The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-04-27
By Col. D. A. Dickert.


'SGSSS:$SSS$:S$
Some time in March, enclosed letter to one Mr. Sam Dixon
whom had by chance lived Florence the Posma
place. asked him the favor that de-
ered In letter to the Postmaster stated reasons tor
wishing safely given Mr. Dixon That he had been sole
companion long and dangerous trip bearers of dispatches
from the Army the Sant the commander of Hoods
that supposed be somewhere Georgia the western part
of this State Gen. Shermans army moving between and we
pass through it, disguised tramp Federal soldiers
That Dixon had loyal and true that now, that he still
lived wished to with him. after having passed out
of each others lives foryfve years. The Postmaster
kind enough have it delivered and Mr. Dixon still ut-
GENTLY interested to at once The editor
of the Florence Times thought enough Of letter the Post
master as to publish it his paper This copied by other
County papers in the State
Since that have received many letters from the
State asking the story of have spoken
or written experience for two reasons f that for ten
years after the war; such incidents of which here wt were 50
common to ALL that would have been interesting Thous
ads Southern soldiers suffered far than and thous
ans through far exciting and dangerous scenes than
either of u.s. Second that should Mr. Dixon be dead his family
might taken umbrag my writing of him, while not living
to defend himself deny incidents that might be considered
detrimental to moral character But that he is still living
and gives his consent the telling Of the story, do WITH
TRUTH as Mr. Dixon deny such he thinks is
explanations, for the story.
Cen Harde of the Confederate Army had evacuated Charles
ton and all the coast defenee his military district Had
eenrated his little army the North Eastern R. R. at small
hamlet Stephens the south side OF the Sanee Ihe Con-
fedeates under Hood had been dsaousy defeated at
Franklin and Nashville Tennessee and making their
ay southeast to Join Hardee Gen. Sherman of the Union
army with $4,000 troops marching between and nearing TO-
umba It was imperative to Gen. Hardee that he should COM
muncate with the of Hoods beaten army now Lieut.
Gen. Stewart enquiries among his subordinate Generals
for GOOD reliable officer who would undertake the doubtful
mission Of bearing orders to General Stewart Maj Gen. McLaw
for whom much SERVICE scouting down the direction
of Pocoao Savannah recommended to Gen. Harde and
T was ordered to that Generals headquarters
the old Gen. he looked surprised as well as osdp
pointed looking for not strpns to"headed oo
and ntimaed as much enquiries must confess IN all can
dor there was nothing prepossessg nmy nothing that would
nsna confidence He many questions age expe
riane what service had After long silence, he sald
w wish to communicate in all possible speed with the commander
4 Hooas army and want who willing to give his life,
If necessary no. - me- country This will be hard
undertaking. full hardship and fraugh with per
will not command you YOU will undertake the mission and
~ + ont SUCCESSFULLY YOU will be rendering great
seryice.''
agreed He asked me if knew my capture meant