The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-21

cavalry that had collected around the approach
to that little narrow bridge to make crossing.
The creek at this point was deep and tho banks
rocky and precipitous. On the opposite SIDE
was Gen. Wilson and his staff; and | will say
here that this was the only time that saw him
during that eventful day. Scarcely had the
line been formed with such material as could
be got together, than that fearful onslaught
came from the pursuing cavalry and artillery.
The scenes that followed beggars description.
The kissing of mimic balls, the screechlng and
explosions of shells, and that mass Of Struggling,
wounded and dying men and horses; others
working to get upon the bridge, all struggling
together; others, more panic-stricken, rushed
their horses headlong over the rocky bank OF
the creek into the water below. closely followed
by others; some were crowded on the Drldge
into that mass of splashing, struggling, and
drowning men and horses ALI this time the
crossing on the bridge was going on as rapidly
as possible under the supervision of resolute
officers so that when the rear guard came in, or
what was left of it, there was little trouble In
getting over although quite q number OF our
best men
WERE CUT OFF AND CAPTURED.
As my memory recalls those scenes have no
recollection of onr having been further mo-
Tested by the enemy during this day, although
we were momentarily expecting them to come
in sight and renew the conflict. Just at DARK
/ received orders to report to Col Hammond.
Having reported, the Colonel took a map from
his pocket and said: Sergeant, want you to
GO back to that road. A section of the Rhode
Island battery has gone off on the wrong road
take that road and follow it until you ma
them. and be as expeditions as possible When
you do find them, urge them to make all poss1-
BILE haste in getting back and overtaking u.s."
Now, can any one OF my comrades who have,
perhaps, been in like position, imagine my
fpplin s1o cf living r.
ders? / confess my utter inability TO express
mine. l was SO tired and sleepy that it did not
seem possible that / could Sit in my SADDLE
another hour; but no one knows what he can
endure until it has been tried. l felt assured
in my own mind that those orders meant capt
ure or death /; or, if escaped either and return
cd without them. it meant suspicion OF coward
ice. As these thoughts in their various phases
passed rapidly through my mind with one
glance at the Colopels face turned to execute
them. Il was painfully evident that he fully
realized what be had done. 1t was then quite
dark, but soon found the road and, happily,
WITHOUT MEETING THE ENEMY.
Then urging my horse along at a rapid gait,
allowing him to change from trot to gallop as
often as he chose, as l feared that he might tail
me entirely. This road soon led me into
dense thicket ofpine underground, the branches
interlacng overhead making the darkness I'M
penetrahle. Yet my horse had no difficulty IN
following it, and in fact there seemed no pos
sible chance Of getting out OF it. And yet,
with all the fear of capture. or the challenge
of rebel picket and the responsibility of my
mission, it was impossible to keep awake. Al
though my faithful horse was doing finely in
main tanning his speed, at about midnight, L
should Judge, | was aroused from my unrefresb-
ing slumber by my horses sudden change OF
gait. found that my hat was gone and that my
b,.v-n 70 h nUh hat a
thing, and putting out my hand it came in con-
tact with horse. Moving my hand along.
found man reclining on his neck, fast asleep.
/ was instantly wide-awake, and the thought
Immediately occurred to me that this WAS
rebel picket and that | was in for it, Instinct
lively l drew my revolver from its holster and
entured to shake him little not very much,
however, for
WAS LITTLE AFRAID
to awake him anyhow. But there was no
response. Tho suspense was terrible and
timo was precious and decided TO mcye on and
let him alone if he would permit me; bnt my
horse seemed to have difficulty in getting for
ward, and / was soon rubbing against another
horse. Ny thoughts had now become more
collected and / returned my revolver to its
holster and reached out for the man on the
horse, who | found fast asleep. | then took
his revolver from the holster, and gave him a
pretty RJcu sudkc tbl sthtcs uia uioh
appeared to have life. and asked him with as
much steadiness of voice as my nerve-tension
would allow, what regiment he belonged to-.
His reply was Il don't belong TO any reg-
ment."
That answer raised my hair still further,
there being no opposition in that direction, as
my head was hatless. The thought instantly
occurred to me that I was in the midst of a
band of sleeping bushwhackers in impenetra-
n rE md
ventured to say, Who are you, any howf :"
His reply was: II bslong to tue lst L. 1. bat
| terry"
! What instant relief those few words gave.
| then asked: Where are your officers?" As
he was unable to tell me, | moved along and saw
| an opening in the woods and could hear con-
versation being conducts in a low tone. In
| the dim light | could large, branching
| tree in a cleared space. from the dark shade OF
which appeared TO proceed the sound OF those
| voices Approaching that point asked: Are
| you the officers of the 1st L. |. battery" No
sound came but the rattle of drawing sabers
| and rush Of horses, with demand 10 surrender.
Yes" replied. "but there is no time for fool
| ishness now" Another man. little later in get
ting out. came rushing up with great gnsto and
| demanded my arms. Yes" | said, you can
have them; but want you to understand that
| if
| YOU EVER GET TO GODS COUNTRY
| you will have TO hurry"
This kind of talk made them more suspicious
L