The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-01-25
"reminiscences of the War.

20, Monday succ 'eding the battle
of Frederjcksburg, Va. the t dera!s
asked for and obtained flag of truce
to collect and carry eff their dead.
As soon as it was understood that this
Was The case, there was cessation If
the previous incessant fi,iog between
the skirmishers of both sides. Soon
the men of both parties began to lay
dowL their arms and walk out into
the neutral ground between aud talk
and swap newspapers, tobacco, coffee,
etc. Then the lines grew more con.
fused and mixed, till at last there was
no separation between the advanced
liues of both parties.
About this time, one of our fellows,
a rough, wild looking specimen, with
his toes out of his shoes, his busby
hair pretruding from the topless crown
of his hat, ragged pants aud no coat.
with dingy, chocolate tint pervading
his whole person, was rambling around
generally, with nothing to give but
ready to accept any thing from news
paper to an overcoat. Presently he
spied brand new Belgian musket
lying abandoned on the ground. This
was precisely the thing our Confeh-
crate Adonis wanted to complete his
equipment ard costume; so he picks
it up and starts eff for his lines. Just
then he was spied by Yankee msi
on horsebsck-a fellow got up in the
highest style of military tailoring,
with new coat and trapping, and
above all, supurb pair of patent
leather boots. He rides up quickly
sn calls out rather sharply. Put
down that musket, cir you can't have
that Our Brummell gives him all
ed sewise glance of incudulity and
making no reply, pursues the even
tenor of his way. Fretted that his
appearance and authority should not
have produced more effect upon such
a looking fellow, the Yankee rides
up close to him and calls out very
curtly and sternly, "don't you know
sir, thot you can't come within our
lines and carry eff guns under flag
of truce?" "Put it down, sir, and go
back to your regiment" The "Con-
fed" looked up at him kindly aud in
quiringly, as if to be satisfied that he
was in earnest, and shaking his hea |
at him but without even slackening
his pace. CT weakening his hold on the
musket, cooly replied: "Never mind,
sir, FL shoot you tom: rrow and get
them boots"
Daring the winter of 1864 pact of
McKissick's cavalry, with some other
troops of Goipg's brigade, were sent
to Goochland =. H., Va, to meet a
raiding party of federals coming dowa
the James in rear of Richmond. Ct
would be gai to give list of all the
names of all the men, but can't exactly
recall them now) But among them
was John Fowler, usually called by
the nickname of "Johu Tip" They
met the Yankees in strong force and
fought as long as they could. At last
finding themselves outnumbered, and
nearly surrounded. they fell back ss
best they could. Some were already
dismounted aud had to take care of
themselves the best they o)uld. OF
course these we're all captured or
taken prisoners, but not until every
effort to escape had been made. Every
place for hiding had heen u!il;z ID.
Some bushes had been thrown in a
gully over which Sand aud sediment
had partly washed, and underneath
was space sufficiently large for
email man to creep and draw his legs
sfter him. John found this place and
took refuge in it, in the hope of escap
ing capture Gas he had no way to
gel out being surrounded on all sides
by the enemy.) The dismounted
men were all captured and placed
under guard. A Yankee came along
where John was enscoused and point
ing his carbine in his hiding place,
said: "Come out Of there Johnnie,
knew you was in there" John came
crawling out just as he went in (for
he could not we'll turn round) a, d
mar ,hed off to the crowd of pris onsrs.
When John got to his comrades he
spoke in q subdued tone aud said:
"Boys, how in the devil did that
Yankee know my name2" "He called
me Johnnie just like you fellows de-"
Those who managed to escape fell
back to the reserve and overviewed
what had taken place. And while
the prisoners were doubtless con-
templating long time in some mil
itsry prison up north, the thunder of
charging squadron and the roar OF
Gary's guns proclaimed throughout
the valley of the James that their