The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-05


as it come at all seasons of the year. 1t would
take from p to 40 days to make our exit
through the mountains, in snow, rain, ana
heat exposed to dangers of all kinds, often shot
down by squads of rebels who were always on
the watch for renegades or Lincoinites, rs they
called u.s. ! made my exit IN hot weather.
| left my fathers homo III Bradley County,
Tenn, July /, 1853, at the age Of ls, in COM
pany with 81 others We went to r. b.
Hunters, in Meiggs County; layin bis and VIM.
CANDLES woods for FIVE six days, awaiting an
opportunity 10 cross the Tennessee River
While here we saw severa! squads of rebels
hunting renegades, but they did not sec us.
We left home with as many ratlons rs we
cOud we'll carry. From Hunters we went to
the Tennessee River, after dark, for the purpose
OF crossing. a there had a small boat or
canoe bid in the underground of the river
bank. We helped him carry it out and lanch
it in the river. Tie little canoe would only
carry three men and the heatman. consequently
it took all night for all to cross.
There was picketp0st about quarter OF
mile up the river from us; also ono below,
guarding the river to make sure that no rene
gades crossed. | should state here that the
river was from half to three-quarters of a
mile wide
From here we made our way ont through
cornfeld to the foot of Wadron's Ridge. Here
we stayed al day, hid in the brush. At night
we made our way across the ridge or noun tain.
l cannot at this time give our travels by detail
as to time, but We rot to the other s!do before
night, in the evening. Here we lay in pawpaw
thicket until night.
While here We were within short distance
of a road. The rebel patrols would pass by,
and we could hear them talk and their sabers
aud carbines blinking. After dark we crossed
SeGuatchie Valley, and began to climb the
craggy side of Cumberland Mountain. By this
H., tnI tlnyyh bad
soured and nodded before wo could eat them
ALL But now the hard times began to come;
We footsore, have been exposed to all the
mountain rains and dews also the heat of the
July sun. Our only food now was Irish pota-
toes that the few mountain settlers gave us.
We could get wash kettles and boil them in clear
mountain water. Our guide or pilot knew the
Union settlers. The guides name was Clifton.
We crossed many creeks and rivers. We
stopped and rested one day at an old Union
mans house whom most of the Tennesseeans
viii remember 10y the familiar name of old Uncle
Jack Brown. He did all he could to make US
comfortable. After leaving here We met with
Tinker Bates's company of Independents. We
Travelled with them one two days. They
were all well mounted, and let US ride part Of
the time. One of these men had 16 scars from
bullets OH his person.
We at last got TO Somerset, KY. where there
was a small force of Federal soldiers. From
there we went to Lebanon, KY, where we
drew Government rations. Leaving there by
railroad we went to Nashville, where we went
into camp and drew our equipments. We were
about % days crossing the mountains exposed
to rains deBs of the night, and heat, travelling
on foot mot being used to it), and hunger. In
camp We were lily fed, having nothing but
guard duty to do until wo were organized.
Our boys generally took too much rest. After
the exposure. etc. tho sudden change TO plenti
fulness and leisure all proved to be too much
for their constitutions-JEs NJ. PIRKLE
Co. G, Sd Tenn. Cav, Sandhill, Tenn.