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WASHINGTON D. 0., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1882.
VOL. II-jStO. 18 .-"WHOLE NO. 70.
ESTABLISHED 1877 -NEW SERIES.
t
ETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN
j
The Movements of Union and Confed
erate Troops.
FIGHT AT WINCHESTER
Hetreat-of General Milroy to
Harper's Ferry.
AN UISEXPECTED ATTACK
Milroy's Command Broken Up.
One-Third of it Captured.
Chapter m.
In liis official report, General E. E. Rodes,
the Confederate commander, expresses himself
In relation to the operations of the 13th of Juno
in the following terms:
" On the 13th we moved on towards Berry
ville, hut before reaching Millwood the advance
of the infantry was discovered by some of the
Enemy's cavalry, who had come up from Ber
ry's Ferry (apparently en route to Berryvillo), a
result which would have been avoided had
General Jenkins occupied Millwood during
the night before, as he was ordered to do.
Finding our movements discovered, the divis
ion was marched with tho utmost celerity
through Millwood upon Berryville, where
Jenkins's brigade, after driving in the enemy's
cavalry, was found held at bay by the Federal
artillery. Arriving on the field, and communi
cating with General Jenkins, it was apparent
that the enemy were preparing to evacuate tho
place, but still held it, as well as I could judge,
with infantry, cavalry and artillery. I imme
diately determined to surround them if possi
ble, and ordered General Jenkins to march to
tho left of the town to cut off tho retreat of
the enemy towards Winchester. Tho infantry,
Bave one brigade, without being halted, were
ordered to move to the right and left of tho
place, to unite in its rear. These movements
were begun and executed under cover, but be
fore their execution was much advanced it be
came apparent to me that tho enemy was
retreating, and I ordered the Alabama brigade
(Colonel O'Neal commanding) to advanco
rapidly upon tho town, which was done. I
was mortified to learn that tho enemy, aban
doning his tents, a few stores, &c, had
left his cavalry and artillery to keep our
cavalry in check, and had sometime before
retreated with his infantry towards Charles
town, without being discovered. I found that
the approaches to the town were well defended
by rifle-pits and earthworks for guns, and that
jvith an adequate force it was capable of being
itrongly defended. It had, however, been held
by a force too small to admit of a successful
lefeuse against my command. Tho enemy's
force there consisted of two small regiments
of infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery of
rifle guns, in all about 1,800 ,men, under the
command of Colonel McKeynolds. Neither
my troops nor General Jenkins's cavalry suf
fered any loss, the enemy firing only a few
rounds of artillery after my arrival. A por
tion of Jenkins's men had been skirmish
ing during the afternoon of the previous day
and on the morning of the 13th, and had lost
a few men, among them Lieutenant Charles
NorvelL who aams wounded and captured in a
gallant charge upon the enemy near Nineveh.
" After securing such stores as were at all
valuable tho division was again put in motion
towards Martinsburg. General Jenkins had
already proceeded in tho pursuit of the enemy
by a road west of Berryville. One portion of
his command, under my orders, pursued him
by the Charleslown road. Just before reach
ing the road to Summit Point I was informed
by an officer of cavalry that tho enemy pursued
that route, and later that he had gone towards
Winchester. I followed him to Summit Point,
where we bivouacked, after having marched
about twenty miles, not including tho wide de
tours made at Berryville by the brigades of
Daniel, Doles, Ramscur and Iversou in tho
cflbrt to surround tho enemy.
"Major Sweeny's battalion, of Jenkins's
brigade, which had been put in pursuit of the
enemy under my direct orders, overtook his
rear-guard near the Opequon Creek and made
a most gallant charge upon it, capturing a
piece of artillery, which they were unable to
hold, the enemy being too strong for them.
Major Sweeny, who acted very gallantly in
this affair, was very badly wounded in the
charge."
General Milroy's division consisted of the
following troops:
' 110th Ohio, Col. Kclfer.
HCili Ohio. Col. Wiishburn.
1221 Olno. Col. Bull.
First brigade.
Gen. V. L.
ElliotU-j VHid Ohio, Col. AViImmi.
lot ti Va.. cav.. Col. Gallagher
12th Pa. civ., Lt.-Col. Moss.
(.Battery L, 5th U. S. Art.
'lSlhConn., Lt.-Col. Nichols.
87lh l'.. Col. St-hiill.
12th Va., Col. Klunk.
Second brigade.
Col. Win. G. Ely..
5th Md., LU-CoI. Holton.
Buttery D, lut Va. Art.
'o K.'lst Va. eav.
ICo's 1) and E, 3d Va. cav.
Third brigade.
