The National tribune., 1883-09-13
The GRIERSON RAID.
On the Way to Libby---IncidentS of
the Journey.
by r. ". sar6y, Battle Creek, Msch.l

x.
could not contradict these rebel reports of
disaster to our forces, nor did choose to be-
ieve them all. / could occasionally hear, after
night, the reports of our mortars, as they were
throwing their ponderous shells into Port Hud-
son, eighty miles distant, and I knew that in
that quarter, at all events, our forces still
existed.
The month of May was now drawing to a
close, and | was able to move around quite
lively. | was anxious to be sent North and
my wishes we're soon gratifed. On the second
day of June Just one north after being
wounded) | was notified by the doctor that he
would send me to Jackson on the morrow I
felt rcIoIced at the Thought of going towards
home, and knowing shat my friend Hawkins
desired to accompany me, | sought an inter-
view with the doctor, and, after considerable
talking, he consented to send him along, as |
could be of considerable service to him. In the
meantime [ purchased two watches from in
mates of the hospital. paying for them $3.50 /
thought this good investment, knowing that
the Confederate money would not be of any
use inside OF our lines The morrow came and
with it the train. at / o'clock p. m. Hawkins
aud myself got aboard and were soon leaving
Magnolia far in our rear Upon arriving at
Summit Station, / was told that we could not
proceed further by railroad. 1t had not been
repaired since Grierson's command destroyed
we must traverse ON foot or hire private con-
veyance, paying SIS each. l at once procured
passage for Hawkins the sergeant who was
guarding Us, and myself. After proceeding
about half way we stopped at a house on the
road for the night. We had not been there
long before we were Joined by other passengers.
The plantation was familiar to me, and / recog-
nized the proprietor as one ON whom [ had
called with squad of men, and from whom
had taken two horses, while the command was
destroying government property at Bogachitta,
one mile distant. The planter did not recog
nize me- however, and / did not take the
trouble to remind him of the circumstance. We
were provided with good bed and supper, for
which paid 81. so each. The next morning at
o'clock we started for Brookhaven, arriving
there at O'Clock, just in time to take break
fast at the hotel before leaving on the train.
While passing through Hazelhurst l noticed
several persons who were there when we rode
in so calamity. The most familiar We're those
of the landlady and her daughter at the hotel.
EXPERIENCES AT JACKSON.
Aboard the train was an Englishman who
held a captains commission in the rebel army.
He amused me very much, not only by his
foppish appearance, but by his ridiculous ac-
tons and the interest he took in watching me.
| could not move but he would tell the guard
TO keep his eyes on me. About l o'clock we
arrived within two miles of jackson. The
train could not run further on account of the
road having been torn up by Sherman's forces at
the time they occupied the place. There were
quite number of private conveyances, and
after obtaining one for Hawkins, the sergeant
and l started on a-foot for the city. | was sur
priSed to see SO much of the capitol of the State
left standing, as | had been told that our forces
had destroyed the most of it. The first place
was introduced TO was the provost marshals
Tt,nra had fc.x L.
fore being examined. While waiting, | took
occasion to hand Hawkins SIS, thinking he
might need it, and we might be separated,
which proved to be the ease he being exam
ined and sent away the same evening" with a
number OF others, to Richmond. | bade him
goOd-by, not expecting to see him again. My
own turn finally came, aud they made me
strip TO nay shirt and drawers searching every
pocket and lining, and appropriating to them
selves my watches. some papers, and all my
money excepting about $50, which they al
lowed me to keep, together with my pocket
knife and miniature Din. / had also in
my possession two letters from Doctors Steb-
bling and Biggs, which they requested me to
mail after reaching our lines They were not
sealed and contained nothing but what was of
a domestic character. The search ended and
nothing was found to impicate me in any way.
They expressed some disappointment in not
finding any Lincoln greenbacks. | thought
these rather queer proceedings for the head
military authorities of Jackson. The name of
the specimen of Southern chivalry,n who ap-,
peared to be the star actor in this military
drama. was S. G. Winnin. | shall always re-
member his face. From the provost marshals
Office | was sent to the guard-house, located
on Main street, where | was lodged with
about twenty-five others, and compelled to re-
main thirty-six hours without rations. When
they at last were Issued, they consisted of
scanty supply of unsfted corn-meal and refuse
bacon. Ne cooking utensils Of any kind were
furnished, and nothing hut cistern water was
given us to drink. Floating on the top of it
could be seen pieces of bacon. The lieutenant
OF the guard afterwards ordered me into a pri-
vate room and made me undress, while he gave
the garments thorough examination Nv
pocket knife seemed to please his fancy, and it
was only through my earnest entreaties that
he allowed me to retain the pin with my wies
miniature; my money he had no use for.
Greepbacks were what he was after. The fourth
day we left ut 8 o'clock a. m., twenty III num-
ber, and marched two miles, crossing the Pearl
River and taking the train on the jackson and
Mobile it;ailroad. Our guard consisted of one
sergeant and six meH,-old soldiers,-who
treated us with Kindness. No rations were
issued to Us before leaving Jackson, and we did
not get any until we arrived at Selma, Ala.
EN- ROUTE TO ATLANTA.
The first place of any Importance was Merid-
ian, then the Tombig6ee River, where we
took boat for Demopolis, and again resumed
our journey by rail Arriving at Selma the
next Afternoon, we remained all night, and re-
ceived three days rations Of hard tack and
boiled salt beef-a very good article We were
kindly treated by the provost marshal and
looked a5 with some curiosity by the citizens
Not being allowed the privilege of the streets
had no opportunity OF viewing the place, bat
what could SET impressed NE iiyorably Ex-
tensive buildings, fine roads. level sidewalks
shaded by beautiful trees-all looked neat and
business like. The next morning we were
| marched down to the river, where we took
deck passage on board q steamer for Aontgom-
cry, Ala. Before leaving Selma | saw what
was said to be the keel of boat on
the stocks, intended for a gunboat; another
had been completed short time before and
launched. Our trip up the Alabama was
very pleasant. In, due time we arrived
at the capital of the State where we re-
| manned few hours Taking tho train we
proceeded to West Point, on the Alabama
and Galine Railroad, where we remained all
night in q close building, What money had
on leaving Jackson / bad spent on the way for
| food, which / shared with some Of my comrades
who Were in feeble health. Two of them be-
longed to the Fourteenth New York cavalry
Our rations at this time becoming rather seant
L concluded to sell my coat, which [ offered to
the guard for twenty-1ive dollars. He took il
at once, paying the money. | derived more
| benefit from this money than / would have
done from the use of my coat, for ii secured for
me a few Injuries which benefited my health
| and at the same time assisted NV fanhta cow,