The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-21


md hurry up, the moro suspicious they became.
They began to question me as to who was,
what regiment belonged to, the olhcers Names
where we had been, who commanded the olVis-
ion, and what happened along the route ETC.
After q little consultation among themselves
they decided to follow the instructions mad
given them, but before doing so they formed
guard with drawn sabers on either side front
and rear of me, and instructed them to cut me
down if Attempted to escape, or II betrayed
them into an ambush.
replied, albright; go on with your show
and hurry up, tool"
Now, the country was full Of rebels, and we
were liable to run into them any minute.
Fortune so favored us that we arrived at the
point where 1 had started in tho evening just
as the gray dawn began to appear IN the east,
without any mishap. My guards then gave up
my arms, and said I was at liberty to go. l
then made good time for Is or 20 minutes, ana
overtookthe column, they having started OUT
from their bivouac not far from whero hao
left thenl
Being nearly dead with fatigue, sleepy, hum
cry hatless and dirty, rest l mnst have; so
turning into q field and dismounting, tied
my horse to my wrist and lay down and had
little refreshing sleep of perhaps hait hour.
When l awakened all was still DO one IN sight
or hearing, and my horse was gone. Jumping
TO my feet, ran along in the direction the
tHkeny eooa "a" iHJ
quietly grazing On the opposite side OF the
road.
THIS WAS GREAT RELIEF
to my mind, for by his help I soon overlook
the column. This must have been very close
call for me, as the enemy soon made their ap-
pearanee again in our rear
AT this point my memory fails me, and nota
single incident can he recalled OF this day
march until the head of the column came TO
the Blackwater, a small stream, but very din
cult to cross. There being no bridge caused
some delay, which gave the contrahands an OPP
portunity TO close up on either side OF the COL
umn, and as closely to the bridge builders as
possible. On the side of the river where we
were was thick forest each side OF the
road. and for quite distance on either sIde ~
was literally packed with contrabands OF all
ages and sizes. Where they came from was
mystery. In onr disaster at Ream's STATION
the enemy must have taken large number.
Horace Greeley says 1000 were returned 10
their masters an estimate that seems to me TO
be rather small, when the vast number was con-
sdered but he may have only meant those
taken alive.
On the opposite side of the river was cleared
field of bottom land of perhaps 30 or 40 acres.
Then came q bench or abrupt rise OF ID or 20
feet, running parallel with the stream, ana the
distance across the field from the bridge must
have been about 60 or 20 rods. / have thus
described this field that you may the better
understand what follows.
The bridge was scarcely completed when
firing was heard, but the rear OF column was not
sufficiently pressed to cause any trouble In
getting the column over, and as fast as they
were over they made all haste across the neid
to the bench beyond, ard formed
LINE-oF- BATTLE FACING THE REAR,
the two pieces of artillery taking position
~. Ill ri rnN
orders to take up the bridge. The orders could
not be executed without abandoning the col
ored people to their fate; SO the bridge was
allowed to remain, that the cOntrabands might
have an opportunity to escape. They mado
the best of their opportunities, and came over
in vast numbers Killing the space between us
and the river. Our vision could not penetrate
beyond the bridge, on account OF the thick
brush along the banks of the river and the
woods beyond, but we knew that the enemy
were upon them by the firing, and the running
| and screaming Of those yet crossing. Soon tho
enemy's cavalry made their appearance, dash
ing across the bridge in and among that heeing
mass of defcnseless humanity, some shooting,
others using tho saber and al! trampllng their
victims under the feet of their horses. we sat
there in thatIine.ot battle as though parsiyzcd,
and witnessed the slaughter and heard the beg
| gng for mercy, and the screaming and crying
of tie women and children. OF this mass
| Of humanity, all who escaped the bniet ana
sword were all the time making every eZerIion
| to get to the rear Of our line, and many sue
cecded. AS soon as Our front was cleared OF
living contrabaflds, that fold was swept with
small arms and grape and canister, and the
enemy disappeared, to trouble us no more on
| this journey to our lines.
We reached Lighthouse Point and the pro.
| lection of our glorious old flag late in the
| afternoon OF July l, sorry crowd, nearly all
asieop on horses that could hardly move from
fatigue; others mounted On mules with piece
| Of rope for bride, and others on foot Aud
for head gear could be seen every conceivable
thing, from a darkys slouch hat to lady's
bonnet. On July 2, the Sanitary Commission,
having heard of our distressed condition, sent
| tbs first and only assistance ever received from
that source which was wagon load of picked
| onions and mustard saucrkraut