Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-11-08

an immediate response, "advance one"
These were signals taught us by union
men and deserters. I went up to them
and told who we were, and when they
were convinced, allowed Wood to came
also.
After having long talk with them
and receiving much valuable informa-
tion regarding settlement OF Dunk
ards, and also the habitation of man
named SimplSins, we wended our way
onward, doing plenty of marching from
that time until morning, but making
little headway on account of the rough
ness OF the country, as we had to re-
trace our steps many times in order to
get around some bluff or precipice.
In the morning we had no trouble
in finding a place to stow ourselves
away for the day, as we were in the
woods on the mountain. We had a
very refreshing rest that day.
The eighth night we started down il to
the valley. The point at which We
descended was very steep, and went
down first, just at dusk, as we dared
not leave the undertaking until dark,
as near the foot or base of the noun
tains it looked very steep for miles, or
as far as we could see in daylight. 1
gradually lowered myself to a little
creek by the aid of the bushes along
the route. Wood then tossed me an
old blanket that Bowers had given us,
and it came with such force as to CON-
pletely knock me into the creek. AS
soon as we were both safely landed at
the bottom, we started across the valley,
which seemed to be about three miles
to the fiat top. In this we were de-
ceived, as we put in a good nights
march, and only reached the noun
tain near morning. We climbed part
OF the way up and arranged place to
sleep during the day. The weather
was very pleasant, and we rested COM
fortably. During the day we several
times saw a woman go from q house
at the foot OF the mountain to a little
building we supposed to be spring
house. She went up a few steps in
front, with plate in her hand, and got
something we believed to be good to
eat, and as we had shared our provisions
with the two union men we met the
night before, our provender had
about given out, and this little circum-
stance was temptation to US that we
decided not to resist. There must be
something in that spring house that
would do us good. About half past
nine o'clock, after having drawn cuts
to decide who should go in, we started
down. I was elected to do the pilfering,
but on the way, Wood volunteered to
assume the risk himself; but as he
nearly always assumed similar risks,
l refused to consent on this occasion.
Early in the evening it had clouded
up and was now very dark, and had
began sleeting. Wood went as far as
the yard fence with me. l climbed
over and soon found my way to the
spring house, came to the front steps,
discovered the door unlocked, and
made my way across the floor eau
tiously, until I came in contact with
what seemed to be large box filled
with oats. In feeling in the oats, more
to find out ii they were oats than any
other reason, got hold OF something,
which upon holding up realized to be
a ham. Iagain started for the front
door as cautiously as / could, when to
my surprise l fell through the floor
and came down upon q barrel that
rolled with me, and the racket / made
was enough too awake the people on
the other side of the mountain. Why
did not fall into this trap when COM
ing in ! cannot imagine. I jumped up
as quickly as possible, and could just
the open door, as 1t was
only shade lighter outside than in
The spring house. l started for the
door and tried to run out, when my
otAAp SuIhO III SOHbftCb WIN UnC Bill, ana
! landed on my head, with the ham
bringing up the rear. 1t was q race
to see which would strike bottom first.
By this time large dog was awaiting
to receive me, and he contributed in
no small degree to confusion and noise
OF the evening. feared that he was
going TO lay hold OF me, but at this
opportune moment comrade Wood
arrived on the stage and added his
mite to entertainment by making u
raid on the dog in such way that he
was induced to beat u hasty retreat.
Then we ran for the fenco, and in try
Ing to get over, about twenty rods of 1t
fell down, enough to let the mountain
flock In there at their will. A torch
light procession consisting OF one man
and lantern now joined the serenaders
He was trying to urge on the dog, who
did not seem to like to participate on
such wet nights. / was In front with
tho ham; Wood just back of me was
the dog; we were going as
fast as possible, but the man did not
seem to be in any hurry, and was going
very slow. We soon had left the man
and dog out OF hearing distance, and on
this, our ninth nights march, we made
good time, and by morning there were
a number OF miles between us and the
8 ene Of Our exploits.
ITo BE coNTINUTD.l