Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-12-11
Gen. sherman's Narrow Escape.

A correspondent of the Augusta (Ga.) Con-
stitlltioaalist tells the following story
One morning, how it matters not, four of my
company, myself among the number, found our
selves in the wills of South Carolina, without
any knowledge of the country, separated from
our command, and having an idea that Sher
mans advance guard was close to Us, hut IN
what direction We could not tell, as we were ut
terly at a loss. Hunger Is guest that uses
very little ceremony in his visits, and the little
fellow was knocking at our breast very rudely.
and clamorously asserting his presence. He was
not to be put 10 silence, and 80 for peace sake
determined 10 grant his request As if 10 try us,
no sooner had we agreed TO selrcn for food than
we came to a by-path which brauched oil to the
right Of the road We were travelling. 1t looked
promising, and, looking down a leslfy vista, we
discerned, about 800 yards of, unmistlkabe
signs Of farmhouse, and, as a thing Of course,
a land flowing with milk and honey. So deter
mined to . stand the hazard Of the die, - We
filed off down the road to breakfast We found
4 small farmhouse inhabited by a widow, whose
two sons had been killed IN YircInt,, and who,
with four or FIVE faithful slaves, still managed
to keep her little farm in good order Wecom-
ing US, for - the sake Of the gray, as she said,
We were soon seated on the grass pllt, enjoying
Auence Of her 5uttermilk, corn bread, and fried
chicken, we're rapidly becoming reinyig0ratod.
suddenly a confusion Of voices sounded near US,
and caught the CLEAN of slbers and bright
uniforms, as about dozen cavalry Ia dark blue
thundered down towards US. Evidently they
had not seen US. A word and d touch, and AL
four Of Us in the adjoining th-cket, awaiting
their approach They g4loped up, AMI ordering
breakfast, sat down On bench 90 await it.
felt a touch on my shoulder, and looking up saw
pale face near my own, with eyes turnei IN q
constrained manner TO an officer Oh the bench
" r. the lips whispered, aim 81 iuaulibiy,
s. now is the time 10 end the war. foHler sits
sherman I was 20 utterly taken by surprise
that did not at first comprehend him, but grA-
dualy as / gazed mechanically on the officer
pointed out TO me, began TO understand that
the South's greatest and most powerful enemy,
the one who was rapidly wipiug her out ot ex-
steuce as q nation, Eh0 held her fate, as were,
in the hollow Of his hand. who had done Ler
more evil in four months than all hi preiecls-
-ors had accomplished in as many years, wls
sitting there serene and unconscious within
reach Of my clrbine. at once commenced eau
tiously TO uusliug it, The fate Of the Couie ler-
lcy perhaps hung on that moment when at
tki, length If time think upon the awful inter-
ests that we're at stake, my brain reels and
grow faint The General arose unconscious of
his peril, and walked with a rapid military
tread into the house, followed by his staff, and
very soon we could see them through the open
window engaged in eating breakfast. was
completely bafiied, and had no opportunity, nor
had any Of Us. TO renew our attempts, as a body
Of cavalry soon arrived, before whom we though
il prudent to retire, and accordingly made
sudden retreat