Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-16


ment and flushed with pride at being the
f;rst ITn;on;sts to occupy the rebel strong
hold. How disappointed was that l
could not share in this pleasure. Being
left alone to my own resources thougnt
7 had better be getting into safer quarters,
but how The distance was too great TO
iump ashore unless used my gun as
ieaping pole concluding at last that was
the only way, took my gun, but was I'M
able to touch bottom; again trying, aller
fixing bayonet, still was unable to reacn
bottom. This decided me that couia no'
get ashore on that side. If Irisked ahoth-
er bath. which was extremely dangerous
owing to the current being SO stfohS anu
60 many sharp rocks in the river to strike
.ra;nst I sbould most likely be carried
- ,ho dam which was only short dis
$50 below me. and which would most
i;keIv have been fatal to me. Now what
was TO be done Truly the situation was
not pleasant one. Coming to the con-
cIusion that must endeavor to get to the
rebel shore, looked across the surging
waters and thought my chance of landing
safely, extremely small. However, hop
ing for the best while fearing the worst,
and using nv rifle with bayonet fixed to
steady myself, j leaped from rock to rock,
sometimes narrowly escaping another
plunge, at other times safely landing
where expected. After almost two hours
hard work / landed on the rebel shore,
safe, but almost exhausted, with ammuni-
ton wet and rifle useless. could do no
less than to follow my comrades into
Ocoquan and ii fortunate enough to escape
rebel scouts. cross over in boat and re-
turn to camp.
Cautiously advancing, l approached the
village from the rear, and thought, owing
to its miserable and dilapidated appear
ance, that it must be entirely deserted.
After short time, finding l was alone,
about twenty-five men crept out from the
various houses and surrounded me, giving
me the impression that l surely should
have to travel towards Richmond as
prisoner Of war. Finding them very
quiet began to talk as strong Unionlst
to them, but they were unwilling to talk
upon that subject and gave me very short
answers in reply to questions asked. They
advised me to get across the river and out
of danger as soon as could, as Rebel
scouts were in that neighborhood, and
were mosnentarily expected in the village,
so taking their advice ] went to the river
bank, but could not find boat to cross in.
then tried to roll a log into the water to
float across upon seeing. this. one OF the
citizens, a lame man, told me there was
punt down stream little ways, but that
it would not keep afioat long enough to
take me across told him would risk it,
and if he would row me across, l would
cndeavor to keep it afioat by bailng. so
getting into it. he rowed while ! baiied as
fast as could until We got within few
yards of the shore, when the punt sunk
beneath us leaving us to scramble ashore
as best we could. We sat down upon the
rocks to let the water run out OF our
clothing.
While sitting there talking with my new
made friend heard shot fired from the
opposite shore, and the bali strike above
our heads, admonishing me that the scouts
had arrived in the village; SO taking a |
hasty leave of my friend | was soon on
nv way to ePohick Church, distant five |
miles. / arrived there about three hours |
after the others had got into camp and had
reported me as probably prisoner, as l
was missing. reportedto Colonel Berry,
who questioned me concerning the country
back of the village, for had made more
extended reconnaissance than the other
eleven had.
Shortly after / arrived in camp orders
came from Gen. Hientzleman for Col Berry
to take about four hundred men and make
this reconnaissance, but he being ahead OF
orders, as he usually was when occasion
required, reported that he had already ac-
complished the task with one hundred
men, one-fourth of what Gen. Heintzleman
thought necessary for the occasion.-Fronn
Me Rockldnd Free Press.
w. NJ. II.