Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-02
CHAPTER II.


that told elOqUently of the saddened feel
ings of our men.
CHAPTER II.
The next day we were ordered to pro-
coed TO Clinton, a lovely little town some
twelve miles east of Port Hudson, to dis
lodge and scatter any force that we might
meet. The weather was much more agree
able than that of the previous day and
our progress was not hampered by so
much difficulty and suffering-mainly,
perhaps, because our path was through
one OF those great Louisiana forests which
give such welcome shade on warm sum-
mer day. 1t was in the depths of these
woods that our forces met with an ignO-
miniOus defeat. The enemy was den Of
rattlesnakes. At first the reptiles seemed
averse to an engagement, but somebody
threw sticks at them and then, with eyes
aflame and tails rafting, they leaped
towards their adversaries. For the only
time in their war career our boys retreated
without the least show of resistance. Their
terrOr-stricken features told just how al
fectOnately they loved the rattlesnake.
After being routed so completely, some
fifty or sixty men armed themselves with
stout sticks, attacked the reptiles with
vigorous activity and left a number OF
dead snakes upon the field OF battle.
Still, under the excitement of our rat
tlesnake experience, we entered the road
! that led into Clinton, several miles away.
Our advance guard hastily brought US
report that there was danger ahead. A
| closer examination disclosed two harm
| less riders entering the woods from the
opposite direction and coming directly To-
wards US. One of there proved to be
lady, young and beautiful, dressed in
Tiding-habit, with a StOnewall Jackson
hat. Her companion was a tall, athletic
looking, handsome young man, wearing a
Confederate uniform. The rich mount
Ings and trapplngs Of their horses implied
aristOcratic and distinguished cOnnec-
tons. Our men in the advance were sig
| nailed to hide behind the bushes. The
main body was ordered to halt. Into this
ambush the TWO companions came. AS
! they approached We could hear their
voices, see the glad smiles and almost en-
| Joy their own happiness; but what puz-
| Zled us most was a lovely white dove,
/ which perched gracefully on her breast
and anon flew to the young man and how
! cred around his shoulders.
| Altogether, it made most lOvelike pic
! ture, with the young man apparently
! making love 10 the lady and the dove
/ counting the caresses OF both. They came
! on at a leisurely pace, carelessly and un-
/ suspectingly. The more closely we saw
/ her the more we admired her beauty. In
{
I captured by such picture of peace, and
! 1t was with deep regret that orders We're
| given for our men to rush from behind
! their hiding places. Instantly the two
riders made sudden bolt with their
horses, only to find themselves no@Pio1eIy
and hopelessly sgRmT r,,,-,,t'eu IL na i.,.
I your lady 10 do the same," said the COM
mander TO the young Confederate
/ Never, sir. This sword, given to me
/ by Beauregard, shall never be disgracpt
I by a weak surrender To a pack Of COW drCls.
4 Giye me a chance and III show you what
/ | mean" Instantly be raised the Damas-
| Gus blade above his head to strike, but he
! suddenly seemed to realize the position OF
/ tIe lady and, taking the sword at both ex-
/ JremltIes and striking the blade on the
| pOmmel of the saddle, broke it in two.
Enchanting that he had not broken his
vow, he threw the shattered pieces aside.
eaped from the saddle to the ground, and.
| rushing to the lady'S side, he assisted her
! TO dIsmOunt.
The saddle-bGgs and trappilgs were
! searched for dispatches but none were
| found. Questions were asked them but
| they answered Enthusiastically, and the
| more inQui -ltlve we became the shorter
| grew their replies. AT last the lady, tired
of our opportunities, said in clear and
| res0lute voice:
| Gentlemen, you might save yourselves
| much trouble by ceaslng to ask any more
questions. We are your prisoners. We
| both belong to the Confederate service.
Fake us and make the best of your prize;
but don't try to get any information from
us. We are no towards"
Il believe you, but you are not the kind
| of soldiers we are looking for" replied
! the commander. Il viii send this young
man to General Sherman's headquarters.
As Tor you, Miss, we viii return you to
/ your home at the first opportunity. For
1 the present you will remain with u.s."
Il want nothing from YOU" she eX-
/ claimed. II hate you from the bottom OF
! my heart. Whatever harm you intend to
! do him 1 am ready TO share" She pro-
/ ceeded to address the commander with
! bitter words of hatred until her wrought
up feelings found relief in tears. The
officer, affected by her desperation, ap-
preached to offer consolation, but
she made hysterical rush at him with
both hands outstretched, as if to do in
| jury to his face. He caught her wrists
and soon, the storm of anger having
passed, she became more calm and col
lected, and accepted a seat that was Of
| fered her.
We could afford to waste no time. Our
errand was important and admitted of no
| delay. IL was then decided To send both
f the prisoners to General w. T. Sher-
mans headquarters. An ambulance was
| prepared and, under good guard, they
were dispatched to that destination. Both
accepted the situation calmly and began
| their journey without a parting word to
| our officers.
The regiment in a short time arrived at
| ClintOn--a charming town, consisting
mostly of frame houses with large pOrches
and well-kept lawns, showing not only the
/ prosperity of the cotton planters who
| owned them, but excellent taste IN hOuse
| architecture as well. We were greatly
surprised to learn that the people had
heard nothing of our hard fight the dav
/ before, and it made us hope that General
Gleason had succeeded in driving the
Confederate cavalry into Port Hudson.
Nothing of moment occurred during the
two days we remained in the town. ~
The third day we were on the line of the
| investment of Port Hudson with our d.
vision of the Nineteenth Corps.