The National tribune., 1889-10-17

undisturbed But about Christmas Federal
party of cavalry passed through Stevensburg,
going south. As they neared the town Lieut.
Tom Ashhy, who was seated on the porch of
Freeman's store, deserted them. and said to
another Confederate soldier: Hello, that must
be some of Rosser's men coming over from the
Valley" mot much,n responded the other
Confederate, as he jumped for his horse. He
had seen the blue uniforms and was soon fly
ing over the fields toward Perry Mountain,
followed by party shooting ut him. Tom
Ashby, having no horse, jumped off the porch
and crawled under il. The Federal soldiers
came up, and were in Freeman's store aud all
around the house. yet they never thought of
looking under the porch so Tom escaped.
After the Federals left Tom got horse and
pulled out on a side road for Mitchell's Station,
not knowing but that other Federals might be
coming. As he rode along he discovered Il man
ahead of him on foot, and put spurs to his
horse to overtake him. The man seeing him
coming ran as fast as he could, lodging from
one side of the road to the other, until Tom
arrived within about 80 yards of him, when he
turned, threw up his hands, and cried: sur
render. For Gods sake. don't shoot. i surren-
der" Tom burst out laughing, for il was
man named Rlo Smith, from the fairgrounds,
whom he knew well, but who had mistaken
him for a Yankee. and who said that he lodged
about on the road TO escape any shots that
might be fred at him. They journeyed on
together.
In November, 1864, went down to Rich
mond to see if | could secure some coffee and
sugar before my stock ran out. ] went by rail
from Rapidan Station, on the Orange x AleXan-
dria Railroad TO Gordonsville, aud thence to
Richmond, which was confronted by Grants
army i have often thought it so strange that
the Federals did not destroy the railroads more
than they did, for you could go to Richmond
almost any time. | managed to purchase 100
pounds of coffee at $40 per pound aud bar
rel of sugar at ST. per pound, in Confederate
money and Bank of Virginia notes. started
my supplies home and then took run down
to Chester Station, on the railroad below Rich
mOnd, to see my son Louis ] found Picketts
Division on the Howletts. House line, opposite
Bermuda Hundred. They had very comfort
able hut quarters. but their ratiOns were only
onc-third of n pound of bacon and one pound
of meal or -four and tablespoonful of rice per
day. They had snares set and caught an occa-
sional rabbit, which added greatly to their bill
OF fare. There were about 1000 men in Pick
etts Division, in Corse's, Hunters and Stew
arts Brigades. and they occupied n line ex-
tending nearly three miles in length, from the
James to the Appomattox Rivers. The earth
works were very strong, with felled trees and
abatis in front. Heavy guns were mounted at
the Hewlett House, overlooking the river,
which they said
HAD BEEN USED FOR SMELLING DUTCH GAP.
Gen. Smiths (Tenth) Corps of the Union army
was reported 10 be in their front. One night
while remained, there was quite fight along
the picket-lines, and IL was said (as ! took care
not 10 20 10 seel that the Federal pickeis were
forced back on their reserves, and a Colonel, q