3 1822026'S 7<S'
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 CALIFORNIA 
 SAN DIEGO 
 
 V
 
 UNIVERSITY.OF, CALIFORNIA SAN D EGC 
 
 3 1822026857029 

 
 Yours truly, 
 
 I. HERMANN
 
 Memoirs of a Veteran 
 
 Who served as a Private in the 60's 
 in the War between the States 
 
 Personal Incidents, Experiences 
 and Observations 
 
 Written by 
 
 CAPT. I. HERMANN 
 ^ 
 
 Who Served in the Three Branches of the Confederate Army 
 
 ATLANTA. GA.: 
 
 BYRD PRINTING COMPANY 
 
 1911
 
 Copyright 1911 
 
 By I. Hermann 
 
 All rights reserved
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The following reminiscences after due and 
 careful consideration, are dedicated to the 
 young, who are pausing at the portals of man- 
 hood, as well as womanhood, and who are con- 
 fronted with illusory visions and representa- 
 tions, the goal of which is but seldom attained, 
 even by the fewest fortunates, and then only by 
 unforeseen circumstances and haphazards, not 
 illustrated in the mapped out program for 
 future welfare, greatness and success. 
 
 Often the most sanguine persons have such 
 optimistic illusions, which, unless most carefully 
 considered will lead them into irreparable 
 errors. Even the political changes, often times 
 necessary in the government of men, are great 
 factors to smash into fragments the best and 
 most illusory plans, and cast into the shadow, 
 for a time being at least, the kindliest, philan- 
 thropic and best intentions of individual efforts, 
 until the Wheel of Fortune again turns in his 
 direction, casting a few sparks of hope in his 
 ultimate favor, and which is seldom realized. 
 
 If the reader of the above has been induced 
 to think and carefully consider, before acting 
 hastily, the writer feels that he has accom- 
 plished some good in the current affairs of 
 human events.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 A PICTURE. 
 
 Entering the post-office for my daily mail, 
 I noticed in the lobby, hanging on the wall, a 
 beautiful, attractive and highly colored land- 
 scape and manhood therein displayed in its 
 perfection, gaudily dressed in spotless uni- 
 forms; some on horse-back, some afoot, with 
 a carriage as erect and healthful demeanor 
 that the artist could undoubtedly produce; he 
 was at his best, setting forth a life of ease and 
 comfort that would appeal to the youngster, 
 patriot and careless individual, that therein is 
 a life worth living for. Even the social fea- 
 tures have not been omitted where men and offi- 
 cers stand in good comradeship. Peace and re- 
 pose, and a full dinner pail are the environment 
 of the whole representation. 
 
 It is the advertisement of an army recruiting 
 officer, who wants to enlist young, healthy men 
 for the service of the executive branch of our 
 National Government, to defend the boundaries 
 of our territory, to protect our people against 
 the invasion of a foreign foe, to even invade
 
 8 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 a foreign land, to kill and be killed at the be- 
 hest of the powers that be, for an insult whether 
 imaginary or real, that probably could have 
 been settled through better entente, or if the 
 political atmosphere would have thought to 
 leave the matter of misunderstanding or mis- 
 construction to a tribunal of arbitration. 
 
 The writer himself was once a soldier; the 
 uniform he wore did not correspond with that 
 of the picture above, it was rather the reverse 
 in all its features. He enlisted in the Confed- 
 erate service in 1861, when our homes were 
 invaded, in defense of our firesides, and the 
 Confederate States of America, who at that 
 time, were an organized Government. 
 
 Usually an artist, when he represents a sub- 
 ject on canvas, uses a dark background, to 
 bring forth in bright relief, the subject of his 
 work. But I, not being an artist, reverse the 
 matter in controversy, and put the bright side 
 first. 
 
 OTHER PICTURES. 
 
 When in 1861 the Southern States, known as 
 the Slave States, severed their connection with 
 the Federal Government and formed a Confed- 
 eracy of their own, which under the Federal
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 9 
 
 Constitution and Common Compact, they had a 
 perfect right to do, they sent Commissioners, 
 composed of John Forsyth, Martin J. Craw- 
 ford and A. B. Boman to Washington, with 
 power to adjust in a peaceable manner, any dif- 
 ferences existing between the Confederate 
 Government and their late associates. Our 
 Government refrained from committing any 
 overt act, or assault, and proposed strictly to 
 act on the defensive, until that Government, in 
 a most treacherous manner, attempted to main- 
 tain by force of arms, property, then in their 
 possession and belonging to the Confederate 
 Government, and which they had promised to 
 surrender or abandon. But on the contrary; 
 they sent a fleet loaded with provisions, men 
 and munitions of war, to hold and keep Port 
 Sumter, in the harbor of South Carolina, con- 
 trary to our expectations, and as a menace to 
 our new born Nation. 
 
 Then, as now, there were State troops, or 
 military organizations, and being on the alert, 
 under the direction of our Government, and 
 under the immediate command of General 
 Beauregard, they fired on the assaulting fleet to 
 prevent a most flagrant outrage, and after a
 
 10 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 fierce conflict, the Fort was surrendered, by one 
 Capt. Anderson, then in command. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln, the then President of the 
 United States, called out 75,000 troops, which 
 was construed by us as coercion on the part of 
 the Federal Government, so as to prevent the 
 Confederates from carrying out peaceably the 
 maintenance of a Government already formed. 
 To meet such contingency President Jefferson 
 Davis called for volunteers. More men pre- 
 sented themselves properly organized into Com- 
 panies, than we had arms to furnish. Patriot- 
 ism ran high, and people took up arms as by 
 one common impulse, and formed themselves 
 into regiments and brigades. 
 
 The Federal Government, with few excep- 
 tions, had all the arsenals in their possession. 
 We were therefore not in a condition to physi- 
 cally withstand a very severe onslaught, but 
 when the Northern Army attempted on July 
 21, 1861, to have a holiday in Eichmond, the 
 Capital of the Confederate States, we taught 
 them a lesson at Manassas, and inscribed a page 
 in history for future generations to contem- 
 plate.
 
 So Mounting a Stump, I Proceeded to 
 Introduce Myself.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Federal army under General Scott con- 
 sisted of over 60,000 men, while that of General 
 J. E. Johnston was only half that number. 
 Someone asked General Scott, why he, the hero 
 of Mexico, had -failed to enter Richmond. He 
 answered, because the boys that led him into 
 Mexico are the very ones that kept him out of 
 Richmond. 
 
 The proclamation of Abraham Lincoln calling 
 out for troops was responded to with alacrity. 
 In the meantime, we on the Confederate side, 
 were not asleep; Washington County had then 
 only one military organization of infantry 
 called the Washington Rifles, commanded by 
 Captain Seaborn Jones, a very gallant old gen- 
 tleman, who was brave and patriotic. The fol- 
 lowing was a list of the Company's membership, 
 who, by a unanimous vote, offered their services 
 to the newly formed Government to repel the 
 invader: (See Appendix A.). Their services 
 were accepted, and they were ordered to Macon, 
 Ga., as a camp of instructions, and for the for- 
 mation of a regiment, of which the following
 
 12 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 companies formed the contingent their names, 
 letters, and captains. (See Appendix B.) 
 
 J. N. Kamsey, of Columbus, Ga., was elected 
 Colonel. "We were ordered to Pensacola, Fla., 
 for duty, and to guard that port, and to keep 
 from landing any troops by our enemy who 
 were in possession of the fort, guarding the 
 entrance of that harbor. This was in the month 
 of April, 1861. From Pensacola the regiment 
 was ordered to Northwestern Virginia. The 
 Confederate Capital was also changed from 
 Montgomery, Ala., where the Confederate Gov- 
 ernment was organized, and Jefferson Davis 
 nominated its President, to Richmond, Va. 
 
 About the middle of May, the same year, 
 twenty-one young men of this County, of which 
 the writer formed a contingent part, resolved 
 to join the Washington Rifles, who had just 
 preceded us on their way to Virginia. We ren- 
 dezvoused at Davisboro, a station on the Central 
 of Georgia Railway. We were all in high spir- 
 it on the day of our departure. The people of 
 the neighborhood assembled to wish us God- 
 speed and a safe return. It was a lovely day 
 and patriotism ran high. We promised a sat- 
 isfactory result as soldiers of the Confederate 
 States of America.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 13 
 
 At Richmond, Va., we were met by Presi- 
 dent Davis, who came to shake hands with the 
 "boys in gray", and speak words of encourage- 
 ment. From Richmond we traveled by rail to 
 Staunton, where we were furnished with accou- 
 trements by Colonel Mikel Harmon, and which 
 consisted of muskets converted into percussion 
 cap, weapons, from old revolutionary flint and 
 steel guns, possessing a kicking power that 
 would put "Old Maude" to shame. My little 
 squad had resolved to stick to one another 
 through all emergencies, to aid and assist each 
 other and to protect one another. Those resolu- 
 tions were carried out to the letter as long as 
 we continued together. We still went by rail to 
 Buffalo Gap, when we had to foot it over the 
 mountains to McDowell, a little village in the 
 Valley of the Blue Ridge. Foot-sore and weary 
 we struck camp. The inhabitants were hospi- 
 table and kind, and we informed ourselves 
 about everything in that country, Laurel Hill 
 being our destination. 
 
 An old fellow whose name is Sanders, a very 
 talkative gentlemen, told us how, he by himself 
 ran a dozen Yankees; every one of us became 
 interested as to how he did it, so he stated that 
 one morning he went to salt his sheep in the
 
 14 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 pasture all of a sudden there appeared a dozen 
 or more Yankee soldiers, so he picked up his 
 gun, and ran first, and they ran after him, but 
 did not catch him. We all felt pretty well sold 
 cut and had a big laugh, for the gentleman 
 demonstrated his tale in a very dramatic way. 
 
 The following morning, we concluded to hire 
 teams to continue our journey, which was within 
 two days march of our destination. We passed 
 Monterey, another village at the foot of the 
 Alleghany Mountains, about twelve miles from 
 McDowell. We crossed the Allaghany into 
 Green Brier County, passed Huttensville, 
 another little village at the foot of Cheat Moun- 
 tain, from there to Beverly, a village about 
 twelve miles from Laurel Hill, where we were 
 entertained with a spread, the people having 
 heard of our approach. We camped there that 
 night, and passed commandery resolution upon 
 its citizens, and their kind hospitality. The 
 following day we arrived at Laurel Hill, where 
 the army, about 3,000 strong, was encamped. 
 The boys were glad to see us, and asked thou- 
 sands of questions about their home-folks, all of 
 which was answered as far as possible. The 
 writer being a Frenchman, a rather scarce arti- 
 cle in those days in this country, elicited no lit-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 15 
 
 tie curiosity among the members of the First 
 Georgia Regiment. Sitting in my tent, reading 
 and writing, at the same time enjoying my pipe, 
 I noted at close intervals shadows excluding the 
 light of day looking for the cause, the party or 
 parties instantly withdrew. Major U. M. Irwiii 
 entered; I asked him the cause for such curios- 
 ity, he stated laughing, "Well, I told some fel- 
 lows we'd brought a live Frenchman with us. 
 I suppose those fellows want to get a peep at 
 you. " I at once got up, mounted an old stump, 
 and introduced myself to the crowd : * * Gentle- 
 men, it seems that I am eliciting a great deal of 
 curiosity ; now all of you will know me as Isaac 
 Hermann, a native Frenchman, who came to 
 assist you to fight the Yankees." Having thus 
 made myself known, I took the privilege to ask 
 those with whom I came in contact their names, 
 and what Company they belonged to, and thus 
 in a short time I knew every man in the Reg- 
 iment. We were now installed and regularly 
 enrolled for duty.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Laurel Hill is a plateau situated to the right 
 of Rich Mountain, the pass of which was occu- 
 pied by Governor Wise, with a small force. 
 
 In the early part of July, General McClelland, 
 in command of the Federal troops, made a 
 demonstration on our front. Our position was 
 somewhat fortified by breastworks; the enemy 
 came in close proximity to our camp and kept 
 us on the Qui-vive; their guns were of long 
 range, while ours would' not carry over fifty 
 yards. Picket duties were performed by whole 
 companies, taking possession of the surround- 
 ing, commanding hills. Many shots hissed in 
 close proximity, without our being able to locate 
 the direction from which they came, and with- 
 out our even being able to hear the report of 
 the guns. Very little damage, however, was 
 done, except by some stray ball, now and then. 
 It was the writer's time to stand guard, not far 
 in front of the camp, his beat was alongside 
 the ditches. In front of me the enemy had 
 planted a cannon. The shots came at regular 
 intervals in direct line with my beat, but the 
 shots fell somewhat short, by about fifty to sev- 
 enty-five yards. I saw many hit the ground.
 
 WAE BETWEEN THE STATES 17 
 
 When Lieutenant Colonel Clark, came round on 
 a tour of inspection, I remarked, "Colonel, am 
 I placed here as a target to be shot at by those 
 fellows yonder. One of their shots came rather 
 close for comfort. ' ' He said, * ' Take your beat 
 in the ditch, and when you see the smoke, tuck 
 your head below the breastworks " which was 
 three and one-half feet deep the dirt drawn 
 towards the front, which protected me up to 
 my shoulders. For nearly two hours, until 
 relieved, I kept close watch for the smoke of 
 their gun, which I approximated was about a 
 mile distant, and there I learned that it took the 
 report of the cannon eight seconds to reach me 
 after seeing the smoke, and the whiz of the 
 (missel four seconds later still; this gave me 
 about twelve seconds to dodge the ball any- 
 how, I was very willing when relief came, for 
 the other fellow to take my place. In the after- 
 noon, minnie balls rather multipherous, were 
 hissing among the boys in camp, but up to that 
 time there was no damage done, when a cavalry- 
 man came in and reported that some of the 
 enemy was occupying an old log house situated 
 about a half mile in front of us, and it was 
 there through the cracks of that building came 
 the missiles that made the fellows dodge about. 
 General Garnett, our Commander, ordered out
 
 18 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 two companies of infantry, who, taking a long 
 detour through the woods placed themselves in 
 position to receive them as they emerged from 
 the building, and with two pieces of artillery, 
 sent balls and shells through their improvised 
 fort. Out came the "Yanks" only to fall into 
 the hands of those ready to give them a warm 
 reception. 
 
