The National tribune., 1885-01-01


| Andrews only and the usual complement oi
! train hands were visible the remainder of the
party being tightly shut up in the car, which
| was designated as containing Beauregard' S am
| munition. The striking personal appearance
| of Andrews greatly aided him in carrying
| through his deception, which was never more
difficult than at this station. His commanding
presence, and firm but graceful address, marked
| him rs Southern gentleman,-a member of the
class from which a great proportion of the
rebel officers were drawn. His declarations
and orders were therefore received with the
greater respect on this account But all these
| resources were here strained to the utmost .
| Atlength the anxiousy-expected local freight
train arrived, and took its place on another side
| track. We were about to start on our way,
with the glad consciousness that our greatest
| obstacle was safely passed, when red flag was
noticed on the hiDdmost freight car This elic-
| tied immediate inquiry, and we were Informed
| that another very long freight train was just
| behind and that we would be obliged to wait
| its arrival also. This was most unfortunate, as
we had been already detained at Kingston
| much longer than was pleasant There were
| many disagreeable elements in the situation.
| A crowd of persons was rapidly assembling.
! The train from Rome was also nearly due, and
| though it only came to the station and returned
| on its own branch, yet il was not agreeable to
| notice the constant increase of force that our
enemies were gaining. If any word from the
southwark arrived, or If our true character was
| revealed in any other way, the peril would be
| imminent. But we trusted that this second
delay would be brief. Slowly the minutes
| passed by. To US who were shut up in the
box-car it appeared as if they would never be
gone. Our soldier comrades on the outside kept
| in the background as much as possible, remain
ing at their posts on the engine and the cars,
while Andrews occupied attention by COM
planning of the delay, and declaring that the
road ought to be kept clear of freight trains
when so much needed for the transportation of
army supplies. and when the fate of the whole
army of the West might depend upon the ce-
lerity with which it received its ammunition.
There was plausibility enough in his words to
lull suspicion in all minds except that of the
old switch-tender of the place, who grumbled
out his conviction that something was wrong
with that stylish-looking fellow, who ordered
everybody around as if the whole road belonged
to him." But no one paid any attention to this
mans complaints and not many minutes after
distant whistle sounded from the northward,
and we felt that the crisis had passed. As there
was no more rooal on the side track, Andrews
ordered the switch-tender to let this train run
by on the main track. That worthy was still
grumbling, but he reluctantly obeyed, and the
long succession of cars soon glided by us.
This meant release from suspense more in
tolerable than the most perilous action. To
our destiny was being wrought out by forces
operating in the darkness, was terrible trial
of nerve. But it was well borne. Brown,
Knight and Wilson, who were exposed to view,
exhibited no more impatience than was to be
expected of men in their assumed situation.
Those of US in the boX-car talked in whispers
only, and examined the priming of our pistols.
We understood that we were waiting for a de-
layed train, and well knew the fearful possi-
bilities of an obstructed track, with the speedy
detection and fight against overwhelming odds
that would follow, if the train for which we
waited did not arrive sooner than pursuers
from Big Shanty. When we recognized the
whistle of the coming train it was almost as
welcome as the boom of Mitchel's cannon,
which we expected to hear that evening after
all our work was done. As it rumbled by us
we fully expected an instant start a swift run
of few miles, and then the hard work but
pleasant excitement of bridge burning. Alas
Swift and frequent are the mutations of war.
Success can never be assured to any enterprise
ia advance. The train for which we had
waited with so much anxiety had no sooner
stopped than we beheld on it an emblem more
terrible than any comet that ever frighted
superstitious continent. Another red flag
Another train close behindi This was terrible,
but what could be done? With admirable
presence of mind Andrews moderated his i'm
patience, and asked the conductor of the newly
arrived train the meaning OF such an unusual
obstruction of the road. His tone was COM
manding, and without reserve the conductor
gave the full explanation. To Andrews it had
a thrilling inteSest. The commander at Chat
tanooga had received information that the YAM
kee Gen. Mitchell was coming by forced marches
and in full strength against the town; there
fore all the rolling-stock Of the road had been
ordered to Atlanta. This train was the first
instalment, but another and still longer section
behind If fn START q faW IN, uteca after
he did, and would probably not be more than 10
Or 10 minutes behind. In turn, the conductor
asked Andrews who he was and received the
information that he was an agent of Gen.
Beauregard, and that he had impressed train
into military service in Atlanta, which he was
running through with powder, of which Beaure-
gard was In extreme need. Under such cir
cumstances he greatly regretted this unfor-
tunate detention. The conductor did not sus-
pect the falsity Of these .pretences, but told
Andrews that il was doubtful if ne could get to
Beauregard at Corinth by going through Chat
tanooga, as 1T was certain that Mitchell had cap
tured Huntsville, directly on the line between
them. Andrews replied that this made no diff
ference, as he had his orders, and should press
on until they were countermanded, adding that
Mitchell was probably only paying flying visit
to Huntsville, and would have to be gone soon, or
find Beauregard upon him. Andrews also ordered
the conductor to run far enough down the main
track TO allow the next train TO draw in behind
him, and for both trains there to wait the COM
ing of Fuller with the regular mail. His or
ders were implicitly Obeyed aud then to our
party recommended the awful trial of quiet
waiting. One Of the men outside was directed
to give notice TO those in the box-car of the
nature of the detention and warn them to be
ready for any emergency. Either Brown or
knight / think, executed this commission.
Leaning against our car, but without turning
his eyes towards it, and speaking in low voice.
he said, We are waiting for one of the trains
the rebels are running off from Mitchell If we
are detected before it comes we will have to
fight. Be ready" We Uere ready; and so in
tolerable is suspense that most of us would have
felt as welcome relief the command to throw
open our door and spring into deadly conflict.
Slowly the leaden moments dragged them
selves away. 1t seems scarcely credible but
it is literally true that for 25 minutes more we
lay on the side track and waited, waited with
minds absorbed, pulses leaping, and ears
strained for the faintest sound which might
give hint as to our destiny. One precious
hour had we wasted at Kingston, time enough
to have burned every bridge between that
place and Dalton! The whole margin Of time
on which we had allowed ourselves to count
was two hours; now half of that was thrown
away at one station, and nothing accomplished
We dared wait no longer. Andrews decided to
rush ahead with the intention of meeting this
extra train wherever it might be found, and
forcing it to back before him TO the next sid
ing, where he could pass it. The resolution
was in every way dangerous, but the danger
would at least be Of an active character. Just
at this moment the long g-expected whistle was