The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-10
THE NATIONAL WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY 1897

As the author was none other than my COM
handing General, had no reason to doubt
that through the aid Of his map | might
reach his camp, if he had not moved too far
since left. l had to buy the geography
too if took the atlas, and taking the books
under my arm, like some counlryman who
lived near BY in the mountains, no one
| seemed tn pay any attention to me.
We were soon in the woods again, when
we tore out such portions of the atlas as we
| needed and hid the rest under log, after
which We took our course and pushed on,
making good progress. We knew that we
must by this time be in the vicinity of the
Tennessee River. 4e
MOVING ON CAUTIOUSLY.
Our plan was to reach the river as soon AZ
possible and secure boat of some kind,
after which we would drift down the river
to Bridgeport, Stevenson, or some point
nearest the Federal lines.
Towards evening of this day We came to
the terminus of the mountain in this direc-
ton, and from its great hight we had q
commanding view of the valley below,
which, though beautiful in scenery, was
sparsely settled. In the evening we de-
scended the mountain and felt our way
cautiously across the valley. After time
we came to 10y house. There seemed to
be no stir about the premises, and, as we
were still hungry, we concluded to apply
for something more to eat. We had been
80 hungry that we had not dared to eat all
our appetites craved at the last place.
There was no man to be seen about the
house, but the woman, who was a noble,
digni6ed-looking lady, plainly dressed, told
us to be seated / noticed her looking at
nj vvi mt mi Oil ri n
woman in doubt, and / could read her
thoughts as plainly as it sE <had spoken
them to US. knew enough >ut women,
too, to know that whatever her first impress
sions were they would be Interchangeable,
so said, without further hesitation: " We
are in need of something to eat.
She said if we could put up with such
fare as she had we were welcome. We told
her that we were quite hungry, and any
kind of food would be welcome. AS she
proceeded about her work / noticed that on
every opportunity she scrutiDized us very
sharply, aud became little uneasy.
DETECTED BY WOMAN.
Presently she asked as if we were travel
ing, to which replied that We were on our
way to Harrison, which was small village
few miles from there. still noticed that
she was cycling rs keenly and closely, and
that her mind was not at rest on the subject
when suddenly she turned, looked us
squarely iE the face, and startled us by say
ing:
You are Union menl You can't fool
me! l know Union man by his look.
You need not deny it, nor need you be afraid
to own it either. I am a Union woman, and
am not afraid to own it to anybody. The
Secessonists around here don't like me a
bit, for / say just what think Of them,
whether they like it or not. Further, l
know that you are Union men trying to get
to the Union army, and you need not 60 to
the trouble to deny it. will do any thing
can to help you."
We stoutly denied any such intention,
and told her that we had been soldiers in
the Confederate army. But that did no
good. She seemed to have made up her
mind, and no assertions of ours could change
il. So we let her have it her own way and
we had ours. Soon after her husband came
In. He was rather 3 fne-looking fellow,
with frank, manly face.
When supper was over we offered this
loyal woman pay, but she refused to take
our money, saying that anything she could
do for Union man she would do with q
glad heart and willing hands. She said she
wished the Union army would come-she
would give them everything she had before
the rebels came in and robbed them.
As we took our leave, she told her hus-
band to give Us all the information that he
could as to our route. Fol" said she to him,