The National tribune., 1900-01-11
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some distance TO our right We were keep
ing close to the base of the mountains, an(
the only danger we feared was that W,
might be reported 10 the Confederates, ant
cavalry might dash across the country ant
head us off
About o'clock in the afternoon W.
came up with two Union scouts who Were
perfectly familiar with the country. W.
placed ourselves in their hands, for the
reason that they could lead us the neares
route into the Union lines We were al
extremely tired, and some nearly giver
out. We went down in a deep ravine some
distar ce from the road and lay down. anC
rested perhaps two hours. The scouts sale
| it was vet p to % miles to the Unior
army by the nearest way we could go
and we would have to doubie-qulck 9
portion of the way. They said the rebels
were manuvering on our right, and ex'
tending their lines east in front of us. but
| we would have no trouble to flank them
when dark came. So after we had rested
We again startel on our homo stretch.
1t was a long, hard pull. | am sure
was never so tired in my life rs | was
that evening about dark. And to add to
my suffering my feet We're almost a solid
blister or the soles. Thought several times
I could get no further, and | was not alone;
others Wee in the same fix. / shall never
forget the suffering of that night, and had
it not been that the goal of my ambition
vas .but few miles ahead of us, would
iave LAIN down by the roadside and given
it up.
We Travelled on till about 2o'cloch in the
morning. when we came up to the Union
pickets. The two scouts advanced and re-
ported The officer in charge lined his men
up by the roadside, and we marched past
in double file, while the guard stood at
present arms.
We marched into the town Of Jonesboro,
or the edge of the town rather, where we
found a large old barn, and we all found a
place in it to lie down. and being so tired
and~exhausted were soon asleep.
We slept till daylight, when we began to
get up and look around. We started up
town all together, and the first thing that
attracted our attention was tie fiag-the
Old Stars and Stripes, floating over the
courthouse.
The boys began to cheer. We formed
tLlet1 III iltle UOublc LletiSbSu
arosand the courthouse square, cheering
and hailooing like wild men.
/ shall never forget the sensation that
came. over me when looked down that
line of men, who had suffered so long and
so much, some cheering, some throwing
their hats, and others weeping like children.
Poor fellows, it seemed that their joy had
no bounds, and they cheered until they were
SO hoarse they were forced to stop.
This was Monday morning the Both of
September, and it marks an epoch in the
history of my life. We reached the Union
army none too soon for our safety. About
8 o'clock orders were given to fall back to
Greenville, about 25 miles, and we at once
started on the march. We arrived there on
Tuesday morning and began to make ar
to enlist and organize our
company for the Union service
1t has not been my purpose in writing
this story too revive any Of the animosities
of the civil war. / thank God that the
wounds left by that struggle are healed.
The bloody chasm is closed, and the trump
Of the warrior and the clangor Of arms no