The National tribune., 1891-01-08

f. j
For this purpose Frank Wheatly, Quarter
master-Sergeant Of the 18th Ind, was Sc
lected Frank was a little cuss, but gamy
as chinCh so, taking the bundle Of Conied-
crate money, he mounted his horse and gal
loped back 10 the river Finding the pom
toon bridge taken up, he looked around and
soon found a skifE lie had hitched his
horse TO tree on the river bank, and he
thought that il would not be prudent 10
take any arms over into Selma with him, as
struggling rebels would undoubtedly be in
there, as all our troops had left He there
fore took or his belt and revolver and hung
them on a limb near the horse. He then got
in the slsiff and rowed over TO Selma, fasten-
ing the skin al the waters edge and proceed
ing thence to the hospital, where he delivered
over the
CONFEDERATE MONEY
to Surg, Larkin. The Surgeon told him
that there was company Of rebel cavalry
in town, who had taken list Of tho wounded
and attendants but a short lime before, SO
Prank struck for the river without delay.
Just as be uoaFed the place whore his boat
was secured IS hat WIS hIs modification ta see
the rebel cavalry coming 0ut OF a side street
lie was halted aud taken prisoner. The
Captain asked him what be was doing there
lie said that he had brought over medicines
ard things Cor the sick men in charge Of Dr.
Laikin. The Captain asked him how far the
command was back when he left, and Frank
said about a couple OF miles from the
river" The Captain had been looking with
wistiul eyes az Franks horse on the opposite
bank, and made inquiry regarding it Frank
told him that il was one Of the finest horses
in the division, and the Captains soul
yearned for it, but how 10 get il was the
question. AZ last an idea struck him.
Now" said he to Frank, "you have an idea
Of what being in prison is, and ] don't care
about taking boy like you, so I'll make
this proposition. III send a man over with
you in the boat and you bring the horse
down 10 him. lie can fasten il TO the boat
and swim him over. If you'll promise TO
do that III let you or" Frank promised
readily, and the Captain sent one Of his men,
in and rowed across, when the Johnny told
him to hurry, rs some other Yanks might
come down and take him in. Frank said all
right. lie went up and put on his belt with
the reyolyerin the holster, mounted his horse,
a8d rode down 10 the boat The Captain
and company were all looking at him from
across the river. lie drew his revolver, and
pointing il at the rebel said: "You 20 back
and tell that Captain that he had me prisoner
Now I've got you prisoner So III lei you
of on an exchange, and fair exchange Is no
robbery The rebel pulled away in the
boat, and Frank rode mp on the bank and
waved his hat, which ELECTED a number Of
SHOTS FROM THE JoHEEIEs,
none Of which touched him, however. I'll
bet that rebel Captain was mad at the way
he was fooled by boy.
On the l0th Longs Division followed Me-
Cook in the afternoon, blowing through rain
and mud, camping near Benton, aud the
next days march, over terrible roads, brought
us 70 the pretty town OF Lownsboro, gem
in TINS aIluyial eEpanse. The country II very
rich along the Alabama, and was the former
country OF these fierce warriors who fought
DE Soto, and the subsequent home Of the
Greek Indians, whose c0ruGelds and towns
were scattered al along ID. Longs Division
camped on Col. Whites plantation on the
night Of the llth, aud although numbering
5000 men hardly made gap in his supplies
Ul forage Here the rebel prisoners were
paroled, all but 80 officers. Many had
escaped on account Of the carclessness Of the
guards, and 2,700 prisoners retarded the
movements Of the column, besides which
their number was being constantly increased
by scouting parties picking them up in all
directions
The whole Cavalry Corps was now mount
I'd, as horses had been captured for all The
dismounted men, and there was a surplus on
hand. The rebel officers who were taken
along as prisoners were all mounted, and
rode along side by side with the men of the
regiment which had them in charge Some
Of them were jolly aud took their condition
stoically, while Others were inclined 70 De
cross and morOse. They had a supply Of
cooking utensils, and received the same
Tatlons ms our men, who also supplied
them literally with the products Of the
country, which they had foraged One OF
these prisoners was Col. Pins0n, who com
manded the lst Miss Cav, aud who has since
been President OF the Memphis Board ol
Trade lie told nae that he had been a Colo
mel since 1861, and upon my expressing sur
prise, az ] heard his comrades spcal, Of biz
gallantry and had seen some Of il myself ht
said that Mr. Davis would never appoint him
BrigadieT-G General The reason was that
he had opposed Davis politically, and work,
cd against him when he was before In,
+ Legislature for election 10 the L. s. Senate
+ Davis would never forgive him for il, aid
j although recommended for promotion b,
: Forrest, Armstrong and others, could never
e obtain IL. ] suggested that under these cir
, cumstances ] would resign lie smiled and
said
That is perhaps what Mr. Davis would
I like for me 10 DO, for ] have no doubt bu
! that lac
L WOULD HAVE NE CoNsCRIPTED
y and a gun in my hand "a hours after / lef
J. the service; 50 thought that ] had bette
q remain as ] was In the lst Miss.D
n And naUu She ayp4raG.,a.