The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-12-22
THRILLING ADVENTURES
Lieut. George W, Douglass,
OF THE EIGHTH EAST TENNESSEE INFANTRY
THE RENOWNED UNION SCOUT AND
PILOT. ..
[corYalonT SECURED,
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.

Preached Oakland in safety, and from
thence, proceeded On foot to Gallipolis. -
Ny Zee, becoming quite sore from travelling,
succeeded in getting transportation on board
of Government wagon. At Gallipolis
found my command which ! rejoined without
delay. Ny old comrades expressed great joy
to see me, and many were the expression of
surprise uttered when they heard the story
of my capture and escape. lreported to Col.
Cook, and related all that had occurred to me
while prisoner, at which he seemed greatly
elated.
After resting several days, was detailed
to 60 on q special scout by General Geo. W.
Morgan. The preliminary arrangements were
made and the march commenced. Three
days hard riding brought us to the Red
House F" in Caney Valley, Virginia. Here we
stopped twelve hours, for the purpose OF rest
ing our horses, which were well nigh exhaust
ed. This delay was very unfortunate, as |
had predicted even suggested the danger
of such course to the Captain commanding
the scout, but he followed his own counsel.
On the following day, about ten o'clock, A.
NJ, while passing through narrow dehle be-
tween two lofty hills, we were suddenly fired
upon from ambush. Our situation was ex-
tremely precarious. To attempt 70 Eight a
largely superior force under such disadvan-
tages, would have been the height Of fSlly--
as the firing seemed TO come from every point
OF the compass, To retreat, was the only al-
ternative, and that was found to be failure
as we found nearly q regiment Of infantry
had closed in our rear, ready for our recap"
turc. The Captain ordered us to charge the
line, but they stood as firm as the eternal
rocks that reared their lofty peaks on either
side of us.
In the outset, several Of our brave boys
fell to rise no more, and many were wounded,
among others, myself received q mus
ket ball in the back ofthe neck, which, though
q fesh-wound, and but slight, gave mo great
deal of pain.
Finding the rebel line impregnable, our
Captain ordered us to fal back, just in time
to escape the next yolley poured into US by
the enemy But there was no retreating in
TINT direction as we perceived the other par
ty forming line across our narrow way, ano
making ready for our reception a bait
was made, and some Of the officers proposeu
to diomount and try them on foot--but the
superior numbers OF the enemy forbid such u
hazardous proceeding. A spirit of gloom
seemed TO take possession Of every one oil
our brave boys--reluctant to yield, seeing no
chance Of escape, .4.7. ...
A hasty consultation was had among the
officers, when 1t was agreed TO make an un-
conditional surrender. Whereupon, the Cap
tain commanding threw mp grain sack In
token of surrender. We were fred into sev-
eral times after having surrendered. Arebc|
officer was then seen to approach from the
western end Of our corporation, and after
giving orders to his men to censc firing, re-
ceived our sufronder. We wero then march
ed back TO the RED House where we wcr,
placed under guard, and kept thero for two
days. On tho morning Of tho third day, th'
rebels all left but two who had been placed