The National tribune., 1883-08-16

ana take Decline Tor Baton Rouge, La. We
had completely destroyed forty miles of rail-
road, and the command was becoming very
weary from want of proper rest. There was no
scarcity of horses, but many troopers had TO
change four or five times, abandoning the old
ones. But few of the horses we had started with
were ridden through. Besides, we were getting
in poor trim for fighting, there being only forty
rounds of ammunition left to each man, although
it was not the intention OF Colonel Grierson to
engage the enemy, but rather to avoid him.
But am satisfied Of one thing: had we been
compelled to fight, we should have fought des-
perately.
FIFTEENTH DAY.
On the morning of the 1st of May, Just as
daylight began to appear, the command left
camp, taking a southwest course, the Seventh
Illinois in advance. As we wended our way
through the woodlands, we little dreamed what
a change few hours would bring about. The
sun arose in all its glory-not cloud to obscure
its dazzling brightness A gentle breeze mur-
INJURED through the trees, and, perched among
the branches, mocking bird warbled his varied
notes. The command felt inspired by the spec
tacle, and began to speculate cheerfully as to
the point on the Mississippi River that we
should probably strike. 1t sometimes happened
on this march that we had recourse to by-rOads,
and it was ON one of these, and within four
miles of the Clinton and Osyko road, that we
by man mounted on a fine horse. They were
on their way to Osyko but had hoped TO avoid
US. Some valuable information was obtained
from them. Among the suffers stock was
some tobacco, which was, of course, confscated.
The prisoners were turned over to the COM
mand. About 10 o'clock a. N. we emerged into
the Clinton and Osyko road, and at once dis
covered, by the newly-made tracks, that col
umn of cavalry had passed but short time pre-
yious. L at once sent man back to report to Col.
GrlerS0n, who soon came up and made a close ex-
animation. 1t was the opinion of all that con-
siderable force had passed. and apparently going
IN the same direction as ourselves; and / was
thereupon ordered by Colonel Grierson to ad-
vance cautiously with my scouts let nothing
escape our observation on either side of the
road, and if | saw any object that 1 could not
fully satisfy myself about, to report to him at
once, and, finally, not to get over mile ahead
of the column. / had proceeded about two and
half miles, when / discovered some horses
hitched in the edge of timber to the left of the
road. They were saddled, but could not dis
cover any men in the vicinity. / sent one
man back to report to the colonel, however,
while / advanced with two other men, taking
the necessary precautiOn of having my revol
yers ready at hand. As we approached, dis
covered three men, two seated on a log and the
other lying down. They were armed with
carbines and revolverS but did not seem to be
pIlceu db OuE dpptOdSH- W.T. anu i
said: Hello, bOys-On picket" Yes, been
out about an hour and feel devilish tired-been
travelling night and day after the Yanks, and
I'll bet my horse they will get away yet"
"That is just our case" replied, but where
is your commando cover in the rush bot
tom, resting"-pointing with his hand. "Whose
command is it, and how many have ouY-bnt
at that moment two shots were heard in our
rear, and they began TO prick up their ears and
make movement as if with the intention of
mounting. This was evidently not the time for
further questioning, so giving my scouts the
sign, each of US covered our man with re-
volver, and ordered them to surrender and
raise their hands over their heads, or we would
fire. They complied at once and / ordered
one of my men to dismount and secure their
arms and then, directing them to mount, double
quicked them back to the command, which had
come to a halt about four hundred yards to our
rear.
AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.
I viii now explain the cause of the
shots that we heard in our rear. On the
left of the column, where it was now halted,
was heavy timber; On the right was q
large plantation and twO-story frame house,
which stood back from the road about three
hundred yards Between the house and road
was dense growth of live oaks and silver
| poplars, completely hiding from view at the
house any person who might be passing along
the road. Two roads wended their way through
this thieket to the hOuSe-one above and one
below it-taking an Oblique direction. At the
time the column came to halt opposite this
| plantation, and while waiting for further de-
| yelopments from the scouts several men, under
| command of Lieutenant CASTOR, company G.,
| of the Seventh, proceeded to the house. As
they rode up to the gate they discovered four
armed rebels in the yard, dismounted. The
/ rebs were surprised and both parties showed a
| disposition to fight. The lieutenant demanded
| their surrender, but they had no notion OF
! doing So and both parties began firing upon
each other. However, Our men succeeded in
| taking two of them prisoners aud capturing
| four horses. One OF our men was struck in
the breast by a buckshot, but not seriously
wounded. This explained the firing that so
| alarmed the picket we had captured, for these
| four men belonged to the same picket and had
| only gone to the house to procure something
to eat. Not expecting the Yanks to come that
| way, they were not on the lookout.
l was now ordered TO go forward again eau
| tiously with my men, and when we arrived at
the place where we had captured the picket
discovered two mounted men OFT to my right
/ in the bOttOm-land near the edge of the timber
an open field being between US. On glaneing
/ down the road | could see that after gradually
ascending for quarter of mile it turned at
| right angles, and then at a distance of about q
/
at the point where the two men were sitting
on their horses That a force was down in the
bottom was pretty certain, but how strong that
force was we had no means of knowing, and so
after the custom of poker players, we had to
/" go it blind" Leaving one man behind, with
instructions to halt the column before reaching
! that point, so that they could not be seen by
those VINO seemed to be watching US, L pro-
ceeded with three of my men-Fowler, Wood
and Steadman. We had reached the road that
| turned TO our right, and proceeded on il about
one hundred yards, when our ears were saluted
by loud voice coming from one of the two
horsemen at the edge of the timber inquiring
"What in - does all that firing meant"
answered: All mistake. We were coming
~ with re-enforcemeuts when your picket
fired on our advance thinking that we were
Yanks, but no one is hurt and it's all right"
Is THAT ALL?
| At this one of them broke out in roar Of
! laughter and said. Is that alp" and, putting
spurs TO his horse started towards US on sallop
leaving his eomrade behind. l told Fowler tC
let him ride up between Us aud 1 would man.
age him. We each had our revolverS in hand
ready for instant use. Up come Mr.. Reb look
| ing much pleased, and said: How are you
boys; how much force have you got2" We
had now halted, and, as he rode in between US
| turned my horse in an oblique direction