New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-24

saw what he was running from. George had plenty
of pluck and was always ready to back Billy, and
between them they managed to get me under fire
sftener than liked. told Billy he was too quick
on the trigger and would get US into trouble some
fine day, but he only laughed at me, said he enlisted
to kIlliRebs and was going to pop at them when
ever he had chance
We had some close shaves but had escaped thus
far owing to luck and fresh horses; for had
first choice Of all stole and got remark
ably good ones. But our luck finally changed or
rather we had become rash and venturesome,
ahead, take chances and keep out well to the front
where the stealing was good, that was his
strategy And never knew him to miss taking
shot at Johnnie IT he had ghost of chance.
But the morning after we crossed the OgeecEee
River We ran into hornets nest that sobered us
down and broke up forever :" the three bummers"
as we had become to be called at headquarters.
Our division OF the corps was encamped across
the river guarding the pontoon bridge. for Wheel
front the previous day. Major &. told us that
morning before we started out to be very careful
and not venture too far to the front as the john
MES were plenty out there and we would get
picked mp. While he was talking to us the Gen
eral approached, aud as we saluted he SAID: Look
out. Boots. or you'll get picked up to-day. and L
cant lord to lose you three bummeIs until after
the march is over" He passed on we promised the
major TO be careful and crossed the river on the
division which was encamped along the road the
boys chaffed us. There go the three thieves.
said one; Going to rob another minister" sad
another; "Shoot the bummers.' said q third. As
we passed our own boys the cry of Boots" was
taken up and carried from end OF the regimentto
the other, Look out. Elder" said one of my com
pauy, "Or you'll lose your pretty boots to-day
there's lots of Johnuies out front, My caution
to Billy, to go slow was met with the remark,
why, Boots. you easy this morning"
Well said |. Billy. there's no use of us three
bucking against all Wheelcr's cavalry. Let's wait
till our cavalry comes up and clears thc road" We
were still advancing slowly when the Rebel pickcts
began firing, Some of The balls fell short, bit two
or three whstled savagely overhead and stopped
short made up my mind instantcr that coqld
see Just as well little further back. L never did
like the music of Rebel bullet; and ever since
got that bullet in my leg in front OF Atlanta have
liked them beautifully less. Billy and George, how
ever wanted TO see Johnnie that morning and so
they kept moving SLOWLY TO the front hal.
Those Rebs throw lead mighty careless Aud
| turned back and dismounted to wait for the
cavalry. j was hardly of my horse when heard
another volley. and looking down the road saw
George coming back on the jump ana Billy ana us
horse down III the road. How the Johnnies yelled
and some half dozen started for Billy, who had
gotten on his feet and was running ike a racer
toward US. George wheeled when he reached me
and we fred at the leading Johnnies. They halted
" hen we fired as were close TO our picket line
and they knew we were safe.
Billy ran In to us unhurt, but in furious temper
We'll" said l. Billy. told you you'd get hurt
now you'll have TO go back 20 the train for horse
lake mine and let hm go along lively or ,, me
troops will get the start of us; George ana VIII
wait here. In the course OF halt an hour ne re-
turned. riding young morse he had captured me
day before We started again and. not hearing any
firing in front we galloped along about two miles,
when we came up to our cavalry who had halted
and were waiting for orders. The otiicer IN COM
maud told us he had received an order from corps
headquarters to halt ana remain where he was un-
til further orders, and TO let no one pass,
Are the JohnnIes close byt" inquired l..
Eyes" SAID he, 1.-THE woods are full of EN-; so
you must wait until we move" go
We bummers turned back, and after riding
little way halted to consider the situation Billy
said Let's 90 back TO that cross roads we passed;
there must be plantation on that"
| remembered passing road not more than hal
IL. lion hnf I "
road through the woods and paid no attention TO
it, beng too anxious to get up to the front.
We rode back. found the road and turned down
It, riding very carefully and keeping good look
out We soon passed through the woods and about
a quarter of mile further down tho road we saw
a large plantation
The house was large and handsome and the long
rows of negro quarters. the large cotton house and
other buildings were evidence to us that we hau
struck good fOragng. Billy was going to rush
ahead at gallop IN his usual reckless way. but
called q halt.
Now. Boots" said Billy, what's the ,matteri'
Boys" said l. that's n good place for an am
bush do you see the grove OF trees in front and on
both sides of the house, aud little further down
the road don't You see that hedgei tell yon that's
a bully place for the Rebs to hide and they can
pick us off without being seen. Then you must re-
member Billy. are Mt least two miles or more
from the ARMY and a Eny h Feb s"0 ma S
are now almost on their line and mighty liable to
b" Obi the deuce" said Billy; don't let us stop
good haul there" ,-,,,
well Boots" said he - think as Billy does;
let's go along and # there are any Johnnies there
we'll scoop them"
1t was against my better Judgment. but !
yielded, though gave positive orders to retreat nj
the first sign OF a Reb. We advanced slowly with
horses well in hand ready to wheel and rum We
had reached the end of the hedge mentioned, and
took a look down both sides but saw no signs OF
JOhnnies We moved slowly on and as we neared
the end of the hedge l that the house was
Eftux ar1c furt hapo na
by trees. | did not like the looks OF things
Usually on riding up to plantation we were met
by the dogs and the daLKes Sa1 sure 70 n oG
darkey and the silence alarmed me. Boys" said
/, one of two things is certain: Either the John
lets ride around the house before going up TO It,"
"PshawW said Billy, lyon are as nervous as an
old woman this morning, Boots, here take a sup
of mountain dew I've got q little that's good"
Well we took drink and rode along to the end
Of the hedge and turned to the left, the road
making sweep In front of the house.
AS We swung round the end Of the hedge into the
carriage road that swept In circle IN front OF
the house we had plain view of it, not more than
forty OF fifty yards distant. The road was lined on
either side with large live oak trees, and as we
halted to take look around puff OF smoke fol-
lowed by the crack of a carbne came from tree
hands and pitched headlong from his horse.
The Rebel who fired the shot started back but he
had hardly taken a step from his tree when Billy
lowed by the Rebel yell from the house and looking
up saw men running out of both front and side
doors yelled to Billy to wheel and run :" Not |
till / take n look after George" said he. | |
partially wheeled my horse to run, when there came
a voley from the house, and my horse rearing |
straight gave mighty bound and fell with |
crash IN the road.
managed to clear my feet from the stirrups
though got an ugly fall Billy shot past me like
flash, followed by another volley; but his horse
was showing his racer blood, and the last saw Of
him he was flying down the road with tho speed
of the wind was good deal shaken up andt tried
to rise, but fell back and was immediate
" surrounded by Johnnies. of whom
hit me on the head with his carbine and knocked
me seuseless.
When roganed consciousness was lying where