The National tribune., 1901-05-23
A LOYAL TENNESSEEAN.
Rebel Neighbors Burn House Over Heads of
Union RAfreeea

heoei NelshDors bufn House over Heads OF
Union Refugees.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Many
loyal Seutherp people suffered the loss Of
for Yankee soldiers.
July>1, 1893, the Third Brigade Of Van
C;eyss Division srT!vsd At the rebel town
very hot, and I had not bssn well for
several days, but Oh July 2 went with
my company and regiment 18th Ky.l, on
scout nine miles toward MeMinnvfile.
About noon became prostrated With heat.
We had no ambulance. and Col. Mayhem
proposed to leave me at house near the
road, saying he would send for me when
they returned to Woodbury.. One Of my
did not like appearances, especially on
learning from little 'tow-head" that his
father was with t'othsr kind O. soldiers"
Maj. ]. S. Clark, Sth KY, soon rode
up. | told him L disliked to be left. He
said: Captain, can you sit on my
hOrse?"
l was placed on the horse, the Major
led the animal, while II. Burgess. one
of my company, held TO one of my legs.
Late that evening we arrived in camp.
Surgeon Robson procured lodging for
me in the large house of Mr.. Burger, the
only Union man in the place, and | was
soon reclining my sick, weary body on
LlCtt tltdH tdpL-
list Ky, was also sick in an adjoining
room. There were in the house about 20
men and women, Union refugees. trying
to return to their homes as our army ad
vanced. Their trunks and baggage were
stored in a small room adjoining my bed
room. Sunday evening, July 3, some of
these refugees and a few officers as
sembled on the veranda and INDUCED in
singing patriotic songs. Miss Melissa,
one of Mr.. Burgers daughters, brought
me tempting mOrsel of supper, and re-
marked, Captain, that sounds nice: but
greatly fear for papa's safety when your
army leaves us. l see some of our neigh
bors watching US; they are mad, indeed,
since their great Bragg has been driven
from Tullahoma- They are indignant at
us sheltering you and these good Union
people"
That night about 8 o'clock everything
had become quiet. The medicine Surgeon
Robson had given me had caused me to
drop into a troubled slumber Suddenly
was awakened by terrific fusilade like
small-arms hring, accompanied by the cry
of Fire. | was nearly suffocated with
smoke, but managed to roll to the floor, |
my hayersack and most of my
clothes from a chair, and was trying to |
crawl to where l thought the door was,
when one of the refugees ran over me |
and nearly crushed my life out. When | |
ging me through the wet grass, | still |
my clothes. Ny sword, pistol |
and belt had been thrown out in the yard. |
| lost my shoes and a fine watch. Some
one had set fire in the room containing
baggage, and the explosion of /
the pistol-cartridges had awakened me.
Mr.. Burger and family lost everything
except a little clothing.
DIR. Robson and one of my company
helped me to an old hotel, where I lay |
until daylight. Early on the 4th had
the ambulance drive by the old black
smith shop where Mr.. Burgers family
had taken refuge. Upon his refusing pay
from me, 1 asked to see Melissa, who
had been so attentive to me. She came
out with an old, ill-Gtting dress on.
gave her $40 (all l could then sparel. She
said: Captain, that is too much. But 1
10 need a DRESS" looking down. 'sThis
IS a borrowed one; I didn't save any
hing. Papa says we will have to go
North.'
/ would like to learn what became of
Mr.. Burger and family. Can some Tri-
,une reader tell me?-T. j. WRIGHT,
,aDtain Go RI Sth XIV RutIer Mo 1