The National tribune., 1900-04-12

horses TO higher ground and out OF the flood,
while others strove 10 save the tents and
baggage; ggag ca,,.a os Tho trouble, z,.,. r ,,n,ro
cedented rise in the ST. Francis, so feet in
"a hours. After this there was no strife for
the shady campground of the 18th.
A non-commission warrant in my posses
sion says was appointed Eighth Sergeant,
Dec. 20, 1862, at Barnesyille, Mo-; but / can
find no such place on the map, except in
State, and ] know we We're never in that
portion of Missouri while in service. But
was a Sergeant just the same, and very
proud of the fact. How | came to jump
the rank of Corporal l never knew.
From Greenville We moved to Patterson,
and were brigaded in the division of Gen.
Benton: Col. LaGrange conceived the
idea OF having permanent body of Order
lies specially drilled for that kind of work,
and they were detailed, formed the Orderly
squad at Headquarters, and tented and
messed together. | was the detail from
Co. |, and thus made another break in
the Rosendalc Squad, leaving Byron and
jim by themselves. 1t was not long before
the squad adopted Milton Sherman, from
Fort Atkinson, Wis, who took my place in
IL, and this status of the squad was main
tained TO the close Of the war.
That Winter was q severe one; we Were
far from our base of supplies; our clothing
getting dil:s pidated; our footwear nearly
soleless and upperless, and after time
we left Patterson and went TO West Plains
where a large part OF the Winter was put
in and our necessities partially relieved
Here We were brigaded with the Sd Iowa
Cav, commanded by Lieut.ICol. H. C.
Caldwell, now Judge Of the Eighth Fedora
Circuit at Little Rock, Ark, who also CON
manded the post, and to whom / took tbs
daily report of my regiment. larg'
p;-rt of the time while stationed ut Wcs
nearly d foot deep, and the weather very
cold.
A NIGHT ADVENTURE.
Leaving West Plains in January. 1853,
our regiment moved out into Hutton Valley
where there was plenty of corn and forage
for our horses. We went into camp abou
sUndown one night, and the Colonel, no
feeling well, sent the Orderly squad on
for pine boughs for his bed. Not far fro;r
and were soon riding toward them. Serg
Mike O'Neil was commander of tn,
Orderlies, and well-liked by all.
After short gallop we were fired upor
by party OF bushwhackcrs just as W,
reached a creek and were watering ouI
horses. After firing they retreated on !:
path leading up in the hills and we afte
them as fast as we could go. Having
lost sight Of them, Mike directed that eaci
of us take ridge, Of which the hills seemed
TO be composed, follow il as far as W,
thought best, and see if We could develo,
the enemy. These ridges diverged as W.
left the starting point like spokes from
the hub Of a wheel, and soon We were fa
apart. Darkness was fast creeping owe
the forest, and | could hear nothing of my
companions nor find the bushWhackers
though expecting TO hear shot at any
moment.
In the pitchy darkness I concluded hat
followed that ridge about far enough
and would cross over 10 one Of the other:
and find my comrades. Not finding them
decided 10 return to camp. After tn,
distance thought should bring me 10 camy
had been Travelled several times over tn,
conclusion that was lost forced itself upor
me, and also that / was going away from
instead of toward il. AS if to add TO III.
discomfort Of my situation, a cold. drizZline
rain set in. Feeling the best thing TO b,
done, under the circumstances, was 1,
stay where ] was until daylight and thei
take tire opposite direction from that ha,
been going, / fixed that direction as clearI,
as | could, and sought some sort OF shctc
for my horse and protection TO myseI
from the cold wind and beating rain.
Dismounting, CROPPED through the dark
ness and found Il pine tree top, broken OF
about IL feet from the ground and the To-
resting thereon. To this | tied my hors
and stamped around 10 keep warm. With
out overcoat or blankets, for we went afte
pine boughs, and in light marching order
thought | should freeze, but did not dar
make fire, fearing it might attract tn
bushwhackers. Along in the night | gre,
sleepy, terribly sleepy, so, looscning m
saddle girth, ] pulled the saddle blanke
out, wrapped it around my shivering body
dropped on the ground near my horse, an
slept.
A LONG SPELL.
How long | slept ] have no means G
knowing, but woke up with my body aci
Ing with cold | was now getting d2s
perate, and determined to have fire if on
eould be kindled, bUshwhackers or IL
busllwhackers. The rain had ceased