The National tribune., 1898-03-10
DISCONNECTED JOHNNlES.
The Busy Bee Served Foragin. Union Men
Good Turn.

Editor National Tribune: "Uncle Snow
balls" experience with the bees reminds
me of q little experience of a similar kind
! belonged to the First Brigade Ward S
Ducks), Third Division, Twentieth Corps,
and was with the brigade through the
Georgia and South Carolina raids. | was
detailed as forager when we left Atlanta,
and served in that capacity until taken
prisoner in North Carolina. During that
time had a good many adventures, but
the one referred to occurred in South Caro-
lima after we captured the Augusta &
Columbia r. r.
The foragers hung like curtain in all
directions around the army and made it
more uncertain as to the direction the
army was going. | was mounted, and as
we belonged TO the left wing was naturally
on the left front, and have been 20 miles
from the column and seen foragers afoot
many a time at that distance away from
the column.
On the occasion of which l speak over
took one OF the 105th Ill. about ten miles
from the column. He was mounted on a
good horse and had a Henry rifle-1G-
shooter. | also had good horse and had
a Spencer Tifie-Seven- shooter. We were
on road running east to the direction in
which the army was moving. We went
about five miles before we found anything.
Then we came to a house on a ridge with
open country to the east. The house was
on the south side OF the road with an open
field south, which WIS pl0wed. About
forty rods southwest was the corner OF a
.piece of timber with a good deal OF under
growth
When we came TO the house we found we
were the first foragers, and proceeded to
load up with hams, butter, honey, flour,
meal, etc. While we were there two OF the
18th Ohio came up afoot; they had taken
what forage they wanted, when suddenly
we discovered about 30 rebel cavalrymen
coming along the road from the east about
three quarters OF mile OFF.
They saw us about the same time and
came on a run for us. We started the two
18th men for the corner OF the woods south
west OF us and we stayed to reconnOlter.
West of the house there was Il big gate
leading into the yard and on the south
side of the yard was another leading into
the field; about a rod back OF the road
leading through the yard, standing against
the fence, were about twenty beehives.
The 105th man and | got on our horses
and rode into the field; then my com
panion got off his horse and told me to
hold him. He ran back, threw both gates
open and as he came back upset about a
dozen beehiVeS, and got on his horse as
the rebels were about forty rods off. Just
as we got to tie edge of the timber
about that time the leading rebels came to
the gate, and seeing both gates open came
right through to the field. As it was
warm afternoon the bees were ready for
them, and then the circus commenced.
! did not think it possible for a, horse to
go through as many motions as those
horses did. They were kicking, rearing
turning somersaultS and rolling over all at
the same time and there must have been
at least 40 who ran the gauntlet. The
rebels themselves were as lively as their
horses and going through some mot out
landish manuvers.
In the meantime there were 9hOnt a
dozen who could not keep up. They saw
what was going on and did not get into the
trap, but went west of the house and COM
menced tearing down the fence. On these
we opened with our Henry rifle and three
Spencers Uhe 10Th boys were armed with
Spencersl. We emptied our magazines at
them and they got behind the house.
Those in the field we did not bother, as we
did not want to put them out of their
misery. We then mounted our horses and
rode off, and were not molested any more
that day. A. Gilbert, Co. f., 102d H.,
CadmuS Kan