for supper, we conversed on war topics, on prison life, and our trip -since leaving prison. When supper was announced, we sat down to a -table bountifully supplied with food. While we were eating, an old man -stopped at Paxton's, who had been out from Fincastle, where he lived, -to take a woman to her home in the country. This new-comer did not seem -to notice us until we had finished supper and taken seats before the -fire. As I was sitting next him, he took hold of my pants at the knee, -and inquired rather roughly, "Where do you belong?" Not knowing what -answer to make, under the circumstances, to such a question, I merely -turned my head, and glanced at my three comrades, who in turn looked -immediately to the old man Paxton, who very quickly spoke up saying, -"They belong to the 22d, which you know is stationed at the bridge." -Paxton immediately added, "They have been home on furlough, their time -is up, and they are now on their way to the bridge." The old Fincastle -man seemed satisfied with Paxton's explanation. One of our party soon -after observed, as he was rising from his seat, "Well, boys, we must -be off now; we must put in an appearance at the bridge as soon as -possible." We then gathered our things and went out of the house. As we -passed out, Paxton was seating the Fincastle man at the supper table. -That done, he opened the door, and said to us, "Boys, you'll find it -cold traveling over the mountain to-night." - -"Yes," said Wood, laughing, "but we'll only walk the faster and get to -the bridge sooner." - -Paxton then came out, closing the door behind him. He told us the old -fellow at the supper table was a notorious Rebel. As Paxton wished to -get in the house as soon as possible, to attend to his Rebel guest, -thus keeping down suspicion, he told us where and how to find the house -of Robert Childs, who lived eleven miles from there. Childs, he said, -was a good Union man, and his wife was a true Union woman, who would be -glad to help us on our way. On getting over the mountain, and reaching -a point about seven miles from Paxton's, we were to turn to our right, -and go north four miles to another road, on which Childs lived. - -We then set out anew on the night's travel. In two hours' time we had -traveled, as we thought, about seven miles, and we called at a house -and inquired of a negro how far we were from the road leading north to -the mill. We were told it was half a mile east of there; and without -delay we hastened back on the road a short distance, and began looking -carefully for the turning off place. We soon found it, and also found -much difficulty ahead of us. The road, it seemed, was a new one, having -been cut but recently through a heavy wood. We made slow progress; -we stumbled often over stumps and rocks. The moon was shining, but -its light scarcely reached our pathway, as the dense woods closely -hedged it in. We trudged slowly on, and reached Childs's Mill before -day-break. The mill was near the point where the road we had been -following intersected another running east and west. Although it was -not yet day, we concluded to call on Childs at his house, tell him our -wants, and ask him to show us where we could stop for the day and be -safe. - -We halted opposite the house, and Sutherland went into the yard and -rapped at the door, but no answer came. He next attempted to raise -a window, but a woman's voice protested against it. Sutherland then -inquired if Childs was at home, and the woman answered that he was not. -The woman's tone of voice plainly indicated that she was considerably -frightened; so we determined to seek a hiding-place in the forest. -When we had found a suitable place, we made our bed and lay down on -it to sleep. Morning was faintly appearing when we lay down, and we -heard chickens crowing in the distance. In about two hours' time we -awoke, and found the sun shining brightly. We consulted briefly as to -what we should do, and determined that one of our party should go back -to Childs's house, to see if he had got home, and to get something to -eat, as we had brought nothing with us from Paxton's on account of the -presence of the Fincastle Rebel. Each of us was anxious to perform the -errand, and we drew cuts to see which of us should go upon it. It fell -to my lot, and I at once started. - -As it was early in the morning, I encountered no persons upon the road. -On reaching the house I rapped moderately at the door. Mrs. Childs -first looked at me through the window, and then admitted me. I first -told her I was one of those who had called at the house before day. I -then asked her if her husband had got home. She answered that he had -not. I asked when she expected him. She answered that he would be at -home by ten o'clock in the day. She then inquired what business we -were on, and what we wanted with her husband. I told her we had been -prisoners of war at Danville, and had been trying for over two weeks to -make our way through the Confederacy to the Federal forces. I told her -of our stopping at Paxton's, and of his directing us to Robert Childs. -At this Mrs. Childs seemed surprised, and remarked that Paxton would -better be in other business than giving aid to Federals. Mrs. Childs -talked very much like a Rebel, and though I could hardly understand the -situation, I felt no uneasiness. After further talking I asked her if -she could furnish us something to eat. She said she supposed she could, -but wasn't in the habit of feeding roving squads of soldiers. She then -asked me to sit up to the table and eat with her; but I declined, -telling her if she would allow me to carry a dishful to the woods, and -share it with my comrades, I would be thankful. Mrs. Childs and her -children eat their breakfast, while I sat by keeping up the talk with -her. Shortly after finishing her meal, Mrs. Childs gathered what she -had left on a large dish and gave it to me. I thanked her, and told -her there must be a mistake somewhere, as we had found things very -different from what Paxton had represented. - -"Paxton don't know every thing," said Mrs. Childs. - -"Time alone will settle the matter," said I. I told the woman where we -were hid, and asked her to send her husband to see us when he returned. -She answered that she would do so. - -"If you will," said I, "we shall have a friendly talk with him, do him -no harm, and send your dish back to you." - -I then returned to our retreat in the woods. On the way I felt, from -some cause, that Paxton was not mistaken in his opinion of Mrs. Childs, -and that some recent development had made necessary her avowal of -disunion sentiments. We found the provisions furnished by Mrs. Childs -very acceptable, whether she was a secessionist or not. After finishing -our meal we spent the time in conjecturing the cause of Mrs. Childs's -strange conduct, if she was really a Union woman. We became satisfied -that, for some reason yet to be explained, she had only pretended to be -a devotee of the Confederacy. - -Near noon Robert Childs came to us in the woods. He approached us with -extreme caution, and looked as if he would rather not see us. We talked -with him an hour or more. During the whole conversation he upheld the -Confederacy. He could not imagine how Paxton got the impression he was -a Union man or a disloyal citizen. We asked Childs if he should take -any steps to recapture us. He replied that he would do nothing either -to help or hinder us. To this we replied, that we could ask no more -from a "Secesh." He started home when we gave him the dish, and told -him we were grateful to his wife and to him for what we had received -from them. We urged Childs to call on us again before night. He said he -would if he had time, and then went homeward. - -Near four o'clock, P. M., he came out again to see us, and remained -with us until near sunset. The tenor of his conversation was the same -as in the morning. He had no word of encouragement to give us, and, of -course, offered us no assistance. It was growing late, and we began -getting ready to travel. We continued talking with Childs, however, and -Smith said to him, - -"I suppose you haven't reported us, have you?" - -"I've seen nobody to report to," he answered. - -"Hasn't any one been to mill?" inquired Smith. - -"O, one or two," answered Childs, "but they were in a hurry, and didn't -stay long?" - -"You didn't say any thing about us, then?" asked Wood. - -"I didn't say a word about you to any body," said Childs. - -Sutherland then said, "I'll be switched if I don't believe he is a -Union man after all." - -Childs manifesting some uneasiness, then said in an emphatic manner, -"Don't fool yourselves about that, boys." - -Sutherland then asked, "Did you ever see or hear of any Yankee -prisoners escaping through here before?" - -Childs said he had heard of a squad passing through about six weeks -before. - -"How many were there in the squad?" Smith inquired. - -"Only two, I believe," was the reply. - -"I'll bet," said Smith, "they were Davis and Tige; they left the -hospital about two months ago." - -Childs seemed to evince unusual interest in this remark of Smith's. -Sutherland then said, "I wonder where Davis and Tige are by this time?" - -"O, they've got through before now," I replied. - -"Unless they've been caught and sent back," added Sutherland. - -Childs then inquired rather anxiously who Davis and Tige were. We -told him who they were, where we had known them, and described them -particularly. Davis had been steward at the hospital near Danville, and -Tige had been a nurse. Childs then recanted his secession doctrines, -and confessed he was a Union man, and had harbored Davis and Tige for -three or four days. He also explained in full the reasons for his -conduct toward us in pretending to be a Rebel. - -It seems the Confederate commander in that district--General Echols, -I think it was--had adopted a plan of ascertaining who were aiding -Federal prisoners in their efforts to escape. He had dressed small -squads of his men in tattered Federal uniforms, armed them with weapons -concealed about their persons, and had sent them over the country to -such persons as were suspected of Unionism; to whom they would apply -for food and other assistance in making their way to the Union lines. -These squads were called "bogus Yankees" by the Union people, who -learned to keep continually on the guard against falling victims to -their deceptive practices. Many true Union citizens of the South were -made prisoners by the "bogus Yankees," taken from their homes, and -imprisoned at Richmond, Atlanta, and other points, for many months. - -Childs thought we were "bogus," and was glad enough to help us when -he found the contrary was true. Paxton had not yet learned of the -"bogus Yankees," and Childs had only been put on his guard a day or two -before by hearing of the arrest and carrying off in irons of one of his -Union friends, who had the misfortune to fall into the hands of the -impostors. Childs said he would take it upon himself to go and see his -friend Paxton, and warn him of the danger of playing into false hands. -Robert Childs, in treating us as he had, only thought he was evading -arrest and a hopeless imprisonment. He first assured himself of our -genuineness; then, knowing our actual need of assistance, he did not -withhold it. It was purely accidental--perhaps Providential--that our -real character became known to Childs. The allusion to Davis and Tige -was the merest accident in the world, but proved sufficiently powerful -to dispel the mystery we had been unable to solve. - -The day, March 7th, was drawing to its close. It was time for us to -resume our secret march. Before we set out Childs went to his house -and brought us enough provisions for one meal, which was all that we -required, as he then gave us particular directions as to how we should -find the house of David Hepler, another good Union man, only eight -miles away. We then parted with Childs, who had so recently proved our -friend, in a better mood than we had anticipated an hour before. We -were sorry we could remain no longer with him after he had found us -also true, and of the number in whom he could confide. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - "HAD NO HORNS LATELY"--WE REACH HEPLER'S--HE IS ON HIS GUARD--WE KNOW - HOW TO TAKE HIM--SUPPER AND LODGING--ADIEU TO HEPLER--WE GO TO LEWIS'S - HOUSE--LEWIS NOT AT HOME--TROUBLE AT LEWIS'S HOUSE--ITS OCCUPANTS - PROPOSE MAKING US PRISONERS--WE PROPOSE DIFFERENTLY--NEITHER PARTY - ACTS--ONE-SIDED MISUNDERSTANDING--AN UNDERSTANDING NOT ATTAINABLE--WE - RETURN TO HEPLER--HE DREADS TO SEE US--HE IS SOON ALL RIGHT AGAIN--HE - ASCERTAINS LEWIS'S FATE--IS UNABLE TO SECURE US A GUIDE--WE ARE - PRONOUNCED "SPURIOUS"--FINAL ADIEU TO HEPLER--WE RETURN TO LEWIS'S - HOUSE--GET PROVISION THERE AND SOMETHING MORE--FURTHER TRAVELS--OUR - MATCHES LOST--WE REACH GREENBRIER RIVER--COME UNEXPECTEDLY TO TWO - WOMEN--THEY SEND US TO MRS. MANN'S--WE BEST OURSELVES--VOLUNTEER GUIDE. - - -It was near sunset when we separated from Childs. Just before dark we -felt uncertain as to whether we had not got off the route to Hepler's. -As there was a house a short distance to our left, we concluded to -inquire the way, as we preferred risking a little to getting bewildered -in the darkness. We found one young woman and two older ones at the -house. On seeing us they seemed badly scared, and were about to forsake -their dwelling as we entered it, leaving us in full possession. After -some entreaty on our part, the young woman came in cautiously and -deferentially, and was followed by the older ones. Our inquiries were -principally addressed to the young woman, the older ones standing near -gazing in mute astonishment. In the course of the talk we had occasion -to acknowledge that we were Yankees, when one of the old women blurted -out, "I'd say! I thought they had horns." - -"We do have, sometimes," said Wood, "but not lately." - -On gaining the information desired, we resumed our journey. By eight -o'clock we had traversed the rough, broken country lying between -Childs's and Hepler's house. We found Hepler on the look out for false -Unionists; but as Childs had told us Davis and Tige had been befriended -by him--Hepler--we found no difficulty in proving our genuineness to -him. Near nine o'clock we took supper at Hepler's table, and after -a two hours' talk, we were comfortably lodged in his house. After -breakfasting the next morning, having got ready to set forth again on -our journey, we bade Hepler's family adieu, and he conducted us to -the top of a lofty range of mountains, at the base of which his house -stood. Having reached the highest elevation in the mountain, Hepler -pointed out to us another range upon which the home of William Lewis -was situated. The exact locality of Lewis's house was pointed out, -although we could scarcely see it, and were eight and a half miles -distant. Hepler told us we could go to Lewis's in day-time without much -risk, but it would be impossible for strangers to go over the route -by night. He also informed us that it was probable we could get Lewis -to guide us a portion of, if not all, the way to the Federal lines. -On hearing some further instructions to enable us to find our way -more easily, we bade our friend adieu, and left him. It was fully ten -o'clock in the day when we set out on our journey to Lewis's house. -We crossed two ridges, as many valleys, and many small rivulets of -the mountains before reaching our objective point. On