Col. A. T. Mcltey-
JlOlUJs.
r oth Md.,
J C7th Ia.,
Lt.-Col. McKellip.
Col. btaimton
I lM. N. Y. cav., Maj. Adums.
I AlUXillld
audcr's Battery Art.
The heavy guns in the principal fort, con
sisting of four 20-pounder Parrotts and two 21
pounder howitzers, were served by Captain
Martin's company of the Fourteenth Massachu
setts Heavy Artillery.
The command numbered, according to the
return on Friday previous to the attaek, 0,900
men.
The force confronting General Milroy con
sisted of the Second Corps of the Army of
2torthern Virginia, commanded by General
L-.vell.
First division,
Gen. Early..
Hays's brigade.
Hokes's brigade.
Smith's brigade
Gordon's brigade.
Stuart's brigade,
j Nicliolls's brigade.
" j Walia-r'b brig.ule.
I Joiie;'& brigade.
Second division,
Gen. Johnson.
J Daniels's brigade.
Third division.
I Jvcreon'b hrirule.
Gen. liodes ? Dale' brigade.
ltamseur't, brigade.
1 0Ncil's brigade.
These brigades averaged nearly five regi
Menta each of veteran troop3. Four batteries
of artillery were attached to each division, be
sides which was the artillery reserve of eight
batteries.
Jenkins' brigade of cavalry consisted of fivo
regiments.
GEN. EARLY CLOSING IX ON WINCHESTER.
On tho same day, early in tho morning, tho
pickets of General Milroy, at Winchester, were
driven in by the ndvanco of General Ewell,
with the divisions of Generals Early and EC.
Johnson.
Tho former advanced by the Front Royal
road and the latter by tho Valley turnpike,
being joined at Newtown by the. Second Mary
land battalion of infantry and the Baltimore
battery of artillery. Strong detachments wcro
sent out by Gene'ral Milroy to feel the enemy's
strength. That on tho Front Royal road,
commanded by Colonel Ely, included the Fifth
Maryland, under Lieutenant-Colonel Holton.
"The forco on tho Strasburg road was com
manded by General Washington L. Elliott. As
tho forces of the enemy increased during the
day, the advanced Union regiments were com
pelled, after brisk skirmishing, to fall back to
the cover of the town. Somo guns; posted in
tho outskirts, prevented the enemy from cross
ing Mill Creek that day, but all tho country
southward from the creek was free to them.
Tho Fifth Maryland was stationed at night in
rifle-pits just outside the city, wet through by
a heavy thunder shower. By midnight it was
obvions that Early was closing in, and Ely's
brigade was recalled to the main fort, but at
sunriso was sent out again.
During tho forenoon of Sunday, June 14th,
and, in fact, all day, skirmishing took place be
tween detachments of the Fifth' Maryland,
Eighteenth Connecticut and Eighty-seventh
Pennsylvania and tho skirmishers of the Con
federate force, who wero posted in tho woods
a mile east of Winchester, on the Berryville
road, and extending across to tho Front Royal
road on the south. The Union troops kept close
in upon the town, while the Confederates came
np to the eastern side of tho public cemetery,
across which tho principal firing took place.
About half-past four p. m. tho Confederate
skirmishers charged up the Berryville and
Front Eoyal roads to the edge of the town, but
by a well-directed fire wero repulsed in con
fusion. CAPTURE OF A REGIMENT AND BATTERY.
About 5 p. m. tho enemy appeared in strong
force, with twenty pieces of artillery, dircctly
west of the main fort north of tho Romney
road, which was in a westerly direction from
tho town, and about 1,500 yards from tho out
works held by tho One Hundred and Tenth
Ohio and Battery L, Fifth United States artil
lery. After getting his batteries into position
and opening fire, General' Early moved his in
fantry and charged across the fields with Hays's
brigade to tho very muzzles of tho Union guns,
although tho latter were fired vigorously.
Without a pause tho enemy crossed the ditch,
came over tho breastworks, and planted their
colors on tho embankment. Tho Ohio regi
ment was driven from the works at tho point
of tho bayonet. Somo escaped back to the main
fort, and the remainder were captured or killed.
General Milroy, finding that tho enemy were
on the east, south and west of him, and were
moving toward the Martinsburg road, which
was north from tho town, ordered all tho troops
and artillery from the south and east into the
lino of earthworks encircling the main works,
when tho contest between the Union artillery
and that of tho enemy continued until night.
At that time the Second brigade, under Colonel
Ely, held tho town and the space to tho main
fort on the northwest; the First brigade, under
General Elliott, occupied tho main fort, and
the Third brigade, under Colonel McReynolds,
was posted in the Star Fort, north of the main
fort. Soon after dark the enemy charged
across the ravine between his new position and
tho main fort, but met such a fire as quickly
repulsed him. Quiet then prevailed.
