The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-15
From the Savannah Newa-

~ ATTAIN J. 4. BOWMAN of Tus-
 caloosa. Ala. Is a guest al
 ~ Lookout Inn. where he has been spending the summer with one of his clever nieces. Captain Bozman Is an old veteran of the Confederaey, in whose service he met with many strange adven- lures and for whom he underwent many hardships. Not the least of the latter Is the story the captain told a few friends recently on the wide veranda of the Inn.
 The following story, related by Captain Bozman. is true narrative of plain facts, copy of which. at the request of Custodian Owen, of the historical arch ives of the state of Alabama, will be carefully prepared and filed as a mat ter of history in that state.
 In prefacing his remarks, Captain Boz man stated he would merely relate a war incident and show how salt was made for the supplying of the Confederate government during the four years strug- gle:
 "On December ?, 1862. General Grant, with his entire army, landed at Milli- ken's Bend. Mississippi river, for the PCSC Ol CulllllB d CdIlui OH Ine west side of the river to Youne's Point, In q direct line, not more than three miles through heavily timbered swamp. This piece of military strategy, when com pleted, would enable the Federal gun boats and transports to pass through and avoid the Confederate batteries lo- cated on the heights of vicksburg This work was completed when vicksburg surrendered, July 1. 1863.
 At the above stated time I was suc- cessfully planting in Louisiana, a few negroes, about 100 in number. though aware of the approach of their so-called friends. remained loyal to us, and, with out compulsion, packed bag and baggage into their six-muie wagons and started for Alabama. via yickburg, leaving be- hind the best improved plantation in the parish, with about GOO bales of cotton, 1O.- 900 bushels of corn. large stock of cat tie, hogs and other plantation products, too numerous to mention, all of which was appropriated by and for the use of the federal army.
 'As we approached vicksburg, the fed. eral gunboats, then on the Mississippi river. espied in the distance my white top-covered wagons. no doubt thinking they contained provisions coming in from Texas for the Confederate soldiers, then occupying the thought-to-be impregnable city, commenced shelling our fleeing cav alcade, to the disgust and fright of their so-called friend and brother. The Con- federates, too, no doubt, shared the sup position with their river foe, and com menced replying over our heads, verit- able duel going on, shot and shell falling all around us, not an enviable place to be in, I assure you.
 Before reaching our destination Colonel Catesdy A. R. Jones, superintendent of the naval foundry. located at Selma, im- pressed forty of my men for the use of the Confederate government. I protested. had matured a plan which would enable me to use these men to great advan- tage. Salt was worth $20 per bushei throughout the Confederates states. We had in Alabama salt wells sufficient from which we could make salt without diff culty, but we lacked the implements or utensils, such as caldrons, etc. With these forty men I could overcome thesn ob- stacles.
 My father-in-law. Capt. James H.