 On that evening, three days rations were 
 issued. At dark it commenced drizzling rain; 
 we were ordered to strike camp, and we took up 
 the line of march to the rear, when I learned 
 that the enemy had whipped out Governor 
 "Wise's forces on Eich Mountain and threatened 
 our rear. We marched the whole of that night, 
 only to find our retreat to Beverly blockaded 
 by the enemy who had felled many trees across 
 the road, the only turn-pike leading to that 
 place. 
 
 We had to retrace our steps for several miles, 
 and take what is known as mountain trail, lead- 
 ing in a different direction, marching all day. 
 The night again, which was dark and dreary 
 multiplied our misgivings. The path we fol- 
 lowed, was as stated, a narrow mountain path, 
 on the left insurmountable mountains, while on 
 the right very deep precipices ; many teams that
 
 WAR 'BETWEEN THE STATES 19 
 
 left the rut on account of the darkness, were 
 precipitated down the precipices and abandoned. 
 Thus, after two nights and one day of steady 
 marching, we arrived at Carricks' Ford, a ford- 
 able place on the north fork of the Potomac 
 River. The water was breast-deep, and we went 
 into it like ducks, when of a sudden, the Yan- 
 kees appeared, firing into our column. They 
 struck us about and along the wagon train, 
 capturing the same, while the advance column 
 stampeded. We lost our regimental colors, 
 which were in the baggage wagon, in charge 
 of G. W. Kelly, who abandoned it with all the 
 Company's effects, to save himself. 
 
 Colonel Ramsey, in fact all our officers were )c 
 elected on account of their cleverness at home. 
 This being a strictly agricultural country, the 
 men and officers knew more about farming than 
 about military tactics. Colonel Ramsey was an 
 eminent lawyer of Columbus, Georgia. He 
 gave the command, " Georgian, retreat," and 
 the rout was complete. It was a great mistake 
 that the Government did not assign military 
 men to take charge in active campaigns ; many 
 blunders might have been evaded and many 
 lives spared at the beginning of the war. 
 
 One half of my regiment was assigned as rear
 
 20 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 guards and marched therefore, in the rear of the 
 column behind the wagon train. We were con- 
 sequently left to take care of ourselves the best 
 we could. General Garnett was killed in the 
 melee. Had we had officers who understood any- 
 thing about military tactics, these reminiscences 
 might be told differently. 
 
 As soon as we heard firing in our front, we at 
 once formed ourselves into line of battle, in a 
 small corn patch across the stream, on our 
 immediate right, at the foot of a high moun- 
 tain. It seemed to have been new ground and 
 the corn was luxuriantly thick. The logs that 
 were there were rolled into line, thus serving 
 as terraces, and also aff orded us splendid breast- 
 works. We were hardly in position, when artil- 
 lery troops appeared and crossed the ford, not 
 seventy-five yards from where we were in line, 
 seeing them, without being seen ourselves. 
 Major Harvey Thompson, who was in Com- 
 mand of our forces, which were not over four 
 hundred and fifty strong, seeing some men mak- 
 ing ready to fire, gave orders not to fire, as they 
 were our own men crossing the stream, and thus 
 lost the opportunity of making himself famous, 
 for it proved to be the enemy's artillery in our 
 immediate front. Had he given orders to fire
 
 21 
 
 and charge, we could have been on them before 
 they could possibly have formed themselves 
 into battery, captured their guns, killed and 
 captured many of their men, and would have 
 turned into victory what proved to have become 
 a disastrous defeat. 
 
 Thus being cut off from our main forces, who 
 were in full retreat, and fearing to be captured, 
 we climbed the mountain in our rear, expecting 
 to cut across in a certain direction, and rejoin 
 our forces some distance beyond. Thus began 
 a dreary march of three days and four nights in 
 a perfect wilderness, soaked to the bone and 
 nothing to eat, cutting our way through the 
 heavy growth of laurel bushes, we had to take 
 it in Indian file, in single column. 
 
 Many pathetic instances came to my obser- 
 vation ; some reading testaments, others taking 
 from their breast-pocket, next to their heart, 
 pictures of loved ones, dropping tears of 
 despair, as they mournfully returned them to 
 their receptacle. An instance which impressed 
 itself forcibly on my mind, was the filial affec- 
 tion displayed between father and son, and in 
 which the writer put to good use, the Biblical 
 story of King Solomon, where two women 
 claimed the same child, but in this instance
 
 22 
 
 neither wanted to claim. It was thus : Captain 
 Jones found a piece of tallow candle about one 
 inch long in his haversack, and presented it to 
 his son, Weaver, saying, "Eat that, son, it will 
 sustain life;" "No, father, you eat it, I am 
 younger than you, and stronger, and therefore 
 can hold out longer." There they stood 
 looking affectionately at each other, the Captain 
 holding the piece of candle between his fingers. 
 So I said, ' ' Captain, hand it to me, I will divide 
 it for you. ' ' Having my knife in hand, I cut it 
 lengthwise, following the wick, giving each 
 half, and passing the blade between my lips. It 
 was the first taste of anything the writer had 
 had in four days.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 When night overtook us, we had to remain in 
 our track until daylight would enable us to pro- 
 ceed. When at about nine o'clock A. M. word 
 was passed up the line, from mouth to mouth 
 "A Guide! A man and his son who will guide 
 us out of here." Then Major Thompson, who 
 was in front sent word down the line for the 
 men to come up. The guides sent word up the 
 line to meet them half way, that they were very 
 tired, so it was arranged that Major Thompson 
 met them about center, where the writer was. 
 The guides introduced themselves as Messrs. 
 Parson, father and son. The senior was a man 
 of about fifty years, rather ungainly as to looks, 
 and somewhat cross-eyed, while his son was a 
 strong athletic young man, about twenty-three. 
 They said they were trappers, collecting furs 
 for the market. It must be remarked that that 
 country was perfectly wild, and uninhabited, for 
 during all this long march I had not seen a sin- 
 gle settlement, but it contained many wild 
 beasts, such as bears, panthers, foxes, deer, etc. 
 He related that a tall young man by the name 
 of Jasper Stubbs, belonging to Company E, 
 First Regiment, Washington Rifles, came to his
 
 24 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 quarters very early this morning, inquiring if 
 any soldiers had passed by, saying he found a 
 nook under a projecting rock where he stood in 
 column the night before, and to protect himself 
 from dew, he lay down to rest, and fell asleep. 
 When he awoke, it was day and he found his 
 comrades gone, and that he was by himself. The 
 
 surface of ground or rock, was a solid moss-bed, 
 
 i 
 
 consequently he could not tell which way our 
 tracks pointed, and he happened to take the 
 reverse course which we went, and thus came 
 to where the Parsons lived. Stubbs was mis- 
 sing, thus proving that the men '& story must be 
 true. It must also be remembered that the 
 majority of the people in Western Virginia 
 were in sympathy with the enemy, and thus pos- 
 sessed of many informers or spies, who would 
 give information as to our whereabouts and 
 doings. 
 
 A conference was held among the officers as 
 to what was best to be done. Parson claimed 
 to be in sympathy with the South, and he knew 
 that we would not be able to carry out our 
 design, and that we would all perish, so he put 
 out to lead us out of our dilemma. Major 
 Thompson was for putting the Parsons under 
 arrest, and force them to lead us in the direction
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 25 
 
 we first assumed, or perish with us. Parsons 
 spoke up and said, " Gentlemen, I am in your 
 power ; the country through which you propose 
 to travel is not habitable, I have been raised 
 in these regions, and there is not a living soul 
 within forty miles in the direction you propose 
 to go, and at the rate you are compelled to 
 advance, you would all perish to death, and 
 your carcasses left for food to the wild beasts 
 of the forest." The conference was divided, 
 some hesitated, others were for adopting Major 
 Thompson's plan, when the writer stepped for- 
 ward, saying, "Gentlemen, up to now, I have 
 obeyed orders, but I for one, prefer to be shot 
 by an enemy's bullet, than to perish like a cow- 
 ard in this wild region. ' ' Captain Jones tapped 
 me on the shoulder, remarking; "Well spoken y 
 Hermann, those are my sentiments Company 
 E, About Face!". Captain Crump, command- 
 ing Company I, from Augusta, Ga., followed 
 suit, and thus the whole column faced about, 
 ready to follow the Parsons. 
 
 The writer made the following proposition: 
 That Mr. Parson and son be disarmed, for both 
 carried hunting rifles ; that I would follow them 
 within twenty paces, while the column should 
 follow within two hundred yards, thus in case of
 
 26 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 treachery they would be warned by report of my 
 gun, that there is danger ahead. These precau- 
 tions I deemed necessary in case of an ambush. 
 Addressing myself to our guides, I said, ' ' Gen- 
 tlemen, you occupy an enviable position ; if you 
 prove true, of which I have no doubt myself, 
 you'd be amply rewarded, but should you prove 
 otherwise, your hide is mine, and there is not 
 enough guns in Yankeedom to prevent me from 
 shooting you." At this point, a private from 
 the Gate City Guards, whose name is Wm. 
 Leatherwood, remarked, ''You shall not go 
 alone, I will accompany you." I thanked him 
 kindly, saying I would be glad if he would. Thus 
 we retraced our steps, following our leaders, 
 when after about three miles march we struck 
 a mountain stream, in the bed of which we 
 waded for nine miles, the water varying from 
 knee to waist deep, running very rapidly over 
 mossy, slippery rocks, and through gorges as if 
 the mountains were cut in twain and hewn 
 down. In some places, the walls were so high, 
 affording a narrow dark passage, I don't believe 
 God's sun ever shone down there. I was so 
 chilled, I felt myself freezing to death in mid 
 summer, for it was about the 17th of July ; dark- 
 ness was setting in, and I had not seen the sun 
 that day, although the sky was cloudless, when
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 27 
 
 to my great relief we came to a little opening on 
 our left, the mountain receding, leaving about an 
 acre of level ground, with a luxuriant growth of 
 grass. Our guides said they lived within a 
 quarter of a mile from there. I said, let us rest 
 and wait for the rest of the men. When after a 
 little rest, I started again, 1 was too weak to 
 make the advance, although provisions were in 
 sight. I had to be relieved, and some others 
 took my place, while I lay exhausted on the 
 grass. Happily some of the men had paper that 
 escaped humidity; loading a musket with wad- 
 ding, they fired into a rotten stump, setting it 
 on fire, and by persistent blowing, produced a 
 bright little flame, which soon developed into a 
 large camp fire, around which the boys dried 
 themselves. 
 
 Parson proved himself a noble, patriotic 
 host. After a couple of hours, he sent us a large 
 pone of corn-bread, baked in an old-fashioned 
 oven. I received about an inch square as my 
 share, the sweetest morsel that ever passed 
 my lips. It was sufficient to allay the gnawing 
 of my empty stomach, it had a strange effect 
 on me, for every time I would stand up, my 
 knees would give way and down I went other- 
 wise I felt no inconvenience.
 
 28 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 It was a remarkable fact that every man was 
 able to keep up with our small column and we 
 did not lose a single man up to that time.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The next morning Mr. Parson drove up two 
 nice, seal fat beeves, to get rations was a quick 
 performance, and the meat was devoured before 
 it had time to get any of the animal heat out of 
 it, some ate it raw, others stuck it on the ramrod 
 of their gun and held it over the fire, in the 
 meantime biting off great mouthfulls while the 
 balance was broiling on his improvised cooking 
 utensil. Mr. Parson also brought us some meal, 
 which being made into dough was baked in the 
 ashes, and thus we all had a square meal and 
 some left to carry in our haversack. 
 
 Mr. Parson was tolerably well to do, he 
 owned some land, raised his truck, had a small 
 apple orchard, and indulged in stock-raising. 
 He owned several horses and some of the offi- 
 cers bought of him. The writer feeling badly 
 jaded, also concluded he would buy himself a 
 horse, and paid his price, $95.00 for a horse, 
 but Major Thompson, being of a timid nature, 
 was afraid that too many horsemen might 
 attract attention, refused to let me ride by the 
 wagon-road, so Mr. Parson said there was a 
 mountain path that I could follow that would
 
 30 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 lead in the big road some few miles beyond, but 
 that I would have to lead the animal for about 
 a couple of miles, when I would be able to ride. 
 Dr. Whitaker, a worthy member of my Com- 
 pany, and a good companion, offered me his ser- 
 vices to get the animal over the roughest part 
 of the route. I accepted his offer, and promised 
 that we would ride by turns, so I took the horse 
 by the bridle and led him, Whitaker following 
 behind, coaxing him along. The mountain was 
 so steep I had to talk to keep the horse on his 
 feet, but nevertheless he slipped several times 
 and we worried to get him up again. We made 
 slow headway; the column had advanced, and 
 we lost sight of it, and were left alone, worrying 
 with the horse, who finally lost foothold again, 
 and rolled over. The writer was forced to 
 turn loose the bridle to keep from being dragged 
 along into the hollow. The horse rolled over 
 and over, making every effort to gain his feet, 
 but to no avail, until he reached the bottom, 
 where he appeared no bigger than a goat. I 
 felt sorry for the poor animal, so I went down, 
 took off his saddle and bridle, placed them on 
 a rock, and left him to take care of himself. I 
 rejoined Dr. Whitaker. Relieved of our burden, 
 we followed the trail made by the column. 
 About sunset we caught sight of them, just as
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 31 
 
 they crossed Green Brier River, a wide, but 
 shallow stream. At that place the water was 
 waist deep in the center, running very swift, as 
 mountain streams do, over slippery moss-cov- 
 ered rocks. When center of the river, I lost 
 foot hold and the stream, swift as it was, swept 
 me under, and in my feeble condition I had a 
 struggle to recover myself. I lost my rations, 
 which were swept down stream, a great loss to 
 me, but undoubtedly served as a fine repast for 
 the fishes which abounded in those waters. 
 
