Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-05-22
ADVENTURES OF A REBEL.
In the Mountains of Northern
Georgia.
For the Public bsdssr.l

1t was in the month OF May, 1864, a
month that will long be remembered by
the soldiers of the " Army of 'Tennes-
see," and likewise by those of the Cum
berland, for in this month we commenced
the Georgia campaign. 1t was at the
commencement of this campaign that
the adventure l am about to relate oc-
Cured The brigade to which | be-
longed (Polk's) was placed at and on
the right of "Dugg's Gap" on Rocky
Face Ridge" The face of the ridge in
our front was very abrupt being in
places almost perpendicular. The angle
or ledge of the ridge was formed of huge
rocks, the greater part loose and easily
detached, which rendered any move
ment, even during the day, both danger
GUS and difficult The danger became
tenfold when movement had to be ex-
ecuted on such night as that on which
the adventure am about to relate, oc-
Cured. 1t was on the extreme verge of
the northwestern lodge of this ridge that
our picket line was posted during the
night / had early rolled myself in my
blanket, for the air is very chilly in the
evening in these mountain regions in the
month of May. After sleeping some
two hours, l was awakened by what ap-
peared to be the distant dull boom of ar
tillery (for at this tims had not heard
the sounds of thunder reyerberating
through the mountains, but what proved
in reality to be the sound of distant
thunder heralding the coming storm, for
storms in mountainous regions accumu-
late with alarming suddenness, and de-
scend in almost overwhelming torrents.
In the course of an hour dark clouds
completely overspread the armament.
The thunder by its closeness had be-
come louder, and such crashing reports
followed each discharge of lightning that
it became terrible even to soldier. The
night wat intensely dark, and the rain
had commenced to descend in huge
drops. The mes who had the good for
tune to possess them, were under their
dog tents, others were huddled around
their camp fires, some discussing the
probabilities of a night attack, others
silently gazing at the sissing embers,
and probably thinking of a wife and
little ones far away in the back woods of
Arkansas. Others, and among them
myself, sought shelter from the storm
beneath the overhanging rocks that pro-
jected from the surface. By this time
the storm was at its hight, vivid and
binding flashes of lightning were
darting around the submits OF
the peaks, penetrating the ravines
and Illuminating the valley beneath,
followed by such crashing peals of thun-
der that shook the firm rock against
which | sat. l was meditating on the
puny efforts of man to destroy his fellow
beings, when compared with the mighty
power controlled by the Almighty, when
an order came for me to take out ny
company and strengthen the picket line.
The storm was now at its hight the
clouds appeared to have opened and let
the water descend in one vast sheet. The
order must be obeyed- the company
must be deployed along the ledge. |
1siokIy assembled the men ard depioyed
them along the rear of the position we
had to occupy. Then, during the illu-
limitations caused by the vivid flashes Of
lightning, the men moved forward some
two or three steps ut a time, and thus
groped their way to the men already on
picket Then ! groped my way along
the line 10 ascertain if the men had sac
ceeded in gaining their positions on the
extreme verge Of the ledge-sometimes
crawling over loose rocks, at other times
plunging knee deep into water pools, all
the time in danger Of rolling hundreds OF
feet into the valley beneath. When this
duty was performed, seated myself by
the side of one Of nay men who was shell
tering himself by the side Of q, huge rock
From this position could see thou
sands Of the anemy's camp fires,
inclosing US. as il were, with belt OF
FIRE. The water had almost eKtinguished
them, but they now and again lighted up
with a fickering glare, resembling the
PHOSPHORUS light Of thousands Of ire
dies. had been but short time in this
position, when ! thought heard some
thing moving up the face Of the ridge IN
nv immediate front Listening more
attentiVely, ! became satisfied that such
was the case. Advancing cautiously TO
the verge Of the ledge, l peered dovn
among the rocks and vines that studded
lie side. Another fash, and | per
oegged some ten feet beneath me
What appeared 10 ne to be Federal
soldier. slowly dragging himself pp BY
the aid Of the poisoBous vines and pro-
iections that afforded him support II
was : daring deed, and few men IN either
army would have cared 20 venture upon
such a perilous undertaking The bold