The National tribune., 1893-03-02

waited on the shore. an xiously watching for
the signal. hoping against hope as the small
hours wore away. About half past four we left.
so as to pass the citizens houses before it would
he light enough for them to see what was in
the wagon. We staid AL day with the picket
reserves, and went back the next night and
lay in the cold again. Just as We were ap-
preaching the picket line in the morning a
cavalryman shouted; Your boys are in." The
gratitude and relief feltby all hands was intense,
and when the boys were met aud their hands
shaken, the beamng eyes and hating voice
must have CONVINCED them they were beloved
by their comrades They had tried to come
down to the river the next night after the loss
of the boat, but were prevented by detach-
ment Of cavalry who had encamped almost
across the southern end, of the ravine. They
had then gone down the river hunting for
boat They did not find one that night, but on
the following had better luck, and found one
chained and padlocked, which took them
long time to get loose, as they bad nothing but
stones to break tho chain or lock with and IL
took long while to accomplish it. Everyone
at Headquarters was glad when the boys got
back. l can't remember that that crossing was
used again until few days before the opening
of the Wilderness campaign under drant'
when three of US went over, Cline, FORESTER
and myself. As usual, our friends were on the
qui riue, and on the second day We were there
Sylvia came to rs in the swamp. He had just
got back from Orange Courthouse which was
Gen. Lees Headquarters at that time. he
told us the number ofrations that were being
issued at Headquarters, Army OF Northern
Virginia The exact number has escaped my
memory, but know it was not far from 9o,ouo.
He assured uS that it was authentic. We con-
sidered this of Importance enough so that one
of us must 60 back to Brandy Station with the
news.
11f co1l 70 I'D
volunteered to accompany me to the river.
After going about half way urged them to 60
back, which they did, and / kept on alone,
When about half way through the ravine. in
place where one could stand upright, sud-
denly ran against a man who was coming up
from the river. 1t was very dark, and had
not been taking any heed or keeping still. aud
myself-neither of US knew that anyone was
near until we came breast to breast. To say
was not frightened wonld be untrue. actually
felt my hair rise, aud thought of the quilts
upon the fretful porcupine." | have always
thought he recovered from the shock sooner
than l did, for heard him almost instantly
trying to scramble up the side of the raviue.
As soon as I heard that thought to myself,
" You are as much frightened as l am; let me
alone and will you." and Immediately went
on my way. Neither of US spoke. When had
gotten on the north side of the river and told
the boys of my adventure they said they had
heard from citizen that day that mail was
going to cross the river that night for Rich
mond. | made my report at Headquarters and
staid in camp until the 4th Of May, on which
day we left Headquarters ON the Wilderness
campaign. Cline and Forester staid until our
cavalry came across. when they joined them.
and, if my memory serves, they had two or
three prisoners.-J. d. KNIGHT, Washington,
D. C.
Ito be contaued1