The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-01-02
SOJOURN IN DIXIE.
Attempt to Conquer n Rebel Division Got
Yankee Regiment in Trouble.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Reading IN
your issue of Nov. an account of opera
tions in East Tennessee in 1868, l thought
would like to remind the writer of that
article-if he is not aware of it-that the
| 18th Pa, or a part of it, opened the hight
that day near place called cambridge.
/ was participant in that fight and
operations from Chickamauga, Sept. 20, until
| Dee. "a, 1868, making long and wearlsome
marches by night and by day and many
| hairbreath escapes.
We came upon q number of half-breeds-
| Indians--at or near a little village called
Gatlinsburg, Dec. 10. They were just pre-
| pairing breakfast when we made our une&-
pected appearance, which spoiled their APP
petite, and they fed to the hillsides, and
poured some hot lead into US for disturbing
| them.
After this fight we were scouting on the
left flank and rear of Longstreet's army,
which was leisurely pursuing its way to-
wards Virginia. Making our way along
the French Broad River as far as Newport,
East Tenn, having frequent skirmishes
with the rebel cavalry and capturing many
prisoners, on the night OF Dec. % we crossed
French Broad. Pushing up under cover
| of darkness to the rear OF the enemy's cav
airy corps, we captured number OF his
picllets, Is horses and 26 head of cattle, and
brought them safely to camp, though closely
pursued.
We Joined Gems. Sturgis's and Elliotts
| commands about four miles from cambridge,
Dec. "a. We were tired and hungry, and
| were eating what little we had in our haver-
sacks, when q re,vr scout was brought In.
He said there were only 300 rebs on the
| road Our Colonel asked for the privilege
of ascertaining the truth OF the scouts
statement and it was granted. Our horses
were in no condition for a running match
with the rebs go about 20 of as good mounts
as could be selected were ordered to get
ready for the fray.
Our Colonel led MS through the woods to
a worm fence skirting the woods We got
through TO the middle of the field, and
found the rebs on the road As thick as bees.
They were the left flank of Gen. Martins
Divisiopl
We marched to the middle of the field
and formed in line-of- battle for charge.
We Immediately discovered we had bitten
off more than we could masticate. Seeing
the Colonel turn and make a Decline for
hole in the fence spoke louder than words.
We got in considerable of mudde, all try
ing to get TO the hole at the same time.
The bullets flew thick and fast, and the
rebs were very close TO us. There was no
other way out of that field but by that par
ticular hole in that five-Tail fence. 1t was
too high for jump. and we were too holly
pressed to make another opening.
There were about 10 of the 20 captured
on that field, and only one wounded. The
latter was exchanged that day. Among
the captured was Capt. w Airy, who, after
suffering IA months in Libby Prison, re-
turned home and died from the horrible
diseases contracted in that den.
Before got TO the hole in the fence was
gathered in by big rebel Colonel. We
were taken to the rear and put in charge
of guard and here we were searched
for money and any thing that took their
fancy was taken away from us. / had $40,
and persuaded them to let me keep $40 of
it, which they very reluctantly did. And,
knowing full well that this would not be
the last search, when / got an opportunity
placed that so bill between my skin aud
shirt. and there it lay until / reached Belle
Isle where invested 1t in five pounds of
rice and five-pound bale of Lynchburg
smoking tobacco
We were soon put in charge OF another
guard little further on the road, and here
we were relieved Of our overcoats, and then
we took up our march to log cabin, where
we stopped for the night.
. In the morning of Christmas Day, 1863,
we were marched TO Morristown. There
, was no good cheer; everything looked, and
was, cold and dreary. i don't think any OF
! us knew it was Christmas.
, We were handed over to the Prov ost
Guard. who kindly ushered us to our sleep
: ing apartments for that night, two-stoTy
storage house IN our party was Tennes-
see guide who mad been captured while
scouting the day OF our little charge at Dan
: bridge, and just Joined at this place. He
2 had been with Col. Palmer all through this
? campaign up to the oath of December, and
was well acquainted with that part of the
country, particularly Morristown.
Z We were no sooner in the building than
= he was coolly planning escape. He had ar
e uncle living within sight of our temporary
o prison, whose house he pointed out to US
| He asked the rebel Captain if he would al
c low him to visit his uncle the following day
: The Captain gave his permission pleasantly
and generously.
|. At dark we all lay down to rest. We still
d retained our blankets. We rested pretty
r well until about daybreak, when we heart
Il considerable commotion downstairs anon:
l. the guards. The Captain came up ant
:. ordered us all in line to tie counted. WbeI
n he counted two or three times over he wa
satisfied that four noble Yanks were miss
e ing He was very angry. of course, but IN
lie could not get il into his thick head how tn
N Yanks got out Of that store-room, unles
d the guard was bribed. BY this time tn
re brave guide and his companions were wei
rs on their way TO the Union lines which
10 learned, after my release, they reached il
N safety. Their escape bothered the Captain
IN so much that he concluded the house wa
at not safe place to keep Yankee prisoners in
ii so we were marched to the outskirts G
H. Morristown. and driven into miserable, 10,
of log hut-a charcoal pen.n The hovel wa,
8. as near as / can remember, about II by i
Sc feet, so full of ventilation that we receive
n the full benefit of al the SHOWS and rain
es and blows.
&c We were in this hole from the Goth {
TO December until Jan. 26, suffering with tn
Mt cold and famishing and being choked an
he blaclened with the smoke. Fortunatel
ed there was no sickness amongst us; we WEI
ut all young and hearty. Wewere taken out on
day and started for Bristol. This we reaches
els tagged out and hungry, without any ace
Sc, dents, and not great deal of excitemen
he There was train in waiting, with 9th,
10 prisoners. Some time after our arrival
Id moved of. The only provender avaiiaD
as in this remote spot of the United Stat.
OF. was the golden grains of corn served to ,
nut on the cob. Ii did not worry us much, beiI