 The column continued its line of march, pas- 
 sing a settlement, the first dwelling I had seen 
 in five days. I called at the gate ; receiving no 
 answer, I walked into the porch; the door being 
 ajar, I pushed it open and found an empty room, 
 with the exception of a wooden bench, and an 
 old-fashioned, home-made primitive empty bed- 
 stead, with cords serving to support the bedding 
 that the owners had hurriedly removed before 
 our arrival. I called again. Presently a young 
 woman presented herself. After passing greet- 
 ings of the day I asked, "Where are the folks?" 
 She said, "They are not here," (the surround- 
 ings indicated a hasty exit). I said, "So I see. 
 Where are they?" She said she did not know, 
 undoubtedly not willing to divulge. "Who lives
 
 32 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 here?" "Mr. Snider." "And you don't know 
 where he is ? " " No, he heard you all were com- 
 ing, and not being in sympathy with you all, he 
 left." "Well, he ought not to have done so, 
 nobody would have harmed him or hurt a hair 
 on his head. He is entitled to his opinion, as 
 long as he does not take up arms against us." 
 So I recounted the accident that had befallen 
 me, and wanted to replenish my provisions. 
 I asked if I could buy something to eat. She 
 said, "There are no provisions in the house", 
 "Well, I hope you would not object to my mak- 
 ing a fire in this fire-place to dry myself." She 
 said she had no objection. It must be remem- 
 bered that the fire-places in those days were 
 very roomy indeed. I found wood on the wood- 
 pile, and soon had a roaring fire. It was late 
 in the evening, and I intended to pass that night 
 under shelter, for I was chilled to the bone. In 
 moving the bench in front of the fire, on which 
 to spread my jacket to dry, I noticed a pail cov- 
 ered, and full of fresh milk, "Well, you can 
 sell me some of that milk, can't you?" She 
 said, "You can have all you want for nothing." 
 I thanked her and said I wish I had some meal 
 and I could well make out. She said, "I will 
 see if I can find any", and presently she 
 returned with sufficient to make myself a large
 
 WAE BETWEEN THE STATES 33 
 
 hoe-cake. I baked the same on an old shovel. 
 While it was baking my clothes were drying on 
 my body, affording a luxuriant steam bath. I 
 had a tin cup. I drank some of the milk and had 
 a plentiful repast. I handed her a quarter of a 
 dollar to pay for the meal, which she accepted 
 with some hesitancy. All at once the girl dis- 
 appeared and left me in charge. It was most 
 dark, when someone hollowed at the gate ; recog- 
 nizing the voices, I found them to be two men 
 of my Company, viz., G. A. Tarbutton and J. A. 
 Roberson. I met them and invited them in. 
 To tell the truth, I did not much like the myste- 
 rious surroundings of those premises, especi- 
 ally as the girl asked me not to divulge that she 
 let me have some meal. 
 
 My comrades and self took in the situation; 
 we conferred with one another and agreed to 
 spend the night under shelter in a warm room, 
 a luxury not enjoyed in some time and not to 
 be abandoned. They had informed me that the 
 Column had encamped less than a quarter of a 
 mile beyond and they had returned to this place 
 in search of some Apple Jack. We concluded 
 to take it by turns, while two of us are asleep, 
 the third will stand guard and keep up the fire, 
 for the reader must know that notwithstanding
 
 34 MEMOIRS OF A VETEKAN 
 
 the season, the nights were very cold in those 
 mountain regions and were especially so with 
 wet garments on. 
 
 The following morning my comrades left, but 
 before leaving we disposed of the milk in the 
 pail. I remained in the hope of again seeing 
 my charming hostess, and induce her to sell me 
 some provisions for my journey along. I saw 
 in the woods, some old hens scratching, and I 
 thought I might persuade her to sell me one. 
 Presently she came with a plate of ham, chicken 
 and biscuits which she offered me. I accepted, 
 and not wishing to embarrass her, did not ask 
 any questions. Presently, old man Snider 
 appeared. He was a fine looking specimen of 
 manhood, had a ruddy complexion and appeared 
 physically Herculean. After exchanging a lit- 
 tle commonplace talk, he followed me to where 
 the boys camped. He was seemingly astonished 
 to see so many gentlemen among the so-called 
 savage rebels. I asked him if he could induce 
 his daughter to bake me a chicken, he answered, 
 "I suppose I could." "What will it be worth !" 
 "Half a dollar" he guessed. I gave him the 
 money and he said he would bring me the 
 chicken, which he did, and it was a fine one, well 
 cooked.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 35 
 
 ' [* The people in that thinly populated section of 
 the country lived a very primitive life, they 
 were mostly ignorant. They did their own work, 
 had plenty to live on, owned no negroes and 
 were very kind-hearted after you got acquainted. 
 They had strange notions about the Rebels, 
 thinking we were terrible fellows. The origi- 
 nal settlers of Northwestern Virginia were 
 Dutch, a very simple and hard-working honest 
 people. 
 
 At about three o'clock in the afternoon, hav- 
 ing had a long rest, we again took up the line of 
 march by short stages, still under the guidance 
 of one of our guides, and from that day on, we 
 continued our march, passing Cheat Mountain, 
 Allegheny Mountains, until finally we reached 
 McDowell. Coming down Cheat Mountain, the 
 boys were treated to a strange sight, especially 
 those who were raised in a low country and who 
 had never seen any mountains, for in those days 
 there was not much traveling done, and the 
 majority of the people did not often venture 
 away from their homes. 
 
 The little village of Huttensville lies just at 
 the foot of Cheat Mountain, a mountain of great 
 altitude. The houses below us did not appear 
 to be larger than bird cages, but plainly in
 
 36 MEMOIRS OF A VETEBAN 
 
 view, first to the right and then to the left, as 
 the pike would tack, the mountain being very 
 steep. It was a lovely day, the sun had risen in 
 all its splendor, when as if by magic, our view 
 below us was obscured by what seemed to be a 
 very heavy fog, and we lost sight of the little 
 village. Still the sun was shining warm, and as 
 we were going down hill it was easy going, and 
 as we approached the village, the veil that had 
 obscured our view lifted itself and the people 
 reported to have experienced one of the heaviest 
 storms in their lives, the proof of which we 
 noticed in t"Ee mud and washouts which were 
 visible, while we who were above the clouds did 
 not receive a single drop.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 At McDowell we formed a reunion with the 
 rest of our forces, who in their flight made a 
 long detour, passing through a portion of Mary- 
 land adjoining that part of West Virginia. The 
 following evening we had dress parade and the 
 Adjutant's report of those who were missing. 
 The writer does not remember the entire casu- 
 alties of that affair, but found that his little 
 squad of twenty-one were all present or account- 
 ed for. 
 
 My friend, Eagle, from whom we hired teams 
 to carry us to Laurel Hill was present and he 
 came to shake hands with me while we were in 
 line ; he was glad to see me. A general order to 
 disband the regiment for ten days was read, in 
 order to enable the men to seek the needed rest. 
 Mr. Eagle came to me at once, saying, "I take 
 care of you and your friends, the twenty-one 
 that I hauled to Laurel Hill, at my house. It 
 shall not cost you a cent", a most generous and 
 acceptable offer. I called for my Davisboro 
 fellows, and followed Mr. Eagle to his home, 
 where he entertained us in a most substantial 
 manner. He was a man well-to-do, an old bach-
 
 38 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 elor. The household consisted of himself and 
 two spinster sisters, all between forty and fifty 
 years of age ; and a worthy mother in the sev- 
 enties, also a brother who was a harmless lune r 
 roving at will and coming home when he pleased, 
 a very inoffensive creature ; his name was Chris. 
 The mother, although for years in that country, 
 still could not talk the English language. Un- 
 tiringly and seemingly in the best of mood, 
 they performed their duties in preparing meals 
 for that hungry army. Chris got kinder mys- 
 tified to see so many strangers in the house. He 
 walked about the premises all day, saying, 
 "Whoo-p-e-ee Soldiers fighting against the 
 war", and no matter what you asked him, his 
 reply was, "Whoo-o-p-e-ee, Soldiers fighting 
 against the war-ha-ha-ha-ha!" 
 
 At the expiration of the ten days leave, we 
 bade our host good-bye. We wanted to remu- 
 nerate him, at least in part, for all of his trouble 
 in our behalf, but he would not receive the least 
 remuneration, saying, "I am sorry I could not 
 have done more." "We rendezvoused in the town, 
 but a great many were missing on account of 
 sickness, the measles of a very virulent nature 
 having broken out among the men, and many 
 succumbed from the disease. We were ordered
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 39 
 
 back to Monterey and went into camp. The meas- 
 les still continued to be prevalent and two of my 
 Davisboro comrades died of it, viz., John Lewis 
 and Noah Turner, two as clever boys as ever 
 were born. I felt very sad over the occurrence. 
 Their bodies were sent home and they were 
 buried at New Hope Church. 
 
 General B. E. Lee, rode up one day, and we 
 were ordered in line for inspection, he was rid- 
 ing a dapple gray horse. He looked every inch 
 a soldier. His countenance had a very paternal 
 and kind expression. He was clean shaven, 
 with the exception of a heavy iron gray mus- 
 tache. He complimented us for our soldiery 
 bearing. He told Captain Jones that he never 
 saw a finer set of men. We camped at Mon- 
 terey for a month. During all this time, when 
 the people at home became aware of our disas- 
 ter, they at once went to work to make up uni- 
 forms and other kinds of wearing apparels. 
 Every woman that could ply a needle exerted 
 herself, and before we left Monterey for Green 
 Brier, Major Newman, who always a useful and 
 patriotic citizen, made his appearance among 
 the boys, with the product of the patriotic 
 women of Washington County. Every man was 
 remembered munificently, and it is due to the
 
 40 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 good women of the county that we were all com- 
 fortably shod and clothed to meet the rigorous 
 climate of a winter season in that wild region.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 AY bile still in earnps at Monterey, the Four- 
 teenth Georgia Regiment, on their way to Hun- 
 tersville, with a Company of our County, under 
 command of Captain Bob Harmon, encamped 
 close to us. The boys were glad to meet and 
 intermingled like brothers. A day or so after 
 we were ordered to move to Green Brier at the 
 foot of the Allegheny and Cheat Mountains, the 
 enemy occupying the latter, under general Rey- 
 nolds. 
 
 Our picket lines extended some three miles 
 beyond our encampment, while the enemy's also 
 extended to several miles beyond their encamp- 
 ment, leaving a neutral space unoccupied by 
 either forces. Often reconnoitering parties 
 would meet beyond the pickets and exchange 
 shots, and often pickets were killed at their 
 posts by an enemy slipping up through the 
 bushes unaware to the victim. I always consid- 
 ered such as willful murder. 
 
 It became my time to go on picket; the post 
 Assigned to me was on the banks of the River, 
 three miles beyond our camps. The night before 
 one of our men was shot from across the River.
 
 42 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 Usually three men were detailed to perform 
 that duty, so that they can divide watch every 
 two hours, one to guard and two to sleep, if such 
 was possible. On that occasion the guard wo 
 doubled and six men were detailed, and while 
 four lay on the ground in blankets, two were on 
 the look-out. The post we picked out was under 
 a very large oak; in our immediate rear was a 
 corn field the corn of which was already appro- 
 priated by the cavalry. The field was sur- 
 rounded by a low fence and the boys at rest lay 
 in the fence corners. It was a bright starlight 
 September night, no moon visible, but one could 
 distinguish an object some distance beyond. I 
 was on the watch. It was about eleven P. M., 
 ivhen through the still night, I heard foot-steps 
 and the breaking of corn stalks. I listened 
 intently, and the noise ceased. Presently I 
 heard it again; being on the alert, and so was 
 my fellow-watchman, we cautiously awoke the 
 men who were happy in the arms of Morpheus, 
 not even dreaming of any danger besetting 
 their surroundings. I whispered to them to get 
 ready quietly, that we heard the approach of 
 someone walking in our front. The guns which 
 were in reach beside them were firmly grasped. 
 We listened and watched, in a stooping posi- 
 tion, when the noise started again, yet a little
 
 A Picket Shot While on Du'.y, Nothing 
 Short of Murder.
 
 WAE BETWEEN THE STATES 43 
 
 more pronounced and closer. We were ready 
 to do our duty. I became impatient at the delay, 
 and not wishing to be taken by surprise, I 
 thought I would surprise somebody myself, so 
 took my musket at a trail, crept along the fence 
 to reconnoiter, while my comrades kept their 
 position. When suddenly appeared ahead of 
 me a white object, apparently a shirt bosom. I 
 cocked my gun, but my target disappeared, and 
 I heard a horse snorting. On close inspection, 
 I found that it was a loose horse grazing, and 
 what I took for a shirt bosom was his pale face, 
 which sometimes showed, when erect, then dis- 
 appeared while grazing. I returned and report- 
 ed, to the great relief of us all. Heretofore, 
 men on guard at the outpost would fire their 
 guns on hearing any unusual noise and thus 
 alarming the army, which at once would put 
 itself in readiness for defense, only to find out 
 that it was a false alarm and that they were 
 needlessly disturbed. Such occurrences hap- 
 pened too often, therefore a general order was 
 read that any man that would fire his gun need- 
 lessly and without good cause, or could not give 
 a good reason for doing so would be court-mar- 
 tialed and dealt with accordingly. Therefore, 
 the writer was especially careful not to violate 
 these orders.
 
