The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-03-11
WAR STORIES.
Squire Toms Long Prayer and it's Answer.
n. NJ. Wiltsc, in Sunry South.

Virginia. and a Cherokee woman.
When the civil war began he was a
mere boy, but he promptly joined the
Confederate army, and became a scout,
first for General Joe Wheeler and then
for General n. Is. Forrest.
Upon one occasion his little party
was ordered to make the nearest pos
sible approach to Nashville, take care
full observations Of the strength and
situation Of the enemy and report to
the commanding general.
AS they were proceeding rather
leisurely through a fertile section Of
middle Tennessee to give the horses q
little rest toward noontidc they were
surprised by a force Of federal cavalry,
and in Squire Toms own words, "did
the only thing that was left for us to
do, and ran like the devil"
Duck river was somewhat swollen,
but under the inspiration Of a sharp
fire from their pursuers they forced
their horses into tho stream and all
emerged on the opposite bank without
casualty save Tom, whose horse was
shot and killed.
Being an expert swimmer he sue.
ceeded in securing the bride and sad
die and getting safely ashore with his
valuable burden.
The party was now in a forest, and
for the time being comparatively safe.
But it war imperative hal those who
were mounted should push on as far
as possible during daylight.
The lieutenant in command said to
the unfortunate boy: tom, you are
in q desperate predicament, but I
know Of ne other way than for US to
leave you to your fate, and may God
bless YOU. Good-by."
"All that I ask of you," replied
Tom, lis that you will throw a green
branch upon the right-hand side Of
the road, whenever you leave Notchey
Trace for he knew that they would
leave that highway ct night when they
were ready to 60 into camp. Notchey
Trace was so called because in those
days the way through the forest was
indicated by outing notohes in the
trees to tell the miles as we'll as per.
form the functions Of guide posts when
the road was not plain.
II will do that, you may be eure,"
said the lieutenant, "but what earthly
good will hat do you? We shall
travel at least 25 miles before we 60
into camp, and you have no horse.
We mus: break camp and push on be-
fore daylight in the morning."
II will be with you when you break
camp" said Tom.
The lieutenant pressed his hand warm
ly, the boys all babe him a reluctant,
and, as they believed, a last good-by,
and away they went at q swift gallop.
Tom proceeded :along the road that
they had taken until he came to a
large corn field. Into the midst Of
this he plunged, and there kueeled
upon the ground, in obedience to a
promise made to his Indian mother,
who was o devout Christian, and
whose implicit faith would put to
shame the feebler quantity given to
many people Of greater pretentions
that he would always appeal to God
for help in cases Of emergency.
II weps at it in mighty earnest"
said Squire Tom, "but with the most
implicit faith that God would hear and
answer my prayer. It may seem ridi-
culous to you that I should have pray
ed so long and SO earnestly while in
tending, all the time, to steal the first
horse that I laid eyes upon; but I was
praying for a horse, and I believed
that God would send me onr, to take
as a gift from Him or to steal as a me-
cessity Of war;"
1t was II o'clock in the forenoon
ewhea his companions left him. It was
-sundown when he heard sounds as of
a body Of men and a train of wagons
moving up the road, and thereupon
brought his long prayer to a close.
He crept to a point where he could
see, and sure epough a body of federal
troops and a wagon train we're passing
by.
Hungry and thirsty to the point of
afaiatness, Tom was tejoiced beyond
expression when he discovered a large
number Of fine watermelons in the part
of the corn field where he was now
standing. Eating as much Of the de-
1;c;oua fruik ma he v;shed he Grant