The National tribune., 1899-12-07

The boys We're all glad to see us, ant
anxious TO know where we had been anC
how it all had happened. We now settled
down TO the ordinary routine of camp life
when not on duty trying to pass the time al
some kind of amusement but every day
grew more and more restless and diScon
tented.
1t was now Diidwinter, and looked like g
desperate undertaking to start on a tramp
through the mountains at this season OF
the year. / fully realized the fact that
when started again the 5Sth n. c. regiment
must not and should never get me again
But l was not idle. / was constantly
sowing seeds of discomfort among the boys
always talking for the Union, and against
the South, to those whom | could trust, and
at least half of the regiment or perhaps more
We're Just as loyal to the Union as those who
Wore the blue; but they were forced to go to
the army, and afraid TO try to get away.
Poor fellows, how often have heard them
bemoan their unfortunate and unhappy lot.
and with tears in their eyes send up a
prayer that the Union army would crush
the rebellion, and again give them that free
dom they once enjoyed under the old flag.
would then say to them: Go with me, and
we will find that freedom"
Often they have said TO me: IF | were like
you would go, but have family wife
and little children, who will cry for bread.
How can leave them to suffer? 1t may be
the war will end before long, and can then
go home to them"
This was about the kind of conversation
that was kept up around the camp fires.
began TO grow very impatient, and COM
menced TO plan another effort 10 escape.
Among those who wanted to go with me
this time was one who had been with me
before, and seven others, whom l had Sc
lected, making nine i'll all.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.
They selected me as the leader. and
pledged allegiance and loyalty 10 me under
any and all circumstances. So We began
perfecting our plans and arrangements. 1t
was now the 1st of February, the worst
month in the year for such an undertaking.
We tried to content ourselves and put il Off
till Spring, but We grew more impatient
every day, and at last decided to start.
Our plans We're all completed, and on the
night of Feb. 10. 1863. after taps. when all
was asleep save the sentinel on his beat. we
hastily gathered up the provisions we had
prepared TO take with us, slipped from our
tents while our comrades slept. and under
the cover of darkness passed the guards.
We soon found ourselves in the open
country, and now commenced one of the
most fQeUlOT1Die anu ptEliOuS iTdUlIES tlidl
/ experienced during the period covered by
this story.
The night was unusually dark and mist
ing with rain. and the ground soft and
muddy. We Travelled as rapidly as We
could, in order to get as far as pOSsib from
the night we Travelled the road that led
through the country in the direction We
thought we wanted TO go. At the first gray
streaks of the morning we left the road and
went into the woods, and when daylight
came a heavy fog had settled down on the
ground. There was difference of opinion
among us as 10 the points of the compass.
We were then from eight 10 10 miles perhaps
from where we had started. We sat down to |
rest and ate our breakfast and consulted as
to the edirection we ought TO go. After some !
time we agreed as 10 the proper course and |
started, which proved TO be right, as We
found about the middle of the forenoon by |
the sun breaking through the clouds.
The ranges of mountains in that country
run parallel, northeast and southwest, |
with valleys thickly-settled between them.
We had reached the mountain east of the
valley in which we had been travelling, and
we felt perfectly safe. We could follow the
summit of those mountains and see all the
country up and down the valleys on each
side for miles. So in day time We would
follow the summit and 1T night cross the
valley and reach the mountain beyond, |
often wading creeks above our knees; but
We were used to hardshipS, and really en-
joyed the excitement. If we grew tired and
wanted to rest, We would lie down on the dry
leaves that we would find under the trunks
of fallen trees or shelving rocks, and sleep
as soundly as though We had been in a
warm bed. After we had been out about
three days, our provisions gave out. We |
then had TO devise some means TO get some
thing 10 eat.
Westruck on plan which proved entirely
satisfactory. We would keep lookout for I
a house that was pretty well isolated from |
the neighborhood around it, in the coves or
heads Of the little valleys along the foot OF
the mountain. We would approach the !
house as near as we could under cover of the |
woods. All the boys would conceal them |
selves except myself and a comrade by the
name of Jones. He and / would walk boldly |
TO the house, with the understanding that !
If they were Union people we would signal !
the boys to come, and # not we would throw |
them off their guard by any kind of mis-
representation 10 suit the occasion, and join |
the boys after we had passed out Of sight Of |
the house. This plan worked all right, for |
nearly all these poor mountain people in |
that country were loyal 10 the Union, and |
would divide the last crust Of bread, for the
most of them had sons, brothers or hus-
bands who were conscripts and concealing
themselves IN the mountains at that time.
Fortunately we We're not bcggars. We
had Confederate money sufficient to pay
our way, but these good people would never
charge or take anything for their kindness.