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

vaia Ffas CHAPTER nj. 81
Ny cxertions and harshps made 1t necces-
sary for me to rest for a season, which did,
spending my tine pleasantly among my
Union friend, and comrades in Kentucky.
On the 6rst day ofJanuary, 1862, was or
dercd by Major Spears, in company with Jas.
Orton, and one otaer man, to proceed to Big
Stone Gap, in the Cumberland Mountain, and
tfpossblc learn the strength Of the rebel force
at that place This point is situated about
forty mile. norta-esst of Cumbe rland Gap, on
the line between Kentucky and Virginia.
4 About the 6tth of the month, we arrived at
the house af u uaaE br tho name of Coldiron,
residing in LnureE County. He WAS good
Union man, a1d a ~arm friend. Tired and
weak from b art Travelling Over rough coun-
try, after yart aIing Of 8 ecfreshing rcpast we
retired to bed, to secure the rest we SO much
needed. We had scarcely weat to sleep when
NC were aroused, and found our bed surround
ed by ahaggared and ragged set OF men, armed
with shot guns. wham we imme edistely COM
pr.htspdcd as rebel saEaiecs- 10 resist, was
.iaa,ply absurd, aad Of coarse, We were made
prisoners. We as little expected 20 SEQ the
rebels thereto far from their base OF oper-
ntions-as so many Gilman cn--bat made up
our minds to make the best of our condition.
They made us march all night and just before
day-brcak we reached Clear Fork. We were
then placed under guard Of only one man,
while the rest of the squad went In search of
rations. The guard was pacing up aud down
before US, balancing hisyun on his shcul-
der as careless as if he was guarding so many
sheep. 1t was evident he was not very well
acquainted with the character Of his prisoners,
or he would have watched us with an argus
aye, 1t was quite dark, and We had low
conversation among ourseves--pcrfectly
.sgrecably and perfectly unanimous in regard
80 the subject. Presently stepped up to the
.puard, when he had his back turned upon
ms, and taking his gun from his hands, told
him he was my prisoner. lie looked amazed,
.ofcourso, but seeing my other two friends at
my side, said nothing told him If
he made any noise, he was dead man, after
which, you may depend he was as quiet as
one could DO under such circumstances. In
the quickest possible time, one Of my friends
.--0rton, ! think--took of one Of his suspcn-
,dcrs, and in another moment we had the
guards hands locked round sapling, and Sc
curcly bound; then breaking his gun to
picass over q rock, (for We knew VIC could not
escape with It safely we struck out through
the gray midst for parts not so well known
to tho rebels rs to ourselvcs--leaying our
guard to the mercy Of his comrades ...I.
We reached Pine Mountain in safety, and
there sccrcting ourselves, took the rest which
we had been so uncerimonious)y robbed OF the
night previous, There Is no telling what hui
.,nan nature can undergo when lifeis at stake.
There nre but few who can realize II without
learning thelessons experience teaches. SO II
was with my two friends. They little thought
rhcycould stand up to the heavy marches
which tho rebels subjected us TO, after tray
cling the long weary miles we did the day
,prcyious-and then after cfccting our escape
10 20 twenty miles or more farther into.
rugged modntain country.
When night came, we resumed our journey.
'wo had started out on o mission which VIC