The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-11-10

I told him to speak out; that I was a
Yankee soldier, and his friend, who would
never betray him, and he then proceeded
with his information, which was to the
effect that his master and eight other
men were wayiaying me in a small mill,
sntending to kill me, as L went down the
country. He said that the plan was laid
an his masters house, and that he was
the owner of the mill; and that the other
men were to come there, as if on business,
but bring arms with them concealed.
There was a bridge above the mill,
within short runshot, and ford below it ,
even less distance away. They were to
stand in the mill and fire on me; and if
went by the bridge, my body was to be
sunk in the pond, and II crossed at the
ford, my remains would be swept away by
7he current; while my horse was to be
given TO one of the party, who was going
to the rebel army.
When / received this notice, l thanked
my informant, and then rode down to the
mill at charge; and instead of going to
the bridge or the ford dashed right up to
the door of the building. The miller saw
me coming, and ran in; but called him
out, and, keeping him between the mill
and myself. took him 10 account about
the proposed murder. At first he at
tempted TO deny all knowledge of the
pfense; but / told him il was useless;
that one Of the best proofs in the world
was his running from me, when i had not
yet turned toward him. ! told him that
did not want to Kill as old a man as he
was, but If he did not tell me all about it,
Z would go back TO Columbia and get a
party of cavalry and come out and burn
his mill, his house and barn, and carry
off every dollars worth OF property he had
that we could haul away. He hesitated a
little, and then asked If intended TO hurt
him If he did tell
NO" said /; but ] must know where
your men are, for have come for a fight -
They are not here at all, sir" said he:
"they have gone: they only STAYED one
coming back this way" and he said this
in such way as TO convince me that he
wanted it TO go long way in extenuation
pf the act.
We'll, old man" replied, 81 will advise
you little. Never, as long you live,
offer again to modest a Yankee soldier
Nothing but your gray hairs now saves
you from bloody death. Let this be a
warning 10 you, and will spare you; but
you must give me the names of. those
other men. / will bring them TO an ac-
count"
NIGHT ATTACK.
As he gave the names l wrote them
down on a slip of paper, and then giving
the hardened old sinner a parting ad
monitor, / crossed the ford and resumed
my journey.
Not far from Meridian, little while be-
fore night, / overlook Sergeant-now Cap
tain-Nbite, OF the 4th Ohio. ] was very
much fatigued and sick, and we stopped
10 stay all night near where we came
together. Our host was named Oh
who is q prosperous citizen, and to him
mentioned the fact that | was not we'll
He stated that he was scarce of bed room.
but that ] could sleep in the storeroom
with his clerk; while he put the Sergeant
TO sleep with safeguard named Great
house.
Late in the night heard a noise out
side, on the ground. 1t appeared like
someone walking softly on a loose board.
and listening, ! heard il repeated, and al
the same moment the figure of man s
head was visible before the window, and
presently another was seen: after which
they suddenly disappeared
Soon aflerwaTd, however. they returned
one al time, and ! cautiously whispered
10 my companion, who, 10 my astonish-
ment, was wide awake and watching the
window. told him TO slip out cautiously
into the other room, which he did: but a s
he went he stumbled against a chair, and
the ngureS disappeared instantly
tor long time l saw no more and wa s
on the point of calling the young man
back, when they slowly approached from
opposite sides OF the window. Soon the
one on the left moved noiseiessly over Il
the right, and another appeared i'm his
place; and all stood gazing intently int
the darkened room. | could see then
distinctly, but they could not well see me
AT length the last man who came VI