The National tribune., 1901-06-27


squad. The detail consisted of man fron
each company in the regiment, making
squad of 10 in ALL
We left the camp early in the morning
as foot dragons" but before long ever.
man was mounted. On this occasion, sool
after leaving camp we came to a planta
ton where we found enough horses t.
mount half of our squad. Through somt
oversight, these horses had not yet beer
taken, notwithstanding foraging partie!
from Johnston's GebelJ army had overrur
the country, and now Sherman with his
irrepressible 'bummers' was on his tri
umphant march to help Grant wind up the
Confederacy, that had about reached its
last ditch.
Whatever the reason may have been
for other parties leaving the horses, ouI
squad could find none, and when we left
the plantation the horses went with us
The horse falling to my lot was a hand
some brown mare, which had never been
ridden, and was not even bridle-wise
Although a beauty to look at, she proved
a regular vixen when came to ride
her.
After considerable trouble / succeeded
in getting the bit in her mouth, and the
bride on and then led her up to the fence,
and while one of the boys held the bride
rein, l jumped astride of her back. The
novelty of the weight upon her back first
astonished and then frightened her, and
lunging forward, jerking the man to the
ground, she commenced kicking and
squealing, and soon had me lying on my
head and shoulders IN fence corner, max
frantic efforts tn get 1lp bTp0tb that
had been knocked out of me by the fall.
1t was some time before got to my feet,
but when L did, it was with the deter
mination to ride the beast, or break her
neck or mine in the attempt.
The mare was caught and brought
alongside of the fence, when | again got
on her back. As soon as she felt the
weight of my body she bumped up her
back and tried 70 throw me, but this time
two of the boys had hold of the reins
and were able to manage her. They led
her around the lot a number of times be-
fore turning her out into the road, and
Just as l was congratulating myself on
having my horse under control, she gave
squeal, UP went her hind parts, and
over her head | pitched, landing 10 feet
away on my back, this time hurting me.
While | was picking myself up the boys
had caught the horse and brought her to
me to remOunt.
/ refused to have anything further to do
with the beast as had had enough ex
perience for one day; but the boys coaXed
and persuaded-the raScals enjoyed seeing
me thrown into the air-until j said if
they would carry my gun and lead her
awhile l would try it again. They agreed,
and leading the mare to the fence, |
jumped astride of her. She was then led
for a mile or so, and she went along so
well, L told them to let her 60 as |
thought l could manage her now. BY
keeping by the side of one of the older
horses | got on very well, but whenever
they left me there was trouble.
Everything went fairly well until we
came to small stream, which had to be
forded. Here she drew the line and re-
fused to go any further. She had evil
IDENTIFY arrived at the conclusion that we
had carried the joke far enough, and
would put stop to further nonsense
l coaxed and petted her. and tried every
plan L could think of to get her to enter
the water, but it was no use, she would
not cross the stream.
As a last resort one of the boys rode
ahead, leading her by the rein, while the
others came up behind with switches
which they used freely. This, however
only made her ugly, and she reared and
plunged, and finally breaking for the river
as though she would clear it at single
bound, stopped short on reaching the edge
of the stream, sending me far over her
hSoN, ihNO AdlEE dsDuL Il uOZen le6t
from shore, where | landed on my back
fortunately, the water and mud were deep
enough to form q cushion on which to
alght, hence, / was not hurt, but was
almost strangled with muddy water before
L could right myself and wade out.
Of course / made splendid appearance
anyone would-coyered with mud and
water from the crown of his head down,
and mad was no name for my feelings
l was boiling over. My anger was in
creased by the laughter of the boys, who
could see nothing but fun in the whole
proceeding, while to me it was anything
but laughing matter In the meantime
one of them had gone after the horse, and
bringing her back, asked # | wanted to
try her again. My ire was well I'D now.
and | replied that | would ride the beast
or Kill her in the attempt; but fearing she
might reverse things and kill me, the men
insisted on leading her until she became
thoroughly subdued.
mounted, and two of the men took hold
OF her birdie reins, while the others
"shood' her along gently from the rear.
and by exercising lots Of patience and per-
severance succeeded, after long time in
getting her into the stream, and when
once in she went over all right. From this
time on had no further trouble with her,
she behaving as well as could be expected
OF horse that had been reared in re-
beldom
We rode along for some miles without
finding anything worth taking; the country
having been foraged over by the rebels. !
1t was pretty bare until we came to an |
old gristmill run by water power
We took possession of the mill, and
detailing couple Of the boys to act as
mi!lers, the rest of US scattered through
the country in search of corn. Corn was
not very plentiful, but we managed to
hnd enough so that when the boys ground
1t into corn meal we had several bushels.
To reach the old mill we had TO cross
q mlll-pond on an elevated walk about 200
feet III length and three or four feet above
the water.
We stayed here over night and the
next morning | took a trip through the
country iii search of meat and vegetables
Seeing large white house some distance
off the main road, | went to it. As | rode
INTO the yard | was met by man, who
kindly inquired my business. | informed
hlm that belonged to Sherman's army.
and had been sent out to get something
Tor the men to eat; that the army was
subslsting mainly off the country through
which II was passing. He said he did not
blame US, and told me to follow him TO
the rear of the house, and he would see
what he could do for me-
AS precaution against surprise / COW
cred him with my gun and gently limited
that should he attempt any treachery IL
would go hard with him. He assured me
mat ne intended nothing of the kind but
1 watched him all the same.
h II