 44 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 At another time it became again my lot to go 
 on vidette duty. This time it was three miles in 
 the opposite direction in the rear of the camp 
 in the Allegheny, in a Northwesterly direction, 
 in a perfect wilderness, an undergrowth of a 
 virgin forest. It was a very gloomy evening 
 the clouds being low. A continual mist was fall- 
 ing. It was in the latter part of September. "We 
 were placed in a depressed piece of ground sur- 
 rounded by mountains. The detail consisted of 
 Walker Knight, Alfred Barnes and myself. Cor- 
 poral Renfroe, whose duty was to place us in 
 position, gave us the following instructions and 
 returned to camp: " Divide your time as usual, 
 no fire allowed, shoot anyone approaching with- 
 out challenge." Night was falling fast, and in 
 a short while there was Egyptian darkness. We 
 could not even see our hands before our eyes. 
 There was a small spruce pine, the stem about 
 five inches in diameter, with its limbs just above 
 our heads. We placed ourselves under it as ;i 
 protection from the mist, and in case it would 
 rain. All at once, we heard a terrible yell, just 
 such as a wild cat might send forth, only many 
 times louder. This was answered it seemed 
 like, from every direction. Barnes remarked 
 " What in the world is that!" I said, "Panthers, 
 it looks like the woods are full of them." The
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 45 
 
 panthers, from what we learned from inhabi- 
 tants are dangerous animals, and often attack 
 man, being a feline species, they can see in the 
 dark. I said, "There is no sleep for us, let us 
 form a triangle, back to back against this tree, 
 so in case of an attack, we are facing in every 
 direction." Not being able to see, our guns and 
 bayonets were useless, and we took our pocket 
 knives in hand in case of an attack at close 
 quarters. The noise of these beasts kept up a 
 regular chorus all night long, and we would have 
 preferred to meet a regiment of the enemy than 
 to be placed in such a posit i.on. We were all 
 young and inexperienced. I was the oldest, and 
 not more than twenty-three years old. Walker 
 Knight said, "Boys, I can't stand it any lon- 
 ger, I am going back to camp." I said, "Wal- 
 ker, would you leave your post to be rourt-mar- 
 tialed, and reported as a coward? Then, you 
 would not find the way back, this dark night, 
 and be torn up before you would get there. 
 Here, we can protect each other." Occasion- 
 ally we heard dry limbs on the ground, crack, 
 as if someone walking on them. This was rather 
 close quarters to be comfortable, especially 
 when one could not see at all. There we stood, 
 not a word was spoken above a whisper, when 
 we heard a regular snarl close by, then Barnes
 
 46 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 said, "What is that?" I said, "I expect it is a 
 bear." All this conversation was in the lowest 
 whisper ; to tell the truth, it was the worst night 
 I ever passed, and my friend Knight, even now 
 says that he could feel his hair on his head stand 
 straight up. 
 
 My dear reader, don't you believe we were 
 glad when day broke on us? It was seemingly 
 the longest night I ever spent, and so say my 
 two comrades. 
 
 The country from Monterey to Cheat Moun- 
 tain was not inhabited, with the exception of a 
 tavern on top of the Allegheny, where trav- 
 elers might find refreshments for man and 
 beast. The enemy often harassed us with 
 scouting parties, and attacking isolated posts. 
 To check these maneuvres, we did the same; 
 so one evening, Lieutenant Dawson of the 
 Twelfth Georgia Regiment, Captain Willis 
 Hawkins ' Company from Sumter County, and 
 which regiment formed a contingent part of our 
 forces at Green Brier River, came to me say- 
 ing, ' ' Hermann, I want you tonight. ' ' He was 
 a fearless scout, a kind of warfare that suited 
 his taste, and he always called on me on such 
 occasions. And after my last picket experience, 
 I was only too willing to go with him, as it
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 47 
 
 relieved me from army duty the day following, 
 and I preferred that kind of excitement to stand- 
 ing guard duty. 
 
 "VVe left at dark, and marched about four 
 miles, towards the enemy's camp to Cheat Eiver, 
 a rather narrow stream to be a river. A wooden 
 bridge spanned the stream. We halted this 
 side. On our right was a steep mountain, the 
 turn pike or road rounded it nearly at its base. 
 The mountain side was covered with flat loose 
 rocks of all sizes, averaging all kinds of thick- 
 ness. By standing some on their edge, and prop- 
 ping them with another rock, afforded fine pro- 
 tection against minnie balls. In this manner 
 we placed ourselves in position behind this im- 
 provised breastworks. 
 
 The mot d'ordre was not to fire until the com- 
 mand was given. We were ten in number, and 
 the understanding was to fire as we lay, so as to 
 hit as many as possible. At about ten o'clock 
 P. M. we heard the enemy crossing the bridge, 
 their horses 's hoofs were muffled so as to make 
 a noiseless crossing, and take our pickets by sur- 
 prise. They came within fifty yards of us and 
 halted in Column. Lieutenant Dawson com- 
 manded the man next to him to pass it up the 
 line to make ready to shoot, when he commanded
 
 48 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 in a loud voice, "Fire!" Instantly, as per one 
 crack of a musket, all of us fired, and conster- 
 nation reigned among the enemy's ranks; those 
 that could get away stampeded across the bridge. 
 We did not leave our position until day. When 
 we saw the way was clear, we gathered them 
 up, took care of the wounded and buried the 
 dead several of our shots were effective. On 
 the 3rd of October, they made an attack on us 
 in full force, and while they drove in our pick- 
 etc, we had ample time to prepare to give them 
 a warm reception. 
 
 The following is a description of the battle 
 ground and a description of our forces: 
 
 On the extreme right, in an open meadow, 
 not far from the banks of the river, was the 
 First Georgia Regiment, lying flat on the 
 grass ; to the immediate left and rear was a bat- 
 tery of four guns, on a mount immediately con- 
 fronting the turn pike, and fortified by breast- 
 works, and supported by the Forty-fourth Vir- 
 ginia Regiment, commanded by Colonel Scott; 
 further to left, across the road was a masked 
 battery, with abatis in front, Captain Ander- 
 son commanding, and supported by the Third 
 Arkansas Regiment and the Twelfth Georgia 
 Regiment, commanded by Colonels Rusk and
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 49 
 
 Johnston respectively. As the enemy came 
 down the turn pike, the battery on our left, com- 
 manding that position, opened on them, the 
 enemy from across the river responded with 
 alacrity, and there was a regular artillery duel 
 continuously. Their infantry filed to their left, 
 extending their line beyond that of the First 
 Georgia, they followed the edge of the stream 
 at the foot of the mountain. We detached two 
 Companies from the Regiment further to our 
 right, to extend our line. They were not more 
 than two hundred yards in front. The balance 
 of the regiment lay low in its position ; the order 
 was to shoot low, and not before we could see 
 the white of their eyes. 
 
 The enemy would fire on us continually, but 
 the balls went over us and did no damage. 
 While maneuvring thus on our right, they made 
 a vigorous attack on Anderson's battery, but 
 were repulsed with heavy loss. Late in the 
 afternoon they withdrew. Our casualties were 
 very small, and that of the enemy considerable. 
 
 Colonel Ramsey, who, early that morning went 
 out on an inspection tour, dismounted for some 
 cause, his horse came into camp without a rider, 
 and we gave him up for lost, but later, a little 
 before dark, he came in camp, to the great
 
 50 MEMOIBS OF A VETEKAN 
 
 rejoicing of the regiment, for we all loved him. 
 General Henry E. Jackson was our commander 
 at that time, and soon afterwards was trans- 
 ferred South. 
 
 The enemy had all the advantage by the supe- 
 riority of their arms, while ours were muzzle 
 loaders, carrying balls but a very short dis- 
 tance; theirs were long range, hence we could 
 not reach them only at close quarters. A very 
 amusing instant was had during their desultory 
 firing. The air was full of a strange noise; it 
 did not sound like the hiss of a minnie-ball, nor 
 like that of a cannon ball. It was clearly audi- 
 ble all along the line of the First Georgia; the 
 boys could not help tucking their heads. The 
 next day some of the men picked up a ram rod 
 at the base of a tree where it struck broadside, 
 and curved into a half circle. It was unlike any 
 we had, and undoubtedly the fellow forgot to 
 draw it out of the gun, fired it at us, and this 
 was the strange sound we heard which made us 
 dodge. A few nights later, a very dark night, 
 we sent out a strong detachment, under Com- 
 mand of Colonel Talliaferro to cut off their 
 pickets, which extended to Slavins Cabin (an 
 old abandoned log house). To cross the river 
 we put wagons in the run ; a twelve inch plank 
 connected the wagons and served as a bridge.
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 51 
 
 On the other side of the river was a torch bearer, 
 holding his torch so that the men could see how 
 to cross. The torch blinded me, and instead of 
 looking ahead, I looked down. It seemed that 
 the men with the torch shifted the light, casting 
 the shadow of a connecting plank to the right, 
 when instead of stepping on the plank, I stepped 
 on the shadow, and down in the water I went 
 (rather a cold bath in October) and before 
 morning, my clothing was actually frozen. In 
 crossing Cheat River Bridge, the road tacked to 
 the left, making a sudden turn, which ran par- 
 allel with the same road under it. The head of 
 the column having reached there, the rear think- 
 ing them to be enemies, fired into them. Haply 
 no one was hurt before the mistake was discov- 
 ered, but the enemy got notice of our approach 
 by the firing, and had withdrawn, so the expe- 
 dition was for naught. We were back in camp 
 about eight o'clock the following morning. 
 
 At the latter end of the month Colonel 
 Edward Johnson concluded to attack General 
 Reynolds in his stronghold on Cheat Mountain. 
 
 The Third Arkansas Regiment, under com- 
 mand of Colonel Rusk, was detached and sent to 
 the rear, taking a long detour a couple of days 
 ahead, and making demonstrations, while the
 
 52 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 main force would attack them in front. Colonel 
 Busk was to give the signal for attack. Early 
 in the night we sent out a large scouting party 
 to attack their pickets, and drive them in. Lieu- 
 tenant Dawson was in command. Early that 
 day we started with all the forces up Cheat 
 Mountain, a march of twelve miles. During the 
 progress of our march the advance guard hav- 
 ing performed what was assigned them to do, 
 returned by a settlement road running paral- 
 lel with the turn pike for some distance, when of 
 a sudden, balls were hissing among us and some 
 of the men were hit. The fire was returned at 
 once, and flanker drawn out whose duty it was 
 to march "on the flank of the column, some 
 twenty paces by its side, keeping a sharp look- 
 out. I mistook the order, and went down into 
 the woods as a scout, the firing still going n, 
 and I was caught between them both. I hugged 
 close to the ground keeping a sharp look-out to 
 my right. When I recognized the Company's 
 uniform, and some of my own men, I hollowed 
 at them to stop firing, that they were shooting 
 our own men, when they hollowed, " Hurrah for 
 Jeff Davis," when from above, Colonel John- 
 son responded, "Damn lies, boys, pop it to 
 them, ' ' when Weaver Jones stuck a white hand- 
 kerchief on his bayonet and -the firing ceased.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 53 
 
 Sergeant P. E. Talliaferro was hit in the breast 
 by a spent ball. Weaver had a lock of his hair 
 just above his ear cut off as though it had been 
 shaved off. One man was wounded and bled to 
 death, another was wounded and recovered. 
 Such mistakes happened often in our lines for 
 the lack of sound military knowledge. 
 
 The man that bled to death was from the 
 Dahlonega Guards. He said while dying, that 
 he would not mind being killed by an enemy's 
 bullet, but to be killed by his own friends is too 
 bad. Everything was done that could be done 
 for the poor fellow, but of no avail. 
 
 The column advanced to a plateau, overlook- 
 ing the enemy's camp. We placed our guns in 
 battery, waiting for the Eusk signal, which was 
 never given; we waited until four o'clock P. M. 
 and retraced our steps without firing a gun. 
 We saw their lines of fortification and their 
 flags flying from a bastion, but not a soul was 
 visible. We thought Eeynolds had given us the 
 slip and that we would find him in our rear and 
 in our camp before we could get back, so we 
 double quicked at a fox trot, until we reached 
 our quarters in the early part of the night. 
 
 Colonel Eusk came in two days afterward, 
 and reported that his venture was impracticable.
 
 54 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 Cold winter was approaching with rapid strides 
 and rations were not to the entire satisfaction 
 of our men. The beef that was issued to us, 
 although very fine, had become a monotonous 
 diet, and the men longed for something else, 
 they had become satiated with it, so I proposed 
 to Captain Jones that if he would report me 
 accounted for in his report, that I would go 
 over to Monterey and McDowell on a foraging 
 expedition, and bring provisions for the Com- 
 pany. He said he would, but I must not get 
 him into trouble, for the orders were that no 
 permits be issued for anyone to leave camp and 
 that all passes, if any be issued, must be coun- 
 tersigned by Captain Anderson, who was 
 appointed Commander of the post. We still 
 were without tents for they were captured by 
 the enemy at Carricks Ford, and we sheltered 
 ourselves the best we could with the blankets 
 we had received from home. The snow had 
 fallen during the night to the depth of eight 
 inches, and it was a strange sight to see the 
 whole camp snowed under, (literally speak- 
 ing). When morning approached, the writer 
 while not asleep, was not entirely aroused. He 
 lay there under his blanket, a gentle perspira- 
 tion was oozing from every pore of his skin, 
 when suddenly, he aroused himself, and rose up.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 55^ 
 
 Not a man was to be seen, the hillocks of snow, 
 however, showed where they lay, so I hollowed, 
 "look at the snow." Like jumping out of the 
 graves, the men pounced up in a jiffy, they were 
 wrestling and snowballing and rubbing each 
 other with it. After, having performed all the 
 duties devolving upon me that afternoon, I 
 started up the Allegheny where some members 
 of my Company with others, were detailed, 
 building winter quarters. Every carpenter in 
 the whole command was detailed for that 
 purpose*
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 When some three miles beyond camps, I 
 noted a little smoke arising as I approached. I 
 noted that it was the outpost. My cap was cov- 
 ered with an oil cloth, and I had an overcoat 
 with a cape, such as officers wore; hence the 
 guard could not tell whether I was a private, 
 corporal or a general. I noticed that they had 
 seen me approach. One of them advanced to the 
 road to challenge me, but I spoke first. I knew 
 it was against the -orders to have a fire at the 
 outpost on vidette duty so I said, "Who told you 
 to have a fire? Put out that fire, sirs, don't you 
 know it is strictly prohibited?" "What is your 
 name what Company do you belong to, and 
 what is your regiment?" all of which was 
 answered. I took my little note book and pen- 
 cil, and made an entry, or at least made a bluff 
 in this direction, and said, "You'll hear from me 
 again." I had the poor fellow scared pretty 
 badly, and they never even made any demand 
 on me to find out who I was. They belonged 
 to Colonel Scott's regiments. The bluff worked 
 like a charm, and I marched on. When about 
 six miles from camp, I was pretty tired, walk- 
 ing in the snow and up-hill. I saw General
 
 WAK BETWEEN THE STATES 57 
 
 
 
 Henry R. Jackson, and Major B. L. Blum, com- 
 ing along in a jersey wagon. The General 
 asked me where I was going, it was my time 
 to get a little scared. I answered that I was 
 going on top the Allegheny where they built 
 winter quarters. "Get in the wagon, you can 
 ride, we are going that way. ' ' I thanked them ; 
 undoubtedly the General thought that I was 
 detailed to go there and to assist in that work. 
 This is the last I saw of General Jackson in 
 that country. 
 
