The National tribune., 1889-10-10
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
THE HUNTER RAID.
A NIrhl,s Experlence in the AIlegheny MountalH

soldier can recall some incident Of his service
in The war that seems SO indelibly impressed
on his mind that he can never forget IT. OF
such a one ] am about TO write.
The date was the 23d day OF June. 1864 Gen.
Hunters forces had been repulsed at Lynch
burg, Va or the 18th. and we were in fun re-
treat, making our way back to the kanawha
in West Virginia.
We had been SO closely pursued by the enemy
that were compelled for the most part To
march day and night to prevent capture or
other serious results
/ was serving in West Virginia cavalry
regiment, and WAS marching in rear of the in
faBtry 90 hold back the encmys cavalry.
From incessant marching and for want of
forage cur horses were we'll laded; my own, IN
fact was unable TO carry me further. i had
dismounted, aud was trying to lead him along,
when the rear-guard came up on me. The
Captain ordered me TO abandon the horse and
move on ahead of his command; but being
very anxious to retain said horse TO help me
out Of what conceived 10 be a serious trouble,
prevailed on him to pass me by and leave me
% my fate.
should have obeyed the officers injunction,
but, rs night was approaching, had hoped the
General would order an early bivouac. and L
would be able to como up all right and after
nights rest the horse might be able for another
days journey, for we were yet east of the Allie
gheny Mountains with journey of at least $50
miles before US. ] soon found, however that 1
had made mistake in falling back and leav
ing the horse to the mercy of the hot Summer
sun, started on foot at rapid gait, trying TO
regain some OF my lost time.
Some 10 miles in my front the Alleghenies
stood boldly up before me, sending up some of
its rugged peaks 20 a great altitude; and al
though the trees that studded the expansive
area that lay up against the mountain were
dressed in their best green and purple, yet the
rugged and uneven surface sent out terrify-
ing aud foThidding look.
But a little after the sun had passed 10 the
west side Of the hills and the gray twilight Of
evening had begun 10 throw its shadows around
me, j arrived at the eastern base Of the mount
ain. Here / had hoped TO find the army en-
camped Init there was no trace of IT, save the
many footprints in the dusty highway. ] sat
down on a log for a short rest, for was much
fatigued.
An inspection Of my haversack disclosed the
fact that my only c0mmissaTy stores were two
crackers. One of these ] ate; the other / re-
served. lest / should more sorciy need il for
breakfast; for unless / could overtake the
army these would have to last me through the
balance OF the journey. ] now experienced
lonely dread Of my nights journey over the
mountain. and before starting again thought it
best 70 look after my firearms. This reminded
me that all my ammunition had been con-
sumed in the several engagements during the
campaign. Ny cartridEe-box was entirely
empty, aud not cartridge in the magazine Of
my trusiy Spencer.
Nv revolver had also two empty chambers
and nothing 10 replenish them with. In order
20 put myself In as light condition as possible
for travelling, Invested myself Of all surplus
equpage.
Ny carbine was broken thrown aside and
left booty 70 anyone who might care 20 pick
it up Nv saber was unsheathed the scabbard
unbuckled from my belt and thrown aside.
while the saber retained for the double
purpose Of Ralking-cane aud useful weapon
Of defense. should / need il. liz was now quite
dark a. i began the ascent Of the mountain.
When had proceeded about half mile the
road made short curve 10 the right To the
left. or rather straight up the HILL was large
trail through the weeds aud brush. showing
that many Of the boys had undertaken near
cut, expecting the road IN grading the mount
ain. would soon turn back 10 the LETT. and they
should meet IL in their course. Naturally
enough followed this trail: but after going
some distance discovered il was growing much
smaller. and soon dWiBdled down 10 a single
path. This accounted for az the time By their
changing from the regular order Of marching
by sections 10 single Gie.
Very soon. however. the path became IN
trareabe. This showed clearly TO me that
they had discovered their mistake and retFaced
their steps 10 the road. ] now paused 10 con-
slider what ] bad best do. To 60 hack 10 the
road. as my comrades evidently had done would
throw me still farther back. The road. knew,
was somewhere On any right, and IL ] marched
on ~ right oblieue," I thought should soon
strike il again. But j should stop here 10 say
that instead Of il cnrving back TO the left as
had supposed, IL kept to the right Of the
point where J Mas headed up a cove, crossed a
Fuich and made its hearing t. the right Of an
other knoll that lowered up in the mountain.
After wandering around for some time IN a
thicllct Of nnderbFush. stumbling over logs,
rocks, etc, ] concluded TO retrace my steps.
bot found myself 50 bCwiidered in the dark
Ness by reason u the heavy foliage Of the trees
aud brush which stretched out over and around
me that j had lost my course. ] could form
but little Ide2 as - where ] Was and really
Was lost ] again paused 10 consider what
had best do. If ] could only get out Of this
% that ] could the shape Of the bills
thought j could have better knowledge Of
the location Of the road.
now began 10 realize my situation. feeling
that ] Wac really lost ia the forest Of a great
mountain, far from any human habtati0n IN
country infested with Wild beasts, that would
not hesitate in making their supper on human
flesh II they should be ar hungry as / was ]
now made another effort and dashed forth as
lat a. ! could through the tangled bushes, aud
after considerable FccGnn0iter gained an OPEN
ing where j could discern the shape Of the
hills. In the distance could see what looked
70 be a low gap somewhat 10 my right. with
great peak towering up still 10 the right of the
gap Here ] thought the road would cross tile
mountain, pass 10 the western side and begin
it, descent 70 the valley below Marking
well the course 10 the gap / started again
into the thieket. and In another half hour
reached the gap 10 find myself more dis
appointed than before. The road was no.
where 10 be found. Again ] was bewidefed
j thought my route should be TO the right Of
this peak; but how far could il be 10 the road
Thinking there might be some Of the boys
struggling behind, who, perchance, would be
Do hearing distance. / concluded to FIRE my
revolver. Then i thought Of the scarcity OF
my ammunition, and fearing ! might need my
already scant supply, withheld the fire. nosy
placed NY ear to tire ground. pcradye /
might hear the sound 0f horses feet but could
hear no sound save the rapid thFobbing Of my
own heart and the soft murmnring Of the
breeze as IL passed through the pmey leaflets
shove INC. Rising 10 MY feet halIOe1 as loud
as could. but WAS only answered by an echo
Again called, with the same result Calling the
tlgTd time brought an answer. Great Heayenst
What was ~ IL Was not an echo. But another
ehrIl screaus told me TOO plainly that / was
confronted by panther not 200 yards away
iuToluntarily raised my hand 10 my head 10
prevent my hat from falling of Ii was no
use 70 run, Tor another piercing scream located
biMaitnost within sFringng distance. Taking
the position Of carry saber," with revolver ID
hand, made ready 10 meet my antagonist
Another scream and leap disclosed two great
eyes glariBg only pauther's could In
less Time than tax fCf tell 4 lts,F