The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-12

themselves nearly lrNZcn- 1He SHOW WAS hi
least six inches deer. and the wind blew hard
enough, almost, to take a mans coat of his
back ] thought this was the longest and the
most disagreeabie night that ever experienced
We were six miles from the nearest house, aud
could not much as
HEAR CHICKEN CROW,
when daylight was approaching.
Daylight came at last. Burrow was still in
s state of suspended animation, and could not
walk step. We were in a very bad
dilemma for we were compelled to ascend to
the top of that steep mountain and carry
large man all the way up its precipitous eleya-
tons.
AsI could devise no other mode of carrying
our heavy load OF flesh and blood, took my
blanket and rolled him securely up in it.
then fastened leather straps around his head,
body. and legs, and cut large a pole as l
could with my knife and passed the pole
under the straps. A man took hold at each
end Of the pole aud carried him on in this
manner ! thought this was slow and very
tiresome way of going to the Yankees, for
Burrow a heavy man. and the mountain
was so steep that one could scarcely stand upon
Its side. But we changed our load from one to
another very often. A small accident hap
peRed 10 Our passenger while some OF the men
were carrying him. The men came to a very
rugged place. and the foremost man had just
steppeG across a log, when the pole accidental
ly broke and Burrow was precipitated upon
the log Immediately upon his back. i believe
the fall came very near breaking his back. for
be groaned loudly from the pain it occasoned
him. Another pole was quickly cut and run
under Tho straps. and some of the men again
shouldercd him and started slowly forward.
In this Way we carried him the distance OF
about four or five miles up the steepest mount
ain that have ever SEEN
AT ltmg;h we reached the summit, where
4
thought sometimes II would cut rs III two.
We were now where once had been fnc
mountain farm, but the Buildings and the
fences Lad all been destroyed. In pasture
near by saw two colts feeding. ] Immediate
ly caught hold Of one OF them and tied string
around its head. ] then led it up to where
the men were waiting and placed Burrow upon
It's back. and led the colt along by the strings.
Just As it was getting dark we came TO
cabin. where we left Burrow and the colt, for
by this zine he could not even ride ] do not
believe Iiat ] ever saw man who was in
worse condition in my life. Bloody water was
running out Of his eyes. and lie exhibited every
symptom of q man IN the
MOST ExcRucIATTsG MISERY.
We started forward again, and after travelling
some distance stopped for the night, made good
6res, and rest-d finely, for the men were so
tired they went TO sleep almost as soon they
touched the ground.
So sOau daylight came we started on with
out pafiaking of a very abundant breakfast,
for our stock of provisions had now run down
10 a very low degree, and the worst of the bar
gain was we had yet long and wearisome road
70 travc We travelled on all day, through the
roughest sort of mountains, not daring 70 20
into road even path. for at any time we
would look could see the rebels prowling
about iu The valley below us. IN the evening
we got TO Paint Creek, in Madison County,
n. C., and continued 10 travel down its mean
derngs until late IN the night, when coming to
q deep hollow we stopped and made fires. and
passed he balance of the night pretty well.
When morning came we divided the last
Of our provisions which afforded a very small
allowance 10 each man, whose appetite was
keen enough TO have devoured much-larger
portion. But we thought OF the old adage that
|" Half a loaf is better than no bread" and fin-
isheG our humble meal and proceeded on our
iournev.
About - o'clock we reached Paint Rock
Mountain, and ] went 10 the house of Mrs.
Kelley 10 procure something for the men to
eat, hnt before ! had been in the house many
minutes shc commenced telling me how the
rebels bad murdered her husband. / listened
10 her melancholy tale, which excited the most
profound sympathies of my heart. She fur
nished .He with some provisions for the men,
and FASTENED TO whore had left them. We
now had the Warm Springs road to cross aud
SIS there were SO many rebels in this section Of
the country carrying their dastardly bUsi-
ness OF stealing. robbng and numbering, con-
cluded il would be the safest Tor US TO stop
uBtii night came on. When il got quite dark
we started. aud, just as had anticipated, when
we go' 10 the road found that il was guarded.
Upon making some inquiry ia the neighboT-
hood ] found that the rebels were guarding the
whole length of the road from Greenevillc to
Paint Rock. ] now had TO seek for chance
for my company 10 get across the road, regard
less Of
TIE VIGILANCE OF THE REBELS.
We now approached near to the road, where
We could see their fires in different places. and
could hear them singing and talking. / Sc
lected as dark a place as could find, aud then
telling the men 20 follow me We all crossed ihc
road with safety between two of their fires.
The night was dark and the wind was blowing
strongly. which was quite favorable for us
when passing so near to the rebels campi es
The SNOW was falling very fast, which 10 US
was another favorable circumstances. for il
served most admirably TO obliterate every
vestsgc OF the trail We made while crossing the
TOAD.