The National tribune., 1898-12-08
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IS 6 Ss& {45 7ss4 I PIKE

Southern heart thoroughly fired" ant
he could no longer restrain himself, and h
| spoke unreSeryedly:
THE people of this section have al
ways stood true to the South, sir. We cal
| never be conquered: peveri neveri never
This is Dixie. and Yankee has neve
dared TO put his foot on these hills, al
Though we are only 16 miles from Nash
Vile If we should even catch one here
we would hang him instantly They dare
not give US chance, but keep .ar enough
from us. They never can take this rough
country: our hills are ali free from them
| thank Godl'
Old Tom lived on Pond Creek, and
| there was a TennesSean, an officer, in
our army. with whom | was personally
acquainted, whose family were next neigh
bors to him; and | told him that was on
secret service for Gen. Polk, and that
was authorized 10 give $500 for the capt
ure of that of1icer-Dave knIght-and his
delivery to me on the spot; and he was
delighted to know that the General was
after the Lincolnites with such earnest
ness, and promised me every assistance
in his power.
He told me that Gen. r. B. Mitchell
had arrested a great many men, and
penitentiary at Nashville, to be sent
South. or punished as was thought best;
and Couch told me very confdentlaiiy
that Dave Knights wife was to be arrested
and taken South, to be held Tor retalia-
ton. along with many others.
This was news 10 me. and | asked HIM
if could afford any assistance, and told
him if / could ii should be cheerfully
given He then tod me that the duty
had been committed 10 De Morse's men,
and that about 800 of them had crossed
HaTpeth River and encamped on Dog Creek
Telling him that would go down to their
camp | jumped on my horse and put out.
had been in that region the day before.
but of that Couch knew nothing; and |
was aware that there was high, steep
ridge that could travel a mile or SO on
and see everything on Dog Creek. reach
ed the hill, and, sure enough, there were
the campfres of the JohnnieS.
After dark I went up the country again,
and warned Mrs. knight OF her danger,
caught for her horse, and took her to
Nashville for safety; and this had barely
time to do, as the rebels were ahead OF
us, picketng every avenue of escape for
several miles around in order to eaten as
many Union people as possible, but had
not yet visited her house. She was
very brave woman. and buckled on her
navy revolver without hesitation, and
when within few hundred yards of the
rebel piclietS she showed me a byrOad
which she said she knew perfectly, and
that il would take us through the hills 10
pike; and this path we followed, and
reached our place of destination about II
o'clock, in the midst of a terrible storm.
AS STANDING SCOUT.
Having performed duties in Ohio to the
satisfaction of my superiors, ! was or
dered back TO my regiment, and on Aug.
7. 1863 reached it, and reported for duty.
/ found the boys in high giee over the
Tullahoma campaign, which had lust been
gloriously terminated; but at the same
time all were busily engaged in maxim g
preparations for the advance on Chatta-
noOga.
| was at once detailed as scout to act
under Gen. Stanley, Chief of Cavalry,
and under his directions went up the
mouth OF the Hiawasse River while the
army lay at Winchester. The rebels had
some steamboats, which Gen. Stanley
was anxious TO get possession of before
they had time 10 destroy them, and he
knew they were laid up somewhere along
the river between Chattanooga and Knox
vile.
Starting out afoot from Winchester, i
took road in the direction Of Cowan's
Station, and followed it for several miles;
and when | thought was far enough up
the country l crossed over on Lite Coon,