The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-24
CHAPTER Will

The day that left Cumberland River went
bsek to Mr.. Clark's residence. where / remain
Cd that Il ight, and bought sufhciency of bread
and dried beef for my journey. Next morning
started homeward again, to reirsce the long,
rugged road alone; but did not care for that, as
thought / could now travel to suit myself and
% fast as pleased, having no one TO wait for
or hinder me. and during that day crossed
Cumberland Mountain and went as far as Pow
slls Valley, where stopped
TILL NIGHT CAME.
It wes two miles across the valley and / step
ped along fence row far as / could, and
Then took to the open fields When i came TO
ths river / took off my clothes and went over
tn q hurry and went on. crossing the remainder
of the cleared ground, and reached the base of
Walling's Ridge in safety, without seeing or
hearing a rebel. Here j rested short time
and then crossed the ridge, and also Wild Cat
Valley, and went to the top of PowelPs
Mountain. Here finding good place to hide,
and being very tired, / stopped. 1t was row
sometime until daylight, but / staid there un-
I'll the next night, when / again resumed my
lonely march, making my way best / could
Through bushes and brush and over fallen tim
ber. and wading the streams when j came to
them.
The night was very dark and cold, the sky
wss overcast with black and murky clouds. and
everything was SO profoundly still In this
motion of mountain ghost il IL had fitted
past upon its gossamer wings But had no
one TO take csre of or to guide along my dark
pathway, and was In all probability the only
unfortunate human being who was wandering
along at this dark and unreasonable hour upon
this wild and cherries mountain. That night
] crossed Copper Greek, Copper Valley, and
poors Ridge. and arrived at the top of Clipch
4euntain against daylight, where, owing to
my excessive WEAKNESS. was very willing to
stop. ] made small fire, and rested until 12
o'clock, when, suffering very much for want of
water. started down the side of the mountain
IN search of some which / did not find until
getting near the foot of il. That evening
Travelled ten miles along the mountain toward
Moccssin Gap which is near the Hoston
Springs, in Scott County, Va. could now
HEAR TIE REBEL DRUMS
cutie plain and concluded to stop until night
came And dark night it was, and also very
0oid. j now had about two miles of cleared
land 20 pass through. and two public roads 10
cross, before / could reach the sboal in the
North Fork of Holston River, where desired
% cross.
The rebels were thickly passing, but went
forward without being discovered. / suffered
very much in crossing the river as had 10
take of my clothes, and the water was deep
and icy cold. BY daylight l reached the White
Oak Flats. and here found that they were full
II men trying to get pilot TO take them
through to Kentucky. I wss very much
fatigued and worn down with my journey,
spd therefore tried to excuse myself from going
bsck with them, but they would not listen to
arefnsal nor even give me time TO 90 home
and return. ] could not disregard their i'm
poriuniiies aud turn away from them in their
distressing situation, knowing, az i did, that
they had been driven away from their homes
ty the worst tyranny which bad ever been in
auguratod in free country, and compelled 10
wander forth like destitute pilgrims to 9
strange land.
therefore determined to 90 with them, as
they seemed TO be nearly all OF them strangers
tb this region Of country, and did not believe
that they conld possibly make the rip without
pilot who was acquainted with tho long and
lshorious journey which stretched out before
them. j Immediately went to my old friend
Mrs. Grills, who was ever ready 10 assist me
and procured provisions for my Journey.
rested for two days, and the night before We
started was spent by the good Union people
living near in preparing food fOr the men Il