The National tribune., 1899-02-23

were very tired. We only had one skillet
| for the whole party to bake bread in, and
rose about 2 o'clock in the morning and
began to cook. After awhile l wanted
wood, and going up to the dead line with
an ak on my shoulder ] got permission
from the guard to step over to a tree-tor
that lay just at their feet to supply my
self. They thought, l suppose, that
would not attempt to get off, and they
struck but few blows with the Ak before
they turned their heads to watch the
other prisoners, and as that was my only
chance, l was off at once, and made the
best time ever did. After running about
800 yards l halted and looked around;
but had not yet been missed, and
then felt perfectly safe. ! took the best
course | could through swamp and
wood, and then struck out for Columbia.
l did not, however, proceed far before
came in sight of campfireS, and lmme-
diately ! commenced a reconnaissance.
Stealing close to their pickets, | discOv-
cred rebel cavalry, and away went once
more through the woods like race horse,
keeping all the time, however, in sight of
the campfires, for | knew that if l fol-
lowed their direction l would soon pass
the rear guard of the rebel army and
stand chance to fall in with our own
troops.
1t was not long before daylight overlook
me, and ! was obliged to conceal my self
in Il little canebreak in a narrow swamp.
When ! entered it ! felt sure that nothing
but an accident would save me from dis
covery; but there was no other chance,
and into it | went, waist deep i'm water.
After travelling about considerable time,
] discovered a place which afforded as
much security as, and little more COM
fort than, any other, and after arranging
the brush lay down on little knoll OF
dry earth to rest.
From my hiding place ] could dis tinctly
see brigade OF rebel cavalry encamped
on a hill but three quarters of a mile
from me, and from the arrangement of
the camp l knew it was on some roads
All day long, not daring to- move, / lay
and shivered in my hiding place; and at
one time number of soldiers approached
near me while driving out cattle from the
brake-eight Of them coming within
few feet of where l lay, but | was not
discovered.
That night l struck the railroad, and
travelled sometimes near and sometimes
on it-as my judgment dictated most
prudent. until l was at length inter
rupted by body OF water which ] took
for river. The railroad bridge over it
was very high, but was in flames and
rapidly falling down; so crcpt up to it to
consider the chances Of crossing the
stream. ] saw a picket-poSt about hun
dred yards from the stream, but there
appeared to be no guard at the bridge it
self; SO | FASTENED up to it, mounted the
lower timbers, which did not appear to be
on fire, and on them ] made my way
nearly across, when ! discovered that
portion of them had already been burned
out, so that / was compelled to go back
again. and ] was fortunate enough to eS-
cape selection, and was soon once more
in the woods.
Near the bridge, at a mill, were 900
rebel cavalry, and Just above were camp
fires enough for division OF infantry.
CLIO QUARTERS WITH TIE ENEMY.
Before struck the railroad | slipped up
to a house to inquire something about the
country, for l did not know for certain
that was travelling in the right direction
to strike our troops; but / was under the
impression that Sherman had taken Co
lumbia, and was therefore aiming for that
point. Creeping quietly up 10 this house,
| was just about to rouse the inmates,
when man on the opposite side shouted,
"Halloo, the house." and in a minute
he was answered by woman
I'VE want" said he, "to get some feed
for our horses; we have been riding all