The National tribune., 1892-11-17

the threatening dangers of rebel violence,
and therefore they concluded that between
the two desperate evils they would choose
the least and endeavor to reach the Union
army. As for myself, / managed to grope
along toierably well amid the darkness
viii, environed me.
The men not being accustomed to travelling
in the night could not get along very rapidly,
and 1 went slowly forward in direct course
to the boatyard. i never lost in the
woods or mOuntai ms in my life and although |
was now travelling in a direction which had
never travelled but one time before and that
time being
IN THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT,
yet never for a moment lost my reckoning in
the direction which | had marked out, and
went forward with as unerring certainty as if
had been guided by a compass. Daylight found
US in large corntield. which was good hiding
place; but it was not the one which intended
to reach, as We had been SO long detained by
the storm on the preceding night. The clouds
having dispersed, the sun arose in all his bright
and effulgent majesty. and his warm and in
vigorating beams here shown down upon as
muddy, wet aud worn out set of poor fellows
as were ever seen. We were muddy up to our
waists, and clothes were dripping with
water. ] do not believe that there was one
coat in all the crowd which had not been shorn
of some of its proportions, which had been done
by the men catching hold of one another while
they were stumbling along amid the darkness
OF the night. When We stopped some of the
poor fellows fell down upon the wet ground
and declared they could not 90 any farther,
even if they had to 90 into the Southern
army, which was the earthly hell they
were now endeavOring to escape: but
after resting awhile and basking in the warm
sunshine they changed their notion and con-
cluded TO press onward. We passed the day in
washing the mud off of our clothes and drying
them in the sun. and sewing on our coat-skirts,
and when night again clothed the face of ma
ture in lis garments of sable blackncss we
were so far recovered as to be able 10 proceed
on our journey. We made our way TO the river
with some difficulty, aud prepared to cross it
below the cid Pactolus Ferry by stealing
fcrryboau. In this we crossed the Holston River
/ in grand style, aud went on to q place called
the White Oak Flats" which is in Sullivan
County, near tie boat yard, and was noted
/ hiding place for the fugitives from rebel OPP
! PRESTON and was distant about two good nights
travel from tie mountains of Carter County,
being distance o. 30 miles. 1t is large body
Of land covered with timber and thick under
growth, with immense thIckets ot green briers
mating and nteracing among the bushes. un
til in some places you cannot crawl through
them upon your hands and knees.
THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT HIDING-PLscE
for the company at this time, for this was The
place where they designed remaining until the
services of another pilot could be procured, and
also provisions for the remainder Of their
journey. The people in this settlement were
J generally for the UHion, and after hiding the
/ men securely went out among the people 10
/ get them something TO eat which was very
! hard undertaking, there were so many Of
/ them. and money was very scarce among them,
I especially among those from Carter County,
] they having but very little mors than enough
/ 10 take them through the lines, especially if
any unforeseen accident should happen TO them.
The citizens here were very kind, and did not
have much trouble in getting supply for all.
now for the irst time made the acquaintance
/ OF Mrs. Grlls, widow and most excellent
| woman, and in my future trips to Kentucky
! she always assisted IN feeding hundreds of poor
stampedcrs. My sincere prayer is that this
/ kind and humane lady may always enjoy the
most abundant peace and contentment in this
world. and happiness in the world to come.
On the present occasion she furnished me
with all she had to spare herself and then went
out among the Union people and solicited do
nations of provisions, carried it TO her own
house aud cooked IT, found her to be truly
- friend in need" for | had not at this time
any very extensive acquaintance with the
Union people ia this section of country.
Having with the assistance of Mrs. Grlls, OBJ
tanned supply OF provisions for the men, l
new went in search of William McI-ane, the
pilot who at once agreed to go and conduct the
company through; but the mems feet were SO
sore they wished to rest for a couple Of days at
least They were ali willing to 20 with McLane,
but rather preferred that | should 20 with
them. This / could not well do, as ! had not
yet sufficiently recovered from the fatigue of my
last trip, and, besides, my friends al home were
anxiously awaiting my return neither did
think there was any reason for me to go, as
had engaged for them the services of a good
pilot.
now commenced the task of getting provis.
ions for their journey. Tie men from North
Carolina ana Virginia paid me for my services
TO them. but my own neighbors from Carter
County, many of them not having a dollar in
their pockets and the balance not enough to
pay their pilot, ! therefore took the money
which had received and purchased plenti
/ lui
SUPPLY OF BREAD AND BACON,
and divided it out among those who could moi
t J help themselves. Mr.. McLane, their pilot, wa