BRAVE DEFENSE OF THE STAR FORT.
In the afternoon the Star Fort, garrisoned in
part by the Sixth Maryland aud Alexander's
battery, had been tho special object of attack
by the enemy for two hours and twenty min
utes. Ho brought somo sixteen guns to bear
upon it, but when darkness came it was still in
possession of tho Union troops, who fired the
last gun with vociferous cheers. All this time
Captain Alexander kept up a brisk firo on tho
assailants, and repulsed them in several at
tempts to storm the Avorks.
During this attack the Fifth Maryland, with
its brigade,fell back to tho works northeast of
the main fort, in which the principal part of
General Milroy's forces wero now besieged, and
subjected to a severe cannonade.
RETREAT TO HARPER'S FERRY ATTEMPTED.
About nine o'clock on Sunday night General
Milroy called a council of brigade commanders,
and it was decided to abandon the position and
retreat to Harper's Ferry. At midnight an
order was issued accordingly.
About two a. m. the troop3 wcro quietly put
in motion, taking nothing except what they
had upon their persons. Artillery, supply
trains, baggago wagons, and everything that
by movement would apprise tho enemy of the
retreat, were abandoned.
The intense darkness of the night greatly
favored the withdrawal. With all possible
secrecy the troops filed out ou the Martinsburg
road and hastened away. At a little before
dawn, when only about four miles from Win
chester, the head of Elliott's brigade suddenly
encountered Johnson's Confederate division,
which had been sent, te- that point for the pur
pose of intercepting Milroy's retreat, or aid in
an attack should further resistance be offered
in the morning. This force, posted in a piece
of woods skirting the right of the road, imme
diately opened fire, both musketry aud artil
lery. The troops in advance deployed in good
order, and made a gallant effort to turn the
enemy's right. Again and again the lines, led
by General Milroy in person, charged his well
supported artillery, and succeeded in captur
ing one of his caissons, and silenced two of his
guns by killing the cannoneers and horses.
In this conflict the Fifth Maryland, being on
the left of tho line, was cut off from the rest of
the command and nearly the whole regiment
captured.
"GO-AS-YOU-PEEABE" MARCH TO THE POTOMAC.
General Milroy's command was now broken
into fragments, which made their way by dif
ferent routes toward the Potomac. Somo
reached Harper's Ferry, while others, moving
westward, finally reached Hancock and Cum
berland. About two-thirds of the seven thousand of
the division ultimately escaped. Stragglers
came into the border towns of Maryland and
Pennsylvania for a week, most of them un
armed and nearly famished.
The Sixth Maryland, by making a detour
around the enemy'a left, escapejL,ucarly intact,
and rejoined tho remnant under General Mil
roy at Harper's Ferry about eight p. m. Next
morning it crossed the Potomac and took posi
tion on MarylandJ Heights.
By order of General Milroy, Captain Alexan
der spiked his gnus when tho works at Win
chester wero abandoned. About two-thirds of
his command effected their escape, being mount
ed on the battery horses.
Concerning the engagement on tho Martins
burg road, a member of tho Baltimore (Confed
erate) battery thus wroto to tho Richmond
Whig:
" About dark the same night 14th Johnson's
division moved off to tho right, and camo on I
tho road leading to Charlestown. Wo marched
all night, and, at the break of day, as we wcrn
going towards Winchester, wo received a volley
of minic-balls. Wo immediately went into po
sition, but as it was dark, we could not see th.
enomy, who continued to firo upon us. ' "
" As soon as it was light, wc commenced fir
ing; then came a shower of minie-balls, such
as I never heard before. With a yell the Yan
kees charged our battery three times, and got,
within a few yards of -it, but wero driven
oil. So many men wore killed at gun No 1
that it had to bo abandoned ; and wo had fired
every round of ammunition from gun No. 2
theso being the only guns of our battery firing
on the charging columns of the enemy. Then
(he Yankees made a final charge, and got nearer
than before, and wo thought Ave Averc about to
be captured. Tavo or three horses having been
killed avc Avere imablo to movo off. We then
found a feAv rounds of ammunition in the cais
son of No. 1, and, putting them in No. 2, avo
drove them back for tho last time."
LOSSES.
At Winchester and in tho retreat Alexander's
battery lost five men wounded and thirty-four
captured. It Avas complimented by General
Milroy for its bravery and good service during
the attack on the forts on Sunday evening.
Tho Fifth infantry had 27 officers and 2S3
men taken prisoners.
