The National tribune., 1892-09-15
DOWN IN ARKANSAS.
A Hairbreadth Escape from a Terrible
Doom.

A the boys are relating thrilling ad-
"A ventures and heroic deeds Of the war
A through the columns of your paper,
allow me to contribute bit Of un-
written history relating to a thrilling expert
snee Of M O wn during the var.
After the bloody 106th H., commanded by
the gallant Col. Latham, had driven Johnston
and his army from Mississippi and captured
Vick5burg with Pemberton'5 army, and play
ing general havoc at Jackson, We started up
the river on boats to take in out of the wet
Pap Price and his army, who were strongly
fortified at Little Rock, Ark, thereby wiping
out the Confederacy-ezcept, perhaps few
skirmishes taking place on the Potomac, which
the I06th concluded 10 delegate TO the Eastern
army to finish up. We landed a, Helena, and
started on march across the country for
Little Rock. This was some time in August,
1863. / now leave the 106th to their fate, and
proceed to my hairbreadth escape.
We halted late evening, and went into
camp in heavy timber with thici, underbrush.
Tha rebels were thick in the vicinity, especial
IL in front, therefore / was little "scary." /
had been picket the night before, and as
| had honestly 81 come into possession of
good fat pullet during the days march. was
feeling "buily" anticipating a good square
supper and quiet sleep in camp. Comrade
G. and were getting supper on the same
fire, when the Orderly Sergeant started out to
detail picket Comrads G. was also feel
ing excellent, guessing from the jokes he was
cracking and the amount of grub he was cook
ing. The detail for picke.s commenced away
up in the alphabet. IL ran on down until it
came to the Gs, and only one more was want
ing But as it happened. now began to hear
complaints of sickness, and there was
extraordn narly long gap unfilled-aD aching
void, as it were-between the Gs and BIS, l
became very uneasy; yet my joylal comrade,
G., stood between ME and the picket post.
The credulous Orderly came up and called
Comrade G. who was so full of life and mirth
cooking his supper. With amazsment beheld
Comrade G.. grasp the pit of his stomach,
sink down and begin to moan. The good
Orderly asked him what was the matter.
Comrade G. got still lower and only grunted.
He managed to say, however, that he had the
collie. So the Orderly said: Mac, report for
picket duty"
/ raked together my grub and other things,
and reported. The picket-post was out a con-
siderable distance in front. A road leading OFF
in the dim distance through the woods was the
only means of approach by an enemy. On
this road we were stationed as pickets. The
reserve post contained 12 or Is men, and I as
videt was stationed out in advance up the road
200 yards.
About 10 o'clock at night took my position
in front of p large pine tree at the side of the
road. / was sitting down leaning my back
mother, when 1 heard the whole Confederacy,
as / supposed, coming down the road. accom-
panied with the regular rebel yell, oaths etc.
Although it seemed far off | could distinctly
hear the thunder of hoofs as they pattered on
the hard road, and the jingle of sabers, clatter
of boots and spur.
For a moment listened, inactive On they
came as mighty whirwind. 1 could even
hear the heavy breathing and snort of the
horses. Ny hair began to stand up straight.
| could feel the bill of my Government regula-
tion cap parting company with the bridge of
my nose, where il always wanted TO rest My
heart camo up in my throat; was in an awful
tremble. Thought after thought chased each
other with lightning speed through my brain.
Home and mother took back seat, while self
preservation came to the front. l began to
debate the question in MY mind whether had
better shoot thOut hating, and hide and let
the army (1O6th) look out for itself, or halt,
shoot and fall back in order, or lie still and let
nature take its course while / hid in the
woods.
Before I fully made up my mind, however,
the mighty host WAS upon me. The crises had
arrived, and what the fate of the army (106th)
would have been, in my imagination, had tbs
time to deliberately determine on that occasion.
will never be known. because before / had time
to decide whether to shoot or hide, q rebel
Jumped upon my back aud grasped me by each
~
with a sharp fence stake danced gleefully by
my side, evidently looking fer the most yu-
nerabe spot to stab me with his sharp pole.
Now, my comrade, imagine yourself being
stabbed with ghly-sharpened fence stake
instead of being nicely bayoneted with
smooth, glistening, polished bayonet, and you
can, in a measure, realize my impending doom.
The darkness prevented me from seeing more
than shadow. But the waving of the sharp
pole in order to get good chance at me was
quick and to the point. 1t was terrible mo-
mcnt, bat with superhuman effort | arose
from nay sitting posture and fired point blank
at the unprineipled wretch that was trying to
stab me. At the fire the one ON my back
jumped off and ran away so did the one / fred
at.
Upon Investigation, ii turned out to be n coon
and dog. TIE dog had started the coon up
the road, and the elatter of a mighty host was
the two running down the road. The coon had !
jumped On my shoulders in order to climb the |
tree, while the dog wagsed his tail for me to |
help him. At the fire the officer of the post |
came up, and complimented me for my bravery. |
The army was saved, and my cap took its ac-
customed place the bridge of my nose.-A. |
MCNAMARA, Co. K, 106th Ill., Farquhar, CAL
If you want to buy buggy. wagon. harness /
or anything else in the line of horse equip /
ments you can save money by ordering from
TRE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.