The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-06

since learned from Gen. WILSON himself that
he had 81. 600 men, of which 10, 600 were
dismounted and the remainder cavalry.
In a lew days parties began foraging over
sthe country, and hunting up rebel soldiers
who were cut Off from their commands like
myself We could hear them shooting chick
ems and turkeys at the neighboring farm
houses. and expected every day for them to
pay US visit, and as precautionary measure
/ discarded my Confederate uniform and
donned my brothers. suit of jeans.
This suit had seen much service, and re-
CURED numerous patches to make ii at all COM
ortable; besides, my brother being very
small man l120 pounds), it was with diff
-ulty that / could get into it, and surely it
vas not very becoming b
As surveyed myself thought with regret
Of my almost new gray uniform, and felt that
would be Illuminating TO be captured and
arried off prisoner in this rig, and in
yartlIy vowed if half a chance of rejoining
nv command ever presented itself, / would
now " clean pair of heels" and, to use a
slang expression of the present day, light
shuek p for other and more eongenial parts
3ut no opportunity was likely to occur soon,
and nv situation was anything but pleasant.
Before had fully decided upon the proper
-ourse to pursue, / had my first meeting with
the Yankees. Hearing The front gate slam |
vent to the door and saw squad sitting on
heir horses, while two had ridden in and
were within 10 steps Of the door.
TO say that was scared is expressing it
very mildly What should do? They had
already seen me, and there was no hope Of
escape by running. and no place to hide. In
an instant il occurred to me that my only
cope was in playing OF" citizen, so / walked
back and told my brother to 90 out and if posi-
BILE keep them from coming into the house.
| He did as / suggested, and they compelled
| him 20 go with them to the smoke-house,
| where they began to load their horses with
meat. This gave me little time to COM
| pose my nerves, and / occupied the time
in trying to think what should do and say
| when they came back
| In short time one of them rode back. with
two hams tied to the front of his saddle
and side of bacon behind that covered his
horse to the tail Without even "good
morning" he commanded, Come out here,
| you fellow" / was sitting on lounge, my
| frIrlough in nv pocket (which had forgotten J,
| and hastily slipping it under the cover OF
the lounge, got up and walked to the door.
Soldier. are you ?"
- Nav, amt no soldier"
" But you have been?"
About this time the other rode up, and he
too had enough bacon tied to his saddle Ia
feed regiment. 1t was evident they had
been quiZzing my brother, and not knowing
| what no had told them | was at a loss how
to frame my answers However. was into
it and had to say something, so to the las,
question | answered
Wall, they 'scripted me an Tux NE off
| but run away tlie fast chance ! got"
+" How long were YOU in the rebel aTmy?''
''Oh, jest leetle whiie-a week or two.
Didn't / tell You l run away the fusi
chance?"
Have you ever taken the oath?
"Oath What's that?"
"0ath Of allegiance to the u. S. Govern
ment"
e Nav ] amt never been axed to-"
Up TO this time one of them had not
spoken. lie made minute survey Of my
patched suit. smiled, and no doubt sized me
up rs quite verdant youth. Then he said
TO his companion:
Come on, and let that boy alone. Don'i
you see he hasn't got sense enough to know
what an oath means?"
Vel. yoa 20 down TO camp and take tll,
oath, and then the Yankees won't bother you
any more"
= DO wish could 20. bat I amt got M
boss TO ride, an couldn't keep up with yor
:eleEs.''
Now, if you will promise Us you'll come
tomorrow, believe Eli LET ~ou OFF,
III right ! want to the soiers any
how. an III start soon IN ne mornin', an
be thar aioze you're thinkil.' about it.
Giving Inc his name aad full direction!
how 10 find him, he very graeiousiy volun
teeGed 10 escort ne To the officer vino would
administer the oath, and putting spurs Il