Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-06
not considered prudent to use a torch in

not considered prudent to use torch in
our march through the swamp, and when
we got near the ferry we Kept as quiet as
mice. We fully expected to see camp
fires on the opposite side, for there the
high ground came very near the river,
and it was an excellent place for a camp.
Not seeing a camp we decided that per-
haps only q picket was stationed there,
and we made diligent search for a bat
teau in which to cross and nlakA a re-
connoissauco. We found no boat, but
could make out the outlines Of the .'hatY
on the opposite side. 1t WAS determined
then to resort to a stra tegeln in order TO
find out what the situation really was.
sam, the guide. was instructed to call lip
the negro terrYman, an Intimate friend Of
his, and pretend that he was trying toes
cape to the yankees" and so get all the
information he had in his possession
After good deal OF "hallooing," the fer
ryman answered aud came down 10 the
bank of the river. lie assured sam that
there had been no "Yankees% at the
"R0ost," and it was SD evident that he
was telling the truth that he was ordered
10 bring the Nat over. The rome was in
tact, and he soon landed on our side. At
ter crossing oyer we tied our horses in the
''pine orchard" { an Old field oYergrown
with young pno trees neac she railroad
Il
fence, for we thought VIC head train ap-
preaching. Sam lighted torch just as
the headlight of an engine appeared
down the track. He waved the light hori-
ZOntally, ana I'm few moments we cap
tured an engine which came 10 stop at
the station house. There were no persons
on it except the engineer and fremen.
who were evidently as good ''rebels" as
we were. The former laughed heartily
when we asked him where the yam
KEGS" were, and told us that the last
hoard OF them they were hurrying back
tn Shermans lines as rapidly as
horses could carry them, and were. then
AT least sixty or seventy miles away. We
felt pretty badly "cut up" for we had eX-
hibitcd all our bravery and shrewdness for
nothing. 1t was fortunate for us aud the
whole of Capt. Browns company that
what the engineer told us was true, tor
as an old veteran expressed himself as
we were marching out of Perry, we
would not have been "breakiast spelP'
for even d very small detachment of
StOneman's well-armed raiders.
The engine was allowed to proceed on
its way, and we returned to headquar-
tors. Our return march through the
swamp was not as slow as our advance
had been, for the reader may well i'm
aXine that our way was lighted by large
torch, which Illumined the green and gray
arch over the road, and gave / an extreme
y weird and romantic appearance.
1t was broad day light when we got back
to DatOn's. We made our report, and
Capt. Brown compimented us on what
ne termed 1.-THE brave and sklllful manner
in which we had performed our duty"
Mr.. Dalton gave us splendid hot break
fast, in which johnny cake, egg bread,
fried eggs, rye coffee with syrup Tor long
sweetening), and new crop fried sweet
potatoes figured spicuOusiy. This
was a reward which we were in condi-
ton to appreciate, although we had
made several attacks on our hayersacks
during the night. Shortly after break
fast our cOrpulent scouts drove up and
were somewhat astOnshed to learn that
StOneman had not been any further south
than GriswOltville. Most of the older
members of the company appeared to be
Qratifed at the turn affairs bad taken, but
rhe boys felt that it was almost disgrace
full TO return home without having had a
tight.
There was nothing left to be done ex-
cept to march back 10 Perry and disband
for time at least. We found the people
along the road greatly alarmed. Many OF
them had their more valuable household
treasures packed in wagons ready TO
now almost obsolete even in the noun
tains of East Tennessee.) Some had
actually gone to dolly County,. A
grapevine" dispatch had been circulated
through the county to the effect that our
company had been cut to pieces or cap
tured. and that the raiders were burning
al the houses along their line of march,
and carrying away all the people who re-
fused tn take the oath of allegiance to the
United States. When we reached town,
however, everything was quiet, for late
news had been received from Macon Civ
ing the true situation.
We were gladly welcomed home by our
relatives and particular friends, but We
were somewhat Inundated to observe in
dications that our services were not APP
preciated as highly as we thought they
ought to have teen. In fact, some who
had made earnest appeals for exemption
from service the day before on account OF
sudden illness, or having to take care OF
the women and children, were rather dis
posed to poke fun at us. We did not
enjoy their Jokes. and felt like they We're
ungrateful reprobates. All the older peo-
p g, however, appeared to be very GLAD
tnat our twenty-four- hour campaign end
ed as happily as it did.
TWO ROMEOS FOR ONE JULIET.