The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-12

fast was soon obtained, money and horse furnish
ed A good woman's prayer bestowed, and on he
went. From there forward to Kentucky every
body yied with each other, as to who should show
him the most attention, even to the negroes; and
young ladies of refinement begged the honor to
cook his meals. He remained in Kentucky some
days feeling perfectly safe and sending into Lou
isville for many little things be wanted. Wen: to
Bardstown, and found Federal reg iment had just
arrive ed there, looking for him. Remained here
and about, for three or four days. and then struck
out for Dixie, sometimes Disgusting himself as a
Government cattle contractor, and buying large
lots of cattle; at other times Quartermas:er un-
til he got to the Tennessee River, Here be found
all means of transportation destroyed and the
banks strongly guarded; but with the assistance OF
about thirty others, who had recognized him, and
Joined him in spite of his circumstances, he sue
ceedcd in making a raft, and he. and Captain
Hines crossed over His escort, with heroic self
sacrifice refused to until he safely over.
He then hired a negro to get his horse over, pay
ing him $50 for it. The river was SO high that
the horse came near drowning, and after more
than one hours struggling with the stream, was
pulled out so exhausted as scarcely to be able to
stand. The General threw blanket on him and
commenced to walk him, when suddenly, he says,
he was seized with presentiment that he would
be attacked and remarked to Captain Hines, W.
will be attacked in twenty minutes, commenced
| saddiing his horse He had hardly tied his girth
when chang, bang" went the minnie balls. He
! bounced his horse, and the noble animal, appear
ing to be inspired with new vigor, bounded of
like deer UP the mountain The last he saw OF
his poor fellows on the opposite side, they were
disappearing up the river bank, hred upon by
whole regiment of Yankees. BY this time it was
dark, and also raining He knew that perfect
Gordon of pickets would surround the foot of the
mountain, and if he remained there lntil morning
he would be lost So he determined to run the
gauntlet at once and commenced to descend As
he neared the foot, leading his horse, he came al
most ia personal contact with picket. His first
impulse Was to kill him, but finding him asleep,
he determined to let him sleep on. He made his
way to the house Of Union man that be knew
lived near there, aud went up and passed himself
| off as Captain Quartermaster of Hunts regiment,
who was on his way to Athens, Tenn, to procure
supplies oil sugar aud eufee for the Union people
of that country. The lady, who appeared to be
asleep, while this interview taking place with
her husband, at the mention Of sugar aud coffee,
jumped out of her bed in her night clothes, and
sand: "Thank God for that for We amt seen any
rale coffee up here for God knows how long" She
delighted at the prospect that she made up
fire aud cooked them good supper Supper
being over, the General remarked that he under
stood some rebels had "tricd the river this
afternoon" yes" said the woman, shut our
men killed some um, and driv the rest back"
Now, says the General, Il know that, but didn't
some of them get over. EYES," the reply,
''but they are the mountain, aud can't get
down without being killed, as every road is stop
ped up" He then said to her, sit is very impor-
tant for me to get to Athens by tomorrow night,
or l may lose that sugar and coffee, and l am
afraid to 90 down any these roads, for fear my own
men will kill me-" The fear Of losing that sugar
and coffee brought her again to an accommodating
mood, and she replied: "Why Paul can't you show
the Captain, through our farm, that road down by
the field" The General says, "Of course Paul,
you Gao do it, and as tie night is very cold, will
give you $40 Gin gold) to help you along" The
gold, and the prospect Of sugar and coffee was too
much for any poor mans nerves, and he yielded,
and. getting horse he took them I miles to
the big road.
From this time forward be had a series of ad-
Ventures and escapes, all very wonderful, until he
got near another river in Tennessee, when he re-
solved to go up to house and find the way.
Hines went to the house, while the General stood
in the road. Hearing body Of cavalry come
dashing up behind him, he quietly slipped to one
side Of the road aud passed by without observing
him They went yelling after Hines, and, poor
fellow, he has not been heard of since. How sad
to think that he should either be captured kill
ed after many brave efforts, not only III his own
behalf, but alsoA in that of the General for, the
Oenera says that 1t is owing cnleHy 10 Hines en-
telprise'a and skill that they made their escape.
l. When he arrived at the river referred to above,
he tried to get over, intending to stop that night
with good Southern the other side. He
could not get over, and had to remain at the house
of Union mar. The next morning he went to
the house that he had sought previous, and found
the track Of the Yankees scarcely cold. They had
been there all night expecting he would come
there, and had murdered everybody who had at
tempted to reach the house without hauling
them. IL pursuing this brutal course, they had
killed three young men, neighbors- of this gentle
man, and went away leaving their dead bodies Oh
the ground.
After he had crossed Obey's river, and got down
into Middle Tennessee, he found it almost imposs-
iblc to avoid recognition. At the time he passed
some poor women, aud one of them commenced
clapping her hands and said, ooh, know who
that Isl know who that isH' but catching herself,
she stopped short d passed On with her companions
The General says that his escape made en-
tirely without the assistance from any one the
outside, and, far he knows, alsoawthout their
knowle1g e of his intention; that the
of his arrival at Toronto of those fortuit-
Gus condolences that cannot be accounted for;
that il assisted him materially. doubt In fact,
he gays that his 'Wites prayers saved him, and.
this is the most agreeable way of explaining it, he
is determined to believe it.
The above account may be relied on as correct;
is printed to stamp it as one of the most remark
able escapes in history. -:...