Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-10-17
unk from the bloody scene be-

I = -
longer, Jim," said Jesse, as they
lay side by side in the ditch, load
ing and shooting oil the while.
Neither of the men had slept dur.
ling the battle, and had received
but very little food. As the twi-
Hight deepened into darkness there
came drifting snow storm. "Jes
se," said Jim in low tone, sit is
dark now and things are compar-
aiiveIy quiet, let's get out of this
ditch and try to sleep" 30 the
TWO brothers crept quietly from
THE ditch, where the mangled bod
les Of many of their comrades lay,
and where dying grosns rent the
air. Having gone but a short
distance, they spread a blanket
on the frozen and snowy ground,
and spreading another over them
they lay down side by side to rest.
Their eyes were heavy and they
were soon sound asleep. The
snow drifted down upon the hum
bic couch, but this did not disturb
the sweetness of their sleep. The
morning sun seemed to dispel the
storm, but the sleepers did not a.
wake till the sun shone with daz
zling brightness on the new-iallen
snow. The fort had surrender d
during he night, anu the flags Of
truce, quivering in the wintry air,
told them that they, with their
comrades, were prisoners OF war.
These young men arose from their
snowy bed with that surprise and
sadness which none can feel save
those who are unexpectedly taken
from that freedom which is so
much loved, and placed in the
hands of the enemy as prisoners.
"What will become Of us?' ask
ed Jim, as they both gazed on the
desolate scene before them, with
dread of the unknown future.
"We must make the best of ii we
can," replied Jesse. "At oil e.
vents we must attempt to secure
our revolvers for we may have
need of them" returned the other
thoughtfully. In the excitement
and hustle of the hour, they sat
down together. jesse took a nee
die from his vest, and sewed his
revolver in the folds Of his blan.
ket; while Jim equally thoughtful
drew a string from his pocket, and
suspended his from his neck back
between his shoulders. The Con-
federates having stacked arms
were ordered into line to be search.
ed for arms. There stood the two
brothers. Jesse was searched first;
and having his blanket suspended
on his arm, his pistol was mol
found. 1t was Jim's turn next,
and being up to the emergency he
had made preparation for it. lie
had long hair and not having
combed it, or washed his face dur
ing the engagement, he bushed il
to advantage, that made him ap-
pear idiotic. There he stood with
large knife made of a cross-cut
saw file, dangling to belt which
was conspicuously buckled over all
his clothing. To complete the
trick be had go successfully begun,
he would shy and dodge when
yankee would come near him, as
if he was half frightened to death.
They jerked the belt and knife
off OF him as he stood trembling
in every limb. When they assur-
ed him that they would not hurt
him, he gazed on them with bleach
ed eyes, while the slobbers flowed
volubly over his matted beard.
"That fol has 10 arms said one
of the Yankees as they passed on
! to the rext, whom they robbed Of
even their pocket-knives.
1 A boat was prepared and the
prisoners were ushered into it ve-
ry much like drove of swine In
, the hands Of cruel drivers. But
a week before they bad sailed
| down the same riverin high hopes
} of doing service for the Southern
5 cause. A great change had taken
place. Dependency had superse'
! ded hope, and on every counte-
3 nance was depicted the reflections
+ of sad heart.
r In the back part OF the boal
might have been seen Il e heroes
J, of our narrative. Jesse was lying
/. on the floor with his head in Jimi
O Ian. who used the floor as a seat