Year: 1875

CHAPTER V.


Our winter quarters in 1880 were at |
West Point. To our sorrow all the bar
racks were full when we arrived, and we
had to stay in tents. The weather was
very cold, and the wind as it came down
the river, had fair sweep on the Point.
We suffered beyond all accounts None
but those who were there can tell what
we endured. We had to draw all our
wood more than mile ON a sled. We
would take our drag ropes, hitch on II
men or more, just as we needed, and in
this way we poor soldiers had to work.


Early in the spring, before the cam
paign opened, was named to go on wa
ter guard under Capt. John Pray, to
place called Nine, on the bank of the
North river, opposite the British lines on
the other side of the river.


There being vacancy Of Sergeant,
l was appointed to fill that place.
Our duty was to put one sentry on
shore at all times, and at night boat
had to drift about, to see that no British
ship or boat could go by us, to land men.


Our boat had eight men and one Ser
geant, one swivel and one wall piece,


Our orders were not to land, let what
would come, but we might run or fight
Just as we pleased. The orders were very
strict.


One bright, moonshining night, wher
was on the river, as We were drifting
down in the shade of the trees, we hearC
British boat coming toward us. /
was from large English ship of wa
that lay down the river, mile or tw'
from us. When we heard them throy
their anchor over, they were about thirt..
rods below us, and within six rods Of tn
shore.


Soon after the boat had come to an
chor, my men importuned me to go u
the river little ways, draw our boa
ashore, and then go down by land an
fire upon the English boat.


/ finally consented, with their promis
to keep the secret they said they woul
die before they told of it, and if an
should be wounded or killed, would sa
}. it was done in the boat.


We drew our boat into a little cree
and went down the river till we can
against their boat; we found rise
the bank, made by small brook, al
this afforded us a good breastwork. 4
soon as we fired, they up anchor al
made ready their nine FOUNDER and
fly at us as they fired they rode up
to the middle of the river. We fir
three or four times. and then run for t
boat, but they kept firing, and one
their balls struck pole and knocked
round, and it took me behind my LEI
and knocked my feet where my he
ought to have been.


My men picked me up, and carri
me to the boat, and we cruised round
to day broke.


Iss IIse We all promised that, let what wou
come, we would not tell. After brea
IS fast, Capt. Pray asked What the fri


was down there last night !" F"
he l told him it was on the shore on


enemy's side, and down below us so,
tiy liz ways.


}. Well" said he, 81 don't see h


anybody could get down there on the


emy's side.''


Soon after this conversation, we ST


one of our horsemen come down witt
d, bundle of letters to be carried to n
,. York.


A boat was called for, to go down
lily the British ship which lay six miles do
red the river; this was their Guard 81
i've Our boat and men went down and WI


there, they saw some men lying on de
50 with an old sail over them, and wi
J 75 asked what it meant, were told, so
40 of your id Yankees came down
i 10 shore and killed fourteen of our n
. 90 last night"


As our boat was returning back, Ca


Shirly began to wonder how it could


that these men were killed last night


it was between their ship and a la


army of their men. Let them be ,


they would, they are pretty curious I


anyway"


Then one of my men, Medad Pot


wanted to get some praise, so he told
- Lieutenant the whole story, and W
II. my Captain heard of it, he gave M
IT. good damning as l ever had He t
ASH wrote out the charge, and sent me '
Gen: file of men to West Point, to the
~ vost guard, for trial was the seve
.n ZEN Sergeant that Capt. Pray had sent


that guard, and none were punished,
II ly put into the ranks for few days,
1H' then restored back to their places,
,.v. did not worry much about it, though
to ac- said it was a crime black enough to
III. the whole American army.