The morning call., 1892-02-28

rived. The time had come for US 10 re-
tire. and we prepared 10 run for our lives.
We had gained about half q mile to the rear
when the earth suddenly shook rs though the
crack Of doom tad come. Flashes of fire
leaped from the summit OF high hill close
by. 1t was like the sudden eruption
Of volcano. A series Of mutfied re-
ports followed in quick succession
A large amount Of rife and ar
tilerY ammunition was being exploded
aud the fort itself WAS tumblug into lrag-
men's. II was q magnificent pyrotechnic
display. with only lev retreaung pickets
for s ectators. Ii was now every man for
himself, for the race b the river was TO be
10 the swiftcst We sc8mpered through
the silent and deserted streets Of Columbia
as though the furies were at our heels. l
heard some windows raised and saw lights
in others. Few Of the inhabitants lad
slept that night. They knew too well the
army with whose cause they were IN SYM
pathy was eXpelling the hated Yankees and
would soon be with them.
We had but little strength left for this
hard race over the heavy sticky ground. |
began 10 fear that mine would not hold out,
for had not then recovered from a terrible
gunshOt wound | had received in the side
ana back At the battle Of ChlCkamanga In
September Of the year previous Pursuers
were not far behind aud they soon closed
the gap between us. The darkness was fast
yielding 10 the gray light of dawn. The
blackuess of the hills and roads was turning
TO a dull green and reddish brown.
We could now see distant objects clearly
and the fresh scent Of the morning air
seemed to lEvigOrate our lungs and heels
We did not dare TO glance back though
soon made aware of the very close presence
Of pursuers by the lively way they sent the
bullets sputterlng after us. Through an
opening IN tho hills the swiftly running
rlyer revealed Its winding course. It's rush
ing torrent made exhilaratinR music IA our
ears, but the crack Of rifles behind con-
tributed discOrdant notes. There was vet
wine space TO cross before the bank OF the
river could be reached or even glimpse OF
the pontoon bridge had. AS | looked back
over my shoulders to calculate my chances
OF escape ] saw party of horsemen coming
down n hill not 400 yards aWav They did
not. however, seem to be in a hurry. Ash
learned aiterward, they were closely fol-
lowing a skirmish line Of dlsmounted cav
airy, which was Immediately behind u.s.
For rs TO keep on the road any longer
would be to suffer speedy capture | was
outclassed as a Splinter and. to NV horror
/ felt painful stitch in nv side.
Two OF the men, as nearly used up as
l. were about ready to drop exhaused.
Get off the road, boys. aud over the fence"
/ shouted. We tumbled over. | don't recol-
lect how but | remember | had 10 pick
myself out of the mire on the other side.
into which l had sprawled. We were now
going 1t blind across the field. feel
ing certain that our last chance
of escape was cut off. The light was
growing stronger every second. We could
see an Pmbankment outside the fence on the
opposite side of the field, not far away.
we took this fence in good shape, and
clamberel up the embankment. trusting TO
find on the other side Of it good shelter
from the enemy's marksmep. The top
reached, thank heaven, new and inSpir-
ing vista was ours. We were on
the railroad track, and straight ahead,
lew yards away, stood tie railroad
Drldge' lhis was our last hope. Here was