The National tribune., 1892-11-17

kind man, and was not severe upon them in
his demands for his services. Their blistered
feet and stiffened limbs were now much I'M
proved, and after giving me number of letters
to take back to their friends, they started upon
their journey in good spirits. This company
Mr. McLane conducted safely through to Cum
berland Gap.
1 now turned my face homeward and as
was alone l Travelled in daylight, but l was not
safe in so doing. crossed the Holston River
in a canoe, and went forward cautiously, watch
ing for the rebel soldiers at every step; but
/ travelled along until evening without seeing
any of them, and was thinking myself quite
lucky when, unfortunately, while was passing
through a farm in Washington County some
rebels saw me. l was some distance from the
open fields, and was travelling in the woods
near the pointwhere the Jonesboro road comes
into the old Pactolus road which leads from
Carter County to the boat yard. At first |
heard Gathering of horses feet behind me, and
upon looking back i observed party of rebel
soldiers coming towards me very rapidly l
felt sure that they were pursuing me; at any
rate, l did not feel willing to meet them. The
place where was offered but few ad van tages for
me to escape, as the near timber consisted of
small, scrubby oaks, with no undergrowth. l
began to think that was "gone up
Just before me there was a turn in the road
I walked on brskly until got to small hol
low, which concealed me from the rebel horse
men. In moment ] sprang ont of the rond
and up steep, and at once lying down fat
upon my hack pulled a chincapin bush over
me, holding it fast with both my hands until
they passed me, at which time heard one of
them say:
HE HAS WALKED VERY FAST"
and they Immediately quckened their speed
l now sprang up and ran back to large corn
field and there remained until night. | did
not, however, have to wait very long, for the
sun was rapidly disappearing behind the west.
ern hills As soon as it was dark took the
road again. l had advanced but short dis
tance when, to my surprise, heard the rebels
coming again. l stepped behind tree. and
they passed on altogether unaware of their
close proximity to that great object of rebel
hatred. a Union pilot / now started on again
and reached home without any further adveu
ture.
Upon my return found Col. Grayson in the
mountains with 100 men, whom he had en-
listed as recruits for the 4th Tenn, and desired
very much to get them through the lines at
once started to the bOat-yard, in order to pro-
vide for their safety and also to get pilot by
the name of Grills to assist in conducting them
through the lines, as did not feel willing to
venture alone for the first time with so large a
company. AT the same time David Stout came
on with large party of men and engaged the
services of Grills. Judging from the signs of
the times, felt sure that the rebel soldiers
would be probably advised in regard to the
movements of Stout and his party; and sure
enough, they were informed about the party
moving toward Kentucky, and rushed forward
in pursuit of them. The rebels killed and cap
tured quite anumber OF this unfortunate party,
who indeed met worse fate than death, while
only few of them made their escape. / now
concluded to conduct Grayson and his men
myself, as / felt sure could go by much safer
route than the pilots were at this time travel
ing The rebels were now aroused, and were
vigilantly watching for stampeders, and several
more parties were discovered and at once dis
persed by them. ] was waiting for the times
to become more auspici1us for the Unon men
who were desirous of migrating to better
land" but they daily grew worse, and j began
to despair of being able TO conduct this large
party through the Union lines before the chill.
ing blasts of dreary Winter would begin to
howl amid the hills and valleys. | felt sure
that ! could conduct small party of 15 or 20
men safely through at any time but the lead
ers having collected these men for recruits,
wished them all to go through at once.
NOW MADE SEVERAL TRIPS
to the boat-yard to acquaint myself with the
operations of the rebels, and also to learn
better route through the mountains. ! also
determined to try another trip through the
lines with small party OF men, as / considered
it best to test ny ability as pilot before un.
dertaking to conduct large parties so far as
Cumberland Gap.
1t was now November, and large number
of poor Union men were still wandering through
the mountains hiding from The rebels, who had
already killed aud captared number whom
they found endeavoring to make their escape.
Very few had succeeded III getting through the
lines, with the exception Of the first company,
which was taken through by McLane. Gray
son was now willing to go with only a part Of
the men whom be had gathered, and. directing
them to be certain aud provide themselves
with plentiful supply of provisions. told
them on what night | would start with them.