Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-23
A REFUGEES STORY.
HOW A REBEL GAVE THE YAM
KEGS THE SLIP.
dor the Dispatch)

I'm almost these words:
ct, was on a cold, gray morning" that
yva started on that trip. was exempt
from service on account or age, Dut the
Yankees were pouring into IenhesSee
and making raids into Virginia, sweep
ing the whole country as they went,
carving off horses, destroying grain ana
cattle. and killing the planters on the
slightest provocation. / had eleven me
horses. and knowing my life as well as
property was in jeopardy, l determined
to attempt to get them to place OF
safety if possible. We went through by
ways and woodlands as much as we could
thereby meeting few persons, ana these
like ourselves, fleeing from the Yankees
and carrying with them their most Valu-
able effects.
The same eager question was the hrst
asked by all: where are the Yankees
1t was the one absorbing thought OF all
1 rode my saddle mare, Fannie ana
Black Jim rode Gray Charlie ana lea the
children's pet pony, Dixie. Ine other
negroes took care OF the Tehiaiillns
eight horses, carrying with them our sup
plies for camping
NV eouipments were in all respects
first class. | was especially proud OIL
a fine pair of holsters and army pistols.
A snow-storm blew up about noon, ana
II was cold and tirosome riding, but ABOUT
shutdown we were at the foot OF WHITE
Ton mountain, and near the nome OF Two
widow ladies', from whom / got provisions
for the negroes and bedroom for myseIf.
Leaving my saddle-bags, blanket etc,
in the house, 1 went out TO superintend
the boys as they led and got supper II
did not take long TO get a big bre started
and the bacon and cOrn-bread were soon
l. 1. a e.HuH..a
cooking. for our long, cold ride mad given
us good appetites. | had carried WIN
me some roasted rye, that was used 10
make coffee. l was lying back on
high pile of wood, that broke the wind
off Of us, when the boy Jim ran up be-
fore me- his teeth chattering, and pale
with fright, as he cried: 'Marsa, de
Yankees done got us"
l sprang to my feet and at the same
instant a heavy hand was laid on my
shoulder and pistol thrust into my face,
while the terrible words, you are my
prisoner" fell on my ear like death
sentence.
We were literally surrounded by the
Yankees. Guards were Immediately put
over us and the premises.
l was allowed TO go into the house at
night. but ] tell you l did not sleep muCn'
If one of those guards had left tue PACK
door of that house l would have taken
French leave in hurry. Before they
went into camp for the night one bury
officer came up and took my gold Watch
from my pocket. turned it over and over
opened the lids, and examined the WORKS.
and then. very unexpectedly, put II DacK'
He turned up the cape OF my heavy army
oyercoat. commented on the qu3hty very
emphatically, looked at my new cavalry
boots. asked the number OF them'
and chuckllng to himself, finished his
inspection l knew very well that
in the morning l would be stripped or
nv outfit and given some filthy old rags,
so l determined 10 get away from tnem,
for besides my watch and clothes hau
several hundred dollars in belt around
my waist.
At daybreak We were called up. My
boys cooked the breakfast, but We're
watched too closely to exchange WORD
with me. Having finished the meal the
order was given TO bring around the
horses, and the guard was called from
the house. Now was my chance. he
luesting permission to get my blanket
and saddle-bags from the house en-
tered lust as the guard was disappearing
from the rear. Snatching my baggage,
made a bee line through the back door,
across the yard, ana escaping noiice IN
the confusion of the moment l managed
IN get the stable between me and the
troop. and succeeded in getting to d
thicket Of scrub pine, where, dropping De
hind a dead log. | lay In the snow uh1ll
nearly 3 o'clock in the evening. feehhs /
sure the coast was clear, ! craWleu OUT |
and worked my way up the mountain !
md found a sheltered place where the !
snow was 50 thin l could Kick II OH |
win my boots. Here l tramped all night |
10 keep from freezing. / was almost
furnished. and when day dawned urea 10
make my way 10 a cabin near the Iool
)r the mountain, hoping TO pe dolo "
get something TO eat. l kept close ~
the bushes, however, until was doieaS1
n the cabin, and after watching lor
come time l was convinced that there
would be no danger in making my re-
,uast There was no one IN the MUS
out an old woman and two young girls
md they soon had substantial Hed!
before me and informed me mat the !
Yankees had gone north. ! pald Ior my
breakfast and feeling vastly more com
.ortahle began my walk home-a as
lance, 1 was sure. or at least l"eh'y nv
niles. But luck favored M. l had not |
zone more than two miles when, follow
ng foot path through the helds'
Jaw one of my boys going down the nam |
Dad on old Charley. l called, and Dave
vas the gladdest boy you ever saw: lie |
ras asleep on the horses back ana nad
,oitber saddle nor bride. lie had slip
,ed away ih the night and the horse nag
taken the road nome WIN
he sleeping negro on his back
I got a scrap Of rope for halter ana
,eeged an old piece of carpet, after "hIcn
mounted. taking Dave up behind me.
vas not afraid 20 stay in the roadway
low and when we were within twenty
niles of home everybody knew us ana
was obliged to tell time and again me
tory of my capture and escape. The ola
yon9en would cry and wonder where their
,ovs we're. and ask eagerly If l had seen
my traces OF them.
Four miles from home we came 70 the
arm-house OF Squire Ray, and there
ound my Dolly hitched at the gate,
which was a great surprise, FOR the negro
iding her was the meanest boy mad
md I knew he would be glad 10 run
.wav il the opportunity presented itself
IL had gotten separated from US, ana
alling in with the 'Squire's horses, hau
one on with them and escaped capture.
| quickly transferred his SADDLE 10 my
Iorse and comfortably finished my Jour
lev reaching home 10 md myself the
assessor Of only two horses, but grateful
hat my family had escaped lndishites
+ the hands Of the enemy.
Mrs. KATIE CUMMING SIARkIlI'
-
CntIett's station Raid Again.
william Courthouse. |