commencing the -ascent of a third ridge, we found a path of which Hepler had spoken. -We then knew we were on the ridge upon which we would find the house of -a friend. We took the path as a guide, and followed its devious course. -When little more than half-way up the mountain side we met two men and -a woman and child. The men were on foot. The woman, with her child -in her arms, was on horseback. The largest man was carefully leading -the horse down the mountain path. No word was spoken at this meeting, -each party maintaining silence and casting suspicious glances at the -other. Soon after we gained the top of the ridge, and came in sight -of Lewis's house, situated in a bowl-shaped depression in the top of -the mountain. We did not wish to go to the house while it was yet day, -for fear of finding some Secessionist there, and thus placing Lewis as -well as ourselves in an embarrassing situation. We went aside from the -path nearly two hundred yards, and hid in the brush. We found we had -stopped in a place from which we could watch the house. Our position -also commanded a view of the path we had just left, and of persons that -might pass upon it. - -It was near four o'clock, P. M., when we halted. We kept our eyes at -intervals on the house and its immediate surroundings, but saw no -person during the evening. One dog, a calf, and a few chickens, were -the only living objects visible. The doors of the house were closed, -and we concluded Lewis and his family had gone from home; but as smoke -was issuing from the chimney, we hoped they would return by dark. We -feared the man we had met leading the horse was Lewis with his family, -going with a friend to make a visit. If so, we should be delayed, we -thought, in our journey, and be compelled to push on without seeing -him. We decided to wait until dark in our hiding-place, and see if -Lewis would return. Just after sunset the man we had met on the -mountain, leading the horse, went along the path to Lewis's premises. -He was leading a horse, and was accompanied by two other men, each -leading horses. They first put their horses in the stable and fed -them. They then chopped some wood at the wood-pile and carried it to -the house. Darkness came on, and we saw sparks flying from the chimney -top. Feelings of joyous gratitude heaved our bosoms as we felt certain -we should soon meet Lewis and enjoy the company and consolations -of a native thorough-bred Union man. We were destined to meet with -disappointment, however, and to experience difficulties from which a -mere allusion to Davis and Tige would not relieve us. - -In less than an hour after dark we left our position in the thicket and -went to the house. We knocked three times before we were told to come -in. With a show of reluctance on the part of the three men, we were -furnished seats near the fire. Wood, addressing the largest of the men, -asked, "Your name is Lewis, I suppose?" - -"No, but Lewis is a brother-in-law of mine," was the answer. - -"Well, this is Lewis's house, is it?" Wood asked. "We were told it was." - -"Where is Lewis?" inquired Sutherland. - -"I don't know," said the man, "he hasn't been at home for several days." - -"What's your name?" continued Sutherland. - -"My name is Hepler." - -"Are you akin to David Hepler?" Sutherland asked. - -"Yes, David Hepler is my father," replied the man, at the same time -turning very pale. - -Judging Hepler was fearful some great calamity had befallen his father -through the agency of "bogus Yankees," I said, "You think we are -Rebels," and Smith immediately added, "We have not harmed a hair of -your father's head." - -We assured Hepler we were real Union soldiers, honestly endeavoring to -make our way from prison to our lines. - -"I don't know so well about that," said Hepler, "but as for myself, I -belong to the Confederate army." - -We then told him we knew he belonged to the Confederate army, and knew, -too, that he was a Union man, having been informed of those facts -by his father. David Hepler had told us how his son, in the earlier -months of the war, had hid himself among the rocks and caverns of the -mountains for more than eighteen months, and how at last he was caught -by the Rebels and conscripted into the army. - -We spent some time, two hours at least, in trying to convince young -Hepler we were not "bogus," but all in vain. He said he knew what he -was, and supposed we knew what we were, and was going to have nothing -to do with Federal prisoners, unless it would be to catch them and take -them to Jim Crow's. As he spoke thus he directed our attention to a -stack of guns in the corner. - -"There's as many of us as there is of you," suggested Wood, "when it -comes to that." - -"Jim Crow's" was a small town a few miles distant, as we afterward -learned. - -We became satisfied that our efforts to procure assistance, or -derive information from young Hepler and his associates would prove -unavailing, as they refused to answer our questions as to the roads, -the streams, or the nature of the country west and north of us, and -refused us the shelter of the house until morning. We, however, -understood the situation perfectly, knowing that the only difficulty -with us was our inability to furnish satisfactory proof of our -genuineness as real "Yankees." Hepler having been absent in the -service, knew nothing of Davis and Tige, or of the aid his father had -rendered them, and our telling him of them was of no avail. We could -not establish our character as escaping Federals to the satisfaction of -those who, we knew, would have been our friends could we have done so, -but were compelled to leave them under the impression we were really -soldiers of the Confederacy. - -Near eleven o'clock that night, March 8th, we left the house of -Lewis not a little discomfited. Where we had expected assistance and -encouragement we met only with disappointment and defeat. We felt our -defeat more keenly in consequence of the certainty we felt that Hepler -and his associates would have been quite willing, even anxious, to -aid us on our way had they been assured beyond a doubt as to our real -character. - -[Illustration: "TROUBLE AT LEWIS'S HOUSE."--PAGE 93.] - -After we had gone out of the house we halted at the fence, a few steps -from the door, and consulted briefly as to the course to pursue. Our -situation was critical in the extreme. We were in Alleghany county, in -the midst of the rugged and barren mountains, where the country was -thinly inhabited. We had no supplies with us, as we had left David -Hepler's expecting to get food at Lewis's. We soon determined to return -to David Hepler's, tell him of the situation at Lewis's house, and see -if he could give us other directions to follow. Smith suggested that -young Hepler might be willing to go with us to his father if we should -wait until morning. Smith called to him to come out, saying, "We wish -to talk with you." - -Hepler did not come out; but on being called the third time he came to -the door and said, "Kill me in the house if you want to; I sha'n't come -out there to be killed." - -We were trying to assure him that we would do him no harm when he -closed the door in our faces and barred it. We then started away from -the house, going about a mile east of it. Near the mountain top we -halted until daylight of March 9th. The sky was overcast with clouds, -threatening rain, when we stopped, and we felt very much disheartened. -Our hopes were exultant before going to Lewis's house. We expected -to get assistance there, and possibly a guide to conduct us on our -way; but all had failed. We felt we had been turned empty away from -the house of a friend, and Nature it seemed was about to frown on -us. We came near regretting the start we had made from prison. One -consolation, however, was left us; if there was any change in our -prospects it would be for the better. - -We made preparations for sleep, but there was little sleep for us that -night. Before day rain commenced falling, and we were obliged to fold -our blankets, to keep them as dry as possible. We leaned against trees, -and so disposed our coats over our shoulders as to shed most of the -rain off until daylight. As soon as we could see our way plainly we set -out on our return to David Hepler's. We had a very disagreeable time -in walking over the mountains in a drenching rain shower. We reached -Hepler's just at twelve o'clock. We found him at home. He was very -much surprised, even astonished, at seeing us again. He even dreaded -to see us, as he at once concluded his time had come to surrender -himself a prisoner into the hands of sham Yankees, his country's worst -enemies. We soon explained to him the reason for our return, telling -him all that had transpired since separating from him the morning -before. He immediately conjectured that Lewis had fallen a victim to -"bogus Yankees," and said he would go to-morrow to see his son, with -whom we had met at Lewis's house, and ascertain what had become of him. -After taking dinner with Hepler's family we went some distance up the -mountain-side and hid ourselves among the rocks. The rain continued; -but we could not shelter under Hepler's roof, as it would not do, -either for Hepler or ourselves, to be found there by Rebel citizens. -Near night our suppers were brought to us by Hepler. Soon after dark -we took refuge from the storm in a small log hut near the road, which -passed through Hepler's premises. Early in the morning of March 10th -we breakfasted at Hepler's table, and soon after hid for the day among -the rocks of the mountains. At noon our dinner was brought to us by -Hepler's wife and daughter. - -At night Hepler brought our suppers out, and reported the information -he had received from his son concerning Lewis. As had been conjectured, -a squad of Confederates had called at Lewis's house, and solicited his -services as a guide to conduct them to the Union lines. As they were -dressed in blue, and represented themselves as Federal prisoners trying -to escape, Lewis consented to conduct them as far as Greenbrier River. -After the necessary preparations, he started with them from his house, -and, when only a few hundred yards away, these "bogus Yankees" suddenly -presented their revolvers and made him their prisoner. His captors -conducted him to White Sulphur Springs, and from that place he was -sent, in company with three or four others, under a strong guard, to -Richmond. - -David Hepler's son was a brother-in-law of Lewis. At the time we were -at Lewis's house, young Hepler and those with him had come there to -get the household goods belonging to the family, intending to carry -them over the mountain on horses the next morning. It was young Hepler, -with Lewis's wife and child, accompanied by another person, that we had -met on the mountain. Mrs. Lewis and her child, and the plunder, were -moved to her father's house, to remain during her husband's captivity, -or longer if he died. Had young Hepler known we were not "bogus," and -not trying to deceive him, we could have had all the provisions we -desired when at Lewis's house, and could have been sheltered there -until morning. But, unhappily, we had been unable to convince him of -our honesty of purpose, and as he was determined to avoid the calamity -which had befallen his brother-in-law, he felt obliged to deny us all -"aid and comfort." - -In the evening of March 10th the rain ceased and the weather became -cooler. On the morning of the 11th the mountains were covered with -snow. During the day the snow melted away, and the mountain streams -became swollen and almost impassable. While waiting for the waters to -subside, we mended our shoes and other clothing, and washed our shirts. -The pegs and other materials for cobbling were furnished by Hepler. We -parched a quantity of corn, to carry with us on going forth anew on our -journey. During our stay Hepler tried to procure a guide to conduct -us to the lines, but failed. One man whom he tried to enlist in our -behalf, although a good Union man, refused to have any thing to do with -us, alleging we would yet prove spurious. Hepler would have guided us -as far as the Greenbrier River, had not his aged parents, who were in a -feeble condition, been under his care. - -On the morning of March 12th we took leave of Hepler and his family. In -our most cheerless hour of adversity we had found with them a harboring -place. They befriended us when we were encompassed by enemies and -suspected by friends. During the days of rain and snow, and swollen -streams, we incurred a debt we can not easily repay. We are under -lasting obligations to them. Having been provided with sufficient food -to last us two days, we set out for the lines afresh. Hepler could send -us to no one who could direct us on our way, and we went westward until -we came to Lewis's house. We reached it before three o'clock in the -evening. We watched in its vicinity for over an hour, and saw no one; -not even the dog, the calf, or smoke curling from the chimney, could -be seen as when we had watched it before. We went to it, and finding -the doors securely fastened, we judged there was something inside -worth looking after. We thought we might get a supply of provisions -that would partially compensate us for the disappointment of our first -visit to the house. We entered it through the window, and levied on -all we could find that would do to eat. A small sack nearly full of -meal, a cup of salt, a part of a ham of meat and a ham of venison, were -obtained as the fruits of our seizure. We got out of the house with our -commissary stores, taking an iron pot with us, and went west about a -mile into a gorge through which ran a small stream of water. Here we -halted, built a fire, and made mush by the quantity. After eating to -our satisfaction, we had enough left for breakfast the next morning. By -ten o'clock that night we had made our arrangements for a comfortable -sleep. We rested well. - -With the first dawning of morning light on the 13th, Wood and -Sutherland returned to Lewis's house and got four case-knives, one for -each of our party, a file, and a tin cup. The file we thought would be -of use in loosening canoes or in opening smoke-houses as a last resort -in procuring food. We completed our preparations for the day's travel, -and were on our way shortly after sunrise. The country traversed was -very rough and mountainous, being little more than a barren waste. It -would have been impossible for us to have made our way over it in the -night-time. We saw no person during the day. When following high ridges -we occasionally saw huts and houses in the valley on either side below -us. Sometimes we could see smoke when the house or chimney from which -it came was concealed. Just after sunset we halted in a depression of -the ridge we had been following, prepared our suppers, and made ready -for the night's rest. As near as we could estimate, we had traveled -during the day about fourteen miles in a north-west course. The night -was passed in quiet sleep. - -On the morning of the 14th we awoke before day. On getting up we -rebuilt our fire, and hastily prepared our breakfast. Soon after we -were equipped for our day's journey. We were in excellent spirits. We -could but contrast our feelings with those we had experienced in the -early morning, after our signal disappointment at Lewis's house. Then -we were discouraged and baffled, now we were cheerful and hopeful. The -sky was clear, the air was pure and bracing, and we made good progress. -We