Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-05
SKETCHES OF THE WAR.
BY HAPHAZARD.

Some eighty of us, well mounted and
equipped, and as eager for adventure as
Cervantes' Knight of the Rueful Coun-
tenance," were despatched on scouting
expedition in the direction of Burkes-
vile, Kentucky. Leaving Bowling
Green bright and early on sunny, Sep
tember Sabbath morn, we had traversed
many long and dreary miles over broken
and rough and lonely roads, when, upon
gaining an eminence, few scattered
horsemen in blue were deserted, distant
some quarter of mile on another devia-
ton. After both parties had gone
through with little hard looking, they
saluted US with mimic or two and took
to their heels. Pursuit was given at
topmost speed and was continued
long-an occasional bang" bang"
from pursuer and pursued adding
intensity to the exciting chase. But
night came on apace The bugle sound.
ed halt to the dogs of war A camp
was pitched on the road side and pick
cts put out according to the Hardee. "
The brilliant aid conspicuous daring by
redoubtable heroes had been discussed
long and late around the bivouac fres,
and all were hushed in the dreamy en-
brace of Morpheus, and midnight's dark
ness and silence brooded over the scene,
when two shouts, in quick succession,
followed by pickets into camp, aroused
us to our feet, and called into use our
unheshed maiden arms.
"Then was there hurrying to and
fro" Forming on foot, amid much con-
fusion, behind our smoldering fires, (of
which, in the total darkness, we didn't
intend the enemy should take advant-
age), with horses still further back under
a sort of precipice, we awaited breath
lessly, and with beating hearts, the fear
ful assault Orders were to keep in posi-.
ton, and on no account leave it, as a
precaution against mistaking friend for
foe, in the pitehy darkness The en-
emy seemed to have come upon our
pickets unexpected, for whilst, before
being fired upon, they were thunder
ing along at full speed, making great
deal of noise upon the hard dirt roads,
they now paused, and were long
silent, as if counseling upon a plan Of
attack But soon the rafting of chains
or other irons were heard, and we now
understood that artillery was being fixed
in position to bear upon us.
This was uncomfortable; for the small
saplings and underground we were en-
camped among offered but little protec-
tion, and imagination duly pictured the
deadly work of splinters and falling tree
tops. The enemy were yet too distant
for us to hear their talk, though some,
by putting their ears to the ground, dis
tinctly heard words of command, the
heavy tramp of feet, and roll and tumble
of caisons and cannon. Presently they
have limbered up and are coming on "
was the word that came from our leader,
Click click. click along the line, and
our eighty double-barrels were leveled
for volley so soon as we believed the
enemy in range
On they came, like an avalanche how
many we knew not-perhaps ten to one
Fresh from our homes, untried, undis-
ciplined, sixty miles from help, an over
whelming force upon us at the dead hour
of night o Mars what bloody chris
tening was this The enemy were now
within one hundred yards The signal
was given, and volley that shook the
ground with its thunder awoke the peace
ful citizens for miles around to the first
notes and the first tidings of the war.
Amid cheers and wild huzzas, and con-
fused, continuous firing, the groans of
the dying were nnheard and unheeded, |
and the elbow touch of many comrade |
was being missed.
How long the sanguinary conflict |
would have continued we know not, had |
not reconnaissance, after much delay,
reinforced by party with torches, de- |
veloped the fact that our foe was none |
other than two yoke of oxen, one calf,
one blind borse, one muly COW and one
jackass, dead and weltering in their
blood. The discovery was made too late |
to recall q courier sent by our gallant |
leader to say we had met the enemy
and they are ours" Farmer Gray, who,
on hearing of our approach had driven
his stock " to the bushes. cut out early !
next morning, preceding Brother Brown
low by several months, with a tale of hor-
rors and murders committed by bastard
rebs.
The last named of the killed is sup
posed 10 have been an own, dear relation
Of a certain extinguished- distinguished |
~.