The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-17


that some one else knew us. We conyersed,
indeed, with quite a number, but of course
without disclosing our identity. One of the
young ladies,-quite pretty girl, too,-when
her time came to choose partner in the
game of Sister Phebe," selected Stookey, but
being afraid that his presence on the floor
might arouse suspicion, he declined the honor.
We remained in the house perhaps an hour
and then went into the yard, where we found
several of the guests-chiefy elderly men
enjoying themselves in social chat. Among
them were a number of Confederate soldiers
and seeing that we were strangers and Judging
from our dress that we probably were soldiers
also, inquired whether we were going to camp
that night.
What camp" we asked
Camp Floyd" they answered.
We told them we did not know anything
about the place.
"Why, we thought you were soldiers" said
one of them.
replied that we were soldiers, but belonged
to the army on the other side.
What are you doing here, then ?" they ex-
claimed.
DANGER AT HAND.
We thereupon told them our story, describing
the hardships we had endured in prison and
the adventures we had met with since our
escape. They remained silent while we were
speaking, and when we had finished expressed
their surprise that we had succeeded so well.
They told us that they were divided in poiiti-
cal sentiments, but since we had had our share
of hardships they would not be the ones to be-
tray us. Learning from them that we were
within five miles of a rebel camp of instruction,
we thanked God secretly for the information,
and made up our minds to flank the camp. They
urged US to stay until the party broke up, but
we felt that we had more important buS-
ness on hand and it would be wise to forego
fun and frolic" till that was accomplished.
Two of the men-and we were sure they were
Confederate soldiers-accompanied us to the
road, and there hasty adieus were exchanged,
and we set out on double-quick; when we
had gone short distance the deserters re-
joined us. On, on we went faster and faster!
the three guides before and we three behind
fence corners and trees whirling by like ghosts
of departed fears. Trayersing Sinking Creek
Valley we made for the Sinking Creek Noun
tain and crossed it on public road. We were
well down its western slope by the time the
first streaks of daylight began to redden the
east and we then turned into pine thieket
for rest, sleep and refreshment.
Sometime after midnight, while crossing
Sinking Creek Valley, we had had the pleasure
Of. witnessing partial eclipse of the moon, and
as two of us had studied astronomy in our
youthful days, the scene was one of much in
terest to u.s. even if it was viewed under such
acquaintance with the heavenly bodies that had
enabled US to shape our course at time whea
there was neither road nor path to follow. We
slept nearly all day on the soft grass in the
woods, basking like turtles on log on a fine
day in May. About the middle of the after
noon we reused ourselves, made hearty meal
of our cold yictuals, and spent the remainder of
the day IN telling tales of hairebreadth escapes
that we had witnessed or heard of while in the
field. The three deserters employed the time
in discussing what they would do when they
got inside our lines, and decided to volunteer
their services as scouts. They thought their
knowledge of the country would make them
very serviceable in that capacity.
AT dark we set out again, and in an hour
were at the foot of the mountain. We there
took public road across what was called Johns
Creek Valley, and soon coming to a small
stream of water we followed it down mile or
so and crossed on an old wooden bridge We
then passed through deep piece of timber,
chatting merrily together, admring the tall
trees and the moonbeams glancing from their
lofty tops, and not for a moment suspecting that
any danger was near.
HALT! HALT! HALT!
After we had passed out of the timber, how
ever we struck lane and were following at
rapid pace when, Just as we were approaching
what we supposed TO be q crossroads, out step
ped man from fence corner and called out,
Haiti halt! haiti" We stopped instantly,
looked ahead to the right aud saw at a distance
what, from the number of fires, we concluded
must be large military camp We realized
in an instant that it would not do to parley,
and we backed out to the woods again just as fast
as our feet would carry Us. All the time the
sentinel was shouting at the top of his voice,
" Haiti halt! haiti" Then bang went his gun
and whiz went ball over our heads, but for
tunately without touching us. Once IN the
woods again we felt safe, but we kept on at full
speed for more than mile, or until we were
entirely out of breath. Then halt was Or
dered and we sat down to rest, and began to
calmly talk the matter over. The conclusion
that we reached was that we had run into
rebel recruiting camp, and that the sentinel,
mistaking us for some of his own comrades
who had been outside of the lines and were
trying to steal their way in, had fired over our
heads, with the intention of frightening us into
submission. If he was satisfied with the result
we were
After an hours rest we passed on across the
valley and began the ascent of small ridge
called Peters Mountain, and by o'clock in
the morning we had reached the western base
and found house to which we had been rec
commended by our friends in Craig Valley
man by the name of Smith lived there,
and he was an active member of the Order of
the white, Red and Blue String His house
WAS u StatlOu on lue main line or the under
ground railroad, and was frequented by those
who were fleeing from slavery, bigotry, treach-
cry and treason, to freedom, enlightenment and
loyalty. 1t was on this night that my poor old
shoes gave out. Sole and body came asunder
and my broad number elevens" had now no
protection from rocks and frozen earth, save
Uncle Josh's fine wooden socks. 1t was evil
dent that these would only last little while,
and | should then have TO go barefooted. When
/ entered Mr.. Smiths house my feet were cut
and bleeding and left my tracks in blood upon
the floor.
large fire was at once made in the huge old
chimney, and tub having been brought in
plunged my bleeding feet into the cold water
and after q good bath and an application of
ointment | nestled down upon the floor and
should have soon been sound asleep but for the
bad news | heard Smith telling the desertcrs.
He said we were now approaching the region
known as the Greenbriar country aud rebels in
scattering squads, We're very numerous Their
headquarters at Lewisburg, on tho Upper
Greenbriar, had that fall been broken up by
General Ayerill, and they had organized them
selves into rowing bands, which they styled
Independent Companies" although in truth
they We're nothing more than bushwhackers
and guerrillas. Or these companies two-com-
manded by two renegade brothers, William and
Philip Thurman--were especially to be- dreaded
They did not observe any Of the principles of