Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-07-17
We could now begin to hear the heavy

We could now begin to hear the heavy
guns of Pittsburg Landing-the expected
battle had begun. 1t served to remind me
of the importance of my mission. Bidding
the boys all good morning mounted my
| new horse and rode away in the direction
of the battle. First, let me add that had
secured from negro residents in the vicinity
| of the camp the promise to care well for
| my wounded horse. I left him standing
| where he stood when 1 took the saddle
from him, and he looked almost humanity OF
more at me as l rode away.
Any old cavalry man will understand the
swelling heart with which I parted after
such tests from that noble horse. Let it
| be his eulogy that during the whole night
he bore me bravely through trackless
wood, ending with twelve mile race under
constant fire, and to him give due credit for
the safe deliverance to General Grant Of
the message which that day reached him in
the nick of time. Here's honor to my
noble horse. In parting, if | shed tear it
was soldiers tear, that did honor to my
manhood. rode away with such emotions
as could not be repressed. My ewes wers
full, my heart throbbing, and to-day, more
than twenty-three years ago, L say, God
bless me for that tribute of emotion to a
noble horse"
Once more on the road, and the desire to
do-to faithfully accomplish my Grand
possessed me.
II was Sunday. The enemy had ar
ranged an attack upon our forces, and wera
now wheeling into line and concentrating
their efforts for the destruction of General
Grants forces. AS rode rapidly forward
and thought as to the final result, 1 could
not for moment feel but the Union would
prevail.
Minute by minute could note the growth
of the battle as battery after battery, and
regiment after regiment, and battalion after
battalion, and division after division be-
came engaged. The volume of the battle
grew and grew, and with it my desire to
deliver my precious message.
The road was muddy and bad, but
urged forward my horse, now reeking with
sweat. / began to meet refugees--negroes
SO frightened they could not speak-women,
children, dogs-all intent upon getting away
from the fray.
1t was two o'clock p. m. when 1 arrived
upon the rivers bank, opposite Pittsburgh
Landing. looked over the scene with vary
ing, strange emotions. That was no Iowa
harvest field.
The ferryboat carried me over, and
hurried forward to find General Grant.
Shot and shell were flying over my head
no dinner horn music they.
In short time l found the General. He
stood watching the working of some new
batteries engaged in Smelling the woods
beyond His face wore troubled look.
When l handed him the papers he tore off
The envelope with haste. read a few lines,
turned to me and said:
Did General Nelson send any verbal
message?"
replied, "Yes. He said he would be in
line with you Tomorrow
He sent an orderly at once to repeat that
TO other commanders.
He then said to me, "You can now go and
get rest. l think you must need it."
| rode back to the river just in time to
take the boat for Savannah, which we
reached just as Nelson's advance came up.
Thus have 1 tried to detail days work
for my co1mtry-an eventful one.- Chicago
LetiGer.