The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-12-27
WARTIME IN TENNESSEE
Guiding Refugees Through the Noun
tains


taina
Tho Perils Encountered hwhasksrs aud
0uerillas on Every Hand-Heklish 1usi.
nsss--A Fierce Battle 1sselsd By 1orss
Of Union Cavalry.
Having lived in East Tennessee for
several years previous to the war, al.
though residing in Ohio when hostili-
ties actually began, l knew the country
from Knoxville to the North Carolina
line on the east, and from Knoxville to
the Kentucky line on tho north, very
thoroughly. / was in Rogersville only
three months before the opening gun,
and knew that Il strong union senti-
ment prevailed among the mountain
eers. While the people OF other sections
of the South were enthusiastic for war,
the mountaineers of East Tennessee
and western North Carolina. with very
few exceptions were against it.
In the summer OF 1862, acting under
military orders, made my way from
Richmond. Kentucky, into the Blue
Ridge mountains. TO gather and bring
out us largea band as possible. After
more or less personal peril, mostly
from guerillas aud bushwhackers, l
reached the locality had in view,
which had Il neighborhood in u cove on
one OF the branches of the Tennessee
river. l went into the mountains in
the guise OF purchasing agent for
the confederate government, and as
had been libcrally supplied with bo tn
confederate money and gold, was in
Il position tn carry out my role.
Within u week after my arrival
found that twenty-one men were desir-
GUS OF making an attempt to reach the
union lines in Kentucky. Tho leader
in the movement was IL man of about
thirty, named Joe Pcnlicld. lie had
been married only about four months
before my appearance at tho cove.
We had appointed IL rendezvous on the
mountain, and at dusk everybody was
there, fourteen Of us in all. We had
made about sixteen miles, when We
had our first encounter. ana l saw of
what material the men were COM
posed. We were following tho mount
ain trail. walking by twos and every
one on the alert, when we caught sight
OF Il fire at II bend in tho trail ahead OF
lis. Pcntield cropt forward to investi,
gate. pnd after Il quarter of an hour r,.
t;irncd ana rep3rleu v...oa--...
picket. llo had only seen one man,
and h" was asleep on his post, but
from the looks of things he believed
others to be in camp near By. The
picket had been stationed here to in
terccpt refugees. and further progress
by the .t..il was blocked.
Peniied and two others wore sent to
the right and in IL littlo time returned
amt reported tho way cloar, and we
soon passed tho Danger. Descending
almost to tho valley We turned TO the
left and entered Il dense pine thickct
just us day was breaking. 1t was only
after had seen blood on Ionfiold's
clothes that he explained that in scout
ing to tho right his lnrty had stum-
hlod over ~ soldier wrapped in his
blanket and the outcry he had been
about TO make WAS prevented by
thrust from hunting knife which
his heart. This occurrence
was to be deplored, but no one could
be blamed for it. We retired into tho
shicke. until there WAS no danger of
being seen. aud then four mon were
pGsto0 as sentincls. and tho others ate
thoir Bread and meat and lay down to
sleep. Tho forenoon passed quietly
away, ami at o'clock three others
and myself relieved the sentinels.
at once made my way to- tho northern
edge of the tAickct. where | could
ovonlooi tho road descending into tho
valley as we'll as u part Of the valley
itself. and u brief observation satisfied
mo that we were being pursued.
saw Il score of mounted men riding
down the road, and another body in
the valley below, and their actions
showed them TO be in Il state of excita-
mont. We had no doubt been tracked
us far as the picket post. but from that
point our MWsl.els wele uncertain
whothei, wo had pushed on or secrcted
ourselves.
About ! o'clock u body of about twen.
w men, some on foot and some mount
ed, searched the Western half of the
and Some nt them came within
filty tent Of us. but they made no dis
corcries. We heard some OF them
loudly declaring their belief that we
were miles away. and as they left our
thickct for the road the search seemed
to be given up The major portion of
our pursucrs were gaomillns, who
would have sllct us. down without mer.
cy.
lta.5 night VIZ made fully twenty
miles, always in the fields Or woods.
and next day was passed in the timber
w" knew that every road was guarded,
and twice during the day squads of
cavalry were in sigh. We were un-
discovered an! undisturbcd, however,
and by bard pushing on the third night,
Nc. reached the eastern slope OF the
mountains. An hour
before dnybrcak, as we were
about to cross road, and while
two of the men were scouting
ahead to see that all was clear. ono OF
them, named Saunders. walked plump
up to Il man IN cisinen'a dress, who was
patro!Iing tho highway with gun on
his shoulder. He took Saunders for u
farmer living in the ncighborhood, and
explained that sixty men belonging, to
Il company recruited about Montgom.
cry had been sent up. there TO stop ref
usces. lie sai1. Our party was expected
along .has night. and that every one
would be shot down. no matter Wheth-
rr they surrendered or yoslstel He
had eighty rods of .he road TO- patrol.
and as. to WAS, about midway Of his