The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-10-20
THRILLING ADVENTURES
Lient. George W. Douglass?
or THE RroHrH EAST TENNESSEE iNrAYTRY
THE RENOWNED UNION SCOUT AND
PILOT
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COPYRIGHT SECURED.
. odg CHAPTER XII. @ rnI
(corYRiaHr SECURED, ]
4 REBEL RAID FoILED--THE LEAP FoR LIFE
.fi ADVENTURE AMONG THE REBELS.
n CHAPTER XII.

all ADVENTURE AMONG THE REBELS.
When night came, it became necessary to
look up rations, as our haversacks were get
ting unquestionably light During the day,
we had noticed the location of a farmhouse
within the rebel lines or rather beyond their
pickct-post, 10 which we resolved to proceed in
search Of provisions and "ncws." About ten
o'clock we proceeded cautiously down the
mountain, but unfortunately ran into the ad-
,yanced guard Of the enemy, who Immediately
fred upon US, Orton receiving flesh wound
in the left arm. We then fell back in hot
haste with half dozen Rebels after US, about
half mile, and again concealed ourselves
behind ledge Of rock, until they who were
in pursuit passed US. We then crossed the
mountain, 0anking the Gap on the left, and
were not long in reaching Powell's Valley
Weproceeded to point near Powel's River,
where we concealed ourselves, after havirg
well filled our havcrsacks at neighboring
farmhouse, the occupants of which, were reb-
els, where we passed ourselves off as rebel
soldiers. Here we had to keep quite sharp
lookout, rs the road was crowded with rebel
cavalry passing to and from the Gap--distant
about four miles. This road was also the
main road Fading to Cumberland Gap, ot
which point the rebels were in heavy force.
: Our position was in the loft OF spring -house
--par of the cover Of which projected over
large spring. The road passed immediate
ly along side this spring house, and frequent
" the rebel soldiers were stopping for the
purpose Of filling their cantcens with water.
This gave us an excellent opportunity to get
much information from them which we other
vice could not have obtained. 1t was pre-
carious situation, however, and had We been
discovered, We should have certainly had a
very rough handling. ...r ..
Upon one occasion, while two. rebels were
thus engaged, replenishing their cantccns, we
meaning their forces were going TO attack
the Yankees at Flat Lick, and that reinforce
ments were then arriving at the Gap for that
purpose-indeed we had the self-evident fact
before our eyes, MS their cavalry forces daily
passed us. We could not learn precisely
what time the attack was to be made, but
knew that 1t could not possibly be prolonged
more thnn few days. f...
This was u matter Of great importancc--so
we thougbt-so We acted That night we
hankcd the rebels in the Gap for the second
time, and were hurrying along towards Flat
Lick The next morning found us on the wa
ters Of Clear Fork again. From thence VIC
FASTENED to Flat Lick, which point we reach
cd about dey-brcOk On the following morning
--haying travelled over immense swamps and
a aterribly broken country. Here we made
our report to tho commanding officer, Major
Spears, giving him all the particulars and in
formation We had gnincd lie therefore made
preparation for the reception Of the intended
rniding party, and sent n courier to Camp
Dick Robinson for reinforcements, who mr..
rived just In time TO meet the enemy and &c.
cure most glorious victory. They were sent
back TO their mountain stronghold in utter
defeat and confusion. But had they como
upon the smell force commanded by tho Ma.
jor without his being appriscd Of their move
ments, hc would most inevitably have been
ngobbed up" II will therefore be seen that
we did our work well--at least in this In.
staneei notwithstanding the immense and
almost insurmountablo difficulties we had to
overcome.
For this service we received from the COM
manding General at Camp Dick Robinson,
his warmest gra,ulations and praise, and In
public speech to his command spoke Of us
IN unboundcd terms Of commcndation and
honor. This gave US 4 new incentive TO re-
newed cxertions In behalf Of our country's
cause, and we prepared ourselves for another
hazardous movement ....
On the a4th Of January, I was ordered
10 rcconnoiter In tho neighborhood Of
Cumberland Gap, and took my departure
on tho ssmo evening. travelled tho main