The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-06-21
THE CAMP FIRE,
SHERMAN's BUMMERS-BATTLE OF
SHELBYrlLLE. TENN.
Ending the war-Pay of soidiers-five
Brothers La the Army short
Paragraphs.
sherman's Runners.

Soon after the arrival OF Sherman's
Army at Goldsboro, n. c., and while
the troops were fixing quarters for a
few days rest, three boys OF Co. +.
Goth Ohio procured passes 10 go out
side the picket-lines and find boards
for flooring their quarters, building
hunks, etc. At that time there was
no commissioned officer with the COM
pany. and the Sergeants in command
had in their possession large sorrel
mule that had carried their blankets.
cooking utensils and other traps on the
campaign just ended; so with this ami
NAL hitched 20 cart they started on
their errand. About IA mile outside
the lines they found a deserted farm
house, which they at once commenced
TO strip OF Notwithstanding. Serg't
Smith was busily engaged in this work
on the outside and Bella and Jordon
were investigating the inside OF the
house. A squad Of rebel cavalry rode
into the yard and inquired OF Smith
what command he belonged 10. Think
ing they were Yanks. he simply am
swered their question. Another glance
showed him they were Johnnies, and
having been sojourner among them
In 1862. he did not care To go 20 their
summer resorts so early in the season.
so he oade them good-by and broke for
the timber. Several shots were fired
at him "a he ran. but they happily
missed him and about dark he arrived
in camp covered with swamp mud and
minus his gun. which he had left lean
ing against the house.
After his departure the rebels direct
cd their attention TO the boys on the
inside OF the house. I'm the meantime
they had seen and heard the commo-
ton in the yard. and young Belta
crawled into feather bed which was
on the floor. while Jordon boldly faced
their callers. They wanted TO know
OF him where the other man was. as
they had noticed three OF them about
the place. He told them he WAS the
only one in the house; but they doubt
ed his veracity, and one of them drew
his saber and began punching around
among the feathers. and Bella had TO
come forth. They marched the boys
away taking with them the mule Of
Co. T..
This was late in the afternoon. and
some time after dark. as they were
going through swamp Bclta made
an excuse TO lag in the rear. lie was
guarded by boy but little larger or
older than himself, and he concluded
he would make break for liberty.
Snatching limb or fence-rail by the
roadside. he gave his captor "A blow
from the rear and leaped into the
swamp and was soon lost 10 view. The
Johnnics made but little effort 10 re-
capture him, as at that stage OF the
rebellion one prisoner, more or less.
was OF no consequence. Early the fol-
lowing morning Belta came limping
into camp looking rs II he had been
treated 10 coat Of tar and feathers.
Jordon never returned 20 his company
hut | suppose he was duly exchanged.
He was substitute, and the boys did
not take the same interest in him ms
thcy did In Smith and Belta, who were
vets OF 81. Belta was one Of NUM-
Der Of boys brought TO Delaware. O..
from the Five Point Mission in New
4 York. and enlisted as drummer. but
was soon able TO carry an Enfield.
/ which he preferred 20 drum w. H.
/ T.. Co +, Goth Ohio.