The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-07-20
SHERMAN'S RUNNERS.
Trip to Kingston, N. c., for RatiOns and
the Capture of Horses and Hams.


the Capture of Horses and Hams.
A FTER the battle of BentOnville
"A n. c., we struck out for Colds
~ boro, at which place we arrived on
the 23d of March, 1865, at 2:3C
p. M, and went into camp on the north side
of the town. The oath was spent in clean
ing mp the camp and visiting friends of the
Seventeenth and Twentieth Corps, which
were arriving on that day.
In the evening we received orders to be
ready at next morning TO 60 with wagon
train to Kingston for rations. We started
at 6:15 a. M; the 92d Ohio and detach-
ment of the 18th Ohio who had re-enlisted
and were attached TO the god, commanded
by Capt. F. II. LoTing of Co. g. We were
divided among the wagons, three to five
men to each wagon, thereby giving all a
chance to ride. The country was quite
level and sandy, and we made the trip of 80
miles in one day.
We would stop occasionally at the houses
to look for something to eat. There was
not much to invite a hungry soldier, al
though he would be invited by very little
at times. But one house where we made a
friendly call Ia Yankee soldier was never
known to do otherwise) looked unusually
destitute. The inmates were very meek
and mild complained of being on the point
of starvation, and said they did not know
where their next meal was coming from.
There was a ladder in one corner Of the
room, with an opening in the upper floor,
which was covered with boards. We in
quired what they had up in the loft. They
said, Nothing; it was only where the girls
slept
One of the boys said, II am going to look
"a L..
time since / saw the inside of one"
So up the ladder he goes; but when his
head was above the floor he halted TO take
a survey of things. His first exclamation
was, Boys, it's grand! The girls are here,
and undressed, too"
We made for the ladder, but he said,
"Don't come up" and began to hand down
sacks of -four and sides of meat. l suppose
they did not know where their next meal was
coming from after we left.
We reached Kingston at 6 p. M, and
went into camp on the outskirts of town.
On the Both we went to the landing, but
found no bareback, but plenty of pork and
clothing: so we had 10 lie over until the
bareback was shipped up by boat A train
of "a cars passed up TO GoldsborO this day,
nine loaded with barrels of provisions, II
with boxes Of crackers, and four with for
age.
The morning of the 9th, steamer Gen.
Berry arrived, loaded with provisions At
1 p. m. the Gen. Shirley arrived, with two
barges loaded with crackers and sugar. The
provisions at Kingston were guarded by
100-days men. The boys found out they
had no ammunition, so when it got dark
two of my mess rolled a barrel of sugar
cured hams away, and filled two sacks
ready TO take 10 camp. They got it snug
gled into a wagon to take over the river TO
where We would camp prior TO starting to
Goldshpro.
Sergeant s. had discovered, some half
mile from camp, horse and pony. So the
puzzle was solved in regard to getting our
hams 10 camp A soldier who would let
such thing as that puzzle him long would
be fit subject for discharge.
That night, after moving over the river to
our first campiDg-place, three of us went on
a scout, and fearing the enemy might attack
the outpost, we went to guard the stable
which contained the horse and pony. Twas
stationed by big tree as videt. Serg't S.
secured the horse, but the other soldier got
excited and missed his charge on the pony.
Serg't S. mounted the horse, charged out of
the gate, and retreated to camp at 2:40
gait. The gate closed after him and the
pony could not get out, but succeeded in
stampeding flock of sheep and frightened
the soldier, who fed for camp. / was just
On the point OF opening the gate TO let the
pony out when he broke over the fence, and
for speed he laid Sheridan in the shade until
be overlook the horse. When / reached
camp they were both safely moored to tree,
and as thoroughly reconstructed Yankees as
any in the corral.
Before daylight on the 28th we started
the horse, loaded with hams, toward Colds
boro, and one Of the three captors rode the
pony. They were so far on the road by day
light that the old Confederate never found
them.
While passing through the town baker
had piles OF pies about as high as bayonet
was long. We tried 10 buy some at 25 cents,
but his price was 35 cents each. While we
were dickering with him some Of the 18th
Ohio came up, and not being suited with the
price, reversed arms, then Immediately came
TO a shoulder, when behold, their bayonets
were covered with pies. But they had no
time to take them off until they got TO
camp. We broke camp at $50, arrived at
Mosely Hall Station at 3 p. NJ, took dinner,
then took up the line Of march again, and
csmped for the night II miles from Colds
borO.
The next day ii was my turn to ride the
pony, so / mounted and started for Colds
boro. did not attempt to forage, for what
was the use when we had such a stock of
sugar-cured hams? / struck out for Co. F.
63d Ohio, Seventeenth Corps. to see my
brother after which headed for Goldsboro.
where our loDg-looked-fOr mail had arrived.
bringing to my share IS letters and 10
papers.
We had two horses On our hands, and the
Quartermaster came around and captured
them. ] don't know what he did with the
horse, but he sold the pony to Surgeon, and
he went through TO Washington. He was
daisy. While we lay at Goldsboro we had
lots Of satisfaction eating Brigadier meat,
which we termed our hams.
If have not told the above story cor
rectly, hope one of the boys who helped
capture the horses will write their version
of it.-G. L. CAMP, Sergeant, Co. G, 92d
Ohio. e22 Prospect street, Seattle, Wash.