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

about four miles, rode into the rebe
camp. Up one way and down another
went swiftly through the dark Withou
being once halted or disturbed by ;
Johnny. If they noticed me at all, they
I probably supposed me to be an Orderly
| Having thus good opportunity to Judge
of the number of their forces around me,
/ arrived at the conclusion that, on the
north side OF the river, there were about
5000 men, thus confirming the statement
| OF a negro who had visited us some time
| before, and who also estimated that there
were about 200 on the south side. | saw
| two pieces of artillery near the river bank,
above the bridge, but these were all the
cannon / saw. Bridgeport was, as | dis
covered, " fiourishing village" consist
ing of one house-a we1l-built one-story
frame, with two rooms.
Having recOnnoitered to my satisfaction,
returned to Capt. Cranes camp, reach
ing 1T a little before daylight, when found
him in the act OF starting again for Belle
fonte. i gave him my report to deliver to
the General, telling him that would re-
main in the mountains till our troops
came up to take the place.
Parting from him, climbed up into the
mountain, with my horse, taking a route
which would lead me toward Bridgeport
When got TO Widows Creek again
went down into the valley, passing the
pic ct at the railroad bridge, and passing
around by ford some distance below,
and attempting to ride again into their
camp, in broad daylight. | had proceeded
about 100 yards toward the camp, when
was halted by picket consisting of a
Sergeant and eight men,
When | turned they were standing at a
"ready," and i saw that something must
be done quickly, or it was all over with
me; SO, quietly wheeling my horse around.
l made back toward them very quickly.
and when within about 35 yards of the
most raised nJIickly Taueinl 4
the Sergeants breast, and fired: then
squirting my horse well back in the flank.
started him off with spring. saw the
Sergeant reel, but saw no more.
At that instant they fired, but mi ssed so
badly that / did not even hear the whist
ling of the balls: Again they drew a bead
on me, but threw myself down on my
horses side and went pa them at a
charge, and the missiles went far over my
head, and was safe. They had double
baneled shotguns, and had each barrel
loaded with a ball and three buckshot:
this learned afterward.
AN EXCITING CHASE.
1 had to run through straight lane
about 500 yards; and while going down it
several bullets were fired, some of which
passed n ar me; SO concluded that there
must have been more rebs about than the
eight at the picket post, though did NOT
see them. When ! got to the end of the
lane wheeled into the mountains and
for the first time looked back Here saw
a squad of cavalry just entering the
other end of the lane.
When ! got about halfway up the
mountain had to dismount, as nv horse
was now thoroughly exhausted. Stoon.
ing down TO take drink of water at a
spring, distinctly heard the rebs at the
foot Of the mountain, yelling to an old
miller whom i had passed. asking him
which trail that bareheaded man had
taken.
at once hurried on up the mountain
and when on the top, struck out on n
path which rather led me back toward
Bridgeport-a piece of strategy intended IN
deceive my pursuerS, who would nat,,r-
ally conclude that | was heading for
Notwithstanding l should have
done had my horse been equal 10 a
straight race. AS it was, however, | had
to rely on woodcTaft alone
The main body of them missed me at
the spring, but a few held on the ripht
trail, and we had it up and down five
high mountains and across as MANY
valleys, back and forth through the differ
ent little trails, until we were overtalxen
by night.
now began to think my escape certain.
but, on coming down into the valley of
Little Coon, / found every road picketed.
and the citizens aroused, and heard of
several squads of cavalry securing the
country in search OF me.
Some of the citizens were ready Ia he
friend me, but others were shy: while one
and only one. shot at me, and he stood at