traveled quite fifteen miles in a direction a little north of west, -over the ridges, valleys, and streams of the mountain districts. At -night we halted in the valley, where water was convenient. After making -a fire, we spent an hour or more in preparing and eating our suppers. -Our sleep during the night was refreshing. - -Before sunrise on the 15th we had finished our breakfast. Our -provisions were not yet exhausted, and there was no need of running -any risks in replenishing our stock. We traveled only about six -miles before discovering that the country became more open and more -thickly settled. It was prudent for us to go no further in day-time. -We accordingly looked about for a safe retreat for the residue of the -day. After finding a place in the woods in which we thought we could -trust ourselves, we devoted the greater part of the day to sleep, as -we expected to travel at night. Just at dark we were ready to move. -The first thing necessary on setting out was to find a road on which -to travel. Our journeyings of the past three days had been off the -roads, across mountains and valleys, in a rough, broken country, almost -inaccessible to travelers except on foot or on horseback. We found much -difficulty in finding a road that would lead us aright. We kept on the -move, however, taking care that our steps should be toward the goal we -wished to gain. - -A little after midnight we halted, as the sky became cloudy, and we -could not see our way plainly before us. We went some distance north -of the last road we had been following, and made our bed in the woods. -Very soon after lying down we fell asleep. On waking up on the morning -of the 16th, we found the ground covered with snow. Getting up we -found the air very cool. We set about collecting suitable material -for building a fire, but on searching for our matches we found we had -lost them. As it was too cool for comfort without briskly exercising -ourselves, we determined to set out in a northern direction. - -After getting our things in readiness we started through the woods. We -had proceeded but little more than a mile before we reached an open -space. In crossing it we noticed not far to our left, just beyond the -crest of a hill, a small log cabin. Smoke was issuing from the mud and -stick chimney and curling gently upward. After a moment's deliberation -we concluded we should hazard little in visiting the tenants of this -humble abode and warming at their fire. We did so, and found the two -women and one boy whom we found there to be friendly and disposed to -make us comfortable. While waiting half an hour for a warm breakfast -we learned we were in Greenbrier county, and within three miles of the -Greenbrier River. Having ascertained that the folks were Unionists, we -questioned them concerning the people in the surrounding country. We -learned that the Rebel element held sway and that the few Union people -were obliged to keep their sentiments to themselves. - -Breakfast over, we set out again on our travels. Before leaving the -cabin we discovered that snow had commenced falling. We had not gone -far until the large flakes almost blinded us as they fell. We felt -certain no one would be out on such a wintery day, and we thought we -should incur but little risk in pushing forward to the river. Near ten -o'clock we reached it, and began looking up and down the bank for a -canoe in which to cross. After the snow had almost ceased falling, we -were passing through a sugar-camp and came suddenly to two women, who -were turning the troughs over. As they had seen us plainly, we being -within a few yards of them when we first noticed them, we did not try -to avoid them. We approached nearer the women, and one of our party -made some observation on the state of the weather, and Sutherland -added, "It's a bad day to be out." One of the women, smiling, answered, -"I'll guess you are out a good piece from home." - -On being questioned further, we told the women who we were, where we -were from, and the point we were aiming to reach. They told us their -"men folks" were in the Kanawha Valley, which was within the Union -lines. We were not long in assuring ourselves that the women, as well -as their "men folks," were strong Unionists. We were invited to the -house. We accepted the invitation, and were soon seated before the -fire, where we remained for a few minutes. Just before noon the women -told us they were poor and unable to furnish us a meal, but Mrs. Mann, -who lived about a mile back from the river, was not only able, but -willing to keep us over until the following night, if we wished to stop -so long as that. The eldest woman had already gone to Mrs. Mann's to -see if any Secessionists were there. She soon returned, accompanied by -two of Mrs. Mann's little boys, who were to conduct us by an obscure -way to their mother's house. As no one was at Mrs. Mann's, we started -immediately to her house, her boys leading the way. These boys were -quite young--aged about nine and eleven years--but seemed to understand -perfectly the necessity of our keeping out of sight of the Rebels. - -We arrived at the house of Mrs. Mann by one o'clock. A little after two -o'clock we took dinner. The dinner reminded us of the days gone by, and -made us think we were almost home again. After dinner we conversed at -length with Mrs. Mann and her family, treating mainly of the war as it -affected the Union people of the South. Mrs. Mann had been despoiled -of much property during the war by Confederates; and soon after the -breaking out of hostilities her husband had been arrested because he -would not forsake his Union principles. He had been imprisoned at -Richmond, where, after lingering a few months, he died. - -In the evening a man was seen approaching the house. When he was near -enough to be recognized it was ascertained that he was a Rebel, and we -were sent upstairs forthwith, to remain there until he should leave. We -were detained nearly an hour upstairs, when the "Secesh" having taken -leave, we were permitted to come down, and were interrupted no more -that evening. - -A little after dark we had supper. Soon after supper we began our -preparations for setting forth on our way, but Mrs. Mann urged us -to stop until the following night. As we were considerably worn and -fatigued, we decided, after a short consultation, to do so. We passed -the night of March 16th in Mrs. Mann's haymow. We could not stop in the -house for the reason that a Rebel doctor from Frankfort was expected -there that night to see a sick child. On the morning of the 17th, -after the doctor had gone, we returned to the house for breakfast, and -remained there during the day. When any one was seen coming we went -upstairs, being very careful not to leave any caps behind to excite -inquiries. - -About four o'clock, P. M., a young man called at Mrs. Mann's, who -belonged to a Union family west of the river. He offered to conduct us, -after dark, to a man who would guide us some distance on our way, and -give us directions to follow which would lead us to Gauley River. We -eagerly accepted the offer. Our delay of twenty-four hours, it seemed, -was going to prove profitable. We had supper just at dark, and soon -after our preparations for the journey were complete. Our haversacks -were filled with food sufficient to last us two or three days. We -tendered our sincere thanks to Mrs. Mann and family for generous -treatment received, and bade them farewell. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - ARE GUIDED BY NIGHT TO ALDERMAN--ALDERMAN CONDUCTS US TWENTY MILES - NEXT DAY--GIVES US PLAIN DIRECTIONS--RETURNS HOME--WE FIND ALDERMAN'S - BROTHER-IN-LAW, WHO PUTS US ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GAULEY RIVER--WE - FOLLOW DOWN GAULEY RIVER--PASS THROUGH SUMMERVILLE--COME IN CONTACT - WITH AN IRISHMAN--RECEIVE ADVICE FROM HIM AND FOLLOW IT--WE REACH - THE PICKETS AT GAULEY BRIDGE--WE RECUPERATE AT CAMP REYNOLDS--GO TO - CINCINNATI, OHIO--GO HOME ON FURLOUGH. - - -Our volunteer guide mounted his horse and started to the ford, some -distance up the river, to cross it, while we were conducted to a point -below, where there was a canoe, by Mrs. Mann's two boys. On reaching -the river, and being told by the boys to fasten the canoe to the -opposite shore, we said "good-by" to them, and set about crossing. -In about twenty minutes, after running aground two or three times, -and being compelled to get out into the water to set the canoe afloat -again, we landed on the opposite bank. After securing the canoe, we -took our shoes and socks off, drained the water from our shoes and -wrung our socks dry. We then put on our socks and shoes, and laced the -latter securely, and hastened to join our guide at the point previously -agreed upon. We were soon on the way, our guide on horseback going some -distance in advance on the road. In little more than an hour we reached -the home of our guide. We waited close by for a few minutes while he -put his horse away. He then conducted us on foot to a point within a -mile of James Alderman's house, and then he returned homeward. - -Following instructions we had received, we soon reached the house of -the man whose services as a guide we expected to secure to conduct us -on our journey. As we approached it the dogs set up a furious barking. -Mrs. Alderman soon succeeded in quieting the dogs, and we entered the -house. On seeing no one but the woman, we asked where Alderman was. -The woman said he wasn't at home, and she didn't know exactly where he -had gone. We made known our object in calling at such a late hour in -the night, it being near midnight. Mrs. Alderman was evidently alarmed -at our coming. She wished to know how we learned that Alderman lived -there. We told her a young man named Gillilan had piloted us to the -foot of the ridge, and directed us how to find the house. We told her -further that the young man had informed us her husband would conduct us -a portion of the way to the Union lines. The woman's fear seemed to be -allayed on hearing this, and she stepped out the door and called her -husband. Mr. Alderman soon made his appearance, but acted as if he was -not sure we were there on an honest errand. When his dogs commenced -barking he had hurried out of bed, and gone to the woods to secrete -himself--as he had often done before--from the Confederate guards, who -were on the watch for him to impress him into the service. Our business -was soon made known to Alderman, and he consented to conduct us as far -on our way as we could travel by four o'clock the next day. - -It was after midnight when we made our bed on the floor of Alderman's -cabin, to rest until the light of the 18th dawned. By sunrise we had -breakfasted, and were on the way, Mr. Alderman going ahead of us -several steps. Alderman carried his flint-lock gun with him, saying he -"might shoot something before he got back." We suggested the risk in -traveling by daylight, but Alderman said he would take us over a route -where we would be seen by none but good Union people. By one o'clock -we reached a house where lived a family named Ramsey. We took dinner -with them. Shortly after two o'clock we set out again on the way. One -of the Ramseys gave us a letter to be left at a point twenty miles east -of Gauley Bridge, known as the Twenty-mile House. By four o'clock we -had reached the small stream called Cherry Run, where we halted under a -temporary shed which had been erected by hunters for shelter. We had no -matches, and Alderman struck fire with his knife from the flint of his -gun and kindled a fire for us. After receiving from Alderman particular -directions how to find his brother-in-law's house, on the north side of -Gauley River, he left us, saying he "must be at home by midnight." - -We had traveled twenty miles, and had stopped for the night in a dense -forest, several miles from any house. In all directions from our -hiding-place the ground was deeply marked by narrow paths made by deer -going back and forth for water. We made our supper on the supplies -brought from Mrs. Mann's. We were in a place where we would not be -likely to be seen, and we kept our fire burning until late in the -night. Being surrounded by dense and darkening woods, with nothing to -break the almost perfect stillness of the night but the murmurs of the -little brook near us, we felt very lonely, more so than we had felt -before on our travels. By ten o'clock we were soundly sleeping. - -We awoke at the break of day on the morning of March 19th. We -breakfasted early and were on the way by sunrise. We had only to follow -down Cherry Run to its mouth at Cranberry Creek, and then follow down -Cranberry Creek until we came to a road crossing it and running on its -west side to Gauley River. The ford on Cranberry Creek was reached -before three o'clock in the evening. We secreted ourselves in the -woods south of the road and east of the creek until after dark, when we -could travel the road in safety. The greater part of the evening was -passed in sleep. On waking we snatched a hasty meal, and made ready -for further travels. Soon after dark we were on the way. In due time -we were wading Cranberry Creek at the ford, having first taken off -our shoes and socks. We found the water very cool, and a little more -than ankle deep. As soon as we got on our socks and shoes we set out -on the road for Gauley River. The road led to a ferry on the Gauley, -near the mouth of Cranberry Creek. It lacked nearly two hours of -daylight when we reached the ferry. We went up Gauley River until we -came to Cranberry Creek. We then partially stripped ourselves and waded -Cranberry Creek to its east side. We found the water much deeper and -the current stronger than when we had crossed it early in the night. - -After dressing ourselves, we went on up the river nearly a mile -further, and halted in the woods to await the dawn of day. We had not -long to wait. As soon as we could see our way we started on up the -river. Soon we noticed a smoke over the river, rising through the -woods, and a few more steps brought us to a point from which a house -could be seen. We gave two or three loud hallooes, and a man came out -of the house and toward the river. A few moments more and he was in -his canoe and half across the stream. As he neared the shore on which -we stood we asked, "Are you a brother-in-law to Alderman?" He said he -was, and we exclaimed, "All's right," with feelings of exultation. We -were soon set across, and the sun was just rising when we sat down to -breakfast. - -After breakfast we went to the woods north of the house and hid away -for the day, March 20th. At noon we returned to the house for dinner. -Our host stood in the yard while we were eating, to notify us of the -approach of any one, so we might slip into the brush adjoining the yard -and hide. We were not molested, however, and after making arrangements -with our host--whose name we can not now recall--to furnish us at our -hiding-place enough food for two or three meals, we left the house. -Just at sunset, according to arrangement, we received supplies. Our -host informed us that his house was forty-eight miles east of Gauley -Bridge, and twelve miles from Summerville, the county seat of Nicholas -county. We were also told that the road leading from the ferry ran -down Gauley River, through Summerville, and by the Twenty Mile House, -to Gauley Bridge, where the nearest Union pickets were posted. Our -things having been put in readiness, we started