 Among the men I found Tom Tyson, Richard 
 Hines, William Roberson (surnamed "Cru- 
 soe"). I spent the night with them in a cabin 
 they had built and the following morning I 
 took an early start down the mountain toward 
 Monterey. It had continued to snow all the 
 night and it lay to the depth of twelve inches. 
 I could only follow the road by the opening dis- 
 tance of the tree tops, and which sometimes was 
 misleading. I passed the half-way house, 
 known as the tavern, about 9 o'clock A: M. 
 Four hundred yards beyond, going in an oblique 
 direction at an angle of about 45 degrees, I saw 
 a large bear going through the woods ; he was 
 a fine specimen, his fur was as black as coal. I 
 approximate his size as about between three 
 hundred and four hundred pounds. He turned
 
 58 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 his head and looked at me and stopped. I at 
 once halted, bringing my musket to a trail. I 
 was afraid to fire for fear of missing my mark, 
 my musket being inaccurate, so I reserved my 
 fire for closer quarters, the bear being at least 
 fifty yards from me, and he followed his course 
 in a walk. I was surprised and said to myself, 
 ' * Old fellow, if you let me alone, I surely will 
 not bother you. ' ' 
 
 I watched him 'till he was out of my sight. 
 My reason for not shooting him was two-fold; 
 first, I was afraid I might miss him, and my gun 
 being a muzzle loader, the distance between us 
 was too short, and he would have been on me 
 before I could have reloaded, so I reserved my 
 fire, expecting to get in closer proximity. I was 
 agreeably surprised when he continued his jour- 
 ney. When I came to Monterey that afternoon, 
 I told some of its citizens what a narrow escape 
 I had. They smiled and said " Bears seldom 
 attack human, unless in very great extremities, 
 but I did well not to have shot unless I was sure 
 that I would have killed him, for a wounded 
 bear would stop the flow of blood with his fur, 
 by tapping himself on the wound, and face 
 his antagonist, and I could have been sure he 
 would have gotten the best of me."
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 59 
 
 From Monterey I went over to McDowell, 
 fourteen miles, to see my friend Eagle and his 
 brother-in-law, Sanders, he that made the 
 twelve Yankees run by running in front of 
 them. I stated my business and invoked their 
 assistance, which they cheerfully extended. In 
 about three days we had about as much as a 
 four horse team could pull. 
 
 Provisions sold cheap. One could buy a fine 
 turkey for fifty cents, a chicken for fifteen to 
 twenty cents, butter twelve and one-half cents 
 and everything else in proportion. Apples were 
 given me for the gathering of them. Bacon 
 and hams for seyen to eight cents per pound, the 
 finest cured I ever tasted. 
 
 The people in these regions lived bountifully, 
 and always had an abundance to spare. Mr. 
 Eagle furnished the team and accompanied me 
 to camp, free of charge. Money was a scarce 
 article at that time among the boys; the gov- 
 ernment was several months in arrear with our 
 pay, but we expected to be paid off daily, so 
 Mr. Eagle said he would be responsible to the 
 parties that furnished the provisions, and the 
 Company could pay him when we got our 
 money; he was one of the most liberal and
 
 60 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 patriotic men that it was my pleasure to meet 
 during the war. 
 
 Four days later, Captain Jones received our 
 money. I kept a record of all the provisions 
 furnished to each man, and the captain deduct- 
 ed the amount from each. I wrote Eagle to 
 come up and get his money; he came, and 
 received every cent that was due him. 
 
 But I must not omit an incident that occurred 
 when near our camp with the load of provisions. 
 I had to pass hard by the Twelfth Georgia Reg- 
 iment, which was camped on the side of the 
 turnpike, when some of the men who were as 
 anxious for a change of diet as we were, came to 
 me and proposed to buy some of my provisions. 
 I stated that they were sold and belonged to 
 Company E, First Regiment, and that I could 
 not dispose of them. Some Smart- Aleks, such 
 as one may find among any gathering of men, 
 proposed to charge the wagon and appropriate 
 its contents by force. Seeing trouble ahead, I 
 drew my pistol, when about a dozen men ran out 
 with their guns. Eagle turned pale, he thought 
 his time had come, when a Lieutenant inter- 
 fered, asking the cause of the disturbance, 
 which I stated. He said, "Men, none of that,
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 61 
 
 back with those guns. ' ' He mounted the wagon 
 and accompanied us to my camp, which was a 
 few hundred yards beyond.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Once later, I was called out for fatigue duty. 
 I said, "Corporal, what is to be done?" He 
 answered, "To cut wood for the blacksmith 
 shop." I replied, "You had better get some- 
 one else who knows how, I never cut a stick in 
 my life," he said, "You are not too old to learn 
 how." This was conclusive, so he furnished me 
 with an axe, and we marched into the woods, 
 and he said he would be back directly wi'th a 
 wagon to get the wood and he left me. I was 
 looking about me to find a tree, not too large, 
 one that I thought I could manage. I spied a 
 sugar maple about eight inches in diameter. I 
 sent my axe into it, but did not take my cut 
 large enough to reach the center, when it came 
 down to a feather edge and I did not have judg- 
 ment enough to know how to enlarge my cut by 
 cutting from above, so I started a new cut from 
 the right, another from the left, bringing the 
 center to a pivot of about three inches in diam- 
 eter, as solid as the Eock of Gibraltar; finally, 
 by continuous hacking, I brought it to a point 
 where I could push it back and forth. The 
 momentum finally broke the center, but in place 
 of falling, the top lodged in a neighboring tree,
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 63 
 
 and I could not dislodge it. I worked hard, the 
 perspiration ran down my face, my hands were 
 lacerated, I finally got mad, and sent the axe 
 a-glimmering, and it slid under the snow. After 
 awhile my corporal came for the wood; "Where 
 is the wood?" I showed him the tree; "Is that 
 all you have done?" I could not restrain any 
 longer, I said, "Confound you, I told you I did 
 not know anything about cutting wood." 
 "Where is the axe?", we looked everywhere 
 but could not find it ; it must have slid under the 
 snow and left no trace, so he arrested me and 
 conducted me before Colonel Edward Johnson, 
 a West Pointer, in command of the post. He 
 was at his desk writing; turning to face us, he 
 addressed himself to me, who stood there, cap 
 in hand, while the Corporal stood there with 
 his kept on his head. "What can I do for you?" 
 I said, looking at the Corporal. "He has me 
 under arrest and brought me here." Looking 
 at the corporal the Colonel said, "Pull off your 
 hat, sir, when you enter officers' quarters." (I 
 would not have taken a dollar for that). The 
 Corporal pulled off his cap. "What have you 
 arrested him for?" The Corporal answered 
 that I was regularly detailed to cut wood for the 
 blacksmith shop, and that I failed to do my duty, 
 and lost the axe he furnished me. "Why did
 
 64 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 you not cut the wood?" said the Colonel. "I 
 tried," said I, "I told him that I had never cut 
 any wood and did not know how ; where I came 
 from there are no woods. Look at my hands." 
 They were badly blistered and lacerated. The 
 Colonel cursed out the Corporal as an imbecile, 
 for not getting someone who was used to such 
 work. I told the Colonel how hard I had tried 
 and what I had done. The Colonel smiled and 
 said, "What did you do with the axe?"; 
 "When the tree lodged and I could not budge 
 it, I got mad and made a swing or two with the 
 axe, and let her slide; it must have slid under 
 the snow, and we could not find it." "What 
 have you done for a living?" "After I quit 
 school, I clerked in a store. " "Can you write? ' ' 
 "Oh, yes!" "Let me see." "My hand is too 
 sore and hurt now." "Well, come around to- 
 morrow, I may get you a job here." 
 
 Next day I called at his quarters, and he put 
 me to copying some documents and reports, 
 which I did to his satisfaction. I had warm 
 quarters and was relieved from camp duties for 
 a little while. 
 
 This brings us to about the middle of Decem- 
 ber, and we were ordered to Winchester. Col- 
 onel Johnson with his Regiment and a small
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 65 
 
 force, was left in charge of the Winter Quarters 
 on the Allegheny, so I took leave of him to join 
 my Company. 
 
 Colonel Johnson, while a little brusk in his 
 demeanor, was a clever, social gentleman, and 
 a good fighter, which he proved to be when the 
 enemy made a night descent on him and took 
 him by surprise. He rallied his men, barefooted 
 in the snow, knee-deep, thrashed out the enemy 
 and held the fort ; he was promoted to General 
 and was afterwards known as the Allegheny 
 Johnson. 
 
 My Command having preceded me, I went tc 
 Staunton, where I met J. T. Youngblood, Rob- 
 ert Parnelle and others from my Company. I 
 also met Lieutenant B. D. Evans of my Com- 
 pany, just returned from a visit from home. 
 We took the stage coach from Stanton to Win- 
 chester through Kanawah Valley. We passed 
 Woodstock, Strasburg, New Market, Middle- 
 town, and arrived at Winchester in due time. 
 General T. J. Jackson in command, we had a 
 splendid camp about a mile to the left of the 
 city. The weather had greatly moderated and 
 the snow was melting. The regiment had re- 
 ceived tents to which we built chimneys with flat 
 rocks that were abundant all around us. The
 
 66 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 flour barrels served as chimney stacks, and we 
 were comfortable; rations were also good and 
 plentiful, but hardly were we installed when we 
 received orders to strike camps. The men were 
 greatly disappointed ; we expected to be permit- 
 ted to spend winter there, We took up the line 
 of march late in the evening, marched all night 
 and struck Bath early in the morning, took the 
 enemy by surprise while they were fixing their 
 morning meal, which they left, and the boys 
 regaled . themselves. The Commissary and 
 Quartermaster also left a good supply behind 
 in their rapid flight, and we appropriated many 
 provisions, shoes, blankets and overcoats ; from 
 Bath we marched to Hancock, whipped out a 
 .small force of the enemy, and continued our 
 force to Romney where we struck camps. 
 Bomney is a small town situated on the other 
 side of the Potomac River. General Jackson 
 demanded the surrender of the place, the 
 enemy refused, so he ordered the non-combat- 
 ants to leave, as he would bombard the town. 
 Bringing up a large cannon which we called 
 "Long Tom" owing to its size, he fired one 
 round and ordered us to fall back. All this was 
 during Christmas week. 
 
 On our return it turned very cold and sleeted ;
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 67 
 
 the road became slick and frozen, and not being 
 prepared for the emergency, I saw mules, 
 horses and men take some of the hardest falls, 
 as we retraced our steps, the road being down 
 grade. This short campaign was a success an4 
 accomplished all it intended from a military 
 standpoint, although we lost many men from 
 exposure; pneumonia was prevalent among 
 many of our men. We have now returned to 
 Winchester. The writer himself, at that time, 
 thought that this campaign was at a great sac- 
 rifice of lives from hardships and exposures, but 
 later on, learned that it was intended as a check 
 to enable General Lee in handling his forces 
 against an overwhelming force of the enemy, 
 and being still reinforced and whose battle cry 
 still was "On to Richmond." It was for this 
 reason that General "Stonewall" Jackson 
 threatened Washington via Eomney and the 
 enemy had .to recall their reinforcements 
 intended against General Lee to protect Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 The men from the Southern States were 
 used to such rigorous climate and many of eur 
 men had to succumb from exposure. My Com- 
 pany lost three men from pneumonia, viz: 
 Sam and Richard Hines, two splendid soldiers,
 
 68 MEMORIES OP A VETERAN 
 
 and brothers, and Lorenzo Medlock. The writer 
 also was incapacitated. There were no prepa- 
 rations in Winchester for such contingencies, 
 so the churches were used as hospitals. The 
 men were packed in the pews wrapped in their 
 blankets, others were lying on the nasty humid 
 floor, for it must be remembered that the streets 
 in Winchester were perfect lobbies of dirt and 
 snow tramped over by men, horses and vehicles. 
 While there in that condition I had the good 
 fortune to be noted by one of my regiment, he 
 was tall and of herculean form, his name was 
 Griswold, and while he and myself on a previ- 
 ous occasion had some misunderstanding and 
 therefore not on speaking terms, he came to me 
 and extended his hand, saying: "Let us be 
 friends, we have hard times enough without 
 adding to it." I was too sick to talk, but 
 extended my hand, in token of having buried the 
 hatchet. He asked me if he could do anything 
 for me. I shook my head and shut my eyes. I 
 was very weak. When I opened them he was 
 gone. During the day he returned, saying: 
 "I found a better place for you at a private 
 house. He wrapped me in my blanket and 
 carried me on his shoulders a distance of over 
 three blocks. Mrs. Mandelbawm, the lady of the 
 house, had a nice comfortable room prepared
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 69 
 
 for me, and Griswold waited on me like a 
 brother, he was a powerful man, but very over- 
 bearing at times, but had a good heart. Mr. 
 Mandelbawm sent their family physician, who 
 prescribed for me. He pronounced me very 
 sick, he did not know how it might terminate. 
 It took all his efforts and my determination to 
 get well after three weeks struggling to accom- 
 plish this end. My friend came to see me daily 
 when off duty. 
 
 The regiment's term of enlistment will soon 
 have expired, for we only enlisted for one year. 
 The regiment received marching order, not being 
 strong enough for duty. Through the recom- 
 mendation of my doctor and regimental color, 
 I was discharged and sent home. The regiment 
 had been ordered to Tennessee, but owing to a 
 wreck on the road they were disbanded at 
 Petersburg, Va., and the boys arrived home ten 
 days later than I. 
 
