Nevada County picayune., 1886-04-28
A WAR STORY.
How sh e, mans March to tho Sea Came Near Ending at the
 ChattahOOchso River.

l Sherman's famous 'tharch to the sea came near ending at the Chat tahoochee river. Just before the union army cFosted that stream both Sherman and Fitzpatrick fel into the hands of the Confederates
 This startling chapter of unwrit ten history, it must be admitted, is supported only by the recollections of a few old soldiers and with the exception of General Kilpatrick's case, no details have ever appear. ed in print.
 Early in July, 'G4, Sherman spent several days in maneuver!ng to SC. cure points of vantage from which he could throw his army across the c Chattahoochee. General Kilpat- rick at the time was lame, the re. suit of a fhstst would, and he found it convenient to ride in q i buggy. One day when he was driving by himself he inadvertent- ly passed beyond tho federal lines and found himself on a lonely road near the river. He stopped mo- meat, probably to decide upon his further movement, when a stall wait confederate stepped out of the woods, and with a leveled mus- ket, demanded Kilpatrick's surren- der. The flashing cavalsy let der saw that he was in bad box. The situation seemed absolutely hopeless, and he yielded with as much grace as was possible under the circumstances. His captor, with grin of triumph, got into the buggy::by thS side of his prisoner. and procheeed tA drive in the di. TeCtrcn Ot tno TlVcT.
 But Fitzpatrick had his wits about him. He had no intention of being ssdragretl into Johnson's lines if he could help it. Watch ing his opportunity he thrust one hand into his pocket and adroitly discharged his pistol. The con federatc received the bullet in tine tleshy part of his leg above the knee. In his surprise he leaped srom The buggy, leaving his mnss. ct behind. Fitzpatrick seized the gun and tried to make the man his prisoner. but the gray jacket plunged into the woods and was out of sight in a moment. The General lost no time ;n heading toward his camp, and after that his movements were very cautiously regulated,
 Sherman's mishap occurred a day or two after Kilpatrick's ad- venture. As the story goes, the great commander utilized his engi- ncering knowledge to the utmost, nhd personally inspected every inch of ground where it was prac- ticsble, with view to selecting places where the river could he crossed without suffering too se- verely from the enemS's fire. In tho meantime the soldiers of the opposing armies, being divided on- ly by a narrow river, found means to communicate and carry On their usual exchange of newspapers, to- bacco, coffee, etc. In one of these trading boats captain in a Mis. souri company on the union side discovered that his brother, who was a confederate cOloneL was To- cated Nith his regiment at cer. tain point on the opposite side Of the river. Finding an obliging confederate he sent 9 verbal mes- sage to his brother, and during the day received a reply. The next day notes in cipher passed between the two.
 It was midnight, and All was auiet along the Chattahoochee. The placid waters mirrowed long ranges of hills, and groups of giant forest oaks. The moon rode high in the heavsns and cast a mellowy radiance over the scene. Nothing broke the stiffness, except an oc- casional shot between a few pick cts, who could not see each other; and for that reason blazed away with murderous recklessness. From one of the union camps two dark figures quietly and hastily made their way to the woods skirt ing high bluff, One of these men was the Missouri captain Tho o,bnr vas General Sherman