The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-07-09

rear. They Ncpt t:r swamp alive
! with scouting parties to guard against
ambush and such men as ourselves.
but We could not understand why
the country should be picketed on the
side where Sherman knew we'll there
was no army. Farley and l agreed to
ride up the road to see what was in
the story and learn if the road was
really picketed or not. II it was. it
would put an enemy in our rear,
something not to be thought Of. 1nas-
much as We had determined to swim
the river to scout the other side, We
cared nothing about the prisoners and
intended to turn them loose when once
We We're out Of danger Farley was
riding a powerful black charger and
|, wiry little strawberry roam | had
captured q few days before.
About two hundred yards up the
road from the house We came to a set
tlement road sure enough, turning to
the left Just as the Yankee had told
us and up. this We turned. 1t was
dull road with limbs and bushes on
either side and We did not apprehend
the least danger. In fact, Farley re-
marked "those blamed Yankees are
lying, they had some purpose in
throwing US off the track.'' Riding
slowly up the hill, thinking if We were
hailed, to turn and make our escape,
we never once dreamed Of pursuit.
Then there would be little likelihood
Of being shot in that narrow bushy
road. Just as we were about to rise on
the crest of the hill, riding up long
incline, very steep near the top, we
came upon a dozen or more Iank kee
horsemen, lolling about on the right
hand side Of the road, holding the
bride reins in their hands. About
forty yards beyond the crest, were
three videttes, sitting their horses,
apparently watching the other way.
To say merely there was excitement
when we rode up, would be expressing
the situation mildly.
l do not know whether Hugh and l
Or the Yankees. were worse frlghten-
ed, but they sprang to their feet and
yelled, Surrender, Surrender" but
we turned in an instant and started
down the road like the wind. The
three videttes, hearing the racket and
seeing our disappearing heads going
through the bushes, made for US, fir
ing as they came. Hugh called to me
in front to lie low on my horse and
give him rein, but this was useless
admonition, for I was putting the
rowels into little Strawberry's roam
hanks. Then Hugh gave a wild yell
to warn our men to be on their guard,
while our horses pulled upon their
bits and as We rushed headlong down
that steep incline, the hot breath
coming like fog from their nostrlls,
Farley, with a sarcastic banter, would
call back at the onrushing enemy,
:'Come on, come on,-you." 1t was
purely daredevil in him to fire back,
as it was utterly impossible to hit any
one, while riding at such speed, even
if the way was clear.
In the fash of the instant we turn-
ed into the main road and 1 called at
the top of my voice 'Flushed,' even
before | saw our men, but they under
stood the word and knew the enemy
were upon us. They knew, too, that
every man must take care OF himself,
and make for the swamp. Our first
rush being down a steep hill With
limbs brushing us on either side, pre-
vented the enemy from firing upon US
with their carbines, but when we
turned into a smooth stretch OF the
main thoroughfare, with nothing to
obstruct the vista, they stopped and
brought their carbines into play.
These could kill for thousand yards
easily. Our horses needed no spur or
encouragement and the way the show
ers Of sand were falling behind us, as
their flying hoofs dug into the soft
soil Of the road, told us plainly we
were putting distance rapidly between
us and our foe.
Just as we came in sight OF the men,
| called out again ''hushed' but
they, not knowing perhaps what to do
with the prisoners, did nothing. l
tried to make them understand to
turn the prisoners loose and ride for
the swamp Now, here was tragedy
enacted, that caused us all regrets,
it was so wholly uncalled for, and