The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-10-06

ereu tuey hau uelonged 10 u party OF repc'
ruflians who had murdered his brother. The
moment he discovered it to be the persons con-
cerncd with the murder, he drew his revolver,
and, before could reach him, he had passed
them from time to eternity. He had drawn
by degrees from them, n confession of being
with and accessor to the party who had COM
mitted the bloody deed ofhanginghis brother
TO extort from him the place Of concealment
of ofhimself-and SO deep and sudden was his
revenge, there was lett none to linger in sus-
pence with the hcinous crime Of murder tor
turing them the remainder oftheir lives. We
had previously, however, learned from them,
much of the situation of affairs in the Gap.
We then went TO the top of the mountain,
and watched the roads until night After
dark awhile we concluded to have little
adventure, and passing round the pickets we
proceed to grove, near number of large
tents, which we supposed to be the head
quarters of the rebel commander. In our
route we passed several struggling rebels
who paid no attention to US. Unloosing two
splendid mules from the trees to which they
were tied, we led them out without molesta-
ton, the way we had went in. The next
morning we were again on the waters Of
Clear Fork, but at different point from that
which Ind witnessed our escape from the
guard. Here we made out our report, and
forwarded it to Major Spears, commanding
at Flat Lick. We found at the Gap FIVE reg
imcnts of frcbels--amounting to about $500
men.
We again received orders TO proceed to
Brarfeld Gap, md ascertain the strength OF
the enemy at that point, as there was to be q
simultaneous attack by the Union forces on
all the strongholds Of the enemy.
After climbing innumerable mountains
and rafting streams which had swollen to
twice their usual size, and suffering much
from the intense cold, we reached the resi-
dence of Mr. James Howard, in Harlan coun-
ty, Kentucky, where we learned that the
rebels had killed several Union men on the
day we arrived in that immediate neighbor-
hood. This was unpleasant news-and We
found ourselves in the very midst of the most
vicious rebel desperAdoes. 1t was Slimp's
company-my old cnemies-with whom ],
upon former occasions had several rough
skirmishcs. This intelligence placed me
upon my guard. It was said that the woods
IN that neighborhood were full Of theui-and
that they were numbering and robbing every
Union. man they could find. Our friend How
ard, advised, and entreated US, not to proceed
any farther, as we would be hazarding our
lives to n reckless extent. But Orton in.
sisted We should proceed to execute our mis-
sion, regarless Of circumstances. He was q
man of headstrong proclivties-one who,
when he had undertaken to do anything he
would go through with it though death night
stare him in the face there was not enough
of discrete caution about him to make him n
safe companion on such an errand as was ours.
| frequently demonstrated with him in his
persistent course-but nll to no purpose ],
too, had some pride Of bravery and daring,
and felt that Orton should not be my Supe-
rior, and finally succumbcd TO his "onward
cntreaties.
We proceeded on our journey, but kept
n close lookout oprevent surprise, and taking
such by-paths as were not traveled-and very
through the trackess forest.
While making our way upa ravine in the
mountains, we came full upon rebel picket
who ordered us TO surrender Immediately
lcvellng his gun upon us, halted us.
told my friend in q low voice to surrender,
which he did The picket approached us,
and told us we must march Oft to camp,
before him. But he had approached too near
us for n sensible being and before he had
time to utter another word, orton being n
man ofmost powerful physical strength had
seized him by the throat, and tho next in.
slant held the muszlc Of his own gun at his
OrcUSt. We tOlu MIN " nt uttcTeu OHo sOuHu
he would pay the forfeit with his life. But
he took great care to obey, thinking perhaps,
that "discretion was the better part ofvalor,
We took him TO a thickct Of Olive bushes
md secreted ourselves in q small sink.
"Now p said I, toMr. Johnny, ~ want you to
tell us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth; and remember that VIC know
some little about you, and If you state false
hood to us, you may rest assured you will
never get beyond this olive hedge. First
have you any scouts in thi, neighborhood2-
II so how many"
Johnny replied, "there were three besides
himself, who crossed the creek, whom left a
few hundred yards beyond where you coptur-
ed me. rf."- t..#.|
"How many rebels nre In the Gap1'
"Therc Is but one company consisting Of
about fifty men"
"whcre Is your picket post7"
"About half mile on the road We left"
"what are they armed with y
nOld Z. s. Muskct,."
" Are they brave mrn-men who will