The National tribune., 1902-10-02

Captain" he replied. "In my frame Of
mind I would rather shoot them than to
talk to them" turned out till they rode
up to me, when, addressing one who wore
the rank of an officer, said: Captain, my
men are not permitted to talk to you, and
you will oblige me by not attempting to
engage them in conversation" "All
right" he replied, and turned away, fol-
lowed by his companion. They were both
under the influence of liquor. In few
minutes they returned and in very in
sulting manner again began talking to my
men. l heard the long haired Captain,
who was apparently about % years old,
say: "Weuns have stated to Memphis,
but we neve' will surrende' to the -
| Yanks: no, neve'" This language arous-
ed a feeling within me which l could no
longer repress. Wheeling my horse to-
ward the rear of the column, and facing
the rebel officer who had given express
| sion to the offensive language. L SAID:
Captain, as an officer you ought to under
stand the nature of a flag of truce. n
| few moments ago l requested you IN Il
respectful manner to desist from attempt
ing to converse with my men. l now
order you away from my ranks, and 1
want you to stay away" For an instant
he looked me in the eyes, then slowly
| turning his horse, followed by his compan-
ion, as before, he rode away, eXclaimlng
as he left, "All right; by -, l don't want
to ride with yOu-ens nohOw, but you-all
can't stop me from riding in the road.
Had he attempted to draw his reyolverI
which anticipated he would do would
have ended his career then and there, If
| it had resulted in running fight with all
the .Johnnies in the road.
We had continued our march onward
but a short distance when out attention
was attracted to the rear by the report of
two revolver shots fired in the air by the
rebel Captain, who, on observing us look
| ing toward him, fiOurished bottle above
his head. then placed it to his mouth in
the attitude of drinking from it. We
marched on and that was the last time we
saw either of them.
1t must not be inferred that the unsOl-
dierly conduct of this drunken Captain was
characteristic of the true Southern sol
der Far from it. Many whom we had
met during the trying ordeal of the day
had acted in a gentlcmanly manner to-
ward us, and treated us with consideration
and respect.
1t simply illustrates the danger and
difficulties to which we might have been
subjected had we met a greater number
of just such drunken. reckless Johnnies
during night ride of many miles on Il
lonely road, over which many Confederate
| SOluleTS were ~ -hcIlpuio W SUI
render.
1t was now sundown, and we were yet
90 miles from our camp at Brownsville.
Among those who overlook us was a gen
tlemanly Confederate Major mounted on
splendid bay horse. Pleasantly saluting
us, he checked his horse and said:
Captain, whe'e do you-all intend to
camp tonight
at Denmark, two miles distant" 1 re-
piled.
"All right, Captain: 1 am going to stop
there tonight, and will be pleased to keep
| you-all company.
Thank you, Major; as you will ride
faster than we, and will reach Denmark
in advance of US. will you favor me by
securing the large barn on the hill as you
enter the town for us to occupy with our
horsesT
Certainly, Captain; it will affo'd me
I'll ride ahead and hold the BAN for you
ALL
Captain. you are not intending to camp
at Denmark tonight, are you" inquired
Lieut.. Davis.
NO"
But you told that rebel Major to Sc
cure the barn at Denmark for you"
Il did, but that was only ruse. / did
not want him to know where we will camp
tonight. l don't know myself. 1t may
be necessary to march through to Browns
vile tonight"
| 1t was dark when we entered the town
of Denmark. As we approached the barn
we observed the Major with drawn sword
standing in the doorway. A bright fire,
which the Major had kindled, was arrang-
| ed for us to cook our supper over. We
also noticed quite number of Johnnies
congregated nearby. Their horses were
mostly unsaddled. Evidently we were not
going to lack company should we decide
to occupy the barn. This, however, l
had no intention Of doing. The situation
was uninviting. As we approached the
Major, he saluted with his sword, and
very pleasantly said: Captain, 1 am
holding the BAN for you-all. Ride right
in; it is you's."
II am much obliged to you, Major, for
your kindness. What about horse feed ?''
There is no hoss feed in the BAN. I'll
have my men ride out and get con for
you-all to feed you hosses with
That will be asking too much of your
men, Major" l replied. Il know where
there is plenty of corn which we passed
this forenoon. We will ride out and get
enough feed for our horses tonight and
in the morning, and when we return we
will bring feed for your horses also
Please hold the barn till we RETURN
'All right, Captain" he replied; ''I'll
hold the BAN fO' yOu-all"
Saluting him, we rode away. How long
| the Major continued to hold the barn for
US | do not know. OF course, he is not
| still holding it for us. l was very sorry
to be obliged to part with him-he seemed
| so very Obliging. No doubt he was actu-
ated by a kind regard for our welfare. If
the Major is still living, and perchance
should read this article, l hope he will
attribute our failure to return to the
BAN as slight military trick, or strate-
gic movement, perfectly justifable under,
and in conformity with, the established
rules of warfare. l sincerely beg the
Majors pardon.
We rode about two miles south then
west on a crOssroad, and entered the plan
tatiOn of DR.. Crittenden, halting near the
| residence, two miles from the main road.
The Doctor was a stanch Union man,
whose acquaintance l had formed under
very trying circumstances two years be-
| fore.
Here we camped for the night Our
horses were unsaddled, watered, led into
a barn mot the barn the Major was
holding for us), and fed on corn and blad-
ed fodder, of which there was an abund-
ance to be had. The boys kindled fire
in the grove. Soon coffee was boiling in
quart cans suspended over the fire by the
aid Of stick. Sticks were also sharp
ened on which pieces of bacon were stuck
and held over the fire to broil, and with
the addition of that indispensable and IA
nous soldiers staff of life, "hardtack," we
poor, tired, hungry, and sleepy soldiers,