out just at dark on -our travels. In a half hour's time we were upon the road, and making -reasonable progress in a western direction. - -A little after midnight we reached the suburbs of Summerville. No -lights were anywhere to be seen. Every thing was still. We stopped -and listened carefully for a few moments, when, hearing nothing, we -advanced briskly through the town on the main road. We kept a keen -lookout on either side of us as we passed through the place. The town -seemed fully half burnt down. On reaching its western borders we again -halted and listened, but all was quiet as before. We supposed the place -might be, at least, a harboring place for scouts. On starting we pushed -forward rapidly, traveling four miles, if not more, by day-break. -During the last hours of the night the weather was quite cold, and the -early morning was frosty. - -At daylight, on the morning of the 21st, the road was leading us -through an open country. Ahead of us, over a half mile distant, were -woods, through which the road passed. We intended halting for the -day as soon as we gained the shelter of the woods, and we pushed on -briskly. Just ahead of us, inside an inclosure and beyond a turn of -the road, were a few scattering trees. Among the trees were two or -three hay-stacks. After getting around the turn of the road, and just -as we were leaving the stacks in our rear, we discovered an aged man -pitching hay to his sheep. As he was staring at us, we accosted him -with, "How are you, old fellow?" The old gentleman was an Irishman, -and it was only with close attention we could understand what he said. -We luckily found him strong in his attachment to the Union, and too -old, as he said, to change his principles. He evinced much interest -in our welfare, and readily answered all our inquiries. He told us -it was only twenty-eight and a half miles to Gauley Bridge, and that -Captain Ramsey's Union Scouts were patrolling the country between that -place and Summerville on both sides of Gauley River. He assured us it -would be perfectly safe to travel the road that day provided we did -not stop short of the pickets at night. Rebel citizens would make no -attempt to capture us in day-time, we were told, but should they see us -hiding for the night they would most likely collect a party and take us -prisoners. We decided, after consulting briefly, to push on, at least -to the woods, now only a quarter of a mile distant. As we started the -old man said, "Go on to the bridge, boys, and you'll be safe; don't -stop outside the pickets." We did not suspect the old man of intending -to get us into trouble, and his last injunction fully established our -faith in his Unionism. - -On reaching the woods we stepped aside from the road to consider -further upon the propriety of going on. We dreaded to be retaken on the -eve of entering the lines, and we determined to avoid such a calamity, -if possible. We had twenty-eight miles to travel before our safety -would be assured. Since we had already traveled twenty miles without -rest or sleep, the question was, Can we reach the picket-post by dark? -Our resolution to push on, and reach the goal for which we had been so -long striving, was soon formed. We immediately started, and in little -more than a half hour's time we came to a house on our right. As it -was near the road we went to it and asked for breakfast, thinking we -needed something in addition to what we had to strengthen us in view of -the journey to be accomplished that day. We were denied breakfast at -first, and had started away from the house. As we were passing out the -gate one of our party observed, "That's a pretty way to treat prisoners -that's been half starved." The old lady overheard the remark and called -us back. She first assured herself we were escaping prisoners, and then -set before us what she had cooked. She apologized for refusing at first -to give us a breakfast, saying she thought we were some of the scouts -from Gauley Bridge, who too frequently applied for meals. We were -informed it was not uncommon to see "blue coats" passing, which caused -us to feel less uneasiness, as we thought we should not be molested on -our way. - -On finishing our breakfast we set out again, having only five miles -to travel before reaching the Twenty Mile House. We arrived at the -place by ten o'clock. We called at the principal house and left the -letter we had brought from Greenbrier county. The lady to whom it was -addressed happened to be in the house, and was exceedingly well pleased -to receive it. Many questions were asked us concerning the affairs -and people in Greenbrier county, but as our information was limited -we could answer but few of them. After learning the time of day and -receiving a biscuit apiece, we went on our way. We had eight hours or -more in which to travel twenty miles, and we pressed on with exultant -hopes. The soles of our shoes had worn considerably, and were too thin -to afford adequate protection to our feet in walking over a stony road. -As a consequence our feet became very sore. Smith once concluded he -would be obliged to stop, and more than once fell far behind. On coming -to a stream of water, Sutherland, Wood, and I, while waiting for Smith -to catch up, removed our shoes and socks from our feet and waded it. We -found the cold water improved our feet wonderfully. Smith soon came up -in any thing but a pleasant mood, and was much disheartened besides. -He thought we "must be in a hurry, keeping so far ahead all the time." -We answered we were in no hurry, and Wood added, "We had forgot a -cavalry-man couldn't stand marching." We told Smith to pull off his -shoes and socks and wade the stream. He complied, but his feet were so -very sore he occupied several minutes in crossing. - -[Illustration: "OUT OF THE WOODS."--PAGE 107.] - -On getting our shoes on we again pushed forward slowly. At the first -house we came to after fording the stream, we inquired the distance -to Gauley Bridge. "Five miles and a half," was the answer given us. -The sun was more than two hours high, but now the journey seemed -more doubtful and difficult of accomplishment than the journey of -twenty-seven miles had seemed in the morning. We pressed on, however, -and in the course of an hour we met a man of whom we asked, "How -far is it to the pickets?" "Nearly three miles," was the reply. -Our feet were sore, our limbs were weary, but our flagging spirits -revived, and we persistently urged ourselves onward. The sun had -almost run its daily course. The distance to be gone over, before our -twenty-four-hour's march was accomplished, was gradually growing less. -At length the picket-guard was reached, and our goal won; but the sun -had gone down and the stars were appearing. As the twilight was passing -into night we approached the sentinel in the road who came out to meet -and welcome us. Giving each of us a hearty shake of the hand, he said, -"I know where you are from; will you have some coffee?" We replied that -we could not object, and were assured there was plenty of it at the -Company quarters. - -Although we were nearly worn down, almost exhausted, in fact, from -the effects of twenty-four hours of constant wakefulness and travel, -we felt an indescribable but silent ecstasy of joy and thankfulness -for our deliverance from the rigorous and pinching destitution of -Confederate prisons. But in the height and fullness of our heart-felt -rapture, we did not forget Taylor and Trippe, the early companions of -our journey. We thought it possible they had perished, but hoped they -had been more fortunate than ourselves. Very soon after passing the -pickets we went, in company with two or three soldiers of Companies -I and H, 5th Virginia Infantry, to their quarters in the old town of -Gauley Bridge, where supper, consisting of bread, meat, and coffee, was -provided us. After supper we visited Captain Dixon, of Company I, 5th -Virginia, in his quarters, he having sent for us. - -Companies I and H, 5th Virginia, under command of Captain Dixon, were -stationed at Gauley Bridge as an outpost from Camp Reynolds, which was -below the falls of the Kanawha. We remained at the quarters of Captain -Dixon during the night of March 21st. We did not retire for sleep until -a late hour. From Dixon we first heard the particulars of the battle of -Mission Ridge, in which our Companies had participated. We told Dixon -of the number and condition of the prisoners about Danville, and of -the strength and disposition of the Rebel garrison there. - -On March 22d we went to Camp Reynolds, where we remained two days, -during which time we were furnished by the soldiers and their officers -with entire suits of clean clothing. In the evening of March 23d -each of us wrote a letter to our respective homes, to let the folks -know we were alive, and once more within the Union lines. Our feet -having recovered from their soreness, we went next day, in company -with three or four soldiers who were going home on veteran furlough, -to Charleston, Virginia. On the 25th we got aboard a steamer, the -"Victress No. 2," and went down the Kanawha to Gallipolis, Ohio, -arriving there on the day following. On the 28th, having stopped over -Sabbath in Gallipolis, we boarded the steamer "C. T. Dumont," and went -down the river to Cincinnati. At ten o'clock, A. M., March 29th, we -landed at Cincinnati, and immediately reported at Post Head-Quarters, -Colonel Swayne, 99th Ohio, commanding. - -After a brief talk with Colonel Swayne, and other officers at -Head-Quarters, we were told to go to the Soldiers' Home and get our -dinners, and then return. We started, and had got but a few steps from -Head-Quarters when the sentinel at the door called out to us to come -back, that the Colonel wished to speak to us. Sutherland, Smith, and I -waited on the street, while Wood went to see what the Colonel wanted. -Swayne asked Wood if he would like a furlough, and Wood answered he -would. The remainder of our party were called in from the street, and -asked the same question, to which we answered in the affirmative. -Furloughs were immediately filled out, signed by the Post commander, -and forwarded to Columbus, Ohio, to be approved by General Heintzleman, -the department commander. We went to the Soldiers' Home, got our -dinners, and by two o'clock reported again at Head-Quarters, where we -received orders to report at Lytle Barracks. Each of us was furnished -with a pass good for five days and nights, giving us the freedom of the -city. - -On reaching Lytle Barracks we gave Colonel Swayne's order to the -Captain commanding. The order required him to admit us to the barracks; -to issue us the full allowance of rations; to issue us clothing, if -we desired it; and allow us to pass in and out at all times of day and -night until nine o'clock, P. M. On the afternoon of the 29th we made -out partial descriptive lists, and drew new clothing, a full suit each, -the next morning. On the 30th, after washing and dressing ourselves, we -went out into the city. On the morning of the 31st our furloughs came -from Columbus, approved. With our furloughs we received transportation -papers. Early in the day, Wood took the train and was off for his home -in Western Pennsylvania. Wood, although a resident of Pennsylvania, -had enlisted in the 26th Ohio Volunteers. Later in the day, Smith and -Sutherland left together for their homes in Michigan. On being left -alone of our party, I went to H. H. Hills's drug store, and remained -there over night with a friend, from whom I learned for the first time -of the sad losses my Company had sustained in battle at Chickamauga. On -April 1st I took breakfast at the Indiana House, and very soon after -was aboard the cars and homeward bound. I arrived home in Georgetown, -Illinois, Sunday evening, April 3, 1864, and found my letter written -at Camp Reynolds, Virginia, had not been received. My visit was -unexpected, and the first intimation my father and folks had received -for many weeks that I was yet alive, was when I entered the old home. -The letter came the next morning, April 4th. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - CONCLUSION--STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCE--WE BRING GLAD TIDINGS--ARE - HOSPITABLY TREATED--THE END. - - -As a conclusion to the foregoing imperfect sketches, we will briefly -narrate an incident which happened after our arrival within the lines. -On March 23d, at Camp Reynolds, while we were writing letters home, a -soldier named Gasper came into the quarters where we were. As soon as -we were at leisure he asked, - -"Are you the boys that came in from prison two days ago?" - -One of our party answered we were. Gasper then said he had just been -writing a letter to an old friend in Cincinnati, whose son was supposed -to have been killed at Chickamauga, and hearing we had been captured in -that battle, he thought he would inquire if we knew any person among -the prisoners named Jack Phillips. - -"Jack Phillips," repeated Smith, "certainly, I know him." - -"Is it possible!" said Gasper. - -"He was in the same prison with me, and in the same mess," said Smith. - -"He lived in Cincinnati, did he, and belonged to Company ---- ----- Regiment, Ohio Volunteers?" asked Gasper. (I have forgotten the -Company and Regiment to which Phillips belonged.) - -"Yes, sir," said Smith, "we are talking of the same Jack Phillips." -Smith went on, and described Phillips as to size, height, appearance, -and general characteristics. - -"Same fellow," said Gasper, "but his captain reports seeing him fall in -battle." - -"No doubt of that," said Smith, "I have heard Jack tell how he was -stunned by a ball grazing his forehead, cutting the skin, and leaving a -small scar after healing." - -"The captain said Jack's forehead was bleeding when he saw him fall," -remarked Gasper. - -Gasper concluded Smith's former fellow-prisoner and messmate was the -son of John Phillips, of Cincinnati, to whom he was just writing, and -said he would finish his letter by giving the old man the information -Smith had furnished concerning his son. Gasper then left us, but -returned in the course of an hour, saying he had not yet mailed his -letter. He wished us to promise to call on Mr. Phillips if we passed -through Cincinnati. We told him we did not know that Cincinnati would -lie in our route, but should we get there, in our travels, we would -call on Mr. Phillips if he would give us some clew as to where we -might find him. Gasper did not know the street on which Mr. Phillips -did business, but thought it was somewhere near the Public Landing. He -had also forgotten the street on which Mr. Phillips's residence was -situated. We, however, promised Gasper to inquire for Mr. Phillips -if we visited Cincinnati, and if we happened to learn either his -residence or place of business, to call on him and corroborate the -statements made in the letter to him. On leaving us Gasper said he -would put in a postscript, telling Mr. Phillips of us, and of our -promise to inquire for him if we visited Cincinnati. Gasper was seen -no more by us, and we gave but little thought to the errand with which -he had charged us, as we had no idea what route we should take in -rejoining our commands. - -It was the 30th of March, after we had dressed ourselves anew, -when Smith came to me in Lytle Barracks, saying, "Where's Wood and -Sutherland?" - -"Gone to the city," I answered. - -Smith then said, "Suppose we go into the city, look around, and make a -few inquiries for the old man