The Sixth infantry sustained a loss of 3 men
wounded in the skirmish at the Opequon. One
man (Corporal John Wolf) was killed near
Charlestown on tho retreat. Six men Avero
Avounded and 3 officers and 1G1 men captured.
The officers AA'ho fell into the enemy's hands
Avero Chaplain Joseph T. BroAvn, Assistant Sur
geon Charles T. Simpers and Lieutenant Ira
Tyler.
Tho officers of tho Fifth infantry who wero
taken prisoners Avere kept in confinement at
Libby Prison, at Richmond, for many weary
months. The captured enlisted men Avero sent
at first to Libby, and soon after transferred to
' . , ,, . ','.,. '
""7, ""? p1,1i,..n3u (
,'...,. . , , ' ' i
tho end of Avhich thoy wcro paroled and re
turned to Annapolis.
A letter Avritten by Lieutenant H. E. Alex
ander giATcs tho following account of the gal
lant part borno by the Baltimore battery in
these operations:
AN INTERESTING LETTER.
" Baltimore. Juno 18, 1S-S
"Mess. Eds. Balto. American
"As there havo been conflicting accounts rel
ative to tho termination of tho fight at Win
chester, I beg to give a statement Avhich I think
may bo relied on, as Avhat I shall relate came
cither under my personal observation, or from
first hands.
" On Saturday morning tho rebels Avero re
ported by our scouts as inarching on Berryville.
Tho brigade commanded by Colonel McRey
nolds, consisting of tho Sixth Maryland regi
ment, Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania, First New
York caA'alry, and our battery, immediately
fell back towards "Winchester, as ordered by
General Milroy, proceeding by way of the
Smithfield and Martinsburg road.
"I A-as placed Avith my section, supported by
part of tho Sixth Maryland infantry and the
caA'alry, in one of tho fortifications on the south
side, which had been erected by Captain Alex
ander, and Avas fortunate enough to hold them
in check for tAvo hours, giA'ing the ndA'anco
timo to get ahead. Wc then moved off, and,
marching fitst, caught up to thern.
"The rebel caA'alry pursued us, and camo up
at tho Opequon, eight miles from Winchester,
after marching twenty miles. Here a-c had a
skirmish. Tho formation of tho road Avould
not permit us to firo until tliey wcro AA'ithin
fifty yards, and so the fire Avas more destruc-
tlA'C
"Wo succeeded in beating them back, and
some prisoners captured by tho cavalry stated
that tho two discharges of canister had killed
a dozen aud Avounded over thirty. Wo arm'ed
in Winchester at night unmolested, and camped
in the Star Fort on the north side of tho toAvn,
a small Avork about t;vo hundred feet in
diameter.
"There had been heavy fighting at Winches
ter during the day. Tho rebels made five
charges, and Avere repulsed.
" On Sunday there was skirmishing all around
the town, but tho rebels appeared in Aery small
force, leading us to believe that thoy intended
to march for Martinsburg.
"Ono of the sections of the battery Avas cut
during tho Avhole day, under Lieutenant Leary,
supported by two regiments, tho Avholo under
General Elliott, and kept back the entire lino
of rebel skirmishers by a display of scientific
practico Avhich called forth General Elliott's
admiration.
" To understand tho battle of Sunday oA'e'n
ing, it Avill bo necessary to stato that there aro
three ranges of hills on tho north of Winches
ter. The first range Avas occupied by three
forts. That to the left was the main fort, Avith
tAventy-poundcr Parrott's, Avhero General Mil
roy Avas Avith most of the command.
" Tho middle Avas tho Star Fort, Avhero our
brigade Avas, and on the light, on tho hill, com
manding all the others, Avas an unfinished
Avork. Had this bust been finished, tho Avhole
rebel forco could not have taken us. The sec
ond range of hills Avas occupied by Battery D,
First Virginia artillery, Captain Carl in, on tho
left, and Battery L, Fifth U. S. Regulars, Lieu
tenant Randolph, commanding.
" Tho latter Avas on tho hill immediately
opposite us, and was supported by tho Fifth
Maryland regiment. On the third range tho
rebels Averc. As the men and horses of Battery
L Avere feeding, at G p. m., tho rebels opened
upon them with two batteries, one of which
was twenty-pounders.
"They fought for half an hour, and then tho
rebels charged Avith a largo body of men and
drovo tho Fifth Maryland back. Tho regi
ment behaved Avith great bravery. They
formed half-way down tho hill, and charged
up and drove the rebels back again some dis
tance. " We could sec the Avhole, as we Avero Avithin
1,500 yards, and yet could not render assist
ance. Tho rebels, however, drovo them back,
and Randolph spiked three of his five guns.
Weedy au his horses Avero shot. As soon as
tho coast av.is clear we opened on them with at
first tAVO guns, and then four guns.
