The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-09-07

mlshers coming through the woods
In our direction about an eighth of p
mile distant l at once carried all Tho
horses back to their owners and re-
turned for my own, having renortad
to father what I had seen. When
got back to my horse he had twist
ed himself round and round the
bush to which he was fastened so
that the bride was in a bunch under
his chin, and l found myself in q
very close place.
The cavalry had come within a
hundred yards or less by that time,
ana they called to me to surrender.
My horse continued his gyrations and
could neither loose the bride nor
mount him, as any one will realize
who has ever tried to mount a horse
during such a performance. / got
out my knife at last and cut off the
pranch to which the bride was fast
ened, when it unraveled at once. I
threw it over the horses head and
turning him in the right direction.
caught his name in one had, and af-
ter running alongside a short dis
tance, succeeded in swinging my
self into the saddle, thanks to hay-
ing practiced similar athletics ear
lier in life. Before 1 reached father.
the second assault had been made
and our men, attacked in front and
on both f1anks and in the rear also.
broke and fled in confusion. tried
to ride through the broken ranks.
but l could not. 1 next tried to ride
around them to the right and in
doing so was joined by a Capt. RAN
dolph, of Curtis Lees staff and a COL
onel and lieutenant colonel, both as
tride of the same horse, the others
having been killed, during the fight
l was in the lead.
Just as L turned a bend in the COW
path we were following, 1 heard \
voice say Halt" and looking ahead
saw a cavalryman with his carbine
levelled on me not ten PAGES away.
Randolph and 1 halted. The other
two turned aside among the bushes
and rode away.
Captured by Yanks.
The man who had halted us said.
Are you Confederates? We said
We were. Come in, then," he said.
and we went up to him. He asked.
Have you any arms?" Randolph
gave him his sword and pistol.
had nothing but field glass! He
took us a short distance to the rear.
where was a squadron posted to in
cept just such estrays as we were.
There we were made to dismount
and our horses taken. The man t.
whom 1 was given in charge rode q
large and powerful animal. He was
evidently looking for more prisoners
After while 1 got very tired walking
and said to him, Say, Billy, I'm
awfully tired. Take me up behind
you, I'm very light" "An right, lit
tie Johnnie" said he, and 1 mounted
up behind. He carried me to the
centre of an old field. where prisoners
We're being brought in from every
quarter. AS 1 got up to them a voice
said. Hello, Kershaw, you see we
didn't get away" l looked and saw
the colonel and his friend, who had
my capture. 1 was very anxious about
father as he was about me, for 1 had
not seen him since 1 had carried his
horse to him, nor did see around me
anyone that knew to ask about him.
When the line broke, he and his
staff tried to rally the men, but fail
ing in this, he had hidden the staff
farewell, telling them he thought it
best that they should separate in or
der to facilitate their escape, and
thanking them for their devotion dur
ing all the trying scenes through
which they had passed together.
They did not wish to leave him, but
he insisted, and they rode off in sew
eral directions, seeking to escape.
while he went on towards an opening
in front, attended only by Major
Costin, who positively refused to
leave him. While riding thus they
overlook a cavalryman, a corporal of
an Ohio regiment who had in tow
quite a number of prisoners. taking
them to the rear. What does this
mean?" asked father, as he rode up.
The corporal replied, General, these
men have all surrendered to me-"
Seize him." ordered father. and the
men pulled the corporal from his
horse. He very coolly remarked.