The National tribune., 1899-03-09
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ing there company Of cavalry passed sc
near US that we might have touched tnell
horses with n 10-foot pole"
Now is cur chance ! whispered to my
negroes, as | heard the horses SllaShIng
through the water, while some OF the men
were swearing. We Immediately b. undeo
up, ran 10 the leg, and crossed immedl-
ately behind the cavalry, and when we
cleared the water We 81 rang f,T the brush
and were soon cut Ci sight. l was sure
that II we were seen by the infantry they
woult conclude that We bol,nged to the
IcayalTy, and had CisilC united for some
lurEGsC; and If the cavalry Observed US
they would take Us fer in!antrymen, anG
lray 10 attention to US. However, co hO'
think they saw us at all.
/ We Now made a wider circuit around the
town, and by dint "a cXtTtiOn and much
ITading, accomI aniod Iy enormous Ia
tiEue, We reached tie rNerbank agam,
two miles ielJw The place.
AT the next plantation we got negro
| Guide lo pilot Us &crCSS another swamp
! tEat was very deep, and could only lie
/ crossed with difficulty in Il boat, as II was
/ fully Il mile We g and densely tImbered IA.
I the way. lie landod US at an old ROAD
v hich was ihCn out oi use, and took US n
mile or 80 further t0 ferry, where we
stole another boat, and went on our way
rejoicing. We now travelled as fast as We
could Taddlc our batoau until within
laicut - miles Of Win ingttn, where we
met with the gunboat EolUs, which We
hailed, and were taken On board.
About $50 yards above where i got on
heard she stopred and captured iocr
rebels v ho were in bateau trying thtir
! lest TO cscaye her, and who appeared 4"
have boon following US, but OF that am
mot certain. | reported 10 the captain,
" hose Il; me was Young, that was car
ryinS dispatches for Gen. sherman. lie
was delighted 10 hear from the interior,
and was ready 10 afford me any assist
anCc IN bis power.
The men crowded around me, and for
few n inUtcs ! was besiesed with queS,
tiOns alCut the VIC lfare OF the army ana
the nature and extent OF its achieVementS,
and then huTying me down into the noio,
hey quickly had me rlgsed out In clean
clUtEes-ShirtS, drawers, and sockS-and
they were hunting for pants, blouse, and
hat, when the "dinEy' was lowered to the
water, and the Caytain gave me letter
and told me my craft, which was hls own
heat, was ready. ] was surprised when |
found that the Eolus had carried me u
lies up the river again in the little Hhiie
had Icen aboard OF her; but our beat
ran very light, and we soon regained the
distance. As we had been fasting nearly
two days, her hospitality was well timed
ARRIVAL AT WILMINGTON.
That afternoon We got to Wilmington,
and, leaving the "dingy' with one OF the
gunbCats, according to Capt. Ioung'S or
der, ard my negro crew at the Provost
Marshars office, | went Immediately to
Gen. Terry's Headquarters and delivered
my dispatches He received me very
kindly, and satisfied all my wants, and
gave me a fresh supply of ammunition.
The same dispatch had already arrived
few hours befCre me by two Of Gen. How
..rls Cor \ ,oi, .,,l v,r.s
whose name | do not recollect. Their
route was much shorter than mine, and
they beat me through half day. They
had made the trip in the disguise OF rebel
officers, and met with no opposition,
though they often met pickets and squads
Of men on the way.
My journey by the river however, was
an important one, as by that means the
practica Eility of ascending it with gun
beats was established. | was fully able
to report every obstruction on the stream,
and informed the commanders OF the feet