Year: 1865

bush and secuted my way along and nssl


the main road, until reached the residence


of Widow Moore. This lady had soii.in-


law, who, when l reached the dwelling, wal


Just starting to mill with grist, consisting


Of about one and half bushels corn. pro-


posed to accompany him, as he was going in


the same direction my route lead me. He


therefore offered to furnish me horse, which


gladly accepted, having become nearly er-


hausted by incessant travel. III '-"' "
Twas fully aware that we were in country


wherc we were liable to run afoul Of the en-


emy at any moment-and so kept close


lookout ahead for " breakers" My comp IN


ion said there had been some rebel soldiers


through that country day or two previous,


but he did not think there were any in TWEEN


ty miles Of there at that time. However,


was determined, if possible, not to allow my


self to be surprised, and guarded my front


with an eye Of caution. .r .iar 4.r


We had proceeded thus some Eve miles or


perhaps more, when on turning q bend in the


road round jagged cliff, we cane full upon


whole battalion Of rebel cavalry not more


than JDty feet in front cfus! Here was most


bewildering predicamentl We'had just pass


de over level piece of road Of about mile,


with creek passing through it. The banks
of this creek were several feet high and very


rough. From bank to bank it was probably


fifteen feet. 1t SO happened that was riding
horse, which, though quite thin, was, new


ertheless, feet enough for the rebels. AS
soon ms we caught sight of the Johnnies, we
wheeled, and took the back track for dear
life. But few seconds elapsed till full
line Of graybacks were Gathering in our rear,
yelling like so many fends of darkness. 1t
makes no difference how brave q man may


be--just let q pack of such desperadoes get
after him with such unearthly and horrid
yells rs did those "outsidc barbarians" upon
that occasion, and it will make the heart beat
fast and henvy--and cause the blood to run
sluggshly in the veins of the most hazard
Gus. 1t was a moment Of intense excitement.
Had my horse stumbled, and plunged me
headlong to the ground, the fun of prospect
ing would have all been up with George, but
nothing like this occurred. But here came
the "tug of war;" Right Immediately in
front of us was the stream, with its high and
rugged banks. At the speed we were then
going we must clear it at leap, or go down
to destruction / told my friend, (the widows
son.in-law, who was at my side pushing for
ward with all speed, that we must clear that
creek at leap or we were lostl He said
nothing, but looked horrifed. Onward we
went at lightning speed with the rebels at
our heels, who appeared to be gaining upon
us at every step. Still closer they came, and
still louder and more terrible were their BIAS
phemous yels till the very earth shook be-
meath US Then, in another moment, came
the yawning chasm before us, ready to swal-
low US up, with no means Of escape. look
ed a moment, then sinking my rowels deep
into my horses flanks, Imade the leap! For
tunately, ! cleared the bank safely, but as
turned my head to see the fate Of my com
panion, beheld his horse's fore feet strike
the bank-thcn fall bactw wards with his rider
into the chasm below In falling, he caught
some bushes but these soon gave way, and
the next moment he followed his horse and
sack of corn to the bottom of the abyss.


Horrible rs was the tragedy, it was
ludicrous sight to see the horse and the corn
sack going down, and the man piled upon the
top Of them in n conglomerated mass T.
Whether ho was killed or whatever became
of him, never afterwards learned. | am
very certain Of one fact and that is, did not
tarry long enough nt that place to see what
become Of either the persued or the persu-
ers. IN n half hour was safe in the noun
taiu,, out of reach Of the yelling graybacks,
and among ovcrhanging rocks and wild shrub.
berry where, taking seat upon undiscovered
log, took rest, and congratulated myself
on my success in escaping from the clutch.
es Of such desperate clan.


After turning my horse loose, proceeded
up the mountain and sought out safe re.
treat where might rest until darkness should
enable me to proceed with my investigation
Of the neighborhood


The weather was extremely cold, but In
starting out on my expedition had provided
myself with most excellent fur overcoat !
also bad with me n light blanket and poncho,
which enabled Inc to bivouac anywhere In the
open air that suited my fancy.


I soon found place on the mountain side,
which, from appearances, had been m old
camping ground. found amid the rocky
walls, which rose on either side almost to tho
skies, there had been mp.6res-perhaps
those Of somc Of our East Tennessee refu-
gees, who had here fingered in this dreary
lonely spot, for the purpose Of partaking Of
the last morsel found In their rude haver-
sacks provisions which had been slowed n
way, perhaps by the tender hand Of loving
mother, or kind and affectionate sister---those
true sons Of liberty, who scorned the yoke of
tyranny, and made their escape to land Of
freedom. .....


IIore eoiloct,n, sor,n A.. ul.... - c,.i 7