The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-11-26


 half mile away. The federals caught sight of him just as he saw them, and, | wheeling around, he dashed down the road at the top of his speed in the di- rectloa or the confederate camp.
 The road was rough, and we heard | the popping of the pistols as the aids 1lred at him at long range, and turning ms head he saw that the federal officer had started along a cross-road to inter- cept him, leaving his followers, who | were not so well mounted, Bending l low on the neck of Black Prince, he | gave the animal free rein, and over the rocks and fallen trees they went like the wind, the distance between him and his pursuer lessening at every bound.
 lie Knew that he must ride around the head Of small stream that lay be- tween him and his own camp, as the ground was boggy in the bottom, and that unless he could reach the point where the roads forked ahead of the Iedefal officer he would be brought to pay, and even if he escaped being un- horsed, he would be held up until the | aids could reach the spot and effect his capture.
 IL was Wild ride for life and liberty ana right nobly did Black Prince do his duty as he cleared every obstacle that lay Tn the rugged path. In about the same time that it takes to tell it he had shot past the danger-point, and turning his head, the major whipped off his cap and waved a salute to his pursuer, which the latter returned as he refined up his gallant gray within hundred yards ot the crossing of the roads. The federal officer was General Me- Pherson, and that was the last time that the major laid eyes on the dashing young officer until he saw him fall in that dreadful charge on the 22d of July, In the suburbs of Atlanta.
 After that Black Prince became more Of favorite than ever, and every man In the regiment. looked upon him as a special pet, and he was allowed to nib ble at many ration when the soldier who generously divided with him had a very scant share for himself. Other officers tried in vain to secure the horse, but the major thought too much Of his favoite to part with him on any terms, and the two became insepara ble in the long marches that followed on the way to Chattanooga.
 There were many thrilling adventures connected with the closing days of that memorable campaign, but the one in which the major and Black Prince fig ured most notably was in the fight at Bakers Creek. The major had ridden beyond the confederate lines during a cavalry duel between detachment of federals and squadron of confederate O yxrnc ot 1nt fn take hand, but the fight was going on in full view, and so intensely interest ed was he in the nand-to-hand conflict that he did not notice the approach of squad of federal sharpshooters.
 Surrender" came sharp command, and turning, he was confronted with half-a-dozen rifles leveled at him, and within point-blank range. He was so startled by the sudden approach of the sharpshooters that he did not have time to collect his thoughts.
 GO to -!" he cried, and at the same time put spurs to his horse, who bounded off as the crack of the rifles rang out on the evening air. One bull let passed through the front of a blue blouse which he had thrown across his shoulders as he rode out of camp, an- other struck the front of his cap and nicked out corner of 1t, and he felt his horse shrink as a bullet struck him in the fieshy portion of his hind leg. But the noble animal only flinched, and, maddened by the pain, took the bit between his teeth, dashed down the slope like the wind, crossed the little stream at a bound and tore through the woods on the opposite side before the rider had time to check his wild ca- reer. The confederate troops were drawn up facing the road along which he was riding, and as he emerged from the trees the pickets commanded him to halt, thinking that he was leading a party of federal calalry on a charge
 It was out of his power to halt, as his horse was laundering along at break neck speed with the bit between his teeth, and in an instant there was deafening roar as the entire line fired at the horse and rider, and the gloom of the twilight was illumined by the flash of hundred muskets. The bull lets whistled about the majors ears like bees, and it was said by an eye witness, afterwards, that there must have been thousand shots fired at the flying horseman as he rode along ial front of the lines. An infantryman left the lines, dashed into the road directly in front of him, took deliberate aim, and blazed away, and lock of the n1a- jor's hair floated away as he passed the soldier
 You had better practice little," he yelled as he rode by.
 "No use to practice on you" an- swered the soldier, as he bit off the end of a cartridge and proceeded to reload in the most matter-of-fact manner; flor they say that 8 mans never drowned that's born to be hanged"
 By that time the rider had checked his horse, and flung off the blue blouse which he had forgotten in the excite ment, and he was instantly recognized by the men of his regiment.
 'It's the major and Black Prince" shouted soldier "stop shooting" and a great cheer went up over the miracu- lous escape of the popular officer and his no less popular horse; and the fed erals who had watched the wild ride from the crest of the ridge took up the shout. No horse and rider ever had a grander reception in the western army.
 From that time until the army went into winter quarters near Ringgold the major and his black horse were the pride of the regiment, and many rough journey did they undertake to-