" Thore Avas not space on our side of tho fort
to work more. They answered tho large fort
for some time, but then brought their Avholo
four batteries, amounting to twenty-four guns,
to bear upon us, and then tho fighting began.
This was about seven p. m. Wc fired as accu
rately sis avc could.
"They attempted "three times to take a posi
tion, aud each time avc drove them away, blow
ing up at one time a limbor, then a caisson, and.-
dismounting two guns. They had an escellenfet
range, and tired well.
"Thoballscamc flying all around tho fort and
OA'er our heads, but only one man awis Avounded,
and one man flung down by tho wind of a ball.
We lost fivo horses. Wo returned the compli
ment as well as wo could, and succeeded by
half past niito p. m. in causing them to cease
firing.
" Shortly after that thoy tried to storm the
large fort, but AATero repulsed. We expected
them to storm our Avorks, and tho infantry
were draAvn up insido and in the rifle-pits out
sido, and I don't think 10,000 men could havo
taken us, from the calmness and firmness which
the Sixth Maryland evinced.
" I cannot speak too highly of tho coolness
and bravery of the men of the battery. Though
it Avas tho first time they had. been under fire,
not a man flinched, but they fought without
excitement, and as cooly and regularly as if on
drill, jesting and talking as if it wero mere
pastime.
"About this time it becamo too dark to see,
and Ave ceased firing. We found that wo had
not more than twenty rounds per gun left, and
'no more could be had. Our scouts also reported
that,tho rebels Avere moving their heaviest guns
around through tho hollow to the high ground
on tho right, Avhcre they could command us,
and shell us out easily.
"The other batteries were in the same want
of ammunition, and General Milroy determined
to spiko the guns aud mount the cannoneers on
the ofl-horscs, and cut our Avay through. Tho
othor two brigades started first, and the Third
brigade brought up tho rear. When aac got five
miles from Winchester, tho rebels opened on us
Avith four pieces of artillery.
"Our infantry and cavalry moAed up and
charged them desperately. As our cannoneers
Avero unarmed, our captain ordered them to
moA'e up as close as they could safely, and than
to take to tho Avoods separately, and make for
the Ferry or any point on the river.
-" The First New York cavalry, a fincprgani
zation, charged upon tho guns. Finally the
infantry and cavalry succeeded in capturing
twoguug vrhienwero turned upon the others
and drovo them back. As thev could not bo
I carried off, they Avero disabled.
I " Our men rode up behind the cavalry through
the open field, under the firo of tho artillery,
j and then broke for the coA'or of the woods. We
t all thus became separated.
"I rodo for Bath, and camo upon our men ono
at a time. Wo crossed at Sir John's Run with
ftr Tv'i lYuWlvanfe uavalry and. First
NeAvYork caA'alry. I then got all our men
together that I could find, and gaAe orders that
they should go to Cumberland (as Hancock Avas
reported in rebel hands) and rendezA'ous there.
"Tho number ImctAvas thirty-seren. Tho
presence of tho rebels near Cumberland caused
General Kelley, who arm'ed there on Sunday
evening, to take them all up to Noav Creek.
"The only man Avounded in tho engage
ment Avas George W. Gist, avIioso lifo is
not considered in danger. He AA'as left in
charge of a surgeon of tho Sixth Maryland
regiment, Avho remained behind to attend to
tho Avounded of our brigade. We also left Cor
poral Charles E. Green, Avho suffered a slight
concussion of tho brain from the wind of a
shot. He is in the doctor's hands and doing
Avell. Corporal Charles Adams Avas Avounded
in tho leg in tho skirmish of Saturday, aud
was left in tho hospital at Winchester, doing
well. Privates John T. Aller, Win. O. Huffing
ton, and Georgo A. Yco, avci'C left at the hos
pital at Berryville, in chargo of Surgeon For
mat! of tho Sixth Maryland, aa'Iio Avas detailed
to attend to the sick of tho brigade left thero.
" Very respectfully,
" H. E. Alexander,
"1st Lieut. Baltimoro Battery Light Artillery."
To be continued.
THE SOLDIERS' HOME.
TiTcnty-Ono Year' Arrearages of Deserters'
For-
feitcd i'ay Due.
