The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-05-24

sharp commands, then the muskets OF
the firing detail blazed out, and Snow
dropped over on his side-dead. He was
thrown into shallow ditch beside the
track and covered over, but his rest
was as peaceful as if he slept under a
monument.
Coleman was alarmed at the fate of
his comrade, and now that he was gone
and there was nobody else whom he
could trust he decided to end his active
service with the Confederacy. His posi-
tion as lieutenant in the signal corps
gave him unusual advantages. To great
extent he was his own master, though
subject to the orders of Bragg's chief of
staff.
On Jan. 5 and after the Confederates
had abandoned the defenses about Muir
freesboro Coleman was ordered to Ste
venson, Ala, and this he determined to
make his opportunity. An accident fa-
vored him. At midnight of Jan. 8 the
train on which he was passenger was
stopped by washout which could not
be repaired till the morrow. Coleman
tapped wire and reported the condi-
tion of the road to Bragg and to the
officer at Stevenson. He was the most
useful man on the train, and so he was
free to do as he pleased.
About two hours before daylight and
in the midst of driving rain Coleman
disappeared. When daylight came and
his services were required by the man
in charge of the repairs, he could not
be found, but it would seem that this
neither caused surprise nor excited sus-
picion.
A man less cool than Coleman, hav-
ing once deserted from the army to
which he belonged, would have made
no halt till his safety was assured, but
this was a man not given to fears for
himself. He had taken from the train
pair of climbing boots and his portable
instruments. Two miles southeast of
the washout he again tapped the wires
and read the messages passing between
Bragg and Bridgeport.
The Confederate general, although in
full retreat, claimed brilliant victory
in the recent battles along Stone river,
and he was very eager to get the lines
into working order so that he could COM
municate directly with Richmond. In
his anxiety for information that might
be of value to the other side Coleman
might have remained on the cross arms
until daylight had not q flash of light
down the track and the changing of
bell warned him of his danger. He hur-
ried down before the locomotive came
up and plunged into the darkness. He
knew the direction, though the night
was as black as it well could be, but he
was far too shrewd to exhaust his
strength by walking or running after
he had gone a safe distance from the
railroad.
AS soon as it was sufficiently light
Coleman started off again. He was
young, strong and active, and, except
ing his pistol and o box Of cartridges,
be did not burden himself. He plunged
into the foothills of the Cumberland
range, guiding himself by occasional
glances at the sun. He found the cabins
OF the mountaineers filled with DESERT
ers. but in speaking with them he took
good care not to give o hint of his own
purpose. Murireesboro was his objective
point, that place having been occupied
by Rosecrans Immediately after Bragg's
retreat.
AS it was growing dark on the even
ing of the day of his escape Coleman
came upQn body ot Confederate horse
men who were returning from a scout
in the direction of Lebanon and the
Kentucky line. The troopers were quite
as much surprised at his coming as he
was at seeing them, but instead Of show
ing disappointment or surprise Coleman
tossed up his hat, and after cheering, to
show his assumed delight, he shouted
out:
''By thunder, I thought at first you
were Yankeesp'
The troopers, who belonged to the
Sixth Tennessee cavalry, gave him a
hearty greeting. The captain in COM
mand said his horses We're exhausted,
and that as he had succeeded in finding
feed near by he decided to rest till
morning.
Coleman told who he was and ex-
planned that the train on which he was
going to Alabama had been detained by
n washeut the night before. With view
60 looking over the hills and judging of
their value as signal stations, he left
the road in the morning intending to ha
gone but few hoVrs. In trying to get
back he lost his way, and when noun
taineer had put him on the right track
he was told that the Yankee cavalry
We're on the road from which he had
eeme.
1--WE are making for Bragg's head
quarters, said the Confederate captain
land Twill gladly get you mount and
take you there III the morning.
He little knew the anguish those
words caused his guest. Indeed, from
Coleman's manner he was justified in
believing that no was comforting a great
favor on him.
fro BE CONTINUED.