The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-11-10


dered to charge the rebels through the place
while another Regiment WAS ordered to pro
cecd by circuitous route to fall in on the
opposite side Of the town, and cut off ,hei,
retreat, and to learn if possible the strength
OF the enemy which were engaged in burn.
ing houses and mills, and committing other
depreda'ions upon inoifensive Union citizens
who had appealed to the commanding Gener.
nl for protection.
The night was very dark, md when we
reached point within two miles of the town,
the commander of our Regiment ordered
twenty of us to the right to guard narrow
street leading from the town to the woods in
Soulk-easterly direction. Having reached
the point designated, and placing out guards
in advance, we awaited the result. The Ia.
borious exercises of the past week, the hard.
ships and the sleepleSs nights we had all
spent, weighed heavily upon US all, and it
was with the greatest difficulty that the off,
GERS could keep the men awake. was one
OF the number that had lost SO much sleep
as to find it almost impossible to keep my
eyes open-and finally did fall asleep in de
spite of my efforts to the contrary. had
sank down in the path with the bride Of my
faithful horse in my hand.
How long had slept, am unable to say.
The first thing presented to my confused
mind on awaking, was a reverse to our arms.
1t was broad day light, and it seemed that
the street was crowded with fleeing soldiers,
stumbling over my body, putting and blowing
in the most excited manner. 1t took but
moment to discover the ragged gray uniforms
OF the refugees, and to recognize them as
rebels. presumed they thought me wound
ed or dead aad did not stop to molest ne
l considered non-combstveneSs ut that mo-
ment the better part of val0r, and feigued
dead man. My strategy was attended with
complete success aud it was not long till
saw the last struggling gray-back tottcring
along in II broken-down" condition, pur-
sued by a number of the inyincible blue
coats. AS soon as my Gown color" made
their appearance my resurrection took place,
and Joined in the pursuit with zest, and
had the pleasure of taking the above named
superanuated rebel by the coat colla~, and
bringing him to "stand STILL wGile he ut
tered most pitious beseachings-" Please
don't kill me jist spare my life, and III do
anything on earth for you'll" " ordered him
to hand up his side arms, which he did, and
then took him to the rear, feeling that it
would in some degree palate the awful mis-
demeanor had committed in going 10 sleep
while on duty. knew that, unless some
good excuse was rendered, would most as
suredly be made to suffer for my failure to
obey orders. But there was one consolation,
and that was, our forces were the yictors, and
knew all would finally come right. Had it
been otherwise, should have expected to
fare roughly.
soon joined my command, and found one
of my comrades leading my horse, which had
gotten away from me in the excitement of the
fray When reported at headquarters with
my prisoner, was congratulated by my Of
iicers upon MY success, and, to my surprise,
never word was there mentioned, about my
going to sleep on post. So all passed off
agreeable.
The army rested for few hours, and then,
about five o'clock, p. NJ, again resumed the
march. The night was very lnclement, the
roads became almost impassable-thc horses
sinking to there Aanks in mud at almost ev-
cry step. Several pieces Of artillery were
cut Gown and destroyed from the fact of their
being irrecoyerably "stuck in the mud and
the horses attached to them, not having been
supplied with food, becNm. so weak rs to he
unable to draw them further. TWAS q gloomy, !
very gloomy time for the whole nrmy-but
more especially for the infantry aud artillery.
men, whose suiTerings were md 81 intense
contending with mud and rain and the "war-
ing elements" Yet, they struggled on, brenSt-
ing the tempest with zeal and noble rcsig-
nation almost unparalleled in the history Of
human endurance. No word of complaint
escaped their lip, but on the other hand, the |
jest and merry laugh of the hardy, brave
boys, told that they were contentcd, even
amid such trying scenes.
On the next day we had heavy skrmsh
ut Cnny Creek, IN which we ngain put the