Phillips." - -"Agreed," said I; "there is one chance in a thousand that we may find -him." - -We then went into the city, passing up one street and down another. -Wherever sight or curiosity led us we went. We had wandered over the -city, or a great portion of it, going into many shops and stores, with -scarcely a thought of Phillips; but at length we came to a corner from -which the river and many steam-boats lying at the wharves could be -seen. Smith stood still until I came up, when he said, "Here is the -Public Landing." - -"It looks much like it," I replied. - -Smith then asked, "Didn't that man at Camp Reynolds say that Phillips -did business near the Public Landing?" - -"I believe he did," said I, after reflecting. "Suppose we go in here -and inquire for him." - -We stepped in at the first door. It was a confectioner's establishment, -and there were several men in the room. We looked into the show-cases -and at other objects of interest, when presently all left the room -except one elderly looking man and ourselves. Just as the old man was -filling the stove with coal I approached him and asked, "Is there a -person doing business anywhere in this part of the city named John -Phillips?" As the old man set his coal bucket down he said, "My name -is John Phillips." It was the first inquiry we had made and would -have been the last, as we were anxious to get back to the barracks for -dinner. After our surprise had subsided somewhat the old gentleman -wished to know what we wanted. We told him of our promise to a man at -Camp Reynolds, Virginia, and asked if he had received a letter from a -man by the name of Gasper. He answered that he had not. After telling -him we had been prisoners of war, and had come into the lines at Gauley -Bridge about a week before, Smith went on to tell him all he knew about -"Jack Phillips" as a prisoner at Danville, Virginia. - -On hearing Smith's account of Jack, the old gentleman, bursting into -tears, said he had long since given his son up as dead, and could -hardly hope or believe he was yet alive; at least he should not tell -the news to his family, for fear the man we spoke of might be another -of the same name. Smith thought there could be no mistake, as it would -not be likely to happen that two of the same name should enlist in the -same regiment from the same city. "Strange things sometimes happen in -this world," observed Mr. Phillips. The old gentleman wished us to -eat some cakes and pies and drink some wine, of which there seemed to -be an abundance in the room. We consented, as it was noon, and would -save us a walk to the barracks for dinner. Just as we had finished -eating, a man entered the room holding several letters in his hand, two -of which he handed to Mr. Phillips. On opening the first letter Mr. -Phillips found it to be the one Gasper had written at Camp Reynolds, -Virginia. The coincidence caused Mr. Phillips to conclude his son must -yet be alive, and he determined to acquaint his family with the news -he had received. The letter coming to hand, telling about us, while we -were present to answer for ourselves, and our addressing our first, -last, and only inquiry for Mr. Phillips to Mr. Phillips himself, in a -great city, where there were thousands of people, seemed strange, and -forbade the suspicion that our report was untrue. Mr. Phillips invited -us to call on him each day during our stay in the city. We called on -him the next day, March 31st, which was our last day in Cincinnati. I -have since learned--though indirectly--that "Jack" afterward died as a -prisoner, either at Danville, Virginia, or Andersonville, Georgia. - - - - -Historical Memoranda. - -COMPANY "C," 73D REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS. - -BY W. H. NEWLIN. - - -Enlistments in the company dated from July 12, 1862, to April 11, 1864. -One hundred and four names appear on the company roll. All members -who enlisted on or before July 23, 1862, were sworn in, the first -time, by John Newlin, J. P., in West's pasture, village of Georgetown, -Vermillion County, Ill. On the same day, July 23d, Patterson McNutt, -Mark D. Hawes, and Richard N. Davies, were elected captain, first and -second lieutenants respectively. - -July 24th, company transported in wagons from Georgetown to the "Y," a -point on the T. W. & W. R. R., near the site of Tilton. Taking the cars -at the "Y," company reached Camp Butler early next morning. - -By August 1st company organization was completed, by appointment of -the following named as sergeants: Tilmon D. Kyger, first sergeant; Wm. -R. Lawrence, second sergeant; David A. Smith, third sergeant; Wm. H. -Newlin, fourth sergeant; Robert B. Drake, fifth sergeant; and by the -following named as corporals, in their order: David McDonald, John -W. Smith, Carey A. Savage, Wm. M. Sheets, Samuel W. Sigler, Wm. O. -Underwood, John V. Don Carlos, William Henderson. Pleasant B. Huffman, -fifer; William B. Cowan, drummer; and Amacy M. Hasty, teamster. - -Time, at Camp Butler, was spent in drilling, guarding prisoners, -and other duty. Some pay and an installment of bounty was received -by each member of the company. Twenty-five dollars bounty was paid -by Vermillion County to each married man and ten dollars to each -unmarried man. To hasten the muster in of regiment, Company C loaned -to Company E--also enlisted in Vermillion County--fourteen men, all -but three of whom were re-transferred to C. Regiment was mustered into -United States service August 21, 1862. - -August 24th, left camp Butler, going by rail via Danville, Ill., -Lafayette Junction, Indianapolis, and Seymour, Ind., to Louisville, Ky. -Went into quarters at Camp Jaquess--named for our colonel--south-west -of the city. At this camp some guard duty was done, without arms, other -than clubs and revolvers; all the clubs and nearly all the revolvers -being soon discarded. - -About August 30th regiment was supplied with muskets--Austrian or -Belgium pattern--and ammunition for same. Muskets were of the _kicking_ -kind. From July 24th company had been in receipt of government rations, -and was becoming inured to service in this respect. - -September 1st or 2d moved to Camp Yates, three or four miles south-east -of the city. Other regiments were at this camp, and a Division was -formed, the Seventy-third and One Hundreth Illinois, and Seventy-ninth -and Eighty-eighth Indiana Regiments making one brigade, commanded by -Colonel Kirk. Lieutenant Hawes and Sergeant Lawrence were detailed for -duty at Kirk's head-quarters, and a very _ludicrous_ mistake was made, -in _supposing_ there were two vacancies created. Accordingly there was -an advance along the line; Davies being promoted first lieutenant, -as was thought; Orderly Kyger to second lieutenant; D. A. Smith to -orderly, and Corporal John W. Smith to second sergeant, the latter -being promoted over the writer. The joke fell heaviest on Kyger, as he -incurred the expense of the purchase of sword, belt and straps. J. W. -Smith resumed his place as corporal, much to the gratification of the -writer, who did not like the idea of being "jumped." - -Before the middle of September an inspection was ordered, requiring the -command to march to Louisville, taking all luggage, accompanied also by -wagon-train. The number and variety of articles thrown out of knapsacks -and train was _amazing_ to the _old_ soldiers. This inspection was for -the purpose of reducing luggage and baggage to articles of necessity. -Directly after this the defeat of Union forces at Richmond, Ky., -occurred. A rapid advance of a day's march was made by the command -to assist in covering the retreat of those forces. Following this -defeat came the invasion by Kirby Smith's Confederate forces, menacing -Cincinnati and Covington. To meet this emergency the command was -ordered at once to the latter place, going via Jeffersonville and -Seymour, Ind., and Cincinnati, Ohio. The marching of the Seventy-third -in the streets of Cincinnati excited comment, and inquiry was made if -it was an old regiment. There was a fine engraving produced about this -time representing the regiment, marching in column, on to the pontoon -bridge. - -Fears of invasion subsiding, the command was ordered back to -Louisville, returning via Indianapolis. Buell's army having reached -Louisville, a general reorganization of all forces--old and new--took -place. The Forty-fourth and Seventy-third Illinois, and Second and -Fifteenth Missouri Regiments formed the Thirty-fifth Brigade, Eleventh -Division of reorganized army. - -Bragg's army, which had followed Buell's into Kentucky, was gathering -much strength and material in its march in the interior, and on October -1st the Union army was put in motion and started in pursuit. A dozen or -more members of the company were left sick at Louisville. Army caught -up with the enemy October 8th. Regiment was placed in and withdrawn -from an exposed position, just in the "nick of time," a position within -easy range of Confederate battery. Being withdrawn, as above, and -resuming position in main line, regiment was actively engaged in battle -of Perryville, nearly two hours, the casualties to Company C being as -follows: - - Josiah Cooper, wounded, Died Oct. 31, 1862. - Samuel Boen, wounded, - David W. Doop, wounded, Discharged Feb. 9, 1863. - John S. Long, wounded, Discharged Jan. 13, 1863, died. - Francis M. Stevens, wounded, Discharged Dec. 5, 1862. - Zimri Thornton, wounded, Died Oct. 30, 1862. - James E. Moore, wounded, Discharged March 17, 1863, lost foot. - John Murdock, Co. E, wounded, Died, Oct. 9, 1862. - -The last named enlisted in C, but had been one of the fourteen men -"loaned," as before mentioned. Several members of Company C, who had -been left at Louisville, came up Oct. 9th and 10th. - -Followed to Crab Orchard, marching from there, via Danville, Lebanon, -Bowling Green, and Mitchellsville, to Nashville, Tenn. At Bowling -Green, Rosecrans relieved Buell. Arrived at Nashville Nov. 7, 1862, -encamping first at Edgefield, then at Mill Creek. Nov. 20, 1862, Second -Lieutenant Richard N. Davies, resigned. Nov. 28th, First Lieutenant -Mark D. Hawes resigned. These resignations, the losses resulting from -the action at Perryville, the loss by death of the following named -members: Samuel W. Blackburn, John C. Sheets, Thomas Millholland, -Israel H. Morgan, John and Alex. Gerrard, and William Henderson; and -the following named discharged for disability: Thos. T. Ashmore, John -Trimble, and Wm. O. Underwood, discharged, Oct. 9, 1862, made a total -loss to company by Jan. 1, 1863, of eighteen men. Three of these, viz: -David W. Doop, John S. Long, and James E. Moore, were discharged after -Jan. 1st, on Feb. 9th, Jan. 13th, and March 17th, 1863, respectively. -Nov. 25, 1862, Kyger was mustered in as first lieutenant, and Dec. 6, -1862, Lawrence was mustered in as second lieutenant. - -Dec. 26, 1862, started on movement to Stone River. Regiment not -engaged until Dec. 31st, was then engaged fully one-third, and under -fire two-thirds of the day. Seventy-third was in Second Brigade, of -Sheridan's (Third) Division, Twentieth A. C., and associated with the -same regiments as before. The change in number of Brigade and Division -occurred when Rosecrans assumed command. At Stone River Company C -suffered casualties as follows: John Dye and James Yoho, killed; John -J. Halsted, wounded, discharged Feb. 23, 1863; three or four others -very slightly wounded, and Lieutenant Lawrence and Daniel Suycott, -captured. Lawrence and Suycott were exchanged in the following Spring, -returning to the Company in May. About Jan. 7, 1863, a detail from -company, Lieutenant Kyger in charge, sought the bodies of Dye and Yoho -and buried them. The writer saw both these men expire; they were near -together, and died at about the same time.[A] - -[A] NOTE.--The latter part of January, or early in February, the -company, in pursuance of general orders from Rosecrans, chose a man -whose name should be inscribed on a "roll of honor." Through some -unaccountable circumstance, or accident, or perhaps through compromise, -the choice fell on the writer hereof. Though conscious of having tried -to do my duty at Stone River, I knew this honor was undeserved; that -there were others more entitled to it. As the honor was bestowed by -comrades who had passed with me through the smoke and fire of that -eventful day I will cherish it to my dying hour as a precious legacy, -one that I would proudly transmit to my children if possible. Having -mentioned the foregoing, I must not fail to record another scrap of -history equally important in its outcome, as placing me under a weight -of obligation to the company. - -Some time in May, 1863, I was on picket duty as sergeant at outpost, -from which guards were sent out every two hours to relieve those on -the line. Guards at this outpost were expected to, and usually did, -turn out and present arms to the officer of the day, or other officer, -when he came around. On this particular day a cold, drizzling rain -was falling, and the officer wore a gum coat, concealing insignia -of office, or special duty. Four of the boys were pitching quoits -(horse-shoes), as a means of diversion, when the officer on horseback -was observed in the distance through woods. The quoit pitching ceased, -and the boys made ready to "take arms" and "fall in." But the horseman -either did not see, or pretended that he did not see the outpost, until -he got well past a point in our front, then quickly turning, dashed -upon us. As I was satisfied the officer was playing a "smart Aleck" -game, I had said to the boys, "never mind; pay no attention to him," -and only two or three turned out. Arriving at the outpost, reining his -steed, and bowing up his neck with a self-satisfied air, as though -he thought himself "autocrat of all the Russias," officer demanded, -"Where's the corporal or sergeant in charge?" I responded "Here." -Officer inquired my name, rank, and regiment. Noting the information -I gave him, officer rode away, without giving his name, or business, -as requested. The latter I learned next day on returning to camp. An -order from Sheridan had been received by the company commander to -"reduce Sergeant Wm. H. Newlin to the ranks; fill vacancy, etc." An -investigation was had; those who had been on duty with me the past -twenty-four hours and myself, were summoned, and all the facts were -stated. The general's order was complied with--that had to be done--and -an election was ordered to be held at nine o'clock next morning, to -fill vacancy thus created. The hour for election arrived, and as there -was no candidate against me I received a _unanimous_ vote, and was -elected--not appointed--to "fill vacancy." Division head-quarters was -notified, "Order complied with; Wm. H. Newlin reduced, and vacancy -filled." And that was the end of it, except that Lieutenant Kyger -cautioned all the boys not to say any thing about the matter in writing -home, adding, "What if news of that should get back to Georgetown?" -But I didn't care where the news went to, whether to Georgetown or -Damascus, so all the facts were given. - -Were in two different camps at Murfreesboro, first Bradley, then -Shafer--named for our brigade commander killed at Stone River. From -Jan. 1st to June 30th, 1863, inclusive, the company lost members as -follows, in addition to the three already noted, viz: - - John W. Smith, Discharged, Jan. 3, 1863, disability. - Carey A. Savage, Discharged, Feb. 6, 1863, disability. - John V. Don Carlos, Discharged, May 10, 1863, disability. - Enoch Braselton, Discharged, March 12, 1863, disability. - William Cook, Discharged, Jan. 28, 1863, disability. - Robert W. Cowan, Discharged, Feb. 9, 1863, disability. - Lawrence Dye, Discharged, Jan. 28, 1863, disability. - Benj. F. Edmonds, Discharged, Feb. 10, 1863, disability. - Wright Madden, Transferred to gun-boat service, April 16, 1863. - Jacob Martin, Died at Murfreesboro, Feb. 21, 1863. - William McEntyre, Died at Nashville, Jan. 15, 1863. - Thomas Elwood Madden, Discharged, Feb. 20, 1863, disability. - Joshua T. Nicholson, Died at Nashville, Jan. 18, 1863. - Christopher C. Shires, Discharged, May 28, 1863, disability. - John M. Thompson, Discharged, Feb. 20, 1863, disability. - James F. Williams, Discharged, March 26, 1863, disability. - George Miley, Died at Nashville, Feb. 3, 1863. - Robert B. Drake, Discharged, June 30, 1863, disability. - -In all, twenty-one men, making a total loss to July 1, 1863, of -thirty-nine men. - -Started June 23, 1863, on Chattanooga campaign. First injury to member -of Company was the wounding of Alex. C. Nicholson, at Fairfield. - -Followed on, passing Manchester and Estill Springs, wading Elk River, -and passing through Winchester to Cowan's Station. Halted at latter -place, July 3, 1863, hearing next day the news of Gettysburg and -Vicksburg. - -A few days later passed through Cumberland Tunnel, and on to Stevenson, -Alabama. At Stevenson there was a delay until Sept. 2d, when the -command pushed on to the Tennessee River, at Bridgeport, crossing on -the 3d, and going over Sand Mountain, and on down to Alpine, Georgia. -When company left Stevenson I remained, with others, in consequence of -chills, having had medicine prescribed for breaking same about August -30th. - -Captain Patterson McNutt resigned July 29, 1863, and First Lieutenant -Tilmon D. Kyger was mustered in as captain of company, Sept. 4th, -following.