Tho Second Auditor of tho Treasury, in his
annual report, adds the following interesting
chapter to the history of tho Soldiers' Home
near this city: "By section 4S18 of the Roviscd
Statutes all forfeitures on account of desertion
and all moneys belonging to tho estates of de
ceased soldiers, remaining unclaimed for three
years subsequent to the death of such soldiers,
aro set apart and appropriatiatcd for the sup
port of the Soldiers' Home. I find that tAventy
onc years' arrearages aro duo said Home on
account of moneys forfeited by thoso deserters
from tho Regular army Avho Avero nerer heard
of after desertion. With a feAv trilling excep
tions tho accounts of such deserters havo not
been settled. When tho men Avoro dropped
from tho rolls of tho army such data as AA'as
necessary to an adjustment of their pay ac
counts Avero entered on tho muster-rolls, and
there tho matter ended. There is also a largo
sum due- the Home on account of unclaimed
money belonging to the estates of soldiers Avho
died prior to July 1, 187S). Tho aggregate
amount payable to tho Homo from these two
sources is estimated at upward of $1,000,000.
It is clearly the duty of the accounting officers
of the Treasury Department to adjust and set
tle the accounts of deceased soldiers and desert
ers, so that tho Homo may recciA'o Avhat the
laAV has set apart and appropriated for its sup
port, but tho necessary clerical force is lacking.
I estimate that it avouUI take six experienced
clerks Rvo years in this offico and a proportion
ate number for tho same period in tho Second
Comptroller's office to bring tho work up to
date.
" In view of all the circumstances, and con
sidering especially the length of time that tho
Soldiers' Home has been deprived of a portion
of its legitimate income, I venture to suggest
a plan by Avhich an cquitablo settlement be
tween the United States and tho Home can be
arrived at without the expenso and delay of ex
amining aud adjusting tho pay accounts of
deceased soldiers and deserters namely, that
Congress shall appropriate a reasonable amount,
say 1,000,000, to be deposited in the Treasury,
in accordance Avith tho provisions of section S
of Senate bill No.l,S21, prescribing regulations
for the Soldiers' Home, and now pending in
Congress, said amount to bo accepted by the
Homo in full discharge of all obligations on tho
part of the United State3, under section 4S18 of
tho Revised Statutes, un to and including Juno
30, 1879,
STONEMAFS RAID,
The Cavalry Expedition to the Rear
of Atlanta.
-
PERILOUS "VOYAGE.
Shooting a Cataract on the
Chattalioochie River.
TAKING TO THE WOODS.
Capron and His Companions
Reach the Union Lines.
Chapter IV.
The mutterings of an approaching storm had
long been heard but not heeded, our interest
being centered in the scene enacting directly
under our eyes not two hundred feet distant.
Heavy clouds had now conAertcd' darkness
into blackness, and rain began to fall in torrents
and increased in A'iolence until the A'ery earth
seemed to tremble. This, without protection of
any kind, avo had to stand and take. The poor
negro, on whom I kept a strong hold, having
just been taught so severe a lessou in treachery,
trembled from head to foot like an aspen leaf.
Tho roar of tho turbulent water had been in
creased by tho heavy fall of rain, and the dark
ness Avas only relieved by the frequent flashes
Avhich lighted up the stream at times to nearly
the opposite shore, folloAvcd by still hcaA-ypcals
of thunder Avhich made tho poor negro shrink
within himself.
Wo had promised him, as a reward for tho
rccoAery of the canoe from the opposite shore, a
silver watch belonging to my son and some
confederate notes which the lieutenant had
collected. He now demanded my pearl-handled
knife, with Avhich ho had seen me clean my
nails. This Avas promptly yielded, and so by
the same process ho might havo stripped us.
But the timo for action had arrived, and I
roused him to the work. To preA'ent separation
in the dark I took hold of his shirt, and the
others followed, holding on to his file-leader's
coat. In this manner Ave approached the brink
of the river and awaited events. It required
much coaxing and encouraging to rouso him to
tho effort. At last he slipped quietly into tho
turbulent waters, and was heard to buffet tho
waves as he receded from us jipou hi& mission.
Soon Avas heard the clinking as he broke the
fastening, and we held our breaths in moment
ary expectation of seeing the flash of the sen
tinel's gun, but all was aa'cII. Nothing but the
rush of AA'aters and the mutterings of distant
thunder broke the silence. Quietly avo sat, our
nerA'es strained almost to breaking, in painful
suspense, A'hen wo heard the splashing of the
negro's brawny arms as they beat the waters
against the poAA'erful tide. At length he reached
us, and we caught tho chain to relieA'e the strain
upon him. Ho had not dared to expose his
body aboA'o the water to tho sentinel's bullets.
A PERILOUS VOYAGE.
I immediately seated myself in the stern of
tho frail boat, with a small strip of plank to
ansAver for a paddle, Avith AA'hich I essayed to
guide it doAvn the stream. My son was seated
at the bow, and Lieutenant Calkins, being tho
heaviest of the three, sat on the bottom in tho
centre of tho boat as ballast. This boat in which
aa'c Avere to embark Avas a simplo "dug out,"
about twelve or fifteen feet in length and fif
teen inches in Avidth, and rather leaky. It was
a tempestuous night, and of darkness so black
that no object could be seen excepting AVhen
broken by the vivid flashes of lightning; at
the same timo heavy peals of thunder rever
berated a diapason to the roar of the AA'aters.
