Crawford avalanche., 1886-07-01
The COuRIER's RIDE.
BY DANIEL KNIGHT.

1t was the night before the battle of Shi-
lob, and We lay few miles below Pittsbure
Landing. Buell's forces had been gather
ing, preparatory to joining General Grant
to aid in the battle of Shiloh, then daily
expected. In the following details l shall
only narrate the part which / acted person
ally, leaving the army and its movements 10
the historian.
IL was the evening before the battle that
General unknown TO me, belonging to
Buell's army, hailed me and asked to what
cavalry l belonged, my name, Captains
nime, and company, all of which / an
Bwered, he noting my answers. He then
asked if l would be willing to go with an
officer of his staff upon a night ride to
Pittsburg Landing.
He said: Il am General Nelson, and
prefer a volunteer courier if / can get one,
as they are always better men for the
work."
replied that was willing TO undertake
the duty when properly detailed and in
structed My answer seemed to please him.
He answered: "As soon as possible go to
your quarters, feed your horse, yourself,
and the sooner you are ready the better"
This seemed like strange speech, COM
ing from n stranger whom had never seen
before, but, once having seen, not liable to
forget.
He was a large, feshy, sharp spoken
man, and his words carried authority with
them. IL was now getting on toward night,
and 1 soon after left the line and went to
camp. had fed my horse, and was max
ing my coffee, when an orderly came and
directed me to report at the Captains tent.
Going to headquarters TO report, L met
General Nelson coming out. 1 saluted
him. He returned the salute, and said:
"Be off as soon as possible, corporal. /
left your instructions with your Captain.
We were intending to send Lieutenant Mil
man with you, but he is on the
sick list, and perhaps it is just as
EslIi y9tla ~ Be careful, but get there as
Thore will in oil probability be fighting
when you get there. But it must not stop
you. Go directly TO General Grant and de-
liver your message TO him and only 10 him.
If there are any rebel cavalry on this side
of the river to intercept you, you must con-
ceal your papers, or destroy them If in
danger of being taken. If you destroy the
papers aud yet succeed in getting through.
and the fight is in progress, rs l am almost
certain it will be before You can possibly
oct there, say to General Grant that Gen
eral Nelson's division will be in line with
him before the sun goes down."
He then mounted and rode away. / en-
tcrod the Captains tent. He and Major
Bracket were seated at small writing ta-
BILE, examining small military map.
The Captain said: "Dan, you have got
yourself into business. General Nelson
has just left an order to detail you to go to
the Landing with papers for General Grant.
1t is dangerous service. You are to take
a road some four or five miles south, as
there are many sentinels on this, and 1t
would consume too much time to stop and
explain who you are to each; hence, 1t Is
deemed advisable to take the other road, by
which you run the risk OF meeting guards
of the wrong color. Basil Duke is on this
side of the river somewhere. In the event
| well, there is no use of giving you direc-
tons. Do your best, rs we trust you will.
| You are TO start on very important as we'll
as dangerous mission, and are expected to
deliver these papers TO General Grant by
noon to morrow. Get there by your own
devices. A darky will guide you to the
south road, and Sergeant Whitehall and the
picket guard will see you safe on your race. "
/ took the papers, thanked the Captain
| for the compliment, and as soon as pos
sible was in the saddle.
] found the guard waiting, and little
| before p. m. we started out of camp. On
arriving at the road the sergeant want d
me TO take the negro, but l declined,
preferring to chance it alone, and bidding
them cheerful good-by, cantered away.
1t was very lonely for the first hour, but
gradually the desire TO succeed began 10
take its place, and felt that / was getting
on famously, when discovered TO my right
| a fire. 1t seemed not 10 be upon the road
but it was too dark to determine. pressed
| forward, watching the fire, and soon saw
men about it. That settled the question
and knew they were a rebel picket. How
| was to get by them was the question:
| very important question just then. There
were too many of them for me to dash by
them. Myhorse wanted TO whinny. had
to slap him several times to keep him quiet
For five or six minutes l sat there watch
ing that camp, when / heard n horse APP
preaching from the same road had come
/ pulled off the road to let il pass, thinking
it a Johnny; but when they got opposite
me they stopped-two negroes, one on foot
one on horseback-and heard the follow
ing dialogue:
"Now, den, Steve, watts ur gon' ter do
Denis de Seccsh, an ef we lets dem catcl
us we's no better as dead ni9gers."
swell, but we isn't gwine 10 let den
catch us, sonny; of course, dey would shoe
ms TOO quick. But see here, boy; you mem
Der dat path wat runs down 10 Missa Jen-
kins'. Wal, da to"
"What dat, boy"
My horse was uneasy; he snufled, ant
the remark of the negro in regard 10 th'
path was so satisfactory that rode up Il
them, cautioning them 10 keep quiet.
fold them that / did not want TO interfere
wrrh their plans, but that did want 10 ge
around the fire without being seen, ant
| that il they knew of any way, should b
/ 4 A l..
The old negro, the first speaker, asked
as you Linkum sojer?"
said was.
He seemed greatly pleased at this; sni
the rebels at the fire were sole Dukes cit
sojers;" that he and his son were trying L
get 10 our army at Pittsburg Landing. an'
that il the rebels caught them they woul
. shoot them without asking question
And, as 1 afterward learned, he was righ
n