Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-28
home once more urged US on, and we pursued

home once more urged US on, and we pursued
| oar way rejoicing.
At daylight on the I'd of June we reached
the foot of Unaka mountain The Union
bushwhackers held possession of these noun
tains, and rebel soldiers dared never 60 there
except in large bodies; so we passed on, re-
gardless of the approaching day. As we
gained the top, which constituted the dividing
line between North Carolina and Tennessee,
we turned around and gave a last look at the
State we were leaving, and, politely lifting
our torn hats, babe it last goodbye. We
had met true and warm friends in the State,
who will be remembered with gratitude until
the end of our earthly career.
After taking breakfast on the top of the
| mountain, from our well-filled haversacks, we
descended into what is known as the Greasy
| Cove, in Washington county, East Tennessee.
| Here we found plenty of friends and, as Col
Kirk was in the neighborhood we were not
afraid to show ourselves in the daytime.
Col. Kirk last year raised the I'd North Car.
| DINA Infantry, with detachment of which
he gave the rebels sound thrashing in Octo-
Der last, at Warm Springs. He is now rails
ing the 1st North Carolina Cavalry, and new
er loses an opportunity of inhicting chastise-
ment upon any unlucky rebels who are I'm.
| fortunate enough to get into that region of
country. He returned from an expedition
| the evening we came there, and informed us
that in couple of days he would start for
Knoxville with something over 100 recruits
to get them armed and equipped, and invited
US to stay and 90 with him, which offer we
gladly accepted. We were furnished with
excellent accommodations, with good fami-
ly in the neighborhood where everything
that could be, was done for our comfort.
Here we fell in with private Geo. Verhaalen,
OF the oath Wisconsin, Sergt. Thomas d
Cass and Corp. James A. Whiteman, of the
9th Indiana Cavalry, who had escaped from
the cars like ourselves the first one in Feb
ruary aud the other two in March last They
had encountered friends who told them there
was no use in trying, for the snow was yet in
the mountains, and the country full of sold
! lers. They were secreted and well taken
care of until a more favorable time arrived.
when they were sent from one Union mans
house to another, having guides all the time,
until they reached East Tennessee. We
came into our lines together.
Saturday afternoon, June 4th, Col Kirk
started for Madison county, North Carolina
to gather up some more recruits, where we
arrived on Sunday and stayed till Monday.
the 9Th. when we struck for Greenville, East
Tennessee, where we also found many friends
On the morning of the 9th when within about
forty miles OF our lines, we obtained two
Spencer rifles Of Col. Kinks men and started
IN advance We breakfasted at the house of
an excellent Union family That day we
marched about thirty miles and stopped at
the house of one DR.. Peck, two miles from
New Market and ten from Strawberry Plains.
Here we endeavored to get something to eat,
but were informed that he had nothing at all
He could give us room to sleep in, but had
not even blanket to spread on the floor
He was strong rebel, and informed US that
he had lost 100000 by this war, that he
owned large plantation in Louisiana, but
| that he expected to have to move north in
order to get living. Here was a man, liv-
ing in splendid mansion, one day worth one
million dollars, now actually fearing starva-
ton. We resumed our march at daylight
the next morning and stopped at New Market
for breakfast, where we found every man we
met to be friend We reached our lines at
Strawberry Plains that day, June 10th, about
10 o'clock A. NJ, after having travelled twen-
ty-eight days, or more properly nights, and
made distance of over 800 miles.
| cannot describe our feelings on finding
ourselves safe within our own lines. The
fears, doubts and hopes of the last month
were solved now, and to our entire satisfac-
ton. Ragged, dirty, fatigued and worn out
as was, there was not at that time one hui
man being in this wide world whom envied
1t seemed at times that it could hardly be
possible that l was again under the protec-
ton of the stars and stripes, but that it must
be merely delusive dream.
We were heartily welcomed and Hospitality
entertained by Col. Foote, of the 10th Ohio
cavalry, commanding the post, and the Off
GERS and men of his regiment; and the cor
dial hand-shakings, congratulations and good
wishes which we received made US feel, if
possible, the more grateful for our delivery.