[B] - -[B] NOTE.--On morning, Sept. 3d, we followed company to Bridgeport, -arriving just as command was starting to cross the river. Being wearied -by the tramp, James T. Maudlin, Henderson Goodwin, William Martin, and -myself were again left in temporary hospital. Next morning, feeling -much refreshed, concluded to apply for passes to go on to company. We -were disappointed, myself in particular, as that date, Sept. 4, 1863, -marked the end of my twenty-first year. About noon, a long wagon train -began crossing the river, and while at dinner we conceived the idea -of getting across, under the guise of train guards. So, striking the -train at a little distance from the river, we distributed ourselves -at intervals, among the wagons, loading our luggage, except gun and -bayonet. The scheme worked; and on getting across, we repossessed -ourselves of our luggage, and passed ahead of the train. We diligently -pressed forward until sunset. We then located a camp, got roasting-ears -from a field to our right, an iron pot, and water at a house to our -left, and in due time feasted, chatted, and retired for the night, not -knowing how near we might be to enemies, or how far from friends. After -midnight a terrible racket, to our front, awakened and frightened us. -Imagining the commotion was produced by a dash of the enemy's cavalry, -we arose in great haste, scattered our fire, gathered our traps, and -hied us away to the brush. The disturbance ceased, our excitement -subsided, and we resumed our former position. After breakfast next -morning we started, and on going one-fourth of a mile we came to a -lot, of say three acres, in which were a dozen or more horses, colts, -and cows. Up to nearly noon at least, we attributed the racket to the -stock. Keeping steadily on, and not meeting or overtaking any troops -or trains, and the road showing less indications of any having passed, -we began to feel lonesome. Just before noon, after passing a house on -our left, we stopped, and sent one of our squad back to inquire if any -troops had passed that morning. Comrade soon returned with information -that a small body of cavalry had passed, going south, about two hours -before. Signs in the road, and on either side, seemed to confirm the -report, but as our scout had failed to ascertain the character of the -cavalry, he was sent for further information. In answer to question as -to whose, or what cavalry had passed, our man was told it was "we'rn." -Further inquiry established a probability that it was a detachment of -Roddy's Confederate cavalry. For certain reasons we did not go back -past the house, but kept straight ahead, as though it was our business -to overtake that detachment. Fifteen minutes later we were following -a road in an easterly direction. Going at a "quick" gait, and being -about to pass a bunch of pigs, averaging about sixty pounds weight, we -concluded we wouldn't pass all of them. It was very quickly done, as we -dare not fire a gun, or allow a pig to squeal much. The choice parts of -the pig were appropriated to our own special purposes. After dinner we -pursued our way, and soon discovered intersecting roads, and evidences -of the passage of troops and trains. Later our suspense was ended, and -before dark, of Sept. 6th, we had reached the company. - -The movement to Alpine, by Thomas' and McCook's corps, having forced -Bragg out of Chattanooga, next came the hard marching necessary to -concentrate the Union forces, before the reinforced enemy should turn -and crush Crittenden's corps. - -Arrived in vicinity of Chickamauga battlefield, late September 18th. -Got nearer next day; was under fire, but not engaged. - -Saturday night, September 19th, company furnished a corporal, R. J. -Hasty, and two or three guards for duty at Sheridan's head-quarters. -McCook, Crittenden, and other generals, were at head-quarters in -course of the night. Sheridan was restless and dissatisfied, and -altogether indications, as interpreted by our corporal and guards, -were unfavorable as to our prospects for to-morrow. Bradley's brigade -(Sheridan's third), had been very roughly used in the afternoon, and -his first and second brigades would probably "catch it" to-morrow. We -were in the second (Laibold's brigade.) The night was dark, the weather -was cool, and fire was forbidden. Our position was in heavy woods; the -noise and racket in our front, whether made by the enemy or by our own -troops, sounded and resounded terribly ominous in our ears. Daybreak -came, and with it orders to move; we were out of rations, or nearly -so, and not allowed time to draw a supply. Lytle persisted in drawing -rations for his (the first) brigade, notwithstanding orders to move -immediately. Moved two miles or more to the left; took position, and -awaited further orders. - -Before noon orders came, and we "went in." Of this memorable battle -history tells; it has been "fought over," and "wrote up," many times. -As within an hour from "going in," we had, with others, surrendered, -and passed to the rear of five lines, two ranks each, of Confederate -troops, we will not attempt a description of the small part of the -battle we witnessed. For the first time we viewed the situation amid -and to rear of the enemy. Doubt and uncertainty seemed to have place -among the Confederates, although they were advancing. Officers were -busy gathering up stragglers and hurrying them forward. Too many wanted -to guard prisoners. Swords were drawn, and wildly flourished, and much -ado made, probably because of the presence of so many "Yankees." Rope -lines and traces, and other rope rigging to artillery, and sorghum -stalks, sticking in haversacks of Bragg's men, attracted our attention. -We saw Gen. Longstreet with an immense escort following him. We saw -Gen. Hood lying under the fly of a tent, wounded; later he had his -leg taken off. After one o'clock enemy's right fell back, and our left -advanced. We saw several solid shot, skipping over the ground, which -had been sent by Crittenden's batteries. We had many companions in our -new and strange experience, and formed many new acquaintances, most -of them of short duration. Some fourteen hundred of Gen. Sheridan's -division, and many from other commands, had been collected in one -place. Hesser and North, of Company A, and Brown and myself, of Company -C, were one little squad of the Seventy-third that did not scatter -much. We encountered no other members of our regiment until reaching -Richmond. - -Up to this point we have given facts, in the history of the company, -of which we had personal knowledge. What few incidents or accidents -in its history, from Chickamauga up to opening of Atlanta campaign -here given are vouched for, my information touching the same being -derived from reliable sources. The losses sustained by company in -battle of Chickamauga were as follows: David A. Smith, Enoch Smith, -and Artemas Terrell, killed; Wm. R. Lawrence, John R. Burk, Henderson -Goodwin, Nathaniel Henderson, Henry C. Henderson, Austin Henderson, -Jehu Lewis (color bearer), and John Bostwick (discharged May 27, -1864), wounded; and all the following named were captured, viz: -Enoch P. Brown, Wm. H. Newlin, John R. Burk, Wm. F. Ellis, Austin -Henderson, and John Thornton. Of those that were captured, Burk and -Lewis were soon exchanged, being seriously wounded; Burk, however, -went to Richmond; losing an arm, he was discharged June 9, 1864. Lewis -was exchanged on battlefield. Austin Henderson was exchanged late in -1864. John Thornton, Enoch P. Brown, and William F. Ellis, died in -Andersonville prison, in order named: September 16th, 20th, and 23d, -1864, respectively. Number of Brown's grave, 9,350; Ellis', 9,703. -Number of Thornton's grave not given. Wm. H. Newlin was never either -paroled or exchanged. Nearly every member of company was struck by -balls, or fragments of shell, or trees, in some part of the body, -accoutrements, or clothing. At nightfall only three of the company were -present at call of the captain. During the night a dozen or more others -rallied upon this feeble remnant. Chickamauga was a dreadful strain -upon the strength and powers of endurance of the soldier, and September -20, 1863, is, and will ever be, a memorable day in our country's -history. By September 22d, some twenty or more of the company had -reached Chattanooga, and were beginning to assume at least a defensive -attitude. Early in September commissions for Lawrence and Smith, as -first and second lieutenants, respectively, were sent for, but neither -were ever mustered in on them; Lawrence resigning, November 24, 1863, -as second lieutenant, and Smith having met his fate as already noted. - -Following Chickamauga came the siege of Chattanooga, and with it very -scant supplies, and hard picket and forage duty. The "cracker line" -being often disturbed, and foraging not yielding, or "panning out" very -heavily, the supply of rations, provender, for man and beast, was far -short of ordinary demands. November 25th the battle of Missionary Ridge -occurred, in which Company C fortunately suffered very few casualties, -the most serious one being the wounding of Stephen Newlin. After -Missionary Ridge company and command went to the relief of Burnside at -Knoxville. On this winter campaign much hard marching and great fatigue -were endured. Some one or two, or more, of the company, not starting -with the command, followed up later with squads and detachments. In one -or more instances the enemy's cavalry attempted to "gobble up" these -squads. During its stay in East Tennessee, regiment encamped for a time -at Haworth's Mill, near New Market, and also at Lenoir's Station. From -latter place, it is said, some members of company made frequent visits -in the country east of river, and it is further alleged, one or more of -them got married. Dandridge, I believe, was the farthest point eastward -to which command penetrated in the Knoxville campaign. Capt. Kyger -was very sick at Knoxville, in course of winter, and on recovering -sufficiently was granted leave of absence. - -Winter breaking, and time for opening of the Atlanta campaign -approaching, the regiment returned to vicinity of Chattanooga, -encamping at Cleveland, at which point we rejoined it, on our return -from prison. April 11, 1864, Wm. R. Cook was mustered in, as a recruit -to company, being last name entered on company roll.[C] - -[C] NOTE.--Soon after capture were placed under a strong guard, our -partners, being Brown, Hesser, and North. Jos. C. Squires, an attachee, -before capture, of Gen. Rosecrans' staff, "stood in" with us a day or -so, until catching sight of Col. Von Strader. We dropped our extra -ammunition in Chickamauga Creek. Passed Ringgold, Sunday evening, about -eight o'clock. Four miles farther on, halted until morning. Arrived -at Tunnell Hill about noon, September 21st. A morsel of bacon issued -to each man, a piece four inches long, could have been drawn through -a half-inch augur hole, without squeezing out much grease. Boarded -railroad train about three o'clock, P. M., and started on tour of -Confederacy. Rode on top of car part of time; came near rolling off. -Reached Atlanta night of September 22d. Put up at Barracks. Next day -were marched past a clerk at a table; gave clerk our name, company -and regiment. Drew rations, September 24th. Started early; arrived -at Augusta before night. Bought a huge watermelon; all we could do -to carry it; cost fifty cents. Were guarded closely in court-house -enclosure. Got away with melon by calling neighbors. September 25th, -took an early train for Columbia. Cars crowded as usual; excitement -subsiding; novelty of trip wearing off. Reached Columbia morning of -26th. Were delayed three hours. Finally got started northward, the -direction we wanted to go, if we didn't stop too soon. Rode all day -up to three o'clock. Stopped at a little station near line between -the Carolinas. Lots of sweet potatoes on the platform; we let them -alone. Many people were there, mostly women, young and old. An old lady -delivered an off-hand address, giving advice to the "Yankees." She -wanted to know why we "couldn't let the South alone. We're not meddlin' -with your affairs. You all go back North and stay on your farms, and -in your factories, and work-shops. Yes, go back to your homes and -make shoes for us." Reached Charlotte late in the day. A few of the -boys got away, and trouble and delay were occasioned in getting them -to train again. Next day, Sunday, September 27th, arrived at Raleigh. -Were viewed by many people, mostly colored, while waiting. Got under -way again, traveled all night, arriving at Weldon next day. Dismounted -from cars; were guarded near railroad; drew rations. Invested one -dollar and a half in extras. Boarded train early on September 29th, and -dismounted no more until arriving at Richmond. Put up at Libby about -eleven o'clock the night of 29th. Paid Dick Turner twelve dollars next -day under protest. He said he would pay it back when we were paroled or -exchanged. Was never paroled or exchanged, so the twelve dollars ain't -due yet. Went to the Rosser (tobacco) house late on the 30th. We were -guided around to it. Stayed one night with Rosser, then went to Smith -and Pemberton houses, October 1st. On the way fell in with Ellis and -Thornton, of Company C. Stationary for quite a while; had a diversity -of pastime, read Testament, played checkers, fought vermin, but never -carried any rations over from one day to next. Kilpatrick--Jesse -D., not James, as we have it on page 10--joined our Seventy-third -delegation; his credentials were from