The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-15


which was given. The bwner was told
that we were going home from our regi-
ment on short furlough. He quickly
asked us to show our furlQughs. informed
him that we had only what the Captain
had given us-verbaI leave, as it was
only for a few days. He informed us
that scouts were looking for such as we,
and said that surely we would not be able
to see our friends unless we went to
small town adjacent and obtained passes
from the Provost Marshal there. We left
him, going according to ibis instructions.
toward the town-until out of sight of
him. around the hill, when we made rapid
tracks for the woods in another direction,
where hiding in the bushes we lay down
rand slept-what we could; one Of us be-
ing always awake. After starting again,
toward night. another negro became our
friend; and by him we were given direc-
tons toward the North Carolina line and
to a negro cabin, where food was given
us, and we remained near by for the night.
AMONG THE ''LAYERs-oUT."
Serg't Freelove put down everything in
his book, as to route, negro cabins, etc.
Next morning we proceeded on our way
as the negro directed. to find another negro
habitation. We were some days finding
this cabin, or seeing any one, and we lived
on berries found in the woods, with &C.
casionally an ear of corn that might be
gotten at night, or small piece Of corn
bread obtained from a passing negro,
whom we made go and bring it to us at
certain place. but we were always GER
tain no one returned with him before he
saw us. We were now shoeless and
clothes only rags. Freelove had no rim to
his hat, and mine had no crown; Whit
locks passed for a head covering but it
was never meant for a hat. A few days
travel found US well into North Carolina.
and for long time we had to abandon
the highways, as there were so many rebel
deserters, who were being vigorously
hunted up by the prOvost-guards. Yet.
we had learned that there were some
Union men in the locality, and we were
trying to reach them, if possible. Al one
time we ran across a white man near
farm house, and asked him how far the
Springs were. We had learned that
rebel company was stationed there. He
cheerfully Informed us, and showed us the
nearest route thereto. Believing that we
were rebels he gave us the further infor-
nation that we were the most fortunate
men he had seen in a long time; for, had
we gone little further either way, we
would have been gObbled up by the
Yankees. We informed him that We did
not want to see any Of those gentlemen
under any circumstances, and we left
him Immediately, in the direction he
pointed out. to escape the Yankees; but
when out Of his sight we changed our
course. During that night we travelled as
far as we thought safe. fearing we might
get out Of our intended way, not wishing
to double upon our route, as we were foot
sore and weary, and one of us quite i'll
slowly continued our way for quite a dis
lance; then lay in concealment. but with
ont anything to eat. Provisions were
everywhere very scanty among those ne
groes or whites who shared with us. From
our position we could overlook a cOnsid-
cradle distance, being well up on the
mountain side A number of rebel scout
ing parties passed in sight, looking for de-
serters, and. as many times before. we
came near being discovered. We did not
venture from our position beyond a short
distance. Now and then cotton-tail
would cross our track or a pheasant fly
past us. making US wish for our guns that
we might make a meal from them. The
next day. while hiding some miles further
on, we looked a distance ahead, to the
east. and saw large body of troops, and
at first thought we were near our own
lines; but there soon appeared in full view
a whole regiment, or more, of rebels, and
we increased the distance between US and
the roadway upon which they were ap-
preaching, not discovering another route
by which they might pass our new posi-
saw them make a detour to the right, and
directly toward us. Finding a good place,
we crouched close to the ground, cover
ing ourselves with leaves and branches of
trees and bushes. They finally passed us
at q safe distance, but in full view. We
then hid until nightfall. when we made
our way the best we could for few miles
and awaited sunrise. Near shutdown next
day we reached long distance from our
starting place, and coming in view Of a
poor looking log cabin, We cautiously ap-
preached, supposing it to be the habita-
ton of friendly negro; but we found in it
a white woman with lot of small chill
dren, all Of whom were greatly scared as
we came into view. After a short CONVEX
starved and wanted something to eat, if
she had 1t. She went out of the cabin and
pulled a few ears of corn. While she was
gone one of us took full survey of her
dwelling. the others watching her move
ments. There was but little furniture and
only a ground floor, and the children were
in rags. Returning with some corn, she
this was all she and her children had.
While busy baking the bread she informed
MS that she thought we did not want any
one to see us. We made some reply to
change the subject and after making sew
eral inquiries we concluded we were safe
mere, anu asked Is We might remain all
night. She consented, and we found her
dry ground floor much more desirable than
the damp, swampy ground we had been in
nearly all day, or than the mountain side,
among the wet leaves. During the early
evening she repeated her question as to
us not wanting to be seen: and as we be-
came more friendly, we found that her
husband was conscript, and was hiding
somewhere thereabouts; and that he had a
brother-in-law with him. We then in
formed her we were not rebel soldiers,
but were trying to make our way to the
Union lines. At this she seemed delighted,
and said she would 60 with us to her sis
ter-in-law in the morning, whose cabin
was but short distance away, and then
find their husbands, who knew the conn
try for miles around. As we approached
the other cabin, after we had our break
fast Of corn bread, the sister-in-law was
greatly scared and refused to see u.s. and
was about to run away, but on the appeal
OF our protector she returned, and we all
engaged in conversation. Finally the first
woman left US and was gone some time;
returning in sight of US, with one man,
she came to us, saying her husband must
see but one of our party at a time. The
other woman's husband fed when he
caught sight Of US. Soon we all left the
women and went back to the mountain
and hid. We renAained with them for