Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-23
A LaughabIe "Reminiscences of
the Late Unpleasanfness.

tu oluOo tuC VlOoS VI Wv law "'P'S
antness, the events which occurred dar.
ing that time are yet fresh in the
memory of those who PARTICIPATED in
them. Although these stories have a
trace Of age about them, they have
lost none Of their interest, and are still
very interesting. Yesterday afternoon
Courier Journal reporter was in con
yersatioa with a well>known physician
of this city, whea this subj, got was
brought up:
An interesting event occurred to
ne in my lifeiilne,' rem mked the Doc
tor, (which might do to Srltc up. In
1864, when the guar,'lis were very
numerous in Kentucky, [ was living
with my father in Que Of the mountain
counties in the northern part of the
State One morning. starte to go
from fathers farm to that OF mel III
Dor. about four miles distant was
dressed in a grayish.blue Suit with
close. fitting cap, and had much the
appearance of being Federal soldier
To make the picture complete [ was
mounted upon large rav.bopcd gray
null, that was one Of the strongest and
widest snim1ls in that part OF the
country, l trotted along the road at a
brisk gate, aad in short time had
reached the summit of hill about two
miles from home. The country arou nd
was very rough and land direct
ly beloa me was large ravine, at
the end of which was a broad valley,
in which there was farmhouse. |
was sitting on my mule, l saw three
men step out Of the farm house below
me. A glance sufficei to show that
they saw ne about the same time l
did them, aud, taking the for FEEDER
al soldier, started to get their horses.
| knew was in for it, aud determined
to try them for few miles race. The
raviue runs SO that they could ride up
through it without my seeing them
and come out on the road directly be-
hind nae. determined to dodge them
aud turning my mule short around, |
laid on whip and spur, and if ever
mule did his dsty that one did. l had
gotten about three hundred yards
away when 1 heard yell behind me,
and knew that the guerillas were in
hot pursuit. The race continued this
way for about halt a mile, the mule
goiug at break-neck rate of speed
over the rocks and stumps, and my
pursurs followed close in the road.
About fifty yatds in front of me- the
road made sharp turn, and by strik-
Ing across the country could cut off
about halt mile to my fathers house,
but 10 do this would have to junp a
high fence. | resolved to try the ex+
pertinent, and, running towards the
fence, struck the mule with a whip.
He made a terrific bound, and ia 60
ing over caught his bind foot Oh the
fence, throwing him violently on the
other side, while [ was sent over the
head about twenty feet. | fell on the
broad of my back iu the mud, and
was not hurt by the fall. ! gathered
myself up, and looking around saw
the mule walking away. instantly
wert to him, and jumping on him
again galloped off. By this time,
however, my pursuers were close on
me snd when they saw me ride a"ay
a sec md time opened ere. One bullet
struck ae on the shoulder, aud another
glanced along the mules back, Making
a slight wound. The pain produced
made the animal perfectly will, and
he struck out, making direct line for
home. Just ahead OF us Was a farm-
house. on the other side Of which two
roads forked, one leading in rounda
bout way to my fathers house, aud The
other and broader one leading across
the country. The mus made straight
for the house, and clearing the fence
at a leap, dashed through the yard and
out on to the roal, He turned down
the narrow road, and We were soon
out Of sight Of pursuit. in strip OF
woods. The guerillss also came
through the farm yard, but took the
wrong road The frightened lnols
still continued to run, and l was
powerless to stop him III few mo-
ments he halted in my fathers yard.
Tht next day l made inquiries about
the matter and found out who tho
gentleman were. All OF them turned
out to be men living close around, /
did not venture out for week after.
to dress as a Federal soldier. Since
| have met couple Of the guerillas
who chased me, and AN now treating
one of them. We often get together
and laugh over the matter. but it was
no laughing matter for me that day.
As for the mule, kept him until be
died, which occurred a few weeks
ago
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