The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-04-20

ffiAm y Union s0ldier---QO not no alarmed,
! am a true friend, md wish to learnlf there
are any rebels in this part Of the country"
"Thcrei is q company Of rebels scouting
through the country now. They we're at my
fathers house only this morning. and passed
down the valley tt Bas
She then told me that main Clinch river
was too much swollen by the late freshet for
me to cross 1t in safety, but that she would
see her father and make arrangements formy
crossing. lthl a he mfr
She then proceeded to bring her father to
mo with my consent. In the meantime
roncealedmyself in the underbush and awsit-
ed their re turn. In an hour they m1de tfelt
appearance, the young lady bearingG basket
filed with the good things oflife-euough of to
tempt one much less hungry than myself |
came forth from my covert after being couvinc-
ed there WAS no treachery on their part, and
soon RECALLED myself on the delicate contents
Of the basket aforesaid. W e5lf vi
Ny Young heroine proposed to go to a.
neighboring saltpetrc works and secure the
services Of a friend who would set me across
the river. She was notlong in bringing him
to the spot; and after expressing my grate-
ful thanks to my fair young friend and her
aged father and bidding them adisu,
We proceeded to the river. AT this point my
guides heart failed him, saying II weattsmpt-
cd to crosswe would certainly be drowned
But knew there was no time TO be lost in
discussing the matter, and taking from my
belt my ever faithful revolver, told him to
get into the canoe and stear It across, never
theless which command be sullenly obeyed,
and took my seat in the opposite end Of the
quiTering little bark Although tossed about
With great force and violence by the rush.
ing torrent.we succeeded in landing safely
on the opposite shore, and after giving few
words Of advice and caution to my oarswan,
lpfoceeded on my journey, reaching Clneh
Mountain just at daylight on the goth Of Feb
ruafy. Here remained concealed till even-
ing, had a good view Of the road which
crossed the mountain. About four o'clock
in the evening observed a posse Of rebel
cavalry coming up the mountain side guard
ing humber of prisoners. On approaching
nearer my position, found there were eight
guards well armed having in charge ten priS-
oners, who from their appearance seemed to
be citizeEs. The guard had scarcely passed
when ! sbserved two men passing very eau
tionsly just below ms as II watching the par
ty in advance. They were well armed, and
led me to believe they meant no good TO
those who led thevan.s As they were about
to pass my place Of concealment / halted
them In rough manner, and demanded their
business. They Immediately brought their
pieces to their shoulders and asked me BY
what right made such demand. ! told
them my safety required IL. They then
seemed satisfied, and on approaching me,
said they hoped was a Union soldier. |
told them they wefe right in their conjec-
tures whereupon they confessed 10 me frank
ley they were Union men, and were seeking
an opportunity TO release their Union friends
who were the prisoners under the party Of
rebel soldiers in the advance, and whom they
had captured that morning. They told
plausible story, and could not doubt them.
Therefore / proposed to Join them, and aid in
their rescue, which highly elated them. We
then set out upon the pursuit-keeping in
the woods out of sight of the road.
II was not long until we came In sight
of the party, who appeared to be in no hur-
ry, Not long afler discovering them, they
halted BY large spring to get water.
nNew is ourtlme,p said I, as saw three Of
the rebels leave the party and proceed to the
spring some two hundred yards distant from
the roadside. 6sH ettia fua sii
We charged the hysrsmai"ing guards with
an unrarthly yell, which 50 frightened them
as to cause all ofthen, to drop their musksts
and fly to the woods in the greatest coufu-
sion, With theeIcsplicn ofons man, who man
ilested a spirit Of bravery which would have
done credit TO Saxon 10 better cause
This man persiS.ed in taking dellbsra.s aim
and firing his musket, then preceded 10 re-
load without stirring from his uaeks. But
ball from NY navy sent bin rseling 10 the
land from whence no traveller has ever been
known 10 return--lhe prisoners seized the
rebel guns and aided uS iu the pursuit.
ssareelya quarter Of an hour bad elapsed
when All became quiet and not rebel was
70 be seen. fr 'ro.1f.0 1t itlfs.t l1 4oiI.r,s
The joyful expressions Of the prisoners
were such Asio not admit Of dsscripl on.--
They shed tears Of glAdness and gratitude for
their rescue. They had overheard the rebels
say ihey were to be taken 70 = ssrtAls point
some hYs miles distant and shot We had
thus saved them from al awful doom. t
Taking leave Of my Union friends, set
out on ny journey, crossing The valley
north Of ofRogeuvllIs, and the Holston diver Ia
q canOs, which found NJ the fesidenes Of
Nj. wilson, on the banks Of that stream.
freached chimney Top mountain On the
3e.h February 1858, where found number