The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-01-18

Dt % mechanics and TWO tclegrapn opera
tors, with equippage trains, sent out to re-
build the telegraph line between Port IIud
son and Osyka, Miss, which would open
direct communication with Washington !
was chosen ~ the officer TO command this
expedition, with full instructions from Gen.
Candy to avoid, as far as possible, any CON
fict with migratory bands of Confederates
who infested the country 10 he traversed; in
any event to precipitate no attack. was
well aware that the country back of Port
Hudson was the rendezvous of ScOtts
guerrllas aud Gen Mabry's bush whackers
and selected my detail of negro cavalry
accordingly. knew the Johnnics expected
to take no prisoners alive, and SO selected
400 men, Scrgants, Corporals and privatcs,
but no white officers but myself.
The morning II April II, 1865, we started
out, setting new poles where needed and
splicing and connecting the wire as we NOV
ed along. The distance to OSyka was about
300 miles, nut We moved forward rapidly.as
most OF the poles We're standing and found
only occasional breaks in the wire. ! post.
ed notices along the way notifying the III
habitants that they would be held rcspon.
sibe in person ana property for any distur
UtllCt VI tnt " tBtupn llilt III tne Vicinity
where they lived. such II warning from q
force OF negro cavalry was sufficient, ,as they
expected no lcnency from such Il scource.
During the entire trip we were unmolesed
except by q, caSional shots from Struggling
bushwhackers along the waysidc hill. who
fed to the woods on return fire and pursuit
Fortunately none of my men were killed
and but few slightly wounded.
On arriving at Osyka, with only half
mile of telegraph line to repair before max.
ing the eventtul connection. at 1 O'Clock D.
m. of April Il moved my whole force and
wagon-train into camp on n Undiscovered
hill overlooking the town. meantime keep
ing detail of wUrkmen busy ON the line
We were by this timein the midst of couu
ny never visited by Union soldiers, and still
in the possession of bands of Confederates
who were not aware of Lees surrender. In
this situation | formed my troops in eche
Ion by platoons, with wagOn-train well Gov
eied, that in the event of an attack we could
stand our ground or retreat with safety.
Every fourth man was detailed To prepare
supper. with the rest standing TO their
brides ready for service. This hill 100 OF
more feet high, thickly cover. d with trees,
was good natural fertilization
The wUrkmen. by ; O'Clock, were lust on.
terng town and looking over the prospect
with my tield-glass, great clouds of dust re-
vealed the suspected foe coming IN vast
numbers but Il few rods away. In q mo.
ment more the town of Osyka was full of
Confederate cavalry. | ordered my buger
to sound ITO horse AZ onte, and mounted
my own horse, took the bugle and two Or.
der les, called in the workmen. and prepar.
ed for whatever stirring work we were tn
have on hand. There were only few mo-
men's of uneasy suspense, when to our sur
prise Il white handkerchief was waved from
the COntederates in town. ! at once rode
forward with one of the operators and my
llrfla rltal nd I..1E
two Confederate officers.
Exchanging salutations, | asked: "Who
have The honor To meet?'
MY name is Mabry, Cen Marby; this is
my Adiutani, Major" giving his name
which | do not remember now.
told him my name, and explaining the
mission was performing. He stated that
he had heard it rumored that day for the
fret time that Lee had surrendered, ut did
not believe it. ! told him my orders t1
avoid conflict if possible, and proposed u
truce until We connected the wires and test.
ed the resul
Gen. Mabry replied; IL am here to fight,
but we are all tired OF war, and will stay
with you till morning. If definite news
comes OF Lees surrender, we'll celebrate the
event right here"
Then, General, let's repair to the corner
grocery. il theie is one, and have social
trolic until the wires are in operation" |
iicers and drink and smoke at any ex.
pense.'
Gen N'ebry ordered his men, about 5000,
to go into camp. sent my Orderies back
TO the hill with my horse. trusting myself
to the honor OF a brave enemy. Interview.
ing the grocer ! found he had barrel OF
old whisky and plenty Of cigars, and told
him would stand treats that night
About sundown Gen. Mabry and 10 or 50
N M Hal lao a
dressed them, stating my business and the
war situation, and invited them TO drink
and smoke with me pending expected news
OF peace between the North and South The
grocer mustered all the tin cups, glasses,
dippeis, gourds, teacups, etc, he could find.
and night of revelery commenced. The
room was soon filled with smoke, and many
we're the rolicking Jokes, Stories of 5aI,Ie,
and narrow escapes told; many old song.
sung and sad tales related, till near Il. e hour
of midnight. None of us were, to say, drunk
but all jolly enough to keep our tongue.
wagg ny al mt once, when In rushed the
operator for another drink, we supposed
but he had handful of intercepted dis,
patches between New Orleans and Wash.
lngton.
Midst cigar smoke and the clatter OF
tongues called the noisy crowd to order
and all was 81 enCe. read the dspatche,
and every head was bowed A dumb Sienc
followed Tor moment, when Gen MnbrV
arose, trembling from head to foot. With
quiyerng lips and some effort he spoke Il
the crowd Others of his command had
come in, till every foot of standing room
WAS occupied. Several ladies', aware of what
was expected, appeared in the back end of
the store, He spoke substantially as follows:
COMRADES OF THE CoNrEpEgACY Our
cause is LOST! The blood shed on many
fields was shed in vain. 1t is dreadful e
| think of the desolation this war has wrought
| cities and villages in ashes homes laid
| waste, and thousands .of widows and or
| phans doomed to want and suffering
| Tongue cannot tell nor pen write the hor
| rors Of this long war. From wealth ant
| plenty we are reduced 10 poverty and want
| Dur wives and children are worse than beg
gars, and their husbands and fathers are IN
rags, are penniless or dead. Comrades, the
| picture is more hideous than | can paint IT.
| We have fought for Southern independence
ag inst powerful adversary; fought
through hunger, wthstood every agony oi
war, took courage at every disaster, and w
are iated to defeat. We have fought the
United States II was our great mistake tC
dght the only flag of liberty under the sun