The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-07-19
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
A MILITARY TRAMP.
Experiences During an Involuntary Absenc
from the Regiment.

any importance il has Is derived from lncl-
dents in our civil war. Ewell's Corps here
ran amuck of HOoker's forces and were
worsted. Whatever there might have been
of the place before, in war times 1t was dis
poiled by the ravages of the armies
When / was in the place there was not a
depot or platform. A lonely two-story build
ing stood by the side of the railroad, on the
bank of little run, which might be dubbed
station, and that building was occupied
by Others and myself on the night OF Aug.
% 1862, when Stuarts rebel cavalry made
a raid on Pope's Headquarters train and
captured it between there and Catlett's Sta
ton, two OF three miles beyond. However,
/ saw none of the raiding forces, but was
near enough to hear the sounds and be ex-
cited by the confusion or disturbance, for L
was not safe from being captured
The army had drove of some 800 head of
cattle, 300 OF 400 head of sheep, and black
mare and her colt, which were corralled
on the grass plat near Bristoe that night.
/ was one of the guards. / never knew
of sheep-flesh being issued as army Tations.
It was a night like when Tam O'Shanter
made his venture Vivid flashes of light
ming darted through the skies, and loud
claps of thunder resounded through the
heavens; the rain commenced descending
in volumes early in the evening, and contin-
ned till late in the night.
Ny relief would not come on duty till
toward morning, and several of us took
shelter in the two-story building ! spread
my blanket in the second story, lay down to
sleep until should be called for duty, and
soon fell into unconscious repOSe.
Later on ! was awakened by the passing
of freight train over the road, and before
L srof IN claan in IL hacking down
in front of the house, and / heard some one
say it had been fired into a short distance
ahead. SOME one came running into the
house and aroused all the inmates.
We soon packed our knapsacks and got
out of doors 10 be ready for any emer-
gency. No discipline was observed and
there were no plans adopted. None knew
where our troops were nor anything about
any movements taking place / heard a few
musket-shots, but for a certainty could not
say under what circumstances or who fired
them 1t might have been some OF our own
men.
Impenetrable darkness prevailed, and !
CROPPED my way to the cattle lot an unfenced
piece of ground, but there were no cattle or
guards TO be found. / hardly think they
were gobbled by the enemy. 1t would have
been almost an impossibility for them 10 get
through or around our lines with them.
But in the darkness and solitude l wan
dered around to find some of the boys or
stock, without success, and concluded they
were frightened and fed for safety, or had
been captured.
Then found my way back over the creek,
on the railroad crossing, TO the house, met
with two stranger comrades, and We started
together on the railroad track for Manassas
I'd
of our troops.
The fury Of the rain had abated, the road
was smooth and in good condition, but the
night was dark, and we would halt for
flashes Of lightning to detect bridges or cat
tie guards. We were timid and suspecting,
being only three in number marching
through the eBemy's country after night,
when there was danger in our minds that
We might be picked up by some of them
scouting in that section.
We trndged ahead, however, without en-
countering any serious difficulty; but every
once in a while one of my COMRADES would
suggest, in tones loud enough, thought, to
wake deep sleeper, that the enemy's
cavalry might be passing on the road on
top of the cut we were going through, and
catching glimpse Of us would fire on u.s."
We did meet mounted horseman gallop-
ing on the highway, but he was a courier
with dispatch for Catlett's Station, and
the circumstances confirmed our hopes of
meeting with our commands when we
should reach tie station.
We failed to realize the fruition of our
hopes, for when we reached the station early
in the morning we found only few scatter
ing leans encamped. / stretched myself on
bench in front of a wooden sbanty 10 rest
and get little sleep, for the sun was not
yet up ard the air was cool. But the sun
rising and its hot rays shining in my face
made my nap short, though was Infatuated
to sleeping exposed in inclement weather
When opened my eyes / found my COM
rades had forsaken me, and there was no one
around While sitting on the bench my eyes
caught sight of Citizen Drain, of Shelby
County, Ind, and that he was there in citi-
zen's clothes at that time was great surprise
to me. But We did not speak, and we never
met aiterward. 1t was but a short time
before a train of bOx-cars arrived loaded
with some Of Gen. POrter's men from Alex
andria for reinforcing our army, which was
inspiriting.
The whereabouts Of my regiment was IN
certain, and 10 try 10 reach it ] thought was
not safe for me TO undertake, and detecting
q movement amongst the teamsiers, | con-
eluded to follow the teams. / travelled by
myself, with sick permit from Surg New,
of my regiment, as the only justification for
my absence from my company, and that
warrant of permission was granted without
the knowledge of my commanding officers.
i footed IT over the country, and was not in
terrupted by any one, even 10 ask me to see
my pass. was not among the throng of
stragglers-I was an unwilling absentee. 1t
was not regular train was following, but
few supply teams that were outside Of the
transportation train. My relation of the
fact contains my only apology for my con-
duct
] was not acquainted with the geography
Of the country, and never noticed sufficiently
the course Of the sun TO know what direction
was going; i merely followed the drift of
the teams, indifferent where they led me.
Ny hayersack was well filed with grub, but
It's contents would not always hold ont, and il
was not satisfactory reflection that might
suffer the pangs Of hunger before / was able
10 secure new supply.
Fortunately fell In contact with a regi-
ment Of Gen. Kings Division, of our corps.
They could not tell me where any of my
division (ihe First was, but one of the Cap
tains told me 10 fall in with his company
and he would make favorable report to my
officers if ] did my duty when We should
meet with them.
Iaeceded and joined his command, march
ing and experiencing all the privations with
the rest Of his company.
Of course, could have found my own