The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-05
CHAPTER XIV.
loved families.

On the 22d of January, 1864, set out upon
my return trip home after travelling hard all
day. At night i came TO little cabin, where
i got my supper, and the women told me where
! could find a camp in the mountains which
would be safe place for me to stay. / started
in search of the camp, found it, and remained
there all night. The next morning travelled
until about o'clock, when came to another
cabin. at which stopped and got my breakfast.
The poor woman at this cabin gave me a most
horrible account Of her troubles. The rebels
had murdered her husband in cold blood. just
three days before my arrival. She showed
me his blood upon some stones in the yard, and
the rail fence which surrounded the house at
one place was completely covered with blood,
that being the place she said they had dragged
him over the fence by his feet. She also said
that after they had shot him dead, several OF
the incarnaie devils thrust their bayonets
through His body. They then robbed her of
her BLANKETS and clothing, and left her with
four little orphan children to buffet the dark
waves of adversely In friendless world. Her
worldly means were already very limited and
she and her little children would be doomed to
suffering and want If she did not receive some
assistance.
When gazed with pity upon these poor lit
tie children, WHO were now thrown upon
THE COLD CHARITIES
Of heartless and unfeeling world by the brutal
murder Of their earthly protector my heart
seemed to melt within me and tears of sorrow
trickled down my cheeks
II was sad to listen to that woman's tale of
wo and see the tears OF sorrow flowing from her
eyes.
With sad heart left the desolats family
| and travelled all day along the side of mount
ain. from which / could see the rebels in the
valleys below robbinR houses, hunting men,
and doing every possible mischief which their
wicked hearts could devise. After crossing
Big Pigeon River ! went on to French Broad,
which reached early in the night and crossed
IL In a canoe, and went on up the mountain,
where built fire and passed the night dis
sgreeably enough, as ! could barely keep from
freezing. i turned about the fire all night,
for as fast one side got warm the other
side was freezing When morning came
started. and soon came to a cabin and called for
onething 20 eat. which was readily furnished
me. The poor woman told mo her tale of
trouble. Her husband was then in the Federal
army. and had been there some time. The
rebels had been there and
KILLED HER ELDEST SON,
| whom the father had left at home to take care
of his helpless family, thinking the rebels
| would not presume to disturb, much less muir.
| der, young and innocent boy. They had
taken nearly everything she had to eat, and
| left her with seven children to provide for in
the best way she could, OF course not caring in
| the least if she and her children starved.
travelled on without meeting with molesta-
| tion. The mountain ranged about east and
west, and i considered myself safe from the
rebels while j was upon il. The greatest dam
ger was in crossing the little valleys and water
courses That night j arrived at Paint Rock
Mountain. where / stopped at the house of
James Hare. j WAS told that Hare and several
other men were in q camp of in the mountain
some distance and / at once started and found
them safely lodged. and passed the night very
comfortably in their company.
j arrived at Chucky River, and after cross
/ ing in Q canoe went to the residence of the
| Widow Bayless, where / got Q good supper, q
bed TO sleep in, and breakfast the next morn
| ing. When morning came found that had
taken q severe cold, which attributed to the
luxury which j had indulged of sleeping in q
bed; for when j slept Ia the open air upon the
ground, with nothing but my blanket, wa
| never annoyed with colds At last got into