Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-18
LIFE UNDERGROUND IN CAVES.
How the Southern Dcserters Jared in tn,
Dark Days of the Confectionery.

How the Southern Dcserters Jared In the
Dark Days of the COnfedcracy.
From the Atlantic Monthly.
After the confederate ranks were thinned
by the desperate fighting in 1863 the lines OF
deserters fell in hard places The Richmond
government set energetically to work to bring
every available man to the front. President
Davis, by proclamation, urged every man to
hasten to his countrys defense and promised
pardon for all past 6elinquencies, provided the
offender now FASTENED to do his duty
Stringent orders and threats of punishment
infused energy into the officers of the homo
guard. Detachments of confederate troops
visited the neighborhood at short and irregular
intervals, while the homes of the deserters
were watched and repeatedly searched.
Then it was that the deserters, as we called
all who shirked military duty, whether they
had ever actually been in the army or not
had recourse to mode of hiding which they
had learned from runaway slaves. The fugi-
tive in this region having neither the swamps
of the east nor the mountains of the west for
refuge, like all hard-run creatures. naturally
took to earth. He either enlarged and con-
cCaled some natural cavity or dug n cave in
which he hid by day, to sally out under cover
of darkness in quest Of poultry, pigs, sheep,
fruit. roasting ears, watermelons and other
dogs he rubbed the soles OF his feet with onions
or OdOrous herbs in order to confuse the scent
II moderately wary or skillful, he found little
difficulty in remaining out till the crops
were "laid by" and all the heavy work was
over or till the cold weather drove him back to
a snugger berth in the quarters.
The deserter made a vast improvement on
the burrOw OF the runaway cOlored person
His cave was larger, better constructed and
better appointed than his prototype, but not
better concealed. Banding together in squads
OF two or three, some unfrequented place
would be chosen, generally on hillside, to
avoid moisture, and as near a stream as prac-
ticabe, for the easiest and safest way of dispos-
ing Of the earth thrown up in digging the pit
was to dump it in running water.
The proper depth, commonly about six feet
being attained, o fireplace was cut in the
earthen sides OF the cave and connected with
fine cut through the adjacent earth. Across
the pit and slightly below the surface were
then placed stout poles, and on these tho roof
Of pine boards, while over all the earth and
leaves were carefully replaced SO as to conceal
all signs of having been disturbed. Pine needles
made a very good carpet
A bed was constructed by driving forked
stakes into the ground, and upon these were
laid smnll poles topped with Pine boughs.
Some times O cupboard" was cutin the earthen
walls. What gave the cave dweller most con-
Germ was the disposal Of smoke from his CHM
ney. Even under the best of circumstances, in
the fairest, warmest weather and in the driest
SOIL n cave was a dismal abode.
There was q darkness. a chilaliness. straooe
grave-like silence down there which made fire
the only light obtainable in those hard times
an indispensable companion. When rainy
weather came and the walls oozed water, opIy
heat made it habitable. Care was taken To nse
the driest and most smokeless fuel, but as
oven that, though burned ever 30 sparingly. in
the daytime would cause some smoke yarious
plans were hit to minimize the danger of
betrayal from this source. When practicable.
the cave would be dug near a dead tree, which
was first blackened by FIRE. unless one could be
found already partially burned by the chance
FIRE of some coon or opossum hunter.
Failing this, and FMS old tree stump after
being charrsd was ingeniously planted over the
chimney mouth, 30 that the smoke might rise
through or around it. The object Of these de-
vi,es was, of course, at should any unfriendiy
eve discover the smoke il would DO attributed
to enc Of the accidents. fires which sometimes
mouldsrsd in dead timter for we eks at d tine.
But as rule the occup, uts putting their de.
renssn,e on good eyssight and legs, would,
when no esfa,'al danger was apprehended. be.
take themselves to the Woods Turing the dsv
and nee me caves only a. sleeping places.