The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-03


simple meals. II our boys learned any
lesson. It was that
Wants wants but little hero below,
Nor wants that little long"
The sergeant was generous. and divided
rations with Us that day. His ample
haversack was full OF crackers" hard
tack" as We called them in those happy
days a puddle OF water rounded up
the dinner.
AS night closed In upon us, we liberated
the prisoners. and moved 10 the foot OF
Mt. OPny on the eastern side.
An enterprising farmer had attempted 10
raise a small field OF corn In n secluded
spot. between the main woods and
thick clump OF pines and cedars. But ne
had abandoned the eifort, as IL was EVIL
dent that It had hardly been worked, and
was very small and indifferent. But II
served 90 give our horse and mule quite a
good supper. This was selected next
morning as 4 good place 10 make the base
o. operations. With a fine branch rem
ming through the woods, With forage al
hand, with crackers enough 10 last US
several days. and at the foot OF the
mountain which commanded the beau
dful plateau for many miles. we con
sidered ourselves well located FOR our
work. In addition. IL was an exposed
place in itself, and. although the enemy
knew that We were in their army. they
would not look for us m such small
body OF woods. While the place seemed
10 be defective in itself. yet it was really
a frst-class position, owing TO the fact
that strip OF thick woods concealed It
with the mountain, and 10 reach that
was 10 be safe from pursuit.
a had ftrrf va rgnrlH
probably be trailed 20 our camp. We took
the precaution 10 ride into the place
through an open corn-held. We knew
hat large horse. a small mule and much
mud would enable the enemy 10 follow
us II they should make the
EFFORT. To guard against snr-
prise, we must Keep a close
outlook on our trail through the field.
Aftc- daylight orr neps NEST be by terms.
Eleven o'clock came. 10 was my turn 10
sleep. Ransdau who was on guard, said
in an excited tone. but yet in a whisper,
Captain, i hear strange noises" Placing
my ear 20 the ground. 1 heard tie heavy
tread OF cavalry, which told the whole
story. The enemy had not only trailed MS
up. but had surrounded the woods ana
were advancing from the direction OF the
mountain. with the purpose OF driving MS
into the open field, and forcing a surreu-
der.
CHOICE or TWO DANGERS.
A moment for earnest prayer. another
moment for waiting on tho Lond' for a
plan Of operations. and the way opened
up. 10 occurred 10 me that one OF Us mSht
esoape-I hardly hoped that both could.
Sprnging 20 my feet, ] gave kansdail
choice of horses and duties. My pro-
position was that 1 would either take the
horse and ride out into the field. ana
draw the enemy after me, while he re-
malnod ln the woods until be could leave
ard escape 20 tho mountain, on l would
give him the horse. and Jet him run for
his life, and let me keep nay present posi-
ton and take chances at escape after
the enemy We're engaged with him. While
/ was stating the ease. he was mounting
the black. saying that he could ride Ike
an Indian, but being on bis first scout
would bee captured if left in the woods.
The night before 70 had been arranged,
in case OF separation, 90 tell General Lee
that 30 was am unimp0rtant move, and
that / would remain in the lines until
something arose worth reporting. We
looked for just such a scdlen oeparture
at any moment. Kausdall started, and
he rode we'll. Aiv excitement was intense.
I wanted 20 help him 10 run 10 the best
advantage. j was sitting on my little
mule. had taken Che precauton 10 gather
the top OF "a doeWood bush was watching
with brcathlcsa suspense the race for
life. when 1 heard "a suppressed laugh just
behind mo. With ro-y sad EXPIRE ION
ON my face. j turned t0 see the extent
of my own danger. and the chances Tor
escape Cor that was always a prominent
ileal. and 10 form some plan 20 guide me
IA my next move.
Possibly there were over thirty men
within twenty yards of me-. They were
mounted. one short prayer. Hope came;
a way seemed opelel-One chance was
left me. / took il. The officer said. AS he
advanced "Yo, may gees Well surrender.
/ raised the top Of my dogwo0d bush.
and lifted that little mule right or ihe
ground. When he struck the ground
again. he was running and being SO much
lower than men on horses / rln under The
limbs which stopped them. I knew ] could
escape IL the mule would only be wise
and do his best. ] had gained az least
fifty yards on the enemy when The mule
showed his "cioyen foot.' Just in front
of us was a large cedar. which had been
cut several years before. The lower cut
had been removed for post The top
with it's sfin branches, was pointed Toe
wards us. There were about three acres
of land in that piece of woods, but tic
mule could find 10 place t0 rum excepting
the upper cut OF that cedar tree. L took
On the situation. 1 saw that there was
no time 10 back out and make auothe.
start. Hence, when the mule struck the
body Of the fallen tree and came 10 a
halt. / went ON over his head, landed ON
my feet ANA hands. ran about ten steps ou
all f0urs until 1 could right myself, and
decided 10 try my own powers for a
while. The enemy witnessed the circus
acting. and checrel me loudly, saying, as
1 sun remember. "BuiIy for YOU wei
donem "Go it. Johnnie I went like The
wind. IL was my time 20 snap pine limbs
and ] did b..
FACE TO FACE WITH DEATH.
My gOo4 and wise mother often quoted
the words TO me. Whatever you do. old
10 with AN your might" on this and Other
occasions 4 carried out Der inJuncuous
Again. j was widening the gap between
me al the enemy. ly doubling l bad
gained time and had made another de-
perate effort 10 reach the mountain. AS
pushed forward. so great was my thifst
that ] stopped for moment 90 drink IRON
the branch which bad partly entered iu,,
tine causes which lcd TO tlat place u.s.
good camping ground.
Having satisfied my thirst, / paused fol
q moment 20 learn what the enemy
would next do. They had lost me. bu
soon started for the mountain. That La'
\ OF march would take me iu. I went abou
/ twenty steps. and. Seeing cedar tree
which had evidently been cut when th
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