Company B. Got our share of the -sugar. Stopped one night at Scott House; next day, November 14th, -took train for Danville, Va., arriving November 15th. Our delegation -generally agreed, worked and voted as a unit on all questions. -Consisting of seven members, we settled things among ourselves in -committee, before going to the full house. Attention was occupied a few -days considering a plan for a general break; plan never fully matured, -i. e. in the full house; killed in committee, no doubt. December 15th -we seceded, withdrew from prison No. 2, on account of small-pox, and -went to hospital. In time recovered, and was variously employed up to -February 19, 1864. Formed new acquaintances; organized a new alliance; -seceded again, the night of date last mentioned. - -In issue of _National Tribune_ of November 16, 1882, my comrade L. -B. Smith, criticises my narrative, in a manner complimentary to it, -however. He says, "Many important points are left out; all he has -written is true, and much more." Have supplied one of those "important -points" on page 4, the very _important_ one to comrade Smith. I refer -to his rescue, by Sutherland, from drowning in Craig's Creek. Another -interesting, if not "important point," left out, is that which includes -the proposal, from a mulatto girl of some fifteen Summers, that we -should leave Smith with herself and parents as a "hostage," security -that we, after getting through, would send a squad of cavalry after the -whole family. Other interesting points were some of our discussions -as to feasibility of things proposed, such as the taking of the -horses, the third night out; which road to take--this, that, or the -other; and the project of unearthing money said to be hid in a certain -portion of a river bank. Another important and interesting point in -Mr. Smith's life did not come within the compass of my narrative, -viz.: his standing guard for a few minutes over Mr. Jefferson Davis, -immediately after, or within a day or two of his capture. Mr. Smith -became twenty-one years old in February, 1864, while on our trip. The -cut--upper left corner--represents Smith as he appeared at about the -age of thirty years. Another interesting point was the management, -making a friend, by Sutherland, of Huffman's dog. So skillfully did -Sutherland get on the "good side" of the dog that he never barked -once, or gave his owner the slightest intimation or warning of our -approach. Comrade Sutherland, I believe, was connected, in or about, -the despatching of Maj. Ross' dog in Richmond. Mr. Sutherland is, and -has always been a farmer; is now fifty years old; cut--lower right -corner--represents him as he appeared probably ten years ago. Other -interesting points left out are those in the experience of comrade -Tripp, after his separation from our party, March 4, 1864. Did not -know until November, 1881, that Tripp had survived these experiences. -Visiting him last November I learned the particulars of his singular -and somewhat protracted wanderings after we left him. Want of space -forbids any thing like a record of them here. His loneliness, -immediately following his misfortune in being left, must have been -oppressive; hungry and foodless, the shades of night closing around him -amid those rugged mountains, his feelings can scarcely be imagined. -With reluctance and fear he called, hoping his recent companions, or -some belated pursuer, might hear him; but there was no answering voice, -nothing but distressing silence, and his disappointment was very great. -Mr. Tripp is now fifty-seven years old; cut--lower left corner--shows -him as he appeared for some months after his discharge in December, -1864. Wood and Taylor are accounted for on page 4. In Wood's case the -information is direct and official; he was about twenty-six years old -at time of his death. In Taylor's case the information is indirect and -circumstantial, but his fate is probably correctly indicated on page 4. -He was about twenty-seven years old at time we left him. - -The engravings herewith, "The Ferry Scene," and "Left Alone," are -reasonably accurate and true to the reality. "Out of the Woods" is -intended to represent the general idea of escape, our troubles behind, -our persevering, unremitting efforts ended, and our safety assured. -Though as uniting, bringing together, two or three separate scenes, -"Out of the Woods" is also a faithful picture. Conceding that Taylor's -fate, as the principal figure in "Left Alone," was that, which all the -information suggests, indescribably sad, and gloomy must have been -his last hour. Nothing of hope or comfort in his anticipations of the -future, his busy thoughts must have drifted away from his surroundings -and recent events, and sped across the sea, and dwelt upon his father -and mother there, who were ignorant of his fate. This brings us to the -events mentioned on page 109. At Georgetown, while on furlough, we met -Capt. Kyger and P. B. Huffman, of Company C. Furlough soon run out. -The rocks and hills about Georgetown seemed very small. Separated from -home and friends once more, and started in company with Huffman for the -front. This was in the latter part of April. Encountered my escaping -comrade Sutherland in Indianapolis, and accompanied him the greater -part of the way to Chattanooga. Arrived in camp at Cleveland, May 2, -1864, just at sunset. Had to talk nearly all night, and then get up -next morning and start on the Atlanta campaign. - -From June 30, 1863, to July 1, 1864, the total loss to company, from -all causes, was fourteen men, including Amos Bogue. Transferred to -Invalid corps, August 1, 1863; Clark B. Brant, discharged November 12, -1863; Merida Thornton and Aaron Willison, transferred to Invalid corps, -January 15th and February 1, 1864; James T. Slaughter, transferred -to V. R. C., May 1, 1864; Charles W. Cook, permanently detached as -blacksmith to Bat. G., First Mo. Art., August 26, 1863; and James -W. Trimble, transferred to V. R. C., April 10, 1864, the other seven -already noted; making a total loss to date of fifty-three men. - -Moved from Cleveland, May 3, 1864, with command, first brigade, -second division, fourth army corps. Under fire first time, on Atlanta -campaign, in the vicinity of Catoosa Springs, May 5. At Rocky Faced -Ridge, May 9th, was again under fire, but not engaged. Sharpshooters -from the regiment did good work here; Company C being represented by -John P. - -Jones, Alex. C. Nicholson, and James T. Maudlin. Was engaged at -Resaca, May 14th. Wm. D. Bales struck by piece of shell. Was engaged -at Adairsville, May 17th. Up to, and including Adairsville, Company -C was in my charge, there being no commissioned officer present. -On this date Capt. Kyger arrived at the front and took command of -company. At Kingston there was a delay of three or four days. Pursuant -to orders, all vacancies in line, and non-commissioned officers were -filled, or selections made with that object in view. May 22d, Company -C attended to this duty. The company was entitled to a lieutenant, -and an election was held. Candidates were voted for, for orderly -sergeant, with the understanding that the successful candidate should -be commissioned first lieutenant. Election resulted in my favor by -a small majority--four votes, I believe--which, considering all the -circumstances, my long absence, and the fact that my competitor had -been present all the time, was a No. 1 soldier, none better, I regarded -as extremely flattering, and was therefore very thankful for the -advancement. - -My commission was sent for; it bears date June 9, 1864. The list of -non-commissioned officers being filled, stood as follows: - - WM. M. SHEETS, orderly sergeant. - JAMES T. MAUDLIN, second sergeant. - JEHU LEWIS, third sergeant. - ROBERT J. HASTY, fourth sergeant. - ALEX. C. NICHOLSON, fifth sergeant. - WESLEY BISHOP, first corporal. - JONATHAN ELLIS, second corporal. - AUSTIN HENDERSON, third corporal. - SAMUEL HEWITT, fourth corporal. - ALFRED E. LEWIS, fifth corporal. - GEORGE W. MARTIN, sixth corporal. - STEPHEN NEWLIN, seventh corporal. - GEO. HOLLINGSWORTH, eighth corporal. - -It was at this time and place that A. E. Lewis notified Ellis of his -appointment as corporal; adding, "and your commission has gone on to -Washington for approval." All of the above were mustered out June -12, 1865. The list does not contain one of the original sergeants or -corporals; except that Orderly Sheets was one of the first corporals. - -Recommenced active operations about May 25th. June 18th John Braselton -was wounded. By June 25th the actions at Pine and Lost Mountains, -Dallas, New Hope Church, and preliminary battles before Kenesaw -Mountain had taken place, without inflicting serious damage to company. -Capt. Kyger was sick, a week or more, up to and including June 27th, -the day of the assault on Kenesaw. This assault was the first heavy -battle occurring after my muster in as lieutenant, and owing to the -formation of each regiment preparatory to the assault, and the absence -of my seniors, I was placed in command of two companies, C and H, -forming the third or middle division of regiment. Two lines, of two -ranks each, were in front of, and two lines, of two ranks each, were in -rear of companies C and H. Owing to nature of ground these companies -came off well, suffered less than any of the others. From point of -starting in, the ground sloped considerably to line immediately -without, or in front of the very elaborate, systematic obstructions in -front of enemy's works, and from this same line the ground covered by -these obstructions was gradually ascending to line of fortifications. -Pending the heaviest fire of enemy, companies C and H were on the -lowest ground, all the other companies, whether in front or rear, being -on higher ground, so that fire of enemy was comparatively harmless -to C and H, there being only four or five slight wounds received in -the two companies, and these inflicted while getting back to position -from which they started. Of the regiment, three were killed, and some -twelve or fifteen wounded. There were several cases of overheating, -the weather being extremely hot, and the assault, from some cause, not -being made as early as intended. The casualties to regiment, seeming so -few, in an assault of such magnitude, it is proper to state that number -of men in regiment that day, present for duty, did not exceed three -hundred. In our front, too, were very heavy earth-works, feebly manned; -but for the arrival of reinforcements we could have effected, at least, -a _temporary_ breach in the enemy's line. - -Early July 3d it was found that the enemy had fallen back. Followed -up immediately; regiment lost one man, killed, July 4th. There was a -delay of a week at the Chattahoochie River. Command took position, -near river, above Vining's Station. July 9th division marched to -Roswell; destroyed some mills or factories, and crossed and recrossed -the Chattahoochie while gone, returning on the 12th. Writer was not -with company on Roswell trip; but owing to depletion of strength was -favored; left behind in charge of regimental camp, and those who had -been excused from duty. July 13th, crossed Chattahoochie River on -pontoon bridge. While crossing, writer was taken sick, and was obliged -to drop behind soon after getting across the river. In attempting to -reach the upland and overtake company, was prostrated, the result of -over-heating or partial sun-stroke, and have no recollection whatever -of events occurring after the crossing of the Chattahoochie, up to the -crossing of Nance's Creek, July 18. There had, however, been a delay -at Buck's Head, and also a general inspection. Late on the 19th there -were two or three severe skirmishes along the line of Peach Tree Creek, -one of which approached the dignity of a battle, and several prisoners, -including a general officer, were captured by our forces. Crossed Peach -Tree Creek at ten o'clock, P. M., of the 19th. - -About noon, on the 20th, brigade was assigned position in line, and -hastily built slight breast-works of logs, limbs, and rails. This done, -was ordered to make reconnoisance to front. In execution of this order, -the enemy was found in force, and we came back at a double-quick, -to find our temporary works occupied by other troops. Took another -position, further to right, the Seventy-third holding the extreme -right of fourth corps. There was a gap of two hundred yards or more, -between right of fourth and left of twentieth corps; so the right of -Seventy-third was retired, swung back a little in order to cover this -gap. The battle immediately opened, giving no time for construction -of works, however slight, and continued about an hour, with two -casualties to Company C--William Martin and the writer, wounded. -Sampson McCool, of Company E, was also wounded. Sampson and William -McCool, and John Murdock, the latter killed at Perryville, being the -three loaned by Company C to Company E, that were never retransferred -to C. Of regiment, one man was killed, and several others wounded. My -wound, being slight, healed entirely by August 1st, but I was detained -at division field hospital until August 16th, on account of general -physical debility, resulting from the sunstroke of 13th. Command was -not in the battles of July 22d and 28th, so my hospital and prison -experience, covering in all eight months, deprived me of participation -in only one battle--Missionary Ridge--and one campaign--the East -Tennessee--in which the company engaged. - -The latter part of August, started on the flanking movement to -Jonesboro and Lovejoy station. September 1st, engaged in tearing up -railroad, burning the ties, and twisting the heated rails around trees. -Arrived at Jonesboro too late to accomplish more than the capture of a -hospital and a few hundred prisoners, as the battle there was closing. -Night of September 1st, Company C stood picket out north-east of -Jonesboro, and toward morning the rumble of Hood's artillery and trains -could be heard, as they were passing hurriedly on a road still further -eastward, retreating from Atlanta. Later, the explosions at Atlanta -were distinctly heard. Followed on to Lovejoy's. Were under fire, but -had no good opportunity of returning it. Withdrew from enemy's front -at Lovejoy's the night of September 5th or 6th, returning to Atlanta, -arriving on the 8th. Went into quarters with some expectation of -remaining inactive for a longer time than we did. Writer, however, saw -the exterior of the barracks, the interior of which he had seen, as a -prisoner, just a year before. - -About September 26th to 28th, were ordered to Chattanooga, going by -railway; and from thence marched down into Alpine valley again, about -October 18th, returning the latter part of October, via Chickamauga -battle-ground, to Chattanooga. On this return march from Alpine, quite -a number of recruits of Fifty-first Illinois fell behind, "straggled," -and no wonder, as most of them wore overcoats, and carried knapsacks -packed full; one of them carried his bayonet fixed, instead of in -scabbard, whereupon Corporal Lewis (who had just awakened from a short -sleep at roadside, where company was resting) cried out, "Halt, halt, -you Fifty-firster; I want to know WHERE YOU GOT YOUR GUN SHARPENED." - -About November 1, 1864, went by rail to Huntsville, Alabama, and from -there marched to Athens, and from thence, via Lynnville and Pulaski, to -Columbia, Tenn. Here a part of twenty-third corps met, and