Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-01-23

I
formation. In consequence they went
hurriedly through the plantation-s
wood in which they travelled several
miles affording good cover. Having
reached the summit Of bill, they heard
the whistle of locomotive, and on the
left discovered q Village--probably
Hanover Station-about three miles
distant. Finding they were holding
too much north, they turned due east,
and soon came to large creek. which
they crossed by means of fallen tree
and some rails. In crossing Raynor
slipped and fell IN, the water coming up
to his waist, but he fortunately sue
ceeded in preserving map, compass and
matches. They continued on, crossing
a turnpike, and reached the Psmunkey
river. This they crossed, forming a
raft upon which they placed their
clothes; Raynor fastened the map, &C.,
to his head with handkerchief, when
they swan across, pushing the raft
the current carrying them down some
distance. After dressing and taking
their cord from the raft, they struck in
to the woods. and going some distance
without seeing any signs Of habitation,
they built fire and roasted some po-
tatoes and an ear Of corn-their last
sandwich having disappeared. They
then followed deep ravine, keeping in
the narrow woods along the bank; but
hearing the report of gun ahead, they
hid in the bushes, and the hunter passed
without observing them. Here they
stayed until dark. when they visited a
crib which they had observed, and filed
their pockets with wheat, which it con-
tanned. This night they had trouble in
finding road, which they did about
twelve O'Clock; but as this road led too
far west, they soon left it, and went in
to clump of trees, where they laid
until morning.
In the morning Sunday they con-
tinued in a northeast course through
the woods, securing some apples at an
orchard. Travelling through the fields
and woods, they found here and there
a few whortle-berries. To escape OBJ
servation they were compelled to go
around all the clearings they came to,
making their journey long aud exceed
ingly tiresome. About two O'Clock they
reached the valley of the Mattapony,
and passing through cornfeld they
soon arrived at the Mattapony river
They followed the river until they came
near a bridge. 1t was their intention
to lay here until night-but the inexor-
able demands of Hurd to proceed, and
the attacks of ravinous musquetoes
urging them to depart. they crossed
over about four O'Clock. AS negroes
were passing continually, they were
compelled to remain in a swamp un-
til night, when they followed lane, and
soon came to road. On this road they
met a man-but as it was extremely
dark no salutations passed, and they
hurried on. At one o'clock they passed
through village, and observing a small
notice on a store door, Raynor tore it
off. thinking to learn their whereabouts.
Upon going into the woods they struck
a light, and found it to be a notice to
the creditors of the late General Gar
nett, dated Caroline county, requesting
them to present their claims to bis bro
ther, at Bowling Green. While within
the woods a horseman passed at full
gallop, alarming them, as they thought
they were pursued, and they crept deep
er into the bushes, where they remained
until morning. At daylight they start
ed, and coming to corn-6eld, Capt.
Hurd went in and got some corn, while
Lieutenants Murphy and Raynor went
back and built fire, by which they
roasted it. In passing through the field
they came upon some negroes at work,
but avoided them, and taking road
Travelled it fully ten miles, crossing sew
eral creeks by bridges. They kept on
until the afternoon, when they laid by
in the woods until eleven o'clock. As
the moon went down they started, and
after tramp of about FIVE miles, came
to small village. Here they came to
guide post; and not daring to strike a
light so near the houses. Raynor climb
ed the post, broke off the board. and
they retreated to the woods. A light
was struck with some difficulty. and
just then Murphy exclaimed, "There's
a man" A few feet in advance was a
negro, both hands thrown up--present-
ing perfect image of terror. He in
stantly leaped the fence, and took to
his heels with a right good will. From
the one glance Raynor got at the board,
he learned that it was Just twenty-five
miles TO Rappahannock; and not
knowing what the negro might report,
they departed with equal speed, going
north. During the whole night Mon
day. they kept on at rapid pace, with
out interruption, passing through ano-
ther village. At every cross-road in
Caroline county, they found guide
boards-which. to find their way, they
invariably pulled down and examined.
Just before daylight they passed plan
tation. surrounded by costly fence,
upon which we're small statues. At
daylight they found themselves in q
small wood, surrounded entirely by
cleared land; and desiring to run as few
risks as possible, thus far having sue
ceeded so well, they laid here all Tues
day, eating the wheat and roast corn,
but suffering much from want of water.