The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-07-10

IL maze little ulllerence, as my lying GOWN
on the ground, hungry, pillcwless, and
blanketless and fearing every moment
to be arrested, could not be called sleep
ing. The life was growing monotonous
at last; the more SO as, aside from an
occasional apple, | had nothing at all to
eat.
About the fifth day, overheard an old
lrishman, hoeing among his potatoes,
bitterly reviling the war to his wife. /
made his acquaintance, and discovered
our sentiments as to the rebellion to be
very nearly identical. Under the most
tremendous of oaths us to secrecy, | told
him who | was. and that | was absolute
ly starving. If he would helpmc, knew
how to save his property when Sher-
mans army should enter. That It ,roHld
enter, and that Atlanta would be RACED
to the ground and every human beings
throat cut, he had not doubt Still, if
detected in secrcting or feeding me, he
would be hung from his own door-post.
There was no doubling that, either.
However, that night l slept in his eel
lar, and was fed with more than the
crumbs of his table. 1t was arranged
that | should wander about the army
day times, and come to his cellar-un-
known to him, of course-about ten every
night, when his family were likely to be
in bed. The outside door was to to left
unlocked for me. Prisoners did not car
ny time-pieces in the South. Mine dis
appeared with my pistols or the battle
field of Chattanooga, and, as All unfortu-
note result, | went to my den i'll the eel
lar an hour too early. one evening. None
of my protectors family seemed to be
aware Of the guest in the cellar. / was
sitting quietly in the corner of the dark,
damp place, when the trap-door opened
above, and young lady, bearing lamp,
descended, and seemed to be searching
for something. 1t was a romantic situa-
tion-destined to be more so. Cropping
about the cellar, the young lady APP
preached me. | moved along the wall
to avoid her. She unluckily followed.
| moved farther again. She followed,
cornered me, screamed at the top of her
voice, dropped the lamp, and tainted.
In half minute three soldiers, who had
happened to be lunching up stairs, the
old lady, and my friend her husband
rushed down the steps, armed and with
lights. The old gentleman recognized
me, and was in despair. | think | too
was in despair; but, rightfully or wrong
fully, took to my heels. and escaped
through the door at which had entered,
leaving the fainting girl, the despairing
father, and the astonished soldiers to
arrange matters rs they might. The
girl recovered, l learned years after
wards, and hec fathers house was one of
the few that escaped the flames when
Sherman started to the sea.
From that night on, | slept again at
the roatlsides. and as for rations, might
say did not have any. The weather
was terribly hot, but | spent my days
wandering from regiment to regiment
and from fort to fort, inspecting the posi-
lions under the works. | knew that if |
did get through, all this would be equal
to an army corps for Sherman.
Once | crept into a little deserted frame
house, and happening to find an old
white palmetto hat there changed it for
my own, on account of the heat. | then
laid my rebel jacket and cap under the
boards, and, fastening my pantalo0ns up
with piece of broad red calico that hap
seeing what l could see. | very soon
saw more than | had calculated on. |
had wandered we'll off to the right of the
army, and was quietly looking about,
when squad of cavalry dashed in, shout
ing, THE Yankees are on us.' There
was 4 regiment of infantry close by,
which sprang to its feet. and every man
was ordered to seize !, gun and hurry to
the front. |, too, was picked up, and be-
fore had time to explain that l was just
going over to my division gun was in
my hands, and | was pushed into the
line. The whole force ran Tor quarter
of an hour into the woods, firing US they
ran, and shouting. Suddenly, as a few
shots were fired into us, we stopped, and
formed line of battle. The rebels near
me were much excited, but not so much
so as to leave the new recruit unnoticed.
| knew | was watched. but was deter
mined not to be suspected.
Fire the captain shouted; and how
we all fired. | was used to the gun in
my hands. My own regiment had been
armed with this same kind of rifle. How
| loaded and banged. | was Il pictur-
esque sight, too, among the trim, uni
formed company, hreeches, shirt
sleeves unbuttoned and flowing to the
elbows red calico waistband, and Il white
palmetto hat. John Burns ut Gettys-
burg was nothing compared to me in APP
pearance. | was prominent target
What wonder some Yankee did not
pick me off.
600 it, Alabama. Give 'em h.
Bully for YOU met my ears, as / ram
med down the cartridges and blazed
away. | aimed high, however. and un-
less Sherman's army were roosting in the
tree tops my hands are free from North
ern blood.
The skrmisI was soon over. Some
cavalry had thanked the Yanks and
brought them i'll, and while their pockets
were being gone through with by my
fellow soldiers | slipped to the rear, and
was glad to get back into my own cap
and jacket.
| lay in the little empty house chat
night. Sherman's army had been bang
ing at the city tearfully, and setting
houses on fire, all the night. 1t was a
little revenge, | presume, for the losses
in the skirmish, in which | had taken so
picturesque part These shelled houses
had emptied their occupants into the
street. and little after daylight no.
ticed a family. with its worldly baggage
piled on one mule wagon, stop i'll front
of my residence. Here's house out
of range of bullets. Why not move ine'
| heard manly voice call to the women
and children following with the traps.
- M.,.,, -, tI,unI,t 70 pvSe1t s.WnI