With theso surroundings, and an entire ig
norance of tho character of tho stream and the
dangers wc might he rushing into, avo AA'ere at
the time entirely oblivious to, as we Avere leaving
others far more terrible to us ; therefore, when
avo rounded out into tho broad and rapid current
of the river, and felt that avo were swiftly glid
ing from under the guns of our enemies towards
the goal of our deliverance, a shout of exulta
tion could scarcely be suppressed. No ono can
rightly appreciate tho sensations of that mo
ment. Onward avo floated sAviftly and calmly,
guiding the boat in its course by the aid 'of the
flashes of lightning AA'hich still continued to
illuminate tho banks at intervals.
But hark! tho increased roar of rushing
Avatcrs break in upon our cars, rising at every
instant, and avo could feel aud sco by tho light
ning's flashes that avc Avere being swept onward
at a fearful rate, and by the samo intermittent
light tho foam and dash of a cataract could bo
distinctly seen, into Avhich aa-o A-ero being draAvn
Avith irresistible poAver. Not a Avord Avas spoken
not a Avord could be spoken ; but each held his
breath and cluug to tho side of the frail bark,
AA'hich no power on earth seemed able to sae
from instant destruction. The AA'ater, as avo
could feel, Avas dashing OAer tho boat. This
dreadful ordeal continued for some time, Avhen
suddenly Ave found ourselves floating easily
upou a smooth surfaco at tho foot of tho falls,
Avhen my son called out from tho bow of tho
boat, "Father, aro you in?"
This could not bo repeated and live. It was
an entirely unlooked-for impediment to our
hoped-for deliverance. I had scouted this
river below tho crossing of tho railroad to At
lanta aud found it a deep aud rather sluggish
stream; of its character above I kucAV nothing,
but certainly never contemplated so formid
able a barrier to our progress. It Avas abso
lutely fearful, aud probably had neA'er before
been attempted.
FLANKING A CATARACT.
My determination Avas soon made to float
down the stream until evidouces Avere reached
of another of theso fearful passages, and then
at onco to put for tho shore and Avait for day
light. In the course of a feAV miles run our
ears again caught that dreadful sound of rush
ing Avaters, the boat Avas immediately headed
for the shore, and catching by the overhang
ing branches, Avhich like a green screen clothes
both shores of tho river, Ave clambered to tho
top of the bank through tho dripping boughs
and briars. Hero we found ourselves in an open
cornfield, into which we moved sufficiently far
to bo boyond the observation of any straggler,
and laid ourselves down upon onr remnants ot
a poncho, with every rag upon onr bodies satur
atcd with Avatcr and our only covering the?
still lowering heavens, and were soon oblivious
to all our surroundings in a sound sleep.
At tho dawn of day, awakening, I really
dreaded to mako an attempt to rise, so fearfuV
was I of the benumbing effects of the past!
night's exposure, but to my amazement I found
that sleep, undisturbed sleep, to which I had
for so long been a stranger, had done ita work,
and instead of experiencing cramps and rheu
matic pains I aroso refreshed and greatly rein
vigorated; not so with tho lieutenant and my
son, both AA'ero despondent. Tho lieutenant
was for surrending to the first pickets met.'
My son, sorefootcd and stiflened, begged of md
to leaA-c him and take care of myself; ho could
go no further, and I was compelled to seat him
upon a log, with my arms drawn around him,
and do what I could to cheer aud-encourago
him.
Reluctantly they followed mo into tho.
canoe nd I again thrust it from the land.
The rapids immediately confronting us, tho
roar of which had sent us to land last night,'
was found not to be as formidable as tho ono
passed oAer in the dark. The surface of this,
unlike the other, was unbroken by ledges and
rocks as was that, and, although tho current
was fearfully rapid, it offered less dangers in ;
running it by daylight than AA'e most likely
AA'ould encouuter in a long detour through a
country Avhich, by the negro's accounts, was
swarming Avith guerrillas hunting doAvn men, .
besides the loss of onr canoe, which could hardly
be avoided. It was therefore determined to run.
it, Avhich we did ac a race-horse speed, float
aAA'ay with the current, with the intention that
should Ave meet enemies or come to another
abrupt and dangerous fall in the river the boat;
should be immediately landed.
FRIENDLY AVARNINGS.
