The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-01-05

ioyed this march exceedingly, scarcely 6
man dropping out of the ranks for any
cause whatever, but entering into the
spirit Of the campaign with an energy
WnIcn surpassed all their former en-
thusiasm.
AS the army marched rapidly over the
country from village to village, the ad
vance guard driving the enemy's pickets
from one covert to another, many thrill
ing adventures occurred, several of which
came under my own observation, and as
am expected particularly to relate those
in which | was personally concerned
Will here relate one which came very near
being my last on this side the river"
On the morning of the third day after
we left Lovettsville / was sent back to
Headquarters, which was said to be some
II miles in the rear. was then with the
advance-guard, and when they started
forward at daylight l went to the rear.
In order to go more quickly left all my
traps in an Observation-Disclosures over
coat, and grain, excepting enough to feed
once. Then starting at a brisk canter,
soon lost sight of the advancing column.
rode on mile after mile, and passed
train after train, but could find no one
that could tell me where Mcclellan IS
Headquarters were.
A DREARY RIDE.
On ! went in this way until noon, and
headquarters. After riding distance
which seemed to me all of 10 miles, / a t
length found the place sought for. / fed
my morse, attended to the business which
| had been sent TO transact, and then
tried TO find something i'm the way of ra-
tons for myself, but failed utterly
This was an October day in Old Vir-
ginia. o. what an afternoon l spent in
the saddle on my return; hungry, wet,
and. shivering with cold. | travelled as
fast as my horse was able to go until 10
O'Clock at night, with the hope of over
taking the troops | had left in the morn
ing, but all in vain, for the whole line of
march and program for the day had been
changed, IN consequence of coming in
contact with the enemy and having
sharp skIrmish, which resulted in our
troops being nearly outfianked and cut
off from the main body of the army.
OF course, had no opportunity of know
ing this that night, so on | went in an
other direction from that in which the adj
vance-guards had gone. BY and by came
TO some fresh troops Just from the North,
who had lately enlisted and been sent
down to Washington, and now were on
their way to join McClelIan's army.
After passing along through these green
troops | rode on till chime TO little vii
lage, which | never learned the name of
and intended to stop there the remainder
OF the night; but upon learning that
band of guerrilas occupied it, l turned
aside, preferring to seek some other place
of rest. ret
| travelled till O'Clock in the morning.
when my horse began ITO show signs of
giving out; then stopped at farmhouse,
but not being able to make anyone hear
me, ! hitched my horsd under cover of
woodshed, and, takingI the blanket from
under the saddle, IfIaydown beside him,
the saddle blanket being my only cover
ing. Isl il
The storm had ceased, but the night
was intensely cold, and the snow was
about two or three ,inc1es deep. / shall
always believe that llwOuld have per-
ished that night had unOt my faithful
horse lain down besideb me, and by the
heat OF his beautiful head which he laid
across my shoulders Ga thing which he
always did whenever l lay down where he
could reach mel, kept me from perishing
in my wet clothes.
IL will be remembered that had started
at daylight the previous morning, and had
never been out of the saddle or fed my
horse but once since / started and had
not eaten mouthful myself for "a hours,
and had ridden all day and almost ali
night in the storm. In the morning my
feet and hands were SO chilled that they
were perfectly numb, and could scarcely
stand. However, as ssoOn as daylight
came ! started again. About a mile from
there ! went into field where the un-
husked corn stood in stacks, and fed my
horse.
While employed in this manner there
came along party Of our cavalry looking