Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-23

SQUIRRELS were in fine condition, I was
directed by Capt. Fuller at Memphis to
report at the Cairo office for instruc-
lions, Thayer to go with me. Chaudet,
the jolly Frenchman, had been very
good to us, but the best of friends must
part. On reaching Cairo, Thayer was
directed to report to Capt. Fuller at
Memphis / was instructed to relieve
Operator Atwell at BlandVille, KY GO
ing to Columbus, l met Wiley Dicus
and w. c. Hendricks, Kentuchans,
who were employed as line repairers,
both reliable Union men, who knew the
country and every cowpath, nearly.
They had laid out in the brush many
night fer safety and said I would prob
ably have the same experience. A wire
was strung on the trees from Columbus
to RlandVille, where it connected with
a wire to Cairo and wire to Paducah.
There were no federal troops at Bland
vile; the young men of the town had
gone to fight with the southern army.
At the hotel where took my meals
there was a piano and violin in the
parlor. Here / met some of the young
women. 1 played the violin, and with
the piano accompaniment we passed
many pleasant evenings But my
Measure ended very suddenly on the
night of November 9. My office was
under the Odd Fellows hall, which was
also my sleeping room. My horse was
in the barn in the rear On this night
| I had been in the hotel parior, not
| dreaming of any trouble. On leaving
the hotel, while passing the residence,
Warned by Sweetheart
1 was confronted by a lady with a
shawl over her head Stopping near
me, she said in low voice, Mr.. Grif-
fin. you will be captured and killed If
YOU do not make your escape quickly.
Captain Wilson of Forrest cavalry com
mand Is now in our house, ana ms
company is coming near now. The
voung iadv's name was Miss Mildred
Swain. whom l had met in the hotel
at different times, and she was very
attractive to me. Thanking her kindly
for her warning, and bidding her good
night, | struck out down the dark
alley to the barn for my horse.
Stopping at the door to listen I heard
horses hoofs in the street and the rat
tie of cavalry sabers so near that the
risk was too great to get my horse.
then started down the alley again.
Coming to a corn field. made for the
woods across the field, keeping on
through the brush until I reached the
cemetery on Mayfeld creek Here 1
sat down to rest and listen in the home
of the dead. Along in the night l heard
sounds that made me shudder-the
baying of hounds. An old man named
Johnson, was a slave catcher. He had
three bloodhounds for the purpose in
the town. Surely they were on my trail,
with no chance to escape those fleet
footed dogs. 1 could hear no horses
hoofs or mems voices Soon it occurred
to me that the dogs were foxhoundS on
trail of wild animals, and when the
baying sounded fainter in the distant
woods 1 was greatly relieved.
At the break of day I made my way
down to the stream. crossing over on
fioodWood on my way to the home OF
Wiley Dicus, who lived in cabin on
the road where the Columbis wire was
strung. Arriving at the house, coffee,
bacon and corn pone refreshed me. We
took down the wire, attaching my
pocket instrument l found the circuit
open in the direction of the town, but
all right to Columbus, where Gen. A.
j. Smith was in command Wiring
him the situation, he informed me he
would send out troop of cavalry
double-quick, instructing me to be on
hand in the road to guide the cavalry
to the town. In the course of three
hours the boys in blue came in sight,
and they looked good to me. When the
head of the column reached me halt
was made, and I Joined the major at
the nedu OF lne COLUMN.
Office Is Destroyed
On reaching the suburbs of the town
the rebel cavalry were seen mounting
their horses in the public square, and
our cavalry made dash for them. The
enemy was taken by surprise, offering
but little resistance they disappeared.
They had taken possession of the
stores and helped themselves without
the aid of clerks. My horse was taken
and nv office fixtures were destroyed,
the poles chopped down and the wires
cut Colonel Plum makes mention of
this incident in his history. and my
escape by the warning of the young
lady. Late in the day the cavalry
formed in the public square, prepar-
atory to returning to camp at Column
bus. AS we rode away, passing the
home of Miss Mildred she and her
mother stood on the veranda. 1 saluted
her by raising my hat, wondering in
INV mind if we would ever meet again.
On reaching Columbus 1 was about
tagged out.
After a good rest / went to the
telegraph Office and reported the sit
uation to Captain Fuller at Memphis.
| was directed to go to Humboldt on
the Mobile & Ohio road and relieve the
operator at that place. The office was
in the Osburn hotel. where / found the
comforts of life, except for the Ten
nessee itch which prevailed, keeping
all the guests scratching. In short
time orders were received from Gen
eral Dodge, in command at Corinth, to
evacuate the line of the road. when