The screen Avhich hangs to the Avater on either
side of this river Avas a shield to our move
ments, from under AA'hich AA'e kept a watchful
eye, but the crossings Avhere openings had beeni
cut to pass doAvn to their scoaa'S, Avhero sentinah?
Avero placed, Avero the passages most dreaded.
Past 3 few of them, the boat was to slip after
a careful reconnoissance, AA'hen the guard was
observed on his beat. The negroes, always ft,
be relied upon for friendship and secrecy, wer
met in their canoes engaged in fishing, but wer
shy of our approach, sheering off as if wishing
us to pass by Avithout notice, but always con
Aeyiug in a low voice somo important intelli
gence. Once one of them, as he paddled swiftly
by AA'ithout apparently tho slightest notice
said: "Masters, lookout; pickets just ahead;
killing your people as fast as they catch them."
In this careful way Ave gradually floatec
doAvn, frequently coming upon rapids, ovei
which, Avhen breaks in tho current were nob
discernable, wc run them in our caaoo. Twico
only did Ave have to abandon the canoe and let
it go OA'er to be caught by the lieutenant below,
where he had previously placed himself for tho
purpose, ho being the only one of the three who
could SAvim.
- On the approach of snnset on the second day
after Ave had taken to water, the topography of
the country aheadappcaro:d to me to resemblo
that around Yining Station, for Avhich wo were
aiming. A column of smoke also appeared in
that direction, strong evidence, I thought of
the presence of camp-fires. This roused tho
drooping faculties of my companions very
much, and when, on rounding a bend in tho
ri-er, the south end of tho Roswell bridge came
in sight, all past troubles Avere for an instant
forgotten and a shout and clap of hands was a,
natural impulse. In the midst of this cx
huberance of feeling, as avo swept onAvard
around the bend, we saAV to our horror that tho
bridge Avas in flames. No language can eA'er por
tray the anguish of that moment. What ! Can it
be po.ssible that after all our hardships, ex- "
posure and suffering avc are to perish at tho
A'ery threshold of our homes? Impossible J
Tho first and most natural inference was that
our army had retreated and Sherman had
burned the bridge in his rear. Without stop
ping to reason further upon the subject, tho
first thought Aas to attempt to OA'ertake tho
rear of our army before tho advance of tho
rebel army should cross the Chattahoochee, and
thus catch us between them. I therefore ran
the canoe ashore on the north bank, and with
out AA'uiting to tie it up, sprang to laud and lec
it float off down the stream.
IIOJIE AT LAST.
Keeping under coA'er of tho land as much as
possible, Ave pushed fonvard across the Roswell
creek and came suddenly upon three Avomen
engaged in .scratching over the debris of a de
serted caA'alry camp, AA'ho informed us "than
Sherman's army had been badly cut to pieces
and retreated, with the rear noAA' probably at
Marietta, fifteen miles off, aud that the caA'alry
had left that morning, first setting the bridge
on fire."
At this fearful intelligence wc stopped for
nothing more, but made for the Avoods on the
double-quick, going in the direction of Marietta,
but avoiding the main road. It Avas Avell wo
did, for in a short time, it now being too dark
to distinguish objects, wo heard tho clattering
of horses' feet upon the road under full speed
undoubtedly guerrillas put upon our track by
those women.
OnAvard avo plunged .through miro and.
branches, never stopping to select a choice ox
AA'ay, but pressing forward in the hope that avo
might be spared to reach our goal, uoav so near
at hand. Miles had been passed in this Avay,
and it seemed that avo never should be able to
OA'erhaul our retreating army, Avhen, upon a
sudden, rang out upon tho clear night air tho
sharp, quick call of a sentry of "Halt! who
goes there?" The reply AA'as at onco given,
and avo all involuntarily sank to tho ground,
overpowered with emotions of thankfulness to a
kind Providence forat last bringingus through
so many dangers and hardships.
It proved to be a picket detail from a portion
of my oaa'u regiment left at Marietta. They
immediately took us up, andAVrapping blankets
around us and refreshing our famished, worn
out bodies Avith a cup of hot coffee and hard
tack, we Avero left to rest.
On the following day, tho 10th of August, wa
rodo into Marietta and reported to General
Sherman by Avire, and received his expressions
of gratitude on learning of mysafo arrival, and
directing mo to take my time, and Avhen per
fectly recruited to report in person.
My tAvo companions hatless and shoeless, and
all of us in tatters, our clothes torn to threads by
rushing through bushes and brambles, skiix
lacerated, hair and beards long and matted with.
Georgir clay and mud, a more forlorn looking;
trio avju seldom seen.
The end.
One or tho other: It is always "put npo?
shut up " with tho umbrella. Boston Cmmsrcl
Bulletin.
