The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-23
sHERIDAN's SCARE.
He Walked High Trestlc Dark Night
Without knowing 1t.

One night Just before the Chicago fire Gen
eral Sheridan was entertaining comrade of
the army of the Cumberland. The night was
stormy. After good dinner they were enjoy
ing post prandial cigar. just then Sheridan
said: "Now, in answer to your questions,
Was | ever afraid? Was ever scared" In
answer to the first: l am confident no man in
his right mind goes into a battle without a feel
ing of dread-a something that cannot be de-
scribed only experienced. This feeling will vary
according 10 the peculiar nervous organization
of the individual. In it are involved all the
questions of moral responsibility and its effect
on the individual, tho future, etc. l know
that it has its effects on Inc, hut there comes
duty, which is above everything. In doing
your duty Outsiders lose sight OF this, and in
that way some men get the credit of being
without fear.
"Now, as to the question of scare. Show
me the man who has not been scared and he
will be phenomenon. After the Tullahoma
campaign, with its fights of Hoover's and Lib
erty Gaps. with Bragg forced beyond the Ten
nessee river, we went into camp. My division
consisted of three brigades. Two were sta
toned at Deckard, on tho Nashville and Chat
tanooga railroad. The Sd brigade was at the
terminus of branch railroad which ran to
some coal mines some ten or fifteen miles
away. This road through some rich
valleys Called coves in that part OF the coun
try, in which some splendid plantations were
situated.
Zone day, just before we began tho move
1 went up to the end of the road to inspect my
brigade stationed at that point. took staIf
officer with me. We drove up the mountain
in an ambulance and and left orders forGhand
car with detail OF men to be at fie terminus
at o'clock p. In to take q lock- at tho juno
ton and main camp at Deckard. / inspected
my brigade and waited Entil 7, but no car came.
then took my STAFF officer and started down
the track, expecting every moment TO meet the
car. We walked until twilight and no car
came. Seeing a light at q short distance from
the road, but still near enough to hear tho car
If it came, VIC went up and requested supper
The proprietor Of the plantation was a courty
Old gentleman whom / thought received us
rather coldy and seemed i'll at ease. He gave
us nice supper, but noticed everything was
hurried. l also noticed q commotIon among
tho negroes.
after supper the old man approached mo
and said Il see by your uniform you ma
jor general in tho union army, and must en-
ter my solemn protest against your being here
in the position you are without proper guard
or escort. You well know these mountains are
full of ignorant, fanatical men, ignorant of the
laws Of warm fact, but little better than In
dams. They would deem it patriotic net to
murder you. say murder, for it would be
murder. Since you arrived 1 have put eyergsj
safeguard around you. have sent my negl
in every direction to watch and to give
ing at the first intimation OF danger.
these men are ignorant and am G9E
beyond my control. ] could not
i
60, and pray yol may safely s. +
And permit me the privilege
and let me beg of you never ext +
such risks again. You well kr
punishment that fell on the CT
Ganeral McCook was murder
lance. The innocent and gut
i shall pray for your safe r,
should anything befall you c
munity. You do not realize
is to us. don't want to appe.
but for Gods sake 20, i want We W&II
dine with me, but with proper EST
will feel free from all responsible KS
be happy TO see you
81 hurried away, approaching the ~
fears, although l frankly admit / hadN
thought Of it before or OF my personal daHs%
or its effects on any one in case OF any accldens
TO myself AS / walked away must say
grew anxious. The force OF the old mans
fears and words grew on me. Not that feared
for myself, but If an accident should happen
TO me, l could, in my imagination, see my d.
vision taking n terrible revenge. 30 hurried
on, hoping 10 meet the hand-car before we
came TO the big trestle work, some seventy
feet high and over 100 feet Tonga spidery al
fair, with nothing but ties to walk on.
dreaded this more than anything elsei Tor al
ways get dizzy trying to walk at any great
height After walking for about an hour (tbe
darkness being intense) heard the welcome
rattle of the car and stopped for II 20 come up.
The sergeant said mistake had been made,
and that they had been sent down the main
line to tunnel. Not finding me they came back
to the junction, and had hurried on hoping TO
find me.
~ got on the car and remarked Thank
God we met anyway before came 70 tie big
trestle over the rayine. That couid NOT nave
crossed Tho big treste said the sergeant
why you walked that over mile bacs, The
| car soon brought us 10 camp. Thinking OF the
risk, OF the walk over trestle-work seventy
/ feet or more in height walked by stopping
/ from sic 10 tie in tho dark, and that without
I knowing IL, the effect was such that when |
! got to NY tent was the worst scared man In