 In getting my transportation the Quarter- 
 master asked me to deliver a package to General 
 Beaureguard as I would pass via Manassas 
 Junction. When I arrived I inquired far his 
 quarters, when I was informed that he had left 
 for Centreville, I followed to that place, when 
 I was told he had left for Richmond. Arriving
 
 70 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 at Richmond I went at once to the Executive 
 Department in quest of him and should I fail to 
 find him, would leave my package there, which 
 
 I did. This was on Saturday evening, I had not 
 a copper in money with me, but I had my pay 
 roll ; going at once to the Treasury Department, 
 to my utter consternation, I found it closed. A 
 very affable gentlemen informed me that the 
 office was closed until Monday morning. I said, 
 
 II What am I to do, I have not a cent of money in 
 my pocket and no baggage," for at that time 
 hotels had adopted a rule that guests without 
 baggage would have to pay in advance. I 
 remarked that I could not stay out in the streets, 
 so the gentleman pulled a $10.00 bill out of his 
 pocket and handed it to me saying, "Will that 
 do you until Monday morning, 8 o'clock? When 
 the office will be open, everything will be all 
 right. ' ' I thanked him very kindly. Monday I 
 presented my bill which was over six months in 
 arrears. They paid it at once in Alabama State 
 bills, a twenty-five cent silver and two cents cop- 
 pers. I did not question the correctness of their 
 calculation. I took the money and went in quest 
 of my friend who so kindly advanced me the 
 $10.00. I found him sitting at a desk. He 
 was very busy. I handed him a $10.00 bill and 
 again thanked him for his kindness ; he refused
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 71 
 
 it saying: "Never mind, you are a long ways 
 from home and may need it. " I replied that I 
 had enough to make out without it, I said that 
 I appreciated it, but didn't like to take presents 
 from strangers; he said, "We are no stran- 
 gers, my name is Juda P. Benjamin." Mr. 
 Benjamin was at that time Secretary of the 
 Treasury of the Confederate States. He was 
 an eminent lawyer from the State of Louisi- 
 ana, he became later on Secretary of War, and 
 when Lee surrendered he escaped to England 
 to avoid the wrath of the Federal Officials who 
 offered a premium for his capture. He became 
 Queen's Consul in England and his reputation 
 became international. No American who was 
 stranded ever appealed to him in vain, espe- 
 cially those from the South. It is said of him 
 that he gave away fortunes in charity. 
 
 I came back to Georgia among my friends 
 who were proud to see me. Having no near 
 relations, such as father or mother, sisters or 
 brothers to welcome me, as had my comrades, 
 my friends all over the County took pride in 
 performing that duty, and thus ended my first 
 year's experience as a soldier in the war be- 
 tween the States.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Notwithstanding the arduous campaign and 
 severe hardships endured during my first year's 
 service, I did not feel the least depressed in 
 spirit or patriotism. On the contrary the arms 
 of the Confederacy in the main had proven them- 
 selves very successful in repelling the enemy's 
 attacks and forcing that government continu- 
 ally to call new levees to crush our forces in the 
 field. 
 
 Those measures on the part of our adversa- 
 ries appealed to every patriot at home and 
 regardless of hardships already endured. Hence 
 the First Georgia Regiment although disbanded 
 as an organization, the rank and file had suffi- 
 cient pluck to re-enter the service for the period 
 of the war regardless as to how long it might 
 last. Possessing some hard endured experience, 
 many of them organized commands of their 
 own, or joined other commands as subalterns or 
 commissioned officers. 
 
 The following is a roll of promotion from 
 the members of the Washington Rifles as first 
 organized. See Appendix D. 
 
 The foregoing record proves that the Wash- 
 ington Rifles were composed of men capable of 
 handling forces and that it had furnished men
 
 WAS BETWEEN THE STATES 73 
 
 and officers in every branch of service in the 
 Confederate States Army, and had been active 
 after their return home from their first year's 
 experience in raising no little army themselves, 
 and what I have recorded of the "Washington 
 Rifles may be written of every Company com- 
 posing the First Georgia Regiment. 
 
 The State of Georgia furnished more men 
 than any other State, and Washington County 
 furnished more Companies than any other 
 County in the State. 
 
 Such men cannot be denominated as rebels 
 or traitors, epithets that our enemies would fain 
 have heaped upon us. If the true history of 
 the United States as written before the war and 
 adopted in every school-house in the land, 
 North, South, East and West, did not demon- 
 strate them as patriots, ready and willing to 
 sacrifice all but honor on the altar of their 
 country. 
 
 On the first of May, 1862, Sergeant E. P. 
 Howell came to me saying: " Herman, how 
 would you like to help me make up an artillery 
 Company? I have a relative in South Carolina 
 who is a West Pointer and understands that 
 branch of the service. The Yankees are mak- 
 ing tremendous efforts for new levees and we, 
 of the South, have to meet them. " "All right, ' '
 
 74 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 said I, "I am tired after my experience with 
 infantry, having gone through with 'Stone- 
 wall's' foot cavalry in his Romney campaign." 
 The following day we made a tour in the neigh- 
 borhood and enlisted a few of our old comrades 
 in our enterprise. We put a notice in the Her- 
 ald, a weekly paper edited by J. M. G. Medlock, 
 that on the 10th day of May we would meet in 
 Sandersville for organization, and then and 
 there we formed an artillery Company that 
 was to be known as the Sam Eobinson Artillery 
 Company, in honor of an old and venerable 
 citizen of our County. 
 
 General Eobinson, in appreciation of our hav- 
 ing named the Company in his honor presented 
 the organization with $1,000.00, which money 
 was applied in uniforming us. 
 
 The following members formed the composite 
 of said Company, and Robert Martin, known 
 as "Bob Martin" from Barnwell, S. C., was 
 elected Captain. See appendix E. 
 
 The writer was appointed bugler with rank 
 of Sergeant. 
 
 That night after supper, it being moon-light, 
 Mr. A. J. Linville a North Carolinian, a school 
 teacher boarding at my lodging proposed to 
 me as I performed on the flute, he being a vio- 
 linist, to have some music on the water. He
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 75 
 
 then explained that water is a conductor of 
 sound and that one could hear playing on it for 
 a long distance and music would sound a great 
 deal sweeter and more melodious than on land. 
 The Ogeechee River ran within a couple of hun- 
 dred yards from the house. There was on the 
 bank and close to the bridge a party of gentle- 
 men fishing, having a large camp fire and pre- 
 pared to have a fish-fry, so Linville and myself 
 took a boat that was moored above the bridge 
 and quietly, unbeknown to anybody paddled 
 about 1 1-4 mile up stream, expecting to float 
 down with the current. Although it was the 
 month of May the night was chilly enough for 
 an overcoat. Linville and myself struck up a 
 tune, allowing the boat to float along with the 
 current, the oar laying across my lap. Every- 
 thing was lovely, the moon was shining bright 
 and I enjoyed the novelty of the surroundings 
 and the music, when an over-hanging limb of a* 
 tree struck me on the neck. Wishing to disen- 
 gage myself, I gave it a shove, and away went 
 the boat from under me and I fell backwards 
 into the stream in 12 feet of water. To gain the 
 surface I had to do some hard kicking, my boots 
 having filled with water and my heavy overcoat 
 kept me weighted down.
 
 76 MEMORIES OF A VETERAX 
 
 When reaching the surface after a hard strug- 
 gle my first observation was for the boat which 
 was about 50 yards below, Linville swinging to 
 a limb. I called him to meet me, and he replied 
 that he had no oar, that I kicked it out of the 
 boat. The banks on each side were steep and 
 my effecting a landing was rather slim. I spied 
 a small bush half-way up the embankment, I 
 made for it perfectly exhausted, I grabbed it, 
 the bank was too steep and slippery to enable 
 me to land, so I held on and rested and man- 
 aged to disembarrass myself of the overcoat 
 and told Linville to hold on, that I was coming. 
 I could not get my boots off, so I made an extra 
 effort to reach him anyhow, as the current would 
 assist me by being in my favor, so I launched 
 oft. I reached the boat perfectly worn out. I 
 do not think I could have made another stroke. 
 After a little breathing spell and by a tremen- 
 dous effort I hoisted myself into the boat, but 
 not before it dipped some water. 
 
 On our way I picked up my discarded over- 
 coat and a piece of a limb which served as a 
 rudder to guide the boat to a successful land- 
 ing, and thus ended the music on the water. 
 
 We went to the house, changed our clothes 
 and returned, mingling with the fishermen and 
 kept all the fun we had to ourselves. They all
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 77 
 
 made a fine catch and there was fish a plenty 
 for all. Linville and myself enjoyed the repast, 
 as the physical exercise we had just undergone 
 sharpened our appetite. 
 
 A few days later we rendezvoued at Sanders- 
 ville, and the Company left for Savannah, our 
 camp of instruction. Under the tuition of 
 Jacobi, leader of the band of the 32nd Georgia, 
 W. H. Harrison's Regiment, I soon learned all 
 the calls and commands. 
 
 While thus engaged the Company had a gross 
 misunderstanding with Capt. Martin, who, 
 before coming in contact with the members of 
 his command, was an entire stranger to them. 
 Most all were ignorant of military duties, but 
 strictly honest and patriotic citizens. Capt. 
 Martin was a strict disciplinarian and putting 
 the screws on rather a little too tight placed him 
 into disfavor with the men, who petitioned him 
 to resign, otherwise they would prefer charges 
 against him. Thus matters stood when I 
 returned to camp. Martin was tried before a 
 board and exonerated. To revenge himself 
 upon those who were active in his persecution 
 he reduced those that were non-commissioned 
 officers to ranks and appointed others in their 
 stead; and to make matters more galling, 
 appointed a substitute, a mercenary as orderly
 
 78 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 Sergeant over a Company of volunteers, who 
 solely served their country through patriotism. 
 Ned Irwin, when elevated to the position he 
 was, proved himself a worthy tool in the hand 
 of his promoter. Men could not express an 
 opinion on hardly any subject without being 
 reported, he would sneak about in the dark, 
 crouch behind a tent evesdropping and make 
 report as unfavorably as he could to bring the 
 individual into disfavor. He made himself so 
 obnoxious that he did not have a friend in the 
 whole Company, and when he died at Yazoo 
 City, you could hear freely expressed the 
 following sentiment: "Poor old Ned is dead, 
 thank God this saves some good men of having 
 to kill him/' 
 
 When I returned to camp I presented myself 
 before Capt. Martin who examined me as to my 
 proficiency as a bugler. I said, * ' Captain, there 
 has been quite some changes made since I have 
 been away," he said, "Yes, the men have 
 accused me of speculating on their rations." I 
 said I was very sorry that such a state of affairs 
 existed among officers and men, where harmony 
 ought to prevail; he said he insisted that those 
 charges be substantiated and demanded a court 
 martial, who on hearing the facts cleared him
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 79 
 
 of any criminality, so he punished the leaders 
 f the gang by reducing them to ranks. 
 
 Capt. Martin, however, proved himself a 
 capable officer in handling artillery and the men 
 finally came to love him on account of his effi- 
 ciency and fairness. 
 
 While in camp of instructions in Savannah, 
 the Government furnished us with six brass 
 pieces (2 Howitzer and 4 Napoleon) with the 
 necessary accoutrement and horses and we were 
 ordered to Bryan County in support of Fort 
 McAllister. We went into camp by the side of 
 the Ogeechee River, about three miles this side 
 of the Fort, which camp we named "Camp 
 McAllister. ' ' The fort was an earth structure, 
 strongly constructed with redoubts and para- 
 pets. The magazine underground was strongly 
 protected by heavy timbers, and so was what 
 we called bomb-proof, for the men not actually 
 engaged, but who were ready to relieve those 
 who were, or became disabled under fire and 
 exposure, and compelled to be at their post of 
 duty. Short reliefs were necessary, for it is 
 hard work to manage heavy seige guns, but 
 the heaviest in that fort were only of forty-two 
 caliber. For some time nothing of importance 
 worth to chronicle happened ; the boys attended
 
 80 MEMOBIES OP A VETEKAN 
 
 to their regular camp life duty, roll calls and 
 drills; those off duty went fishing along the 
 river banks. 
 
 The country surrounding was low, flat, 
 marshy and replete with malarial fever, so 
 that we had to remove our camp several miles 
 further up the river, but still within close call 
 of the fort. This new camp was called ' ' Camp 
 Arnold," in honor of Doctor Arnold, on whose 
 land we stationed. One morning I was ordered 
 to blow the call, only one man, Sergeant Cox, 
 reported. All the rest of the command were 
 down with chills and fever. There was no qui- 
 nine to be had, owing to the blockade, such 
 medicines being considered by our adversaries 
 as contraband of war. Men tried every remedy 
 possible, even drank cottonseed tea, at the sug- 
 gestion of a country physician by the name of 
 Dr. Turner, who pronounced it as a good sub- 
 stitute (it was in taste if not in efficiency). The 
 writer was also stricken with the disease, and 
 was sent to Whitesville Hospital, about thirty 
 miles from Savannah on the Central of Georgia 
 Railroad. Dr. Whitehead was in charge of the 
 same, and Madam Cazzier and her daughter 
 from New Orleans were matrons. During my 
 fever spells I would rave sometimes and not 
 having been in this country over three years in
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 81 
 
 all, my friends predominated over the English 
 language. Madam Cazzier, who spoke French 
 also, took a great interest in me; in fact, she 
 was strictly interested in all the patients, but 
 she seemed to be a little partial to myself, and 
 spent some time by my bedside when the fever 
 was off, and would tell me what I said during 
 my delirium. She nursed me and devoted on me 
 a motherly care, for which I shall always 
 remain thankful. My recuperation was rapid, 
 and I soon felt myself again. 
 
