The National tribune., 1901-02-14

OF MS history. tie Salu inat ne Dau Deen
soldier during the previous year in an
Illinois regiment: had been discharged on
account of illness; had gone to his home
in Peoria, H., and fully recovered: had re,
turned to the army, where his brother was
officer in one OF the regiments, but
had himself gone into the laundry bust
ness, and that the team by which his
washing-machine and apparatus were
being transported followed along behind
our miscellaneous assortment of wagons
He further stated that in his early youth
he had visited Kentucky relatives, who
lived in the exact locality we were now
passing through. He pointed out resi-
dences at n distance on either side OF the
road, told me who lived there, what good
times he had enjoyed visiting those people,
etc.
| was much pleased with my compan-
ions converSa ton, and when he found that
| was practically in charge of the rear
section of our enormous wagon train he
manifested additional interest in my com
fort and welfare He said it would be
impossible to reach the camp of the troops
that night: that it would soon be pitch
dark; that the 10 or u miles of troops and
wagons between us and our regiment
would soon be going into camp, leaving
the road impassable, and causing long de
lays; that unless q guide was sent back
it would he impossible to find my own
troops in the darkness, and he advised me
to join him in going into camp at some
convenient locality until morning. | de-
clined his proposition with thanks and
told him | should do my best to carry out
instructions to oyertake the regiment some
time during the night.
Darkness came on. with longer and
more frequent deteDtions, until we finally
came almost to a standstiIl, and yet L
had no lnformatio as to where to go or
how TO find the command We progressed
so slowly and at such long intervals that
| finally became discouraged and yielded
to the persHasions of my new-found friend,
who said that short distance ahead of
us was branch road leading off to a
beautiful grove less than half a mile from
the turnpike, where there were splendid
springs of water and every facility for n
comfortable camp. 1t was finally decided
that unless n guide found us before we
reached that turning-off point we would
go to his proposed camping place and
spend the night.
When we arrived at the branch road we
filed off. Everybody In the rear, Of course,
supposed we were on the right track and
followed us, making a train of more than
10 wagons and, perhaps, 200 men, includ-
ing teamsters, straggiers, tired and sick
soldiers, connected Herewith. 1t was
much more than half a mile to the pro-
posed grove. 1t seemed to me nearer two
miles. but just as ! began to expostulate
and grow suspicious my companion point
ed ont the locality and we found it all he
had claimed.
we went into camp at once, gathered
together materials for campfires; the men
Immediately under my direction helped
themselves to the rations in our wagons
and cooked an ample supper, which our
friend shared with us. He said nothing
further about his laundry wagon, and
thought no more about it. 1t was quite
late when we finished eating; we were
all very tired, and soon lay down under
the trees in Our blankets for much-needed
sleep. My friend from Illinois shared my
blanket. and knew no more until morn
ing, when | awoke, looked around and
very much to my surprise found him gone.
Immediately arose with a large-sized
hea IN my ear, got my men together. and
while they prepared breakfast / rode to
a neighboring farmhouse to get my bear
ings and distances. | was there Informed
that we were about three miles from the
town Of Lebanon, where Gen. Buell's
headquarters had been established the
night before.
As soon as possible I got our teams
ready, advising such of the drivers OF the
force as consulted me (among
which did not find any laundry wagon,
to join in a search for the troops / con-
Quoted the train to Gen. BueIl's camp in
the suburbs of Lebanon, and was there
informed by his Adjutant- General, Col j.
B. Fry, that Sheridan's Division was en-
camped about seven miles distant on q
road which he kindly pointed out to me.
Shortly after noon of that day, which
happened to be Sunday, l led the entire
20 vol n do 1trHnr rIr
diers. into the regimental camp, without
the loss of mule or men. As we had with
US all the provisions and cooking tools
you can imagine the warmth of the recep-
ton | met from the hungry officers and
men of our command and the variety of
pet names | was called when | detailed
to them the confidence game of which
had been victim.
My humiliation was further intensified
a few days later by information brought
by q comrade who had been captured by
guerrillas and paroled that my
good friend from Illinois was one of Nor
san's spies; that he had led us into that
trap with the full expectation of report
ing our helpless, defenseless condition to
his leader, supposed to be in camp him.
self not many miles distant, who would
have promptly sent a detachment suffi-
.ient to capture us in a body, destroy the
and contents, drive off the horses
and mules and send the men to rebel
prisons or parole them not to take up
irms until exchanged.
This was the first and last confidence
game of which | was ever made the vic
i'm. In fact, since that experience no.
body has ever tried to confidence me. |
Whether it be that this incident left its |
mark upon my visage, or whether the |
fates have decreed that one
such narrow escape is enough for a sin
,le career, do not know. In any event, |
t was lesson which has been of service |
n many ways, and is now recorded as
me of the unforgetable events of an in
eresting era.