The National tribune., 1899-02-02
8 (ORP0RAL<
g. ed S& }!5 55ss1 PIKE

see, were Frustrated and helpless from
disease.
We almost sickened at the sight O
these poor, suffering men, and at the Ger
tainty that we were powerless TO he'll
them They were crowded into the car
and OH top of them as thickly as the,
| could be packed. and 10 hear the sicl
pleading for water was most heartrend
ing.
Poor fellows, some of them would bes
until they exhausted themselves before i
would be given them, and what added Il
the cruelty of this neglect, and TO The
torture of the men, WAS the fact tina
there was plenty of water bat few yards
away.
The day wore on and long awaited
night closed in at last, and we then stole
from our hiding places and took the roGC
back up the river About four miles from
Hamburg we "confiScatcd" Il couple O
fine horses, the property OF Il man named
:ambo. am inclined 10 think We were
discovered just as we led the horses out Of
the stable, for heard someone speak al
TIE house, though ii was after midnight.
On the following morning VIC stopped al
a blacksmith shop TO have ore Of the
horses shod, and while there were ever
taken by pursuing Tarty of four nlcn
who demanded the animals. | felt con
fident that quite force was after us, and
that this was but the advance guard
and as our object was to gain time and get
into the swampS and timber, we gave up
the horses Internationally and without
reluctance, saying at the same time that
il was very hard TO have to foot il clear
back to Franklin.
What are you going TO Franklin forP'
said the leader OF the party.
"Why, our command is there" i an
swered i'm an off, hand manner.
What are you doing here in this
Slater" he demanded.
I'VE are on special service for Col.
Thomas"
what is the nature of your scrvice?"
he asked.
20, we are making preparations to move
the Indians all over the mountains into
South Carolina. They are about to starve
TO death up there i'm Quallatown. We are
compelled TO do something to keep them
from suffering"
well, if you are soldiers, and going
back TO your command, We don't want to
stop you, but really we can't let you take
the horses" they replied.
1t was such a common occurrence for
rebel soldiers 10 steal horses that nothing
was ever thought of it; SO, after recovering
the animals, this party was satisfied to
Start lack. We could have whipped out
the squad, for they were unsuspicious,
and gaze us every advantage; Tut we
1
every one of them it would do US no good
for the whole country behind us was now
alarmed, and before night it would be
aroused far ahead OF us.
AS soon as This affair was settled we
took the big road until out of their sight,
and then turned into the woods. We then
took every precaution 10 break our trail,
wading mile after mile in swamps and up
creeks, picking our way on rocks and
hard ground; but all TO no purpose, for it
was only couple Of hours until we heard
the deep -mouthed bay of the blood hound
running on our track.
BLooDHOUNDS ON OUR TRAIL.
When we heard the dogs we were lying
down TO rest, and had taken off some of
our clothes TO wiring the water out of them.
Hastily putting on our clothes and &C
we sprang off through the
woods at our highest speed, practicing
every art known TO wOodsmen to break
our trail; but we were unsuccessful; the
dogs were uneYring.
At one time the hounds would be with
in distinct hearing of us, and then we
would run our very best until we came to
water, and then wading through, or up or
Town it, we would break the trail SO badly
hat We would balk the hounds for some