The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-01-19

instantly, tnOugn greatly 70 our surprise, we
found ourselves to be " rainbow chascrs III
almost the literal sense Of the word.
No road could accommodate such con-
fused mass of g, 900 flung horsemen, and
they spread out across the narrowing valley.
Across the upper end Of this valley stream
came down out of the hills to the river, cut
s334415 its way through the plain in a deep
gorge. Into this gorges plunged and piled
the flying cavalry, with their wagon-loais Of
plumber, and our iOfce close behind them.
Some succeeded in getting beyond this
sunken gorge to coatinue their flight, though
many, dsmounted and disabled, were cap.
fured here, while some halted short dis,
lance beyond in the forest-clad hills, 10 sur
| render ratherSthan continue hopeless flight
from this crushing defeat.
While we were theoretically engaged III
gathering in the larg, number OF prisoners
captured at this snnken gorge, flag OF truce
| was brought 10 Col. Garrard by oonfeder-
ate officer. who Stated that Col. Howard
Smith, with few other officers and men OF
| Morgans command, were in the wood:
| nearby; having been cut Off from their com
mand, and knowing the uselessness OF further
effort, they would surrender If an officer
were sent to receive them.
Adlt Allen and Lieut.. McColgen, of the
9TH ohio Cav, were sent to give them safe
escort within our lines. These prisoners
Were received by the writerOf these lines
who was greatly surprised to learn that Gen
Basil Duke was in company with Col
Howard Smith. Gen. Duke bore himsel
with dignity, and | would not have known
that | had him with the other prisoners i
one of his own men had not accidentally
disclosed his identity to me. In company
with Gen. Duke aud Col. Howard Smith
were some 10 or 20 other Confederate
officers and soldiers, who surrendered under
the nag of truce sent to Col. Garrard.
After escorting the detachment to oul
lines, found that during my absence Col
Garrard had proceeded in pursuit OF such as
had escaped capture at the sunken gorge, but
before going had left detachment Of the
18th Ohio Cav. TO wait for my return, and
with orders for me 10 remain on tEe river
bank with the prisoners till further orders
from him.
AN UNUSUAL SCENE.
The prisoners and guards in my charge
rested for Il few moments on the river bank,
all gazing wistf.lly ut TIE flowing river. 1t
must he borne in mind that both Morgan s
aud Hobson 5 cavalry had been in the saddle
ior about three weeks, with scarcely more
than an hours rest on any day. Not man
OF the entire 1000 troopers had had his
CLOTHES OH III three VEGAS, during all OF
which time we hfd ridden III the cloud of
dust that 5000 horses can raise on the
country roads in Midsummer such dense
ciouus OF dust that at times IL was impossible
TO i've yards ahead 1T can he readily
understood that un'ier these circumstances q
bath would lie very nicn IN order and would
b. very accepsabie.
AZ we sal Oh the river bank, first one man
and then another ASKED permission 10 90 to
the saters cagc 10 wash MS lace, TIL petty
soon about one-iiaifs the mCn, both Union
ard Confederate, were al the river edge wash
Ing tneir faces and digging the dust out OF
Their eyes, ears, and nostrlls. This proved
TO nc such Il halfway sort OF BUSINESS and SO
unsatis actory tuat tae men asked permission
TO 20 III swimming.
Recognizing tue merit of this request, gave
PERMISSION .oI one-iii al the prisoners and one
iiau the guards To go In swimming together,
the oLner halI to stand by and take their
turn. Inc men stripped of. and :. ankees +"
ani " JonnnIe5 were soon spttshing IN the
river together The iirst setacninent having
completed Their sciuablng, the second detach-
meuL took their turn
While the men were bathing, one of the
Confederate ol.lcers turned tonne and point
ln2 to tie naked soldiers in tine water said,
" 1t is d.illcti.t to ted iOtiier from which, T"
meaning that he found difficulty in disIin-
gushing between Union and Confederates
waen they were stripped naked-a truism
with winch ] quickly agreed, as at that in
stunt | was deottlng in mind if there might
ne any danger # :. srttln. the babes mixed ~;