Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-25
Homecoming from Appomattor
BY D. |. WALDEN.

BY D. I. WALDEN.
The journey homeward after the sur
render of the army at AppomattoX was
attended by many exciting. adventures,
some of which approached almost to the
dignity of close calls. I don't remember
to have seen any account of any of those
interesting experiences from any of our
old comrades, and although it is not my
purpose to attempt a detailed history of
the Journey, 1 feel inclined to mention
briefly some incidents that seemed some
what Interesting. The railroads. at that
time, were operating only detached frag-
ments of their dismembered systems.
Streams had been unbridged and the coun-
try laid waste by the devastations of
prolonged war. Over much of the way we
had to depend upon our lower limbs for
! transportation and upon the generosity
of the inhabitants along the roadside for
subsistence, and most of those inhabi-
tants, although themselves in many in
stances almost destitute, responded to our
appeals with a heartiness and alacrity
worthy of the highest praise. 1 started
on the long tramp in company with two
other Georgians, and Notwithstanding the
humiliation of our defeat, we went our
way rejoicing in the prospect of home
and freedom. We sometimes left the main
road and pursued paths and byways
among very humble people who almost
invariably treated us kindly.
MUSH AND MILK.
We were on one occasion treated to a
very unique. though palatable, meal by
three good angelsIin the form of women.
We wore travelling a narrow, rugged road
that followed the irregular course of a
small stream, between two great mills.
We passed small log cabin on the road
side, and although we were seeking our
noon meal the prospect at the cabin SEEM
a e
passing II by when we were hailed by a
female voice from the cabin inviting US
in for refreshments. We gladly accept
ed the invitation and met three middle
aged women who had been expecting SOL
diers to pass that way and had prepared
an entertainment. They had three large
pots full Of corn meal mush and several
Jars of milk, judicious mixture of which
seemed admirably adapted to the wants
Of our stomachs, and we devoured 1t with
relish that have no doubt convinced
them of our appreciation OF their kind
ness toward us.
A DEAFENING EXPLOSION.
At Danville, Va, we found a great
many soldiers waiting for railroad trans
portation over the road to Greensboro,
N. G. They had broken open the army
stores and thrown out great quantities
Of flour, bacon, sugar, salt and other
army supplies and were cooking and eat
IlB freely. MANY OF InGIu visited the mag
azine to procure ammunition to carry
home and they had dropped powder and
caps until the floor was completely COW
cred with the dangerous mixture, and
they continued to pass in and out as If
entirely ignorant of the explosive charac-
ter of such a carpet. / went to fire
which happened to be near the magazine
to cook meal for the little party to which
I belonged, and being ignorant Of the
proximity Of the magazine, I proceeded
very deliberately with my task, until sud
denly stopped by a terrific explosion that
seemed to shake tho solid earth to its
foundations like the throes of a mighty
earthquake.
The powder in the magazine had been
ignited by a cap under somebody's feet.
spark from a pipe or a lighted match
carelessly dropped into it. The building
was entirely demolished and a great many
people killed. I was not seriously hurt.
but was so frightened scarcely knew
which one Of the boys was. I alluded to
that explosion in a former article, but
made no attempt to describe or account
for 1t.
IMPRESSING A FREIGHT TRAIN
We rode to the next break in the rail-
road and then tramped across the coun-
try to little way station on another rail-
road, where we expected to catch anoth-
er train. We reached the station enc day
no southbound train was expected that
day, but the northbound freight was due
about noon.
That discouraging news led to a mass
meeting. in . convenient grove, to formu-
late plans for our earliest possible de-
parture, and 1t was resolved to impress
into service that northbound freight train.
as soon as il should arrive, and run it
back southwark for our own accommoda-
! ton. The necessity for Fastening our own
journey was far greater than any bust
ness the railroad could possibly have in
the other direction and as for property
rights, the exigencies Of war had long
since abrogated all such old fogyish claims
as that. BY means of inquiries for rail-
readers, we found that we had among us
experienced engineers, fremen, brakemen,
etc, sufficient to organize a train crew of
our own. II necessary, and in case of the
refusal Of that crew to obey our mandate.
we could run the train ourselves. 1t was
feared that the sight of so many soldiers
around the station might lead to suspi-
cions of our intentions and enable them to
Illustrate our plans by passing us without
any stop. and as a precaution against that
contingency. we opened the switch so as
to derail the engine in case they failed to
stop. When the train arrived the con-
ductor and engineer were Immediately
served with copies of our authoritative Or
der, and they were very much disconcert-
ed and enraged. They undertook to eX-
plain, contend and argue, but they were
Informed that the question of the destina-
ton of that train had been definitely set
tied and we had neither the time nor in
clination to reopen it for discussion.
If they chose to remain on that train,