Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-10-14
A STORY OF ssBRMaNs MARCH.


the early historic times
STORY OF ssBRMaNs MARCH.
He had always lived on farm near the
Chattahoochee river, and knew all the
country around kenesaw mountain so well
that ne could go to any place for miles alone
In the darkest night. General Hood was
greatly perplexed after his defeat in the
first battle OF kenesaw mountain, and be-.
lieving that General Sherman would make
a move down the railroad or around Lost
mountain, it was of the greatest import
ance to know which. So he sent for
William, and asked him about the country
around, and ne offered $500 in gold to visit
the camp of the Federals and report what
was going on.
William well knew that it was certain
death to be discovered, and after reluc.
family accepting the offer, he made depo-
sition OF his property by will, half expect
ing never to come back. Claiming to be a
refugee, and one of the original Union men
of Georgia, be got through the lines with
out difficulty, and was sent by the United
States Quartermaster to Chattanooga
There he changed his dress, shaved off his
whiskers and cut his hair short, and ap-
piled to the Sanitary Commission for EN-.
ployment. He claimed to come from the
country, and telling cheap tale he was
hired. At his own request be was sent to
the front to aid III the distribution Of sup
plies. Thus situated, he could do anything
ne wished, and he at once set about getting
information. He visited General McPher.
sons headquarters, at the right of the Ma
rietta road.
After learning from Mcpherson that no
more supplies had better be accumulated
at Big Shanty, as the armies were soon to
move, he started for Sherman's headquar.
tiers. His credentials as an agent of the
Sanitary Commission were sufficient pass-
port anywhere, and although one or two
regarded him with suspicion, yet none
stopped him. While he was in Hooker's
tent inquiring about the supplies of the
division. an order came from Sherman TO
prepare two days ratioEs and move-where,
no one knew. But Hooker remarked that
as the Third Brigade was to move first it
must be to the southwest This was I'll
William could expect to gain, and So writ.
ing letter to the agent of the Sanitary
Commission, telling him tina. the Sanitary
Commission was of NO further use to him, as
they might like aloyal man better, herespect.
fully resigned. The state of his health de.
manded that he should go south, aud,
thinking that ii he stayed with the Fed
eral army he would never get any further
south, he had concluded to leave them be-
hind. This letter was written in General
Thomas tent and sent on by special mes
senger detailed by the General himself.
That night, after securing pass to take
supplies to General Blair's division of the
army of the Tennessee, he secured mule
and box of medicines and started for
Marietta. He succeeded, after great
deal of difficulty, in getting permission to
cross the main line, bat with the skirmish
line pickets and videttes he had more diff
Guilty. They first positively refused him
permission to pass, and he rode for mile,
trying one after another along the line
before he found way through, and
succeeded only because he found an
idiotic fellow who did not know bis duty.
Then came the skirmish line. Leaving
his mule and walking deliberately up to a
picket he inquired where the man was who
was hurt, as he came to take care of him.
The picket said he had not heard of any
body who had been injured, and asked
William if he had any whisky, Telling
him he had, William sat down on the box
and proceeded to divide it. Acting at
favorable moment, William caught hold of
the soldiers gua as it rested on the ground
and wrenched it from the astonished sol
dier's grasp.
Then threatening to shoot him if he
made any noise so that the picket short
distance away could hear, William babe
him be seated and started up for the
mountain. As might be expected, the dis
armed picket set up howl as soon as WILL
lam was oat Of sight The other sentiuels
began to fire after him, and one mimic ball
passed through his arm, near the elbow,
and another clipped his ear. The Confed-
crate pickets, hearing the discharge, thought
it must be an advance, and began firing
from their side. This was an un-
fortunate circumstance for William,
for when be shouted to his own lines
they took the direction from which the
voice came and sent the bullets the faster.
Finally hearing the Union pickets nearing,
he saw his only chance was to make
dash for it. Aud shouting, "I'm a de-
serter, l surrender" he ran toward the
Confederate line. Voley after volley rang
in his ears, the smoke was suffocating him,
but be rushed on after the first charge I'M
harmed him, until, as he was passing the
SScoNu PICKET, ABOUT dozen sOlClerS OF
the relief drew up in front of him.
As it was not so dark but that his form
could be plainly seen, the corporal ex-
claimed: " Ready! We take no prison.
ers tonight Fire !" Down went WILL
lam in an instant with seven balls in his
right leg and hip. Almost beside himself
with rage at this reception by part of his
own brigade, he raised his gun from the
ground and discharged it full in the face of
the corporal, killing him instantly. AT
this discharge the squad fled, the
picket went in, and the works all
along themouutaiu began toshell the woods,
while the garrison were called to arms by
the long roll. At night be lay there bleed.
ing, stiff and cold, until they came to re.
place the pickets and found him. He was
carried into General Hoods headquarters,
there told his story, had his wounds
dressed, and the day Kenesaw was evacu-
ated he dined at his old cabin on the Chat.
tahoochee.