The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-09-24
Camp a." Wheeler's Cavalry,
September >, 1902.

ored to be requested by my camp to
relate some adventures during the
war. Although it has been more than
81 years since We fired the last shot in
the last battle Of the conflict, it made
an impression that caunot be erased
by time.
No one but an old soldier who has
had this experience knows the feeling
Of regret that comes up when he real
ICES that he has fought his las. battle,
that the last opportunity to defend
his country from the invading foe has
passed. Especially when he is in
formed that che cause for which he
has endured untold hardships has
gone down in defeat. While his heart
should be inspired with gratitude to
God that his life has been spared
amid the dangers through which he
has passed, yet he weeps over the
situation, and feels that it would be
sweet to have fallen and sleep by the
heroes who gave up their lives in the
last conflict. 1t is better expressed
by Major Cummings in his mastery
address ou last memorial day, "none
but those who have had this expert
ence are prepared to appreciate the
feelings that are inexpressiblc.'
1t was about the middle Of April,
1865. l had returned from special
scout into Tennessee very much fa.i-
gued from the loss of sleep and long
Fiie. At the request Of Major Ed
Aondson, the commanding officer, I
went to our reserve camp to rest.
This camp was located at Lieutenant
Fields, at the foot of Cohutta noun
tain, few miles above the celebrated
Carter's quarter in Murray county,
GA. At the kind invitation Of Lieu
senant Field l spent the night in his
hospitable home. Early next morn
ing his mother with q driver, team,
and wagon loaded with wheat started
TO go to Fields mills on the Coosewa-
tee river. Shortly after this wagon
left w. X. Busscy, one Of my most
reliable scouts galloped into camp
with information that large raid of
federal cavalry and infantry were on
the river in the direction Of Fields
mill. / dispatched 8 courier to Major
Edmondson who was some 20 miles
away with his command in the direc-
tion of Cleveland, Tenn, mounted my
horse and with four or FIVE men went
in pursuit Of the enemy. Lieutenant
Field, who was sick in bed, requested
me to overtake and turn his mother
back, with the team, as they would be
captured by the Yankees. Our guide
carried us through the woods and by
paths to Montgomery's Ferry, where
we came up with the enemy out
posts. They were on the ground play
ing cards, and were surprised that we
should interfere with them. In our
haste to play our part of the game we
forgot to order urrecder, but CON-
pletely routed, killing three or four Of
them. About this time we were sur
prised by noise in the rear resemb-
ling aa artillery wagon, with more
than thousand Yankees in front,
the river With high banks on the flank
and the sound Of artillery in the rear
We were about to take to the woods
when Mrs. Field with the driver and
team Of mules hove in sight. You
can imagine Mrs. Fields surprise to
see me come galloping up the road,
waving the signel of danger, when she
had left me only short time before
quietly resting in her own home. The
noise of the retreating wagon I have
no doubt served as bluff to the ene-
my, as they did not pursue or attempt
TO regain the lost deal. Feeling that
it was important to find out whether
or not the enemy was crossing the
river, posted my men in skirmish
line with the left wing resting on the
road and river bank. then proceed
ed alone through the woods towards
the ferry, came out in the road in full
view Of the enemy but was unable to
see whether or not they were crossing
the river.
In place Of returning through the
dense woods the way I came l rode
back down the road in front, and just
as I came in sight Jack Literal, the
man posted in the road, fred two or
three shots at me before I could con-
vince him that I was not an enemy.
This was excusable in him, as he
obeyed my orders to fire on any one
coming down the road from that direc.
i ~