The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-12-01
CHAPTER Nj.

| tion. / must here state That Robert iyles had
short time previous to this been acting In
the capacity OF a rebel Marshal for Carter
| County; and good Marshal hs was, for during
the time he was invested with the rebel robes
| of office the Union men of Carter County en-
4 jeyed charming period, aud his residence here
] AS a rebel Marshal ended in his becoming good
| Union man. His disappearance created quite
1 a sensation among the rebels of Carter County;
| but the "brd had fown," and they could not
help themselves only by denouncing him in the
| highest terms of abuse. He was always very
| kind TO the Union people. and therefore i did
| not much fear him when he first made applica-
| tion to go through the lines with me; and
| more especially as my best and most intimate
| Union friends were assisting him in making
| arrangements to leave the land of Dixie.
| 1t had been arranged for him to meet me
| at Mnrray's, near Johnsons Depot in Wash.
| imgtUn County, anu ] must confess that had
some misgvings when | was getting near the
| place of our meeting ] thought it probable
! that had taken very rash step when agreed
TO pilot him through the lines, and could not
| help fearing that, instead of meeting with
| Lyles at Aurrays, / might possibly meet with
A COMPANY OF REBEL SOLDIERS.
resolved, however, TO be prepared for any un-
| expected emergency, and we moved forward to
| the place appointed for our meeting, where
| found Isyles in considerable trepidatio on anx
! ioasiy awaiting my arrival. He seemed to be
far more fearful of being discovered than was.
Ny fears in regard TO the probability of being
betrayed hy him into the hands of the rebels
were now ent rely removed, and We started
forward OH our journey and reached Holston
River against daylight.
We did not s or. bur crossed the river at once,
and went on to the White Oak Flats where we
remained during the day. Mrs. Grills gave us
a warm break fast The company was consider
ably increased before we started, by men wish
ing to go through the lines. Just at dark we
started on our wearisome Journey. The rain
was falling rapidly, and after stumbling and
falling over the brush and hriers for some time
we got cut of the Flats and then moved OH in
straight line for the North Fork of Holston
River. When got to the river found it quite
full, which made it very dangerous to wade;
but there was no other alternative but to wade
or 10 turn back, and that re did not wish to
do. So, cutting a good stick apiece, in we
went. The water was very cold and the cur
rent was rapid but with the aid Of our sticks
we soon reached the opposite shore in safety.
We put on our clothes (which we had carried
over on our heads to keep them dry. and pushed
forward, and after crossing some cleared FIELDS
and travelling the woods for some time groping
our way III the darkness which surrounded US,
we reached the foot of Clinch Mountain. 1t
was now nearly daylight and
TIE RAIN WAS STILL FALLING FAST.
We were cold, wet and very tired, and pro-
ceeded at once to make fire to warm our
chilly bodies and to dry our clothes. We
remained here until the early dawn of morn
ing when We moved farther on up the side OF the
mountain to obtain position of greater security,
where We could resi- for the day. The rain
continued to fall and the wind blew tempest
uously. We propped ourselves against trees, and
tried to shelter ourselves from the petings OF
the cold rain as well as we could, and here we
I'll
able manner.
Mr.. Lvles was all the time in peck of
trouble, fearing that the rebels would follow
after aud capture US. aud the whole trend of
his conversation WAS about hanging and the
terrible consequences he might expect If he
should be so unfortunate as 10 fail into the
hands Of the rebels, etc. No doubt he would
have been hung if our company had been capt
ured, just because Of being found with US, if
for nothing else.
/ endeavored 10 keep him in good spirits,
telling him that he was not captured yet, and
as long remained in such a rugged
mountain region did not think he would be
in much danger OF being captured; that the
rebels could not be every where, and that the
place where he low was offered attraction
whatever % the rebels. j cheered him up by
telling him that if the rebels should have the
temerity TO Dursue Us, we could kill them by
rolling rocks down upon them from the steep
crags.
But the rebels did not follow US, and when
night came on we started on our journey. We
crossed Ciinch Mountain and Little Poor Val
lev. The rain continued to fall. and 1t was
one OF the darkest nights that ever saw; but
steadily pressed and crossed Copper
Ridge and waded Copper Creek, which
quite a river in size, having been much
swollen by the inccssant rain which had been
falling for some time. We were now approach
ing Clineh Mountain, and the path in which we
were now travelling stretched along the river
for some distance aud through the toughest
sort of cliffs. At times we were compelled to
crawl on our hands and knees between and
under large rocks, in constant danger of being
crushed by loose and falling stones and some
times we had to pull over the crags by the
hanging grapevines and bushes which served us
as a guide slowly pursued our way along
this rugged and trackless mountain, with no
star to illuminate our dark path.
At length we reached the river and / COM
menced searching for the most practicable place
10 cross il. The river was full, and before ven-
turing in with the men / concluded to wade in
and try the depths of it myself. ! therefore
procured a stout stick, and taking off my cloth
ing l plunged into the dark Good but | did
not advance far before ! was thoroughly con-
yinced that could not cross at that point
turned back, aud then tried to cross at several
other places. but all to no purpose ] found
that il was impossible for the men to cross at
this time, aud therefore We would be forced TO
go back upon the mountain and wait until the
next night. when, thought, perhaps the water
would DO lower.
1t with sad hearts we turned back to-
ward the rough mountain, which stood like
giant frowning amid the gloom OF night, for we
knew that we should be compelled to suffer
very much
FOR WANT OF FIRE.
We were now on a sharp ridge and daylight
was rapidly approaching, consequently We
| could not GO any farther, As there were houses
not very far of, and were afraid 10 stir for
| fear of being seen. We passed the day bad
enough, as our clothing was wet and frozen
1 upon u.s. and we were afraid to make a fire to
| dry them therefore We were compelled to be
| perfectly still all the day for fear of having
another company of rebels waiting for US at
the river. We had to employ ourselves a good
| portion Of the day in stamping and rubbing
our feet 10 keep them from freezing, and as
soon as it was dark crept softly back to the
| river. undresscd myself, and taking my stick
| ! tried the river again. The water was AS cold
as ice aud the wind was blowing so cold that it
seemed as if il would chill the very blood itself
| j tried the second time before could make the
| trip through the deepest of the water where
| the men would have 10 pass. 1 then returned
| 10 my comrades, and after they prepared for the
cold embrace OF the water we all went into the
| river together. / never heard men catch their
breath SO fast as they did when the water