The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-08-04
NO pLHCE FOR HUI.
BY Being with the Rear-Guard COmrade
Barely Escaped Capture.

Editor National Tribune My regiment,
| the 46th Ohio, in Gen. Shermans COM
mand, arrived at Memphis early in DC
| tober 1868, from VickSburg, and started
on its march through Tennessee to the
| relief of the Army of the Cumberland,
which lay besieged about Ctar1ar ooca by
| Bragg's army 1t was delightful season
| of the year and the boys seemed cheered
up after the inactivity of camp life along
| the sluggish banks of the Big Black River.
| All went well with me until we arrived
near Florence, in northern Alabama My
shoes had become worn out, and rubbed
my feet So that one day ] was compelled
| to fall from the ranks. 1t was my mis-
| fortune toward evening to be with the
rear guard of the army.
At about o'clock p. m. we were paSsin
one of those rich plantations so often
seen in Tennessee, which afforded so
many things tempting to n hungry sol
der. The boys could not resist catching
| chickens, hunting hams, and robblng bee
! hives.
| had lust passed the house, and was
trudging along, when | was awakened
| from my revereS by the clatter oil horses
hoofs and the rebel yell A band OF
| Wheeler's cavalry were making a charge
upon the boys at the house.
The boys took in the situation at once,
! and came running from the house IN great
haste We formed line across the road
below the house and gave them the con
tents of our rnusketS and scattered IN all
| directions. We checked their advance for
| the time. | jumped over fence INTO an
old timothy field, ran about four rods rom
the fence and lay down in the tall timothy.
| was only n few rods from the house, and
could see the Confederates at the house
and hear much that they said.
| I soon became restless, and crawled
toward the fence. When within a rod OF
lit | heard talking, and lay very still.
| Soon two Confederate soldiers and lady
passed by, going to house below. i was
| only n few steps from them. but they
| ma ssed without seeing me. 1t soon began
ia rain, and was getting dusk. | crossed
the road and ran into woods opposite.
| AS ! did so. to my great surprise, saw
rebel cavalrynlan coming UP the road
ONLY a few rods from me. | secreted my
| self behind fallen log and awaited de
| velopments. He had not seen me cross
| the road. After waiting until quite dark,
| | started on my march to catch up with
| the army.
No one but comrade who has ex-
perienced such an adventure could i'm
acine my feelings at this time. | ex-
| pectei to be shot as Flooded along in an
enemys country, lonely and fcotsore.
| After some time | saw bright light by
| the roadside. / lay down to await day
| light The fire soon burned down, so |
ventured past it, and / found out that
doubt for coffee making.
About II O'Clock at nicht came upon
our OTTER picket post. The order OF halt
was givcr. made myself known, and
was compelled to march up to the point OF
the bayc7lct 10 be Identified. / felt great
relief to know that / was safe with the
boys again.
/ was on The march IN the relief Of
Knoxville ard TIC Z -reh To the sea, but
| rcVer cot with TIC Ic&r-cuard again.
found that il vas not healthy place for
mc.-James ~ AIo-ris, CO. b, 10th Ohio,
GrecncaStIc, q.