The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-11-24

carrying the information that Sher-
man would attack Columbia and not
Charleston. To my surprise, how
ever, l rode right into about 100 Of
Sherman's bummers, and they had
my horse by the brdle and dozen
or more Spencer rifles presented at
my breast. I asked them II they
were not Wheeler's men.
"No! What command do you be-
long to-"
THE Twentieth army corps" was
the reply.
I saw that discretion was the better
part of valor, so gave up my brace
of Colts pistols. had. scarcely dis
mounted before they had taken off
a pair Of fine brass spurs presented
me by my friends in Columbia, a
penknife from my vest pocket AMI
began searching me when I protested
in no uncertain terms. I told the
officer that they would be made pris-
oners, and 1 would be released in d
very short time and demanded the
same treatment that would be ac-
corded them. My knife. was returned
and the officer gave orders to move
| Immediately.
They mounted me on slow,
miserable old horse and took up their
line of march back, to Miss Martins
Arrived there late in the evening.
to find the place covered with blue
bellies and was closely guarded and
about dusk the army went into camp
! for the night. I was conducted tD
Gen. Williams headquarters, where
l found him and his staff assembled
around pine log fire. The guar l
announced: General, here is pris-
oner we captured today" About the
first question asked was: What
were you doing in our lines?"
1 said: II was not in your lines,
you're in ours. supposed the Edi-
stO formed your line" After many
other questions l told him that it
was very notifying for me to state
that had called by to bid Miss Eliza
beth Knot goodbye, and was disarm-
ed in her presence"
What army do you belong to-"
"The Confederate army"
What corps?"
"Hampton's!"
What division?"
Buffers"
"Whre are Hampton and Butler?'
''I can not answer that question,
General, but you will find them in
the proper place at the right time!"
After many more questions pro-
pounded in like manner I was car
ried to Gen. Sherman, his head
quarters being only short distance
;Fway. I was accompanied by some
Of Gen. Williams staff, one Of whom
made himself very conspicuous in
tantalizing me at Gen. Williams
| headquarters. He said:
General, here is full-blooded
Johnny Reb, who was caught in
our lines this morning"
The general, who was sitting on d
camp stool by the fire, turned to
me and said: What was your BUS
mess inside my lines,
II was not inside your lines, Gen
eral! Your men had disarmed me
and were inside Of our lines, and
mistook them for friends"
What command to you belong
to-" =
Gen. Buffers division
"Where is Butler?".
II can not answer"
what State are you from?"
1.-THE Stae of South Carolina"
During this time q prisoner or de-
serter was brought in before Sher-
man. He was from Lexington and
gave his name as Trotter. He had
gotten away from the REBELS" 1T
Columbia and was giving all the
information he could in regard to
location and strength OF our army.
I rebuked him and denounced him
as a cowardly traitor unworthy the
/ name of South Carolinian. The Of
ficer who made himself SO conspic-
uous said:
why, Johnny Reb., I believeayou
would fight"
I rose from the camp stool I was
sitting on and answered:
II will fight you for my liberty,
and you can select the weapons, and
I will select my second from your
friends!"
He turned and twisted, some Of
his friends laughed and seemed
vaatly amused at his discontinue.
The general passed the incident !'y
unnoticed and turning to me asked.
What was the strength Of your
army at Columbian"
I could not nor would I If I could
answer that question. replied.
! "You will find an army there that
will defend the city and defeat your
army"
lie replied: II admire your pluck,
but your judgment IS bad; it will all
be over by the 1st Of June"
# may be a novice in military
tactics, but I have an abiding faith
in the justice OF our cause l re-
piled. The answer came back:
"a man of your determination
should be engaged ina better cause!