reinforced -the fourth corps. Hood's rebel army was becoming very troublesome -and apparently impatient for large results, and was pressing ours -very _closely_. Considerable skirmishing took place about Columbia, -in which Company C bore its full share. Under pressure of enemy our -forces crossed Duck River the night of November 28th, the Seventy-third -standing picket the balance of that night on north bank of river. Next -morning, the pressure being great, there was no time to relieve us, -and being already deployed, we fell back, first as flankers, then as -skirmishers, in the direction of Spring Hill, arriving there about four -o'clock in afternoon of 29th. We were to the right, or south-east of -Pike and of Spring Hill. The part of the Seventy-third in the action at -Spring Hill was to assist in resisting a cavalry dash by enemy, just -before sunset. To do this we were only compelled to shorten our line a -little, and deliver a brisk fire for the space of about ten minutes. -Heavy fighting was going on near us, in which enemy's infantry was -engaged, pending which, night fall ended the contest, luckily for our -forces. There was great confusion, one result of which was, our being -compelled to stand picket all night, as on the preceding night. We must -have been VERY CLOSE indeed to enemy's pickets, though we did not see -or hear them; but could distinctly see the enemy at a little distance -around his camp-fires. Our trains were hustling the whole night -through, and got well on the way before morning toward Franklin. - -Daylight of November 30th came, and we were still on the picket -line. By sunrise we began falling back, deployed as skirmishers, and -skirmishing began, and was kept up with more or less severity to -within one mile of Franklin, when our brigade was relieved. Very soon -after skirmishing began in the morning we crossed to the left of the -road, and when but little more than half way to Franklin, Capt. Kyger -being sick, was unable to remain longer with company, and was taken -in charge by Surgeon Pond, and we saw him no more until arriving at -Nashville. Being relieved, as before mentioned, by passing within, and -to rear, of skirmish line, which had been thrown out, the brigade, -Opedycke's first brigade, second division, fourth army corps, formed -and marched in column, with little delay, to Franklin, passing on the -way a brigade which must have been the third brigade of our division, -posted some distance in front of a temporary line of breastworks, which -had been hastily built, extending from a point above to another point -on the river below the town. These works, scarcely a mile in length, -semi-circular in form, and covering, not only Franklin, but also the -bridge across the Harpeth, were filled with troops; so our brigade -passed on to the rear, and took position behind Carter's Hill. This was -at about 3:30 o'clock, P. M. The men at once set about preparing coffee -and something to eat, being greatly fatigued from loss of sleep, and -almost constant duty since evening of 28th, on crossing Duck River. All -the trains, and the first division of the fourth corps, were north of -the Harpeth. - -Dinner over once, we should probably have followed and taken the -advance, having assisted two days in covering the retreat. But no; not -all of us were permitted to finish dinner before Hood had martialed his -forces, swept up suddenly, driving in the brigade, posted in front, as -before stated, in its wake, and under cover of same crushing in, making -a fearful breach in our main line. Heavy firing began, clouds of dust -and smoke arose, hundreds of rebel troops were thrust into the breach -which they had made, and beyond; singly, and in squads, small and -great, our men began flying from the front, throwing away their guns; -pieces of artillery and cassions, with horses attached, came thundering -down; confusion and consternation indescribable had been wrought in -five minutes or less time. - -The Thirty-sixth, Forty-fourth, and Seventy-third Illinois, and -Twenty-fourth Wisconsin, and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio, five -regiments, composing Opedycke's brigade, were instantly on their -feet, anticipating orders, seizing their guns, which had been stacked -on one line, made a simultaneous, irresistible rush to the front, -carrying every thing before them at the point of the bayonet, capturing -thirteen battle-flags, nearly one thousand prisoners, and restoring -and strengthening our line, so that it was broken no more. Stung to -desperation at this sudden turning of the scales in this important -battle, the infuriated enemy _charged_, and CHARGED _again_ and AGAIN, -carrying his reckless resistance right up to, yes on to, our slight -works, to the very muzzles of our guns. But we were there to stay, -at least until getting ready to leave of our own accord; but it took -_work_, HARD WORK, PERSISTENT, UNFLAGGING and UNFLINCHING WORK, to -maintain our position. How it was done I can scarcely hope to describe. - -On arriving at the point from whence our forces had been driven, -there were too many troops to operate to advantage, and afford all a -semblance of protection. Fortunately, the ground, beginning at the -works, was gradually declining to the rear. Company C, with a few -soldiers of other companies, was posted between, and to the front of, -two pieces of artillery. All were either lying on the ground or in a -low, stooping posture. Immediately at the works was a strong line of -men, with barely elbow room, who did nothing but fire; in rear of this -line were two or three tiers of men, who were busy loading pieces and -passing them forward; to rear of these were still others, who were -cleaning guns, breaking open boxes of ammunition, and distributing -cartridges to the loaders; others still further back, carried up the -boxes of ammunition from a point where left by ammunition wagons. -There was _work_ for all, and all WORKED. There was a full half hour -of desperate fighting, perhaps equalled at some time and place, but -scarcely ever, if ever, surpassed. For several fearful minutes, as a -result of combined, sturdy, heroic effort on the part of all, from end -to end of our line, the small arms volleyed; there was no determining -of intervals between volleys; it was as one. The cannon thundered; -the shell shrieked; the smoke rolled; the earth trembled; the heroic, -reckless, desperate, enemy surged, and _surged_ again and AGAIN, right -up to our line, and recoiled as often, _recoiling last_, before the -merciless tempest of death. - -Darkness came on, and shrouded the scene; there was a lull in the -fight; a great calm after a great storm. Many of our soldiers had been -slain, but for each one, from three to five of the rebels had bitten -the dust. Very many on both sides were wounded, the few mortally, the -many slightly. Did those who had not finished dinner, now finish it? -No. Was supper prepared? No. Was there time for coffee? Not much. The -foe, threatening and defiant, was right there, within sixty feet, -waiting to pounce upon us. Guns were put in order, ammunition in -abundance was got ready at hand, and all precautions taken. Nor had -we long to wait until the first night assault was made; right up to -our works they charged, coming within space measured by the flashes -from our rifles. But before our galling fire the enemy quailed and fell -back. Our fire slackened some; but within an hour two or more assaults -were made, with like result. - -After the last assault we kept up a heavy fire for some minutes, until -some person, some officer perhaps, between the lines, but nearest ours, -yelled out: "Cease firing, cease firing;" repeating the command several -times. Amid the smoke and darkness it could not be told who or what -he was, whether Union or rebel. In a few minutes the firing did, in a -great measure, cease; later it ceased almost entirely. At same time a -burning building in the suburbs of Franklin fell in, making a great -light, by which we saw several, as many as a dozen, standards raise -along enemy's line. He was preparing, no doubt, for a last desperate -effort to break our front. Brisk firing immediately opened from our -side, increasing in volume and ceasing not until every battle-flag on -enemy's front was laid low. This ended the contest; quiet succeeded; -and by midnight our weary forces had withdrawn from the field; crossed -the Harpeth, and were slowly wending their way to Nashville. - -The loss to Seventy-third, in this battle, was nine killed and two -wounded that died soon afterward; one of the former being Adjt. Wilmer, -and one of the latter being Major Motherspaw; the loss to Company C -being one killed, Zenas Fulton, and one wounded, Joseph A. Allison, -who died in enemy's hands. There were three or four others of company -wounded, including the writer; and there were several others of the -regiment wounded; but nearly all of these were slight wounds, excepting -that of Captain Jonas Jones, and one or two others. Some two or three -years ago writer saw a statement from Gen. D. S. Stanley, who commanded -the fourth corps, until wounded, in this battle; which statement, -published in a Philadelphia paper, asserted that the fourth corps used -ninety wagon loads of ammunition the afternoon and night of November -30, 1864. It is reasonable to suppose that much of this ammunition was -destroyed; wasted in other ways than in "wild firing," the enemy's -losses, all told, being about five thousand five hundred, or three -times our own. - -Col. Opedycke was breveted brigadier-general, and merited praise was -bestowed in congratulatory orders, for the part borne by his brigade in -the battle of Franklin. Any other brigade that was there would probably -have done as well, under the same circumstances; but as three-fifths of -the brigade were Illinoisians we take a pardonable pride in making this -imperfect record of its most conspicuous achievement. - -Arrived at Nashville at one o'clock, P. M., December 1, 1864. We were -a very tired, sorely-taxed, and dirty lot of soldiers. Sleep was -imperatively demanded; and most of us, as soon as halted, or assigned -camping space, dropped on the ground and slept until sunset; by which -time Capt. Kyger had found us, and was anxiously ascertaining how -we had fared. Hood followed up immediately, taking position in our -front; and on December 3d, James Ashmore, of Company C, a faithful -soldier, was shot dead while standing picket. His body was buried in -the cemetery at Nashville. This was the last loss which befell Company -C, except in case of two or three members who were mustered out a few -days in advance of the regiment at hospitals, and one recruit--Wm. R. -Cook--transferred to the Forty-fourth Illinois. About this time we -received notification of the death of three members of the company -in Andersonville prison, as before noted, viz.: Brown, Ellis, and -Thornton, with whom the writer had spent three months as a prisoner. -How fortunate had we been, not only in escaping prison, but in passing -comparatively unharmed through twelve battles, since separating from -prison comrades, and standing now upon the threshold of the thirteenth, -destined to pass safely through that. Fortunate indeed we were, and -thankful, very thankful we are, and ought to be. - -On December 15th and 16th, 1864, occurred the battles of Nashville, -in which command performed the part assigned it both days; in the -afternoon of the 16th joining in the grand, majestic charge, which -was the finishing stroke to the rebellion in the west. Casualties -to Company C, none to speak of, and to regiment very few, only one -man killed, and probably a dozen wounded. Enemy hugged his works so -closely that his fire passed above our heads. On our reaching the -works, those of the enemy who did not surrender fled with precipitated -haste. With utmost enthusiasm our troops pursued the flying enemy, -until darkness closed the race. Started early on the 17th, but our -cavalry took the job off our hands, pursuing Hood so closely that he -crossed the Tennessee River, with only a few shattered and broken -fragments of his late offensive army. We followed to Pulaski, Tenn., -at which point, a day or two before Christmas, we heard, for the last -time, the whiz of an enemy's bullet. - -Leaving Pulaski we took up our line of march for Huntsville, Ala., -arriving January 5, 1865. Here we remained until March 28th; then -going by rail to Blue Springs, East Tennessee. While at Blue Springs -the war closed; Lee and Johnston surrendered, and Abraham Lincoln was -assassinated. News of the latter produced the wildest frenzy among -our troops. The latter part of April were ordered to Nashville. Going -by rail, we arrived in due course. Hostilities having ceased, the -excitement incident thereto having subsided, we led a quiet camp life -up to middle of June. The regiment was mustered out June 12, 1865, -starting a day or two later for Springfield, Ill., to receive final -payment and to disband. - -We give name of each member of Company C that was present for muster -out June 12th, except where already noted; see list of sergeants and -corporals and remarks below on page 126, which with the fifty-three men -dropped from the roll by July 1, 1864, and the following dropped since, -or mustered out in advance of the regiment, make the one hundred and -four men, with which company entered the service: N. Brady and I. W. -Ward, transferred to United States engineer corps, July 20th and August -21st, 1864; E. P. Brown, Wm. F. Ellis, and John Thornton, died at -Andersonville; James A. Allison and Zenas Fulton, killed at Franklin; -James Ashmore, killed at Nashville; Nathaniel Henderson, mustered out -May 4th; William B. Cowan, May 17th, John Braselton, June 2d, and -Daniel Suycott, June 8, 1865; Samuel W. Sigler, transferred to Veteran -Reserve Corps, January 10, 1865, and William R. Cook, transferred to -Forty-fourth Illinois, June 12, 1865, fourteen in all. - - TILMON D. KYGER, deceased. - WILLIAM H. NEWLIN. - DAVID MCDONALD. - PLEASANT B. HUFFMAN. - SAMUEL J. BOEN. - DAVID BRANSON,[D] deceased. - WILLIAM D. BALES. - JOHN DOOP. - HENDERSON GOODWIN. - AMACY M. HASTY. - HENRY C. HENDERSON. - GEORGE J. HARRIER. - JOHN P. JONES. - THOMAS JUDD. - ABRAHAM JONES. - CLAIBORNE MADDEN. - WILLIAM MARTIN. - JAMES S. PECK, deceased. - HARLAND H. REAGON. - JOSEPH W. REAGON. - WALTER SCOTT. - ISAAC H. THOMPSON.[D] - BENJAMIN PURDUM. - ISAAC R. THORNTON. - - In all, 24 - Add five sergeants and eight corporals, 13 - Previously dropped from all causes as indicated, 67 - --- - Total, 104 - -DANVILLE, ILL., September 4, 1886. - - -[D] On detached service in rear, full term. - - * * * * * - -Transcriber's Notes: - -Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ - -Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as -possible, including obsolete and variant spellings, inconsistent -hyphenation, and other inconsistencies. - -Obvious punctuation errors and minor printer errors repaired. - -Frequent use of 'eat' in place of 'ate' kept as printed. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Escape of Six -Federal Soldiers from Prison at Danville, Va., by William Henry Newlin - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE OF *** - -***** This file should be named 50970.txt or 50970.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/7/50970/ - -Produced by Christopher Wright and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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