The National tribune., 1893-03-02

ardson had by freak of good fortune made
his escape from Salisbury, where he had been
for long time. When / first made the sc-
qnaintance Of Richardson l ut once saw that
he possessed the accomplishments Of a gentle
nan, and my c0ntinued association with him Tor
several memorable:days and nights only served
to confirm me in the impression. Although the
dust OF travel had Somewhat soled the original
ncatness of his apparel. yet his refined manners
and the strict propriety of his conversation
were peculiarly y captivating, and must confess
that he attracted my highest regard. | was
glad when he succeeded in once more getting
within the Federal lines.
The escaped prisoners were all in very bad
condition for travelling but having three
horses OF my own soos had them mounted, a
sack of corn on each horse serving for a saddle.
The weather was extremely cold, and the snow
on the ground was at least six inches deep.
The water courses were all up, and as we went
on We had the most OF them to wade. Some OF
the men had started with their old shoes aud
boots on their feet which by this time were
nearly torn of-in fact some of them were bare
footed
On Jan. 10 We came to the big butte of Rich
Mountain. which we ascended with difficulty
and slow progress Often the doubt came to
me whether should be able to get the party
through safely. The descent was even more
hazardous. had hoped to reach by night an
old deserted house near the foot Of the mount
ain, and there obtain shelter from the now
rapidly falling snow. But when we reached 1t
we found it blown down, and had to make our
camp exposed to the storm. 1t may be sup
posed that we passed q miserable night
Before morning came we received lnforma-
ton that the rebels were thick in the valley
below and that we should have to employ the
utmost vigilance if we wished to avoid being
captured. This intelligence greatly discour-
aged some of our party, and they Immediately
concluded to turn back, choosing to risk them
selves where they were better acquaint
They also advised the balance Of the company
to turn back with them, declaring that none
who should have the temerity to 60 forward
would ever reach the Federal lines. But l
thought that | could manage to escape the
encmy. aud consequently started on in back
pathway which led on deeper into the recesses
of the mountains.
We had not proceeded far when we discov-
cred where the rebels had come into the road
and had gone on ahead of US. Having some
armed Federal soldiers with me on this occa-
sion, l selected the most active, and started
rapidly forward in pursuit of the rebels, leav-
ing the company under the care of Treadaway
for the day.
We soon caught up with them and came
very near capturing portion Of the party,
flight We continued to chase them for about
six miles, and then returned to the company.
The men kept up remarkably well during the
whole day, for they were all anxious to keep
in front for fear of being surprised by the
rebels.
Just about dark on the night of the 11th of
January we arrived at Kelly's Gap in the
Chucky Mountains, where l had intended to
stay all night Treadaway and | went to the
IF NJ u1,n 11uin
man, to learn something in regard to the
whereabouts Of the rebels We found at once
that we were in great danger for we were told
that there were rs rebels stationed at an old
furnace about two miles below, and that the
party which the Federal soldiers and L had
been pursuing belonged to that company. and
they were making preparations to follow us
the next morning
at once determined to divide my company
and start the horsemen in one direction and
the footmen in another under the and
management Of Treadaway. who had frequent
ly Travelled the same route with Inc, and was
good guide. By separating the company i'll
this manner l hoped to lead the rebels on the
trail of the horses. which | knew they would
be very likely to follow first. | determined to
cross Chucky River at Carter's Bridge. which
was seven miles distant. and the fear Of meet
ing with the rebel pickets at the bridge was all
that occasioned me any uneasiness
But this difficulty was nicely obviated. Miss
Melvina Stephens volunteered to 60 with us to
the bridge, cross it. then return and inform us
if there were any rebel pickets there. 1t was
midnight when she mounted horse and pro-
ceeded with us to our camp, where the men
were all wrapped in sleep.
We started forward leaving Treadaway to
guide the footmen in "a different route. We
arrived at the bridge in short time. and Miss
Stephens crossed over, while we remained con-
cealed some distance behind. She returned
directly and told rs there was no obstacle in
our way, and then left US.
We pressed forward and crossed over the
bridge and / now felt that we were out Of
danger. We left the public road. and turned off
to pursue our journey through the woods and
open fields. We Travelled at break neck speed
during the balance of the night, and at length
arrived at Lick Creek, some distance below
Bulls Gap.
The creek was too full to cross, so we had to
go several miles out of our way in order to
cross it at bridge which is on the main road
leading to Bulls Gap. After crossing the
bridge we struck again for the woods.
After another hard days travel we arrived
near the town of Russellville. where we stopped
in pine thicket and built up large fire out
of fence rails. The men aud horses were very
much exhausted, and our provisions having
been consumed we had to forage among the
people. Some of the men succeeded in getting