The National tribune., 1897-05-20

railroad track torn up and cannon planted
covering the track, while double guard
was kept on duty all night. AS matters
turned out, however, it made but little
difference, except to scare the Chattanooga
people nearly ont Of their senses.
We had now arrived at part Of the road
which we particularly wished to destroy. We
therefore determined to make another effort
to burn bridge, knowing that if we could
destroy one we would he safe from our pur-
s1ers, while we could destroy the rest Other
wise we would certainly fail. We kinded
fire in the rear car, and put the locomotive
again at full speed, so as to have all the time
possible for the bridge to get we'll to burn
ing before the pursuing train came mp We
dropped off this burning car on the bridge
when we reached it, and stopped to assist
the fire in the work of destruction all we
could.
But we were not permitted to accomplish
the task. We no more than fairly got to
work before we saw The black smoke of
the pursuing locomotive rolling above the
trees as she came laundering down the road
at almost lightning speed. They seemed to
know our design on the bridge, and were
straining every nerve 10 foil the attempt.
They had one of the best locomotives on
! water, while we had but little of either our
supply having nearly run out.
Our situation was becoming more un-
pleasant every moment. The road was very
rough here; but, rough or smooth, our last
thread of hope hung on the swiftness of our
tired locomotive. We crammed the fur
mace with every combustible we could lay
hands on. Again she plunged ahead at
frightful speed, reeling and rocking on the
rough track like drunken man. We made
a sudden halt at a tank and wOod-pie and
hastily proceeded to "wood and water"
We had, however secured only a partial
supply when the chasing train came in sight,
loaded with armed soldiers.
AGAIN UNDER FIRE.
Our pursners were worked up to an in
furiated pitch Of excitement, and rent the
air with their devilish screeches and wells as
they came in sight of us, like dogs when the
quarry is sprung. They opened on us at
long range with musketry. The bullets
ratified around us like hail, but fortunately
none of our party was hit. This is the only
instance / have ever heard of where troops
were put into action on moving railroad
train, and am clear in my mind that this
kind of warfare will never become popular
if everybody regards it from my standpoint.
Our iron horse was now put to its seyerest
test, but our most strenuous efforts to place
distance between ourselves and our pursuers
were in vain. Their locomotive was equal
to ours, and they were running it equally
as reckless. We had nothing left on board
to throw off and thus obstruct the track. as
we had previously done. 1t was becoming
more evident. every moment that our only
and last hope lay in an abandonment of the
locomotive and fleeing to the woods.
Already our speed began to slacken-we
had neither wood, water, nor oil. The loco
motive shook and reeled as she sped on. r
could liken her condition to nothing else
than the last struggles of faithful horse.
whose heartless master has driven and lashed
him until he is gasping for breath and lit
orally dying in the harness. The powerful
machine had carried us safely for more than
hundred miles, some of the time at rate
of speed appalling to contemplate, but she
was becoming helpless and useless in our
service. She was shaken loose in eyery
joint, at least she seemed so; the brass in
her journals and boxes was melted by the
heat; her great steel tires almost red hot
while she smoked and sizzled at every Joint
Our race was almost run.
ITO be continued