 One morning it was announced that General 
 Mercer of Savannah, and the Board of Inspec- 
 tors were to come on a round of inspection, 
 when we heard heavy firing, the sounds coming 
 from the east. Presently we heard that the 
 enemy with a large fleet was attacking Fort 
 McAllister. General Mercer and his Board had 
 come up from Savannah on a special train. He 
 called for all convalescent, able to fight to vol- 
 unteer to go to the front. I presented myself; 
 I was the only one. We cut loose the locomotive 
 and one car and went flying to Savannah at 
 the rate of a mile a minute, crossed the City in 
 a buss at full speed to the Gulf Depot, now 
 known as the S. F. & W., just in time to board 
 the train to Way Station, twelve miles from 
 Savannah. An ambulance carried us to the
 
 8'2 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 Fort; the whole distance from the hospital to 
 the Fort was about fifty-two miles. We changed 
 conveyances three times and arrived at desti- 
 nation in less than two hours. Capt. Martin was 
 in charge of a Mortar Detachment, so I 
 reported to him for duty, but my place had been 
 taken, and the detachment was complete, hence 
 he had no use for me. I learned that Major 
 Galley, the Commander of the Fort, had been 
 killed by the first shot from the enemy's guns, 
 which penetrated a sixteen foot embankment, 
 knocked off the left hand trunnion of a thirty- 
 two pounder, and struck the Major above the 
 ear, and took off the top of his head, so Captain 
 Anderson, of the Savannah Blues, took com- 
 mand. Captain Martin sent me up the Eiver to 
 a band about half a mile to the rear, which posi- 
 tion placed me at a triangle point to the Fort 
 and the gun boats. I was instructed to notice 
 the effect of our shots on the enemy's boats. I 
 kept tally sheets as to the hits between the bel- 
 ligerent points. From my observation I counted 
 seventy-five hits by the guns of the Fort, and 
 one hundred and seventy-five hits by those of 
 the boats, which raised a cloud of dust equal to 
 an explosion of a mine. Their caliber being 
 three hundred and seventy-five pounders, and 
 fifteen inches in diameter, while our shots merely
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 83 
 
 made a bright spot where they struck the heavy 
 armoured vessels and ricochet beyond. While 
 thus observing I noted a strange move of one of 
 the boats, suddenly I saw an immense flash, and 
 a splash in the river a couple of yards in front 
 of me. The water being very clear, we noted 
 a large projective at the bottom of the stream, 
 evidently aimed at me, as it was in direct line, 
 as I sat on my horse; undoubtedly they must 
 have taken me for a commanding officer and 
 thus paid me their res I mean disrespect. 
 
 A concourse of people in the neighborhood 
 gathered to observe this unequal artillery duel 
 of five armoured gun boats and eleven wooden 
 mortar boats hidden behind a point below the 
 Fort, sending their projectiles like a shower of 
 aerolites into and around the Fort. Undaunted, 
 the boys stood by their guns, having the satis- 
 faction to notice one of the armoured vessels 
 break their line and floating down the River, 
 evidently having been struck in some vital part, 
 and thus placed hors de combat. This bom- 
 bardment continued from early morning until 
 near sundown, when the enemy withdrew, we 
 giving them parting shots as they steamed 
 down to their blockade station, lying in wait for 
 the Nashville, a blockade runner, who plyed 
 between Nassau, and any Confederate Port,
 
 84 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 which it might enter with goods, easily disposed 
 of at remunerative prices. The Fort was badly 
 dilapidated, our breast-works had been blown 
 to atoms, the guns exposed to plain view, all 
 port holes demolished, the barracks injured by 
 fire, which the boys extinguished while the bat- 
 tle was raging ; in fact, had a cyclone struck the 
 Fort in its full majestic force, it could not have 
 been worse. However, that night we pressed 
 into service all the negroes on the rice planta- 
 tions. Spades, shovels and pick axes were 
 handled with alacrity; baskets, bags and bar- 
 rels were filled, the enfeebled portions of the 
 Fort were reinforced by working like Trojans 
 all night long, and the Fort was again placed in 
 a presentable condition. 
 
 Early the following morning, when the enemy 
 again appeared, undoubtedly to take possession, 
 as the Fort would have been untenable in the 
 condition they left it the previous evening, we 
 opened fire on them, but they had seen what 
 had been done during the night, saw at once 
 that we were not disposed to give up ; they with- 
 drew without even returning our fire, and the 
 boys would remark, they are treating us with 
 silent contempt.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 85 
 
 For awhile we enjoyed repose and the lux- 
 uries of the season at the Southern sea-coast, 
 hunting squirrels, rabbits and fishing, getting 
 leave of absence to visit home for a few days, 
 when one day the report reached us that the 
 enemy effected a landing at Killkanee, some 
 distance below us and to our right. The bat- 
 tery was called out and we took up the line of 
 march to meet the enemy. We camped that 
 night near a church, when we were informed 
 that the enemy's demonstration was against a 
 small salt works, an enterprising citizen having 
 erected a small furnace with a half a dozen boil- 
 ers, in which he boiled sea water to obtain salt, 
 which, at that time, was selling at a dollar a 
 pound by the hundred pound sack. The Com- 
 pany returned to camp. 
 
 About ten days later word came late one 
 afternoon that the enemy is making for Poco- 
 talico, a small station on the Savannah and 
 Charleston Railroad, intending to burn a long 
 range of trestle on said road. Two detachments 
 were sent to that place by post haste, arriving 
 in time to place themselves in position, in as 
 quiet a way as possible. At about ten o'clock 
 P. M. we heard a very noisy demonstration 
 to our right, through the marshes of the 
 swamps; many torches became visible. They
 
 86 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 undoubtedly expected the place to be unpro- 
 tected; when they came within full range we 
 sent canister and schrapanel into the ranks; 
 they fell back in confusion, leaving dead and 
 wounded behind. This expedition started out 
 from Beauford, S. C., then in possession of the 
 enemy. One dark night the tide being up, the 
 Nashville loaded with cotton attempted to run 
 the gauntlet of the blockaders. On the turn of 
 the river just opposite the Fort, the River 
 Ogechee being about a mile wide, the vessel run 
 aground on a sand bank, and was unable to 
 extricate itself. The enemy being on the look- 
 out, spied her position and came within firing 
 distance; the Fort fired at them furiously, but 
 they paid no attention to us, but concentrated 
 their fire on the steamer Nashville with hot 
 shots and soon had her in flames. The crew 
 jumped overboard 'and swam ashore like ducks. 
 The steamer was burned and completely 
 destroyed. I was again taken with chills and 
 fever and sent home by way of Dr. Whitehead's 
 hospital. Sergeant Hines also came home to 
 recuperate, when one morning I suggested to 
 have an egg-nog. Cousin Abe was a merchant 
 before the war, and still kept a store at Fenns 
 Bridge, but the store had but few remnants in 
 it. He only kept such goods as people were wil-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 87 
 
 ling to dispose of in the way of exchange, for 
 something else, and among his stock, he had a 
 barrel of corn whiskey. I said, "Bill, if you 
 furnish the eggs, I will furnish the sugar and 
 whiskey; my chill will be on at eleven o'clock; 
 we have an hour yet and kill or cure, I 'm going 
 to drink nog. It may help me." Dr. White- 
 head had supplied me with a vial of Fowler's 
 Solution, which was nearly exhausted, and which 
 had done me no good. Sergeant Hines came up, 
 brought a dozen eggs and we made a nog. At ten 
 thirty A. M. I took the first goblet, he made it 
 tolerably strong. I replenished and enjoyed the 
 contents, and as we were sipping it quietly, I 
 looked at my watch and was surprised to see it 
 was fiften minutes past eleven and no chill. We 
 slowly finished the third glass, I felt the effects 
 of it somewhat, but we were not intoxicated. 
 At twelve o'clock the dinner bell rang at the 
 house, and it was the first time in two weeks 
 that I was able to partake of that meal, the 
 chills always interfering. I never had another 
 chill in twenty years thereafter, hence I never 
 became a prohibitionist. I believe the abuse of 
 whiskey is wrong, while its proper use is right. 
 Sergeant Hines and myself, after a few days 
 longer among our friends, returned to our 
 camp.
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The following incident caused a rupture of 
 friendship between Lieutenant Evan P. Howell 
 and myself, which made military service unnec- 
 essarily harder on me, owing to our respective 
 ranks. One night, it was on a Saturday, I had 
 occasion to get up, it was late. I passed the 
 sentinel on post number one, and recognized 
 William Tolson on duty. I passed the usual 
 greeting of " Hello! Bill, how do you do," "0, 
 Ike, I'm so sick. I've one of the hardest chills 
 on me I ever had." "Why don't you call the 
 Corporal of the Guard, and get relief!" He 
 replied, he wished I would call him, so I called 
 "Corporal of the Guard, post number one." 
 Corporal William O'Quinn came up to see 
 what's up. I said, "Corporal, Tolson is sick 
 and ought to be relieved." Presently the Cor- 
 poral returned from headquarters, saying the 
 officers are all gone over to Patterson, they were 
 having a dance at the Quartermaster's, Major 
 Cranston, and there is no one at headquarters 
 but Dr. Stevenson who is drunk, and I can 't get 
 any sense out of him. When I told him that one
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 89 
 
 of the men were sick, he said "You see that 
 puppy, is he not the finest you have ever seen?" 
 having reference to a small dog he fondled. 
 * * Finding out that I can 't get any relief, I came 
 back, so I told Tolson to go in and I would 
 stand guard in his place. Tolson was a good 
 soldier, he was a native Englishman, and when 
 he got over his chill he was loud in his denun- 
 ciation as to his treatment, so he was punished 
 for having spoken derogatory about the officers 
 and condemned to wear ball and chain for twen- 
 ty-four hours. This was the first time that I 
 knew there was such a thing as a ball and chain 
 in camp for the punishment of man. The fol- 
 lowing Monday night, the writer having found 
 out all about the particulars and the doings at 
 the Quartermaster's, wrote up a program of 
 intoxication at Granston Hall, Saturday night, 
 March 1863. I treated the matter more of a 
 burlesque than otherwise, and wound up in 
 these words: "That's the way Confederate 
 whiskey goes, pop goes the Government." 
 Captain Martin was off and Lieutenant Howell 
 was in command. Lieutenants Bland and Rob- 
 erson laughed over the matter and took it good 
 naturedly. W. N. Harmon was the only man 
 in the Company who saw me write the article,
 
 90 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 and when finished I read it to him. He pro- 
 nounced it a good joke and asked me what I was 
 going to do with it. I said, "I am going to 
 stick it up on the big pine where general orders 
 are posted, so that the men can read it after 
 reveille call, so he made some light-wood pegs, 
 and we went together and posted it. The arti- 
 cle was not signed, and was written in a round 
 handwriting. The men enjoyed it and laughed 
 a great deal over it, when Sergeant Fulford 
 came up and tore down the paper, and carried 
 it to the officer's tent. They inquired, what is 
 the matter, what are the men laughing about. 
 He presented the paper. Lieutenant Howell, 
 after reading it, got raving mad, while Lieuten- 
 ants Eoberson and Bland took it good na- 
 turedly. Lieutenant Howell was determined to 
 find out the author, so during the day he took up 
 the men by fours and swore them on the Bible, 
 if they knew who wrote the paper. I was at 
 the station on that day and was absent. When 
 I returned to my mess, they told me what was 
 going on, and that Lieutenant Howell was try- 
 ing to find out who wrote that article, so I said, 
 "Bill," meaning William Harmon, "He took 
 up the wrong men; if he had called on me I 
 would have saved him that trouble". He an-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 91 
 
 swered, "Well, what will you do?" "Well, you 
 don't believe that I would swear to a lie?" I got 
 up saying, "I will satisfy his curiosity," and up 
 to his tent I went. He was sitting in a chair 
 smoking. "Good evening Lieutenant," says I. 
 "I understand that you are very anxious to 
 know who wrote that paper Sergeant Fulford 
 submitted for your inspection. I can give you 
 all the information you require." Lieutenant 
 Howell at once brightened up and became all 
 smiles. "You know who did it?" "Your 
 humble servant." In a twinkling his counte- 
 nance changed. He became pale with rage, 
 working himself into a passion, and very per- 
 emptorily ordered me to stand at attention. I 
 at once planted my heels together to form a per- 
 fect angle, placed my little fingers along the 
 seams of my pantaloons, my arms extending at 
 full length, my body erect, facing my superior 
 officer. I humbly remarked, "Will that do?" 
 "What did you do it for?" "You had your 
 fun, am I not entitled to have some?" "You 
 made false charges ; you said we drank Govern- 
 ment whiskey. I want you to understand what 
 liquor we drank we bought and paid for it." 
 "Well, Lieutenant, I have not accused any- 
 body ; not even mentioned a single name, but if
 
 92 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 the cap fits you, you can wear it. I have noth- 
 ing to retract." By that time, Howell was 
 surely mad. "I-I-I reduce you to ranks ! I put 
 you on double duty for thirty days and to wear 
 ball and chain." "Is that all?" "Lieutenant, 
 I volunteered in the Confederate army to do my 
 full duty, as I always have done, in regard to 
 duty ; you only can put me on every other day, 
 but when it comes to degrading me by making 
 me wear ball and chain, I give you fair notice 
 that I will kill any man who attempts to place 
 the same on my limbs," and I made my exit,, 
 going to my mess-mates. "Well, how did you 
 come out?" the boys asked me. I related what 
 had passed between Lieutenant and I. William 
 Harmon, then said, "Did you tell him that I 
 helped you stick it up!" I said, "No, I shoul- 
 dered the whole responsibility. What good 
 would it do to implicate you?" "Well you* 
 shall not be the only one to do double duty," 
 and off he went to tell Lieutenant Howell that 
 he also had a hand in it, and consequently he- 
 was also condemned to double duty for thirty 
 days. "Did he also tell you to wear ball and 
 chain ? ' ' Harmon said * ' No. ' *
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 93 
 
 That iiiglit, I slept, as the saying is, with one 
 eye open. I had my pistol within easy reach, 
 and my sabre by my side. No attempt however, 
 was made to chain me. The following morning 
 I was called for guard duty. I took my post, 
 carrying my sabre across my neck, bear fashion. 
 My post was in full view of the officers' head- 
 quarters. When Lieutenant Howell sent Ser- 
 geant Hines to me to tell me if I didn't carry my 
 sabre at ' * Carry Sabre, ' ' he would keep me on 
 four hours instead of two. Having been the 
 bugler of the Company I was never instructed 
 how to carry sabre. ' ' Sergeant, can 't you teach 
 me how?" Hines remarked, "I know you know 
 better how to handle a sabre than anyone in 
 camp. I have seen you and Hoffman fight at 
 Laurel Hill. I tell you, I have been on duty all 
 night and I would like to go to sleep. This may 
 be fun to you, but not to me, just now. ' ' I said, 
 ''Well Bill, go ahead," so I carried my sword 
 to suit his Excellency, the commanding officer. 
 
