Year: 1870




ting our experiences and give it as
much in his own language as can re-
member:1


I belonged to the Western Army. 1t
was in the spring of '63, when Generals
McNeal and Vandever had the pleasure
of driving the Rebel Generals Marina
duke and Price out of Missouri. I had
the honor Of being on Gen. McNeaPs
staff during those memorable days


We had skirmish at Jackson in the
morning, but the enemy retreated, as
usual, and General McNeal pushed on
after them with his usual energy.


He was expecting dispatches from
Cape Girardeau at Jackson, and, as they
did not arrive in time, he left me there,
with orders to bring them forward as
soon as they arrived. 1t was in carry
ing these dispatches that I had the ad-
venture which propose to relate.


The dispatches were delayed, and did
not reach jackson until nearly dark.
Meanwhile heavy clouds overspread the
sky, and the rain at first came down in
torrents, then contin ued steadily. and it
promised to be a rainy, disagreeable
night. But the soldier cannot stop for
weather; neither for time, be it daylight
or darkness. So. saddling and mount
ing my horse, rode up to headquarters
to receive the dispatches and any COM
municaticns there might be fo- the Gen>
eral. AS I received the dispatches and
was about leaving the Office, Major
R, of the Thirteenth Illinois Caval-
ry, commanding the post, took me by
the hand and said


You have a dangerous ride before
you, Lieutenant. If it were possible,
you had better wait until morning. 1t
| is hard telling where you will find our
army-probably somewhere beyond the
Whitewater, as they were fighting there
part Of the afternoon. The road is most
likely infested with struggling bands of
Rebel providers, and it would hardly do
for you to be taken with these dispatch
es about YOU


i am aware of the difficulties and dan
gers, Major; but the General told me to
| come toward as soon as the dispatches
arrived, and / must run the risk. If
fail, it will be in obeying orders"
With this babe him good night; and
securing the dispatches so they would
not get wet, wrapping my heavy cavalry
coat closely around me, throwing my
poncho over my head, and donning my
oil cloth cap, with its wide cape, thus
completely securing myself against the
storm, 1 mounted my horse and rode
rapidly away on the road taken by our
advancing army.


1t was quit dark when l crossed our
picket line. There was no moon, and
the stars were not visible, the clouds
were thick and heavy with rain, and tn G
road ran directly through dense wood,
with only here and there q cleared field =,
so that the darkness was intense


During part of the afternoon we had
heard the thunder of the artillery on the
Whitewater River. fifteen miles away
| but long before dark it had ceased, and
again retreated and our army had pushed
on after them.


The country and the road were entirely
new to me, and the darkness was intense
that must trust entirely to my faithful
horse to keep the road. For an hour I
rode slowly on through the darkness,
smoking my cigar and feeling quit com
Portable under the heavy poncho and
overcoat that kert me dry. But it was
a dreary, lonesome ride, when not a
| sound came to my ear except the patter-
ing OF my horses hoofs in the mud and
the dropping of the rain on my poncho
and through the leaves of the forest
Even the owls seemed to have been drlv-
| en- to seek their homes on this dreary
night. could see nothing, except now
and then where an open field appeared
on one side of the road and then occas-
ional objects could be discerned again st
the murky clouds.


l rode a powerful horse that did not
fear anything, and l always felt a GER
tain degree of safety when on his back
l think he felt that night as if he had
control Of things, as l had dropped the
rein upon his neck and let him take his
course. l think he felt as if his busi-
ness was to carry me to the army ahead
Occasionally he would snuff the ground
for some distance as he walked slowly
along, frequently stopping as if 10 listen,
or as If undecided whether he was on
the right road, and then move on.


He stopped at last, however, and all
efforts to move him were unavailing q
He would go few steps and then halt
When urged he would move short dis
tance and then stop again and turn his
head toward me as if something was
wrong. 1t was evident something was
wrong, although be did not appear
alarmed in the least


was fortunate enough TO have 8
pocket lantern in my saddle bags-an
article that always carried. and it had
served me well many times before. Per.
maps there was some obstacle in the
road. Lighting my lantern with some
difficulty in the rain, dismounted and
proceeded to examine the road found
that the road forked; and my faithful
horse, coming to understand that he had
| been left tn falya his
knowing which way to turn, had stop.
which way to turn-the right or the left.
l found both roads a good deal tracked
up with cavalry going the same way /
was but one road might take me into
the enemy's camp, which knew could
not be far off, and perhaps the other
would lead me to our own camp-but
L w llGh To a txo La kse.,