The National tribune., 1899-01-12
CHAPER XVII.

After Wheeler had been driven from
Tennessee and no-.hern Alabama, the
Second Division, consisting OF Wildei's
Mounted Infantry, went to Brownsboro,
and was engaged in keeping the country
clear of the enemy, and in prot Getting
railroad works.
The amount Of suffering among the
citizens resulting from this raid was
fearful. Everything eatable was seized
by one or the other of the armies. The
scenes witnessed called forth pity for the
little children, who could not understand
the nature of the calamity which had
befallen them; and | also commiserated
a portion of the women: bat by far the
larger number of the latter did not con
duct themselves in a manner calculated
20 excite sympathy. They were vindic-
tive. and seized every available occasion
10 manifest their ill-naturs. They were
ever ready to drive their husbands and
sons into the war, and they need not have
expected much pity at our hands. Many,
1t is true, were always devotedly loyal
were ready to contribute TO the success of
the Nation-but they did not constitute a
majority.
While / was at Brownsboro a dispatch
came to Gen. Crook. 5by telegraph, directed
10 Gen. Sherman, with a request To for
ward it without delay. 1t was handed TO
me TO carry 10 him, but none If us knew
where he then was. Capt Kennedy
found an article in an old rebel paper
which stated that he was at C0rinth; but
that was some time before. and we had no
idea which way he was march ing. Capt.
Starr, of the I'd Ky. Cav, with a squadron
of men, went with me TO Whitesburg, on
the Tennessee, 10 miles from Huntsville;
and there took canoe and ran down
the river, it being about O'clock at night
when started on my lonely ride.
About IL miles halau WEItpSbIIrp I
heard a noise, as if a party OF men on the
south bank were bailing out z isTTy-boat;
and, as | thought / would have time to
pass il before it could be got ready 10
cross, pushed on down. ] could easily
hear them coming as | proceeded, so that
padded my very best; but on they came
faster and faster; / did my utmost, but
still they gained on me; another stroke of
their long sweeps, and they would be on
my canoe. it was a critical time but
fortunately at this moment a man on the
shore called out to them.
"You all look as If you were going down
the river; you don't look like you were
coming here 20 me"
! glanced over my shoulder, and there
on the bank, at the edge of the water. sat
the Captain OF a band Of rebel cavalry;
while Just above him ! could see 80 or 50
men, with their horses. There were six
men in the boat, whom | saw distinctly
two at the oars, one steering, and three
standing gazing over the sides at me.
They were so close on NV canoe at this
time, that | raised my hand to catch the
ferry boat in case she struck my little
craft, 10 prevent her from dragging ME
under.
When the Captain hailed. they headed
a little more up stream, ami she missed
my canoe about the length q my paddle. |
AS they passed by, ] cou,d see them
watching me eagery, but they said not q
word; while piled my paddle with all my
strength, and WAS soon oui 81 their sight
amid the darkness.
Tie gap ra3. through Be ween the boat
and tne company on shore was not more
than 80 yards wide. J could not possibly
have passed il safely hal / made the
least possible noise with lny boat, but ]
appToac-l:d so quietly tiiot the party on
shore did not dis
cover me until /
was speeding past -
them. .s<zSEz
a few miles above ~
Decatur / was oxer- IT,