The National tribune., 1888-05-31

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Gse 1e~N - ? force and had quite a
SIS - - 4 fight with them, but
grN N@ 8.h they were too strong
IN H$4 fEE. for us and drove US
I'm l5 back On the retreat
,l2NNSN49 H Warren Durham and
- TAAN4sJ M: II 5Il ], both Of the same
n NlszASNssz 5sk company were detailed
#E - on rear guard, and
- - rs ~ when within five miles
f7STzs-TNs En- Of camp, a squad OF 20
49, 1<sszssA-s rebels cut us OF from
- - Z our command, taking
Durham and myself
prisoners. We were taken into the rebel camp,
and placed before Col Bly's headquarters OF
the % Miss.-Partisan Rangers, as they called
themselves-and held As prisoners Of war. We
were kept here three days when we were placed
III charge Of Capt. VIM. Hunt, Lieut.. Ruiiin, and
two Others, all Of the ID Miss, who started with
Us for Grenada, Miss; but just as we started
another prisoner, whose name was John Carver
and, / think, Of the ID Iowa Cav, was brought
IN and sent along.
Just here, would add, that if this meets the
eve Of either Comrades Durham or Carver, i
should be pleased to hear from them.
Our squad then moved on toward Grenada.
We had probably got about four miles on our
way when we came to q large open field. Hunt
said that VIC had to cross It, as II was nearer.
Having crossed over, we found ourselves at
the edge Of a dense thicket where Hunt or
6ered a halt, when be addressed Us thus: Men,
like your appearance, but I have taken
solemn oath 10 XIII every damned Yankee that
fell IN my hands. Within two yards Of here
lie the remains Of p Ganks that ! have killed,
and you three VIII make the even 80. will
give you just 30 minutes to prays If you want
to-"
Well, we were the worst scared trio you ever
saw. We begged and entrcated for our lives
but to no purpose. To fall on the field of battle
was an honor, but 70 be shot down as dogs by
this contemplate rebel whelp was anything
but pleasing.
lie picked on me as the first victim to be
shot. I was taken about 20 yards from the
Others, where, at the point OF his revolver, he
ordered me to strip of my clothing. / begged
with all the feeling ] could bring TO bear, but
he only hurried me all the more, saying that
as I came into the world naked, be wanted to
send me out Of 1t the same way. / could do
nothing else but comply with his demands, and
while ] was undressing be had his revolver
pointed at nay breast. When I got my clothes
all OF he ordered me to kneel down and whis-
per my last prayer, as ] had only one minute
70 live. The situation was getting rather des-
perate, and knowing the results would be
about the same whether I staid or ran, and
the chances being little in favor Of the latter
] suddenly jumped up and ran with al my
might. As ! made the leap he fired, but
without effect. He shot again, hitting my
wrist; and again, taking effect in my knee,
which brought me down. / was up IN an in
slant, running IN a zigzag manner 10 keep from
being shot ] had not gone far till / came TO a
large wide ditch, and gathering ali my strength
j leaped i safely. Meanwhile my would-b
assassin gave hot pursuit and when quito a
distance from the ditch ! looked back and saw
HIM climbing out Of the ditch on the same side
/ was on. As soon as be got OFT he fired at me
again, aud felt il whiz past my left ear. On
i sped with ali my might and soon outdis-
tzneed the Captain, wilo, seeing that ! was max
ing good my escape. stopped and tanned back.
Let me say right here, TO sIb5tautiate my be-
lief that he meant 10 kill Us. and had shot down
other onion prisoners II not 10 the amount Of
q that when be took rae aside with view
OF carrying ont bis infamous threat, / saw q
number Of dead bodies in the rubbish not i
1eet from me. ] remember il Just as well as
though 1t was yesterday. One OF the dead men
had a large hole IN his forehead, and I sup
posed he was shot while klcCiing, just as /
would have been had / got down as lie com
naEded. he poor fellow had met his fate
while IN prayer begging this inhuman hend
for his life, as doubtless had the other poor
fellows who were lying there, silent witnesses
TO his bloody deeds.
kept running with al might for probably
mile. aud seeing 2 large, bushy tree just ahead,
made t0r il, and climbing up I secreted my
self among the brush. You must remember
that ] had not q stitch OF clothing on me- aud
l2y situation was anything but comfortable. !
remained IN the tree about an hour when the
thought struck me that the squad might return
soon with dogs, and under such circumstances
j thought IL best 20 travel Descending /
picked up a good club and moved on. tray
eled as near north as I could guess, but. night
coming Oh, j was impossible 20 tell which way
] was going. On ! pi0ddcd, through brush and
Wadlng creeks, the latter adding much to nv
discomfort By chilling me from head 20 foot.
! did not know what 10 do. About o'clock
IA the morning j saw a light ahead and going
20 u found it was in y negro cabin. 1 went
70 the door and routed the old man out and
tod him ali that had happened. He went
back into the house and got pair Of drawers,
which put on, and then went into the house
There were several persons 10 the cabin, and
they gave me something 10 eat. One young
Fellow manifested quite an interest in my adj
venture. He promised 10 aid me IN getting
back % nay lines, and also 10 procure Ile a egIt
of clothes wbich be had at MS quarters.
Ills kindness however, Was only feignoa. !
learned from lIs conversation that I was ai5gut
three miles from Senat0bia, Miss. and about
two miles from Capt VIM Hunts hone. They
gave me bed, and being tired cut ! was soon
fast asleep.
On awakening beheld two men with shot
guns guarding me- One Of the men was a very
pleasant fellow. His name was Ne4ly. He
took me 70 las house aud gave me a very fair
suit % clothes and a good breakfast. After
breakfast he said that be would have 10 take
me 20 camp, and ] was taken 10 Gen CLaImcrss
headquarters. The General treated me yory
kindly. and had me TO strip, so lie could see
how bad i RGs shot and scratched. lie soclaed
10 regret Ily Treatment, but dida't say any
thing. dc called on Col. BY and ordered him
% pick two men whom he could trust aud
send me 10 Grenada, and If ] was not able 10
walk ] should be furnished with a horse y! lei,
got, and re were not long IN getting 70 the
town.
] am quite certain If Gen. Chalmers could be
found and interviewed on this subject be would
c0rroborate ali / have stated
When we got to Grenada, TO ny surprise
found Comrades Durham and Carver, aud they
were also surprised, as each thought the other
dead. They SAID that when Hunt came back
without me, aud also hearing the shooting
they thought il was all over with me- Hunt said
nothing 70 them about how he tried TO dispose
Of me- but made them take an oath never 70 fight
any more or be would xiii them he then
made them exchange clothes with the guards
We al had good clothes on, and I firmly be-
heVe Capt Hunts only purpose in disposing Of
rs was 10 get our good clothes and money. He
got about SIS from me, and the other bows had