 Later in the day J. J. Sheppard came to me 
 saying, ' ' Ike, Lieutenant Howell told me that I 
 was appointed bugler in your place." "Well, 
 sir, I congratulate you on your promotion." 
 "He said for me to ask you for the bugle." I 
 said, "All right Sheppard," I took the bugle
 
 94 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 and broke it in halves and handed it to Shep- 
 pard. He looked astonished I remarked, 
 "That instrument is private property and 
 belongs to me, my money paid for it, and I have 
 a right to handle it as I please, not meaning any 
 disrespect to you, Sheppard." The following 
 day, word came in camp for volunteers to han- 
 dle siege pieces in Charleston, S. C. The enemy 
 making heavy demonstration against that City. 
 The Company sent men they could spare, 
 among whom I formed a contingent part. My 
 detachment was placed in the battery in charge 
 of a heavy siege gun. The people of that City 
 treated us royally and brought us plenty of pro- 
 visions besides what we got from the commis- 
 sary. We remained there a couple of weeks. 
 The whole business turned out to be a fiasco, 
 and we returned back to our camps. It was 
 one of the most pleasant periods I have enjoyed 
 during the whole war. I was again called on 
 duty when I remarked, "This comes around 
 pretty often." The Sergeant remarked, "You 
 have to finish your sentence." I at once went 
 to headquarters and met Lieutenant Howell and 
 said, * * Do you intend to make me finish the pen- 
 alty you imposed on me?" "To be sure, I do," 
 was his reply. "Well, you can't do it after you 
 accepted my services for Charleston," and I
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 95 
 
 demanded a court-martial before I would finish 
 it. Afterwards Sergeant Hines came from 
 headquarters, saying, "Howell said, Ike got 
 me," "I have no right to inflict a continuance of 
 punishment after accepting his services in some 
 other direction, but confound him, I'll get even 
 with him." Thus matters stood, when some 
 fine day the ball and chain was missing, no one 
 knew what became of it, but somewhere in the 
 middle of the Ogeechee Biver some two hundred 
 yards below Camp Arnold, it may be found now, 
 having rested there these forty six years. 
 
 On the eighth of May we were ordered to 
 Mississippi. We went by the way of Columbus, 
 Ga., arriving there about three o'clock P. M. 
 The ladies had prepared a fine spread for us 
 at the depot. The men were hungry. Capt. F. 
 G. WilMns being mayor of the City, Mayor Wil- 
 kins was Captain of the Columbus Guards, Com- 
 pany B, First Eegiment, Georgia Volunteers, 
 and on his return home, after his severe expe- 
 rience of one year's military service, he pre- 
 ferred civil service as more congenial to his 
 feelings. He was a brave and fearless soldier. 
 At Carricks Ford, he and twelve of his men got 
 mixed in with the Yankees, who at that time 
 wore also grey uniforms. They were Ohio
 
 96 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 troops. Captain Wilkins on seeing his dilemma, 
 formed his men into line, then into column mak- 
 ing them go through evolutions, and manual of 
 arms, and marched them to the rear, and out 
 of the Yankee columns without being suspicion- 
 ed or receiving a scratch. Such coolness is not 
 often exhibited on a danger line, and Captain 
 Wilkins reached Monterey long before any of 
 the Regiment did, and saved himself and his 
 men a great deal of hardship. 
 
 When alighting from the train and seeing all 
 those good things prepared for us, I at once took 
 my position. A lady remarked, ''Help your- 
 self. ' ' I took hold of a piece of fowl, and as I 
 was about to take a bite, someone struck me on 
 the arm with such force that the piece of fowl 
 dropped out of my hand, and someone said, 
 i i Those things are not for you. ' ' It was Mayor 
 Wilkins. He was glad to see me, and said, "I 
 have something better for you, boys. How 
 many of the First Georgia are here? Get them 
 all together and follow me." We were about a 
 dozen of the old Washington Rifles. He con- 
 ducted us to a room where we met a committee 
 of gentlemen. After the usual shaking hands 
 and introductions, we passed into another cham- 
 ber. I never beheld a more bountiful and ar-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 97 
 
 tistically prepared spread. Provisions arranged 
 on a revolving table, shelved to a pyramid, 
 and loaded with delicious wines. In a corner of 
 the room was a table covered with case liquors 
 of every description, and some fine cigars. I 
 was astonished, I had no idea such delicacies 
 could have been gotten in the whole Confed- 
 eracy. We surely did enjoy the hospitality of 
 that Committee. Mayor Wilkins introduced 
 me to a Mr. Eothschild, saying, "I want you to 
 take good care of him, he is a splendid fellow. ' ' 
 Turning to me he said, * ' Hermann, I want you 
 to stay all night with this gentleman, he 
 will treat you all right. ' ' I said, ' ' Captain Wil- 
 kins, I can't leave camps without a permit, and 
 myself and Captain Howell are not on such 
 terms as for me to ask him for any favors." 
 "Well, I'll arrange that, you come along." 
 Captain Wilkins said to Howell, "I want Ike 
 to go home with my friend here," designating 
 Mr. Rothschild. Captain Howell said, "You'll 
 have to be here by seven o'clock, A. M. The 
 train will leave at that time." Mr. Eothschild 
 spoke up, saying, "I'll have him here on time." 
 I was royally treated ; the lady of the house and 
 daughter played on the piano and sang. I 
 joined in the chorus 'till late in the night, when 
 I was shown to my room, nicely furnished, a
 
 98 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 nice clean feather bed and all the requisites for 
 comfort, but I could not sleep, I did not lay com- 
 fortable. The two years service I had seen, 
 made a feather bed rather an impediment to my 
 repose, having become accustomed to sleep out 
 doors on the hard ground, with my knapsack 
 as a pillow, so I got up, put my knap sack under 
 my head and lay by the side 1 of the bed on the 
 carpet, and slept like a log the balance of the 
 night ; so soundly, that I did not hear the negro 
 boy who was sent to my room to blacken my 
 boots, open the door, but I heard a noise like 
 someone slamming the door and I heard some- 
 one running down stairs. I heard many voices 
 talking, and someone coming up stairs, opening 
 the door very unceremoniously, I looked there 
 was Mr. Rothschild,- greatly astonished and 
 laughing, he could hardly talk. Finally he said, 
 * * What in the world made you lay on the floor. ' ' 
 I explained to him that being no longer used 
 to sleeping on a bed, I could not rest until I got 
 on the hard floor. Then he told me he had sent 
 up a boy to blacken my boots, who had scared 
 them all by telling them that the man up stairs 
 had fallen off of the bed and lay dead on the 
 floor. I took my ablution, and went down to 
 breakfast, all enjoying that I was still able to 
 do justice to the meal that my kind host and
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 99 
 
 hostess set before me. After many thanks and 
 good byes to Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild and the 
 family, Mr. Rothschild and myself went down 
 to the train, which was in waiting. Everytning 
 was soon ready and we departed for Mobile, 
 Ala. At Greenville, Ala., I met General W. H. 
 T. Walker for the first time. Martin's battery 
 was assigned to his brigade. Captain Martin 
 was promoted to Major, and Chief of Start of 
 General Walker's brigade, and Lieutenant Evan 
 P. Howell, by right of seniority, took his place 
 as Captain. From Mobile, we went to Jackson, 
 Miss., one section of two cannons were left 
 behind under charge of Lieutenant Robson. Ths 
 balance arrived at destination at about three 
 o'clock P. M., May 12th, 1863. We unloaded the 
 pieces at once, and all the accoutrements, all 
 the horses and harnessed them up without the 
 loss of any time, took up the line of march 
 towards Raymond Springs. The weather was 
 very warm and the road of red clay was very 
 dusty for men marching in columns. The dust 
 would rise like clouds of ashes at every step. 
 It must be remembered that it was ration day, 
 but we had no time to draw any. As we 
 advanced, we met General Gists' Brigade just 
 out of a fight with General Grant's forces, who 
 landed at Port Gibson, on his forward move
 
 100 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 to Vicksburg. General Gist had several pris- 
 oners. Among them was a Captain. I spoke 
 to him and asked him about the strength 
 of 'Grant's army. Of course, I did not ex- 
 pect a truthful answer. He replied, "If 
 you'll keep on in the direction you are go- 
 ing, you will meet him. He is not so very 
 far, ahead of you, and when you do meet him, 
 you will think he has more than enough to eat 
 you all up." Well, he did tell the truth, and it- 
 has been our misfortune all through the war to 
 fight against many odds. We kept advancing, 
 when of a sudden the command was ordered to 
 halt. We formed ourselves into battery, and I 
 was placed in charge of a detachment. General 
 Walker ordered me to follow him. About two 
 hundred yards ahead the road took a sudden 
 turn around the bluff, which commanded a 
 straight stretch of about a mile. General Walk- 
 er ordered me to unlimber my gun and place 
 it in position, so as to command that road, and 
 ordered me to fire into any cavalry that might 
 appear. At the further end of my view was a 
 water mill. I remarked, "General, had I not 
 better let them advance somewhat, so as not to 
 waste too much ammunition?" "You must use 
 your own judgment," said he. Looking about 
 me, I saw no infantry in close proximity, so I
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 101 
 
 ventured to ask him where my support was. 
 He answered, "Support Hell! If they charge 
 you, fight them with the hand spikes, don't you 
 never leave this post," and left. 
 
 Mr. James F. Brooks acted as my No. 1. I 
 asked him if he had made his will, if not, he had 
 better, as we were there to stay. We watched 
 with all our eyes, we saw no enemies. Just 
 about dark, we were ordered to limber up, and 
 double quick to the rear, for about a mile, the 
 enemy having taken another route and we were 
 in danger of being cut off. Weary and foot- 
 sore, having marched about ten miles that after- 
 noon, we retraced our steps within about three 
 miles of Jackson, hungry and thirsty, we 
 marched on, large oaks bordered the road at 
 places and the roots protruded above the sur- 
 face of the ground; having on a pair of shoes, 
 left foot number six for a number 8 foot, while 
 my right shoe was a number 10 brogan, I cram- 
 med cotton in shoe number 10 to prevent too 
 much friction and cut off the end of number 6 
 to avoid the painful sensation of being cramped, 
 but misfortunes never come single the night 
 became dark and it threatened to rain. I stum- 
 bled over one of those protruding roots and 
 tore off half of my unprotected toe nail on my
 
 102 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 left foot, a most excruciating and painful sen- 
 sation. I did not swear, because I was speech- 
 less. I mounted the caisson, our horses were 
 jaded, had had no food nor water that day, but 
 managed to get into camp. Dr. Stewart, our 
 surgeon was left at Jackson, with a few of our 
 command who were sick. W. J. Bell was our 
 ambulance driver. He drove me to Dr. Stew- 
 art's camp to dress my wound that night. I was 
 all 0. K. next morning, when the ball opened 
 after day break. Our pickets announced the 
 enemy's advance. The skirmishes then came 
 into play and kept the advance at some bay for 
 some time, our forces placing themselves in posi- 
 tion to receive them in due form. We were 
 five thousand strong, while the enemy numbered 
 twenty-five thousand. At about eleven A. M. 
 orders came from our right to left to fall back, 
 and we gradually withdrew, putting on our pro- 
 longs, and firing occasionally as we retraced our 
 steps. When the fight first opened I was in the 
 rear, as stated, on account of my foot, but after 
 being dressed and hearing the firing, I made for 
 the front, and reported to Captain Howell for 
 duty, while he was in line of battle on the 
 extreme left. He said his detachment was com- 
 plete, to report to the next. Having only four 
 pieces of artillery in action, two under charge
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 103 
 
 of Lieutenant Robson not having yet arrived, 
 they were placed along the front about two hun- 
 dred yards apart, all had full working force. I 
 retraced my steps and so reported to the Cap- 
 tain, saying, "Well, Captain, there being no use 
 for me here, I shall go to the rear to protect 
 myself and watch the progress of the fight, 
 should there be any casualties in the Company 
 I'll take their place no use for me to be here 
 unless I can be of some service." Up to that 
 time the skirmish line was still contending for 
 every inch of the ground. Captain Howell says 
 to me, "You stay here, and act as my orderly. 
 I'm hoarse anyhow, and you have a good voice 
 and can repeat my orders and commands, " so I 
 was installed by the side of the Captain. The 
 ground on which we stood was a gradual incline, 
 while that of the enemy was about on a level 
 with us, leaving a sort of a basin or valley 
 between both lines. It was a novel sight to see 
 our skirmishers contending every inch of the 
 ground before an overwhelming force, to see 
 them, load and fire, and gradually falling back, 
 facing the advancing foe. When suddenly they 
 emerged from the woods, where they were con- 
 cealed, and advanced in platoon form, sending 
 their deadly missiles into our thin skirmishers 
 ranks. I said, "This is more than our men can
 
 104 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 stand, let me throw a shell over their heads, 
 into their ranks." He answered, "Do so, but 
 don't shoot our men." "No danger," said I. 
 I depressed the bridge of my piece, raising the 
 muzzle about four fingers. No. four pulled the 
 laniard. It had a good effect, and resulted in 
 stopping their advance, and thus enables our 
 skirmishers to come in. My fire also gave them 
 our position and distance. They at once formed 
 a battery in front of us. I aimed a second shot 
 at a white horse. Captain Howell watching its 
 effect. I being behind the gun, the smoke pre 
 vented me from so doing, when he said, "You 
 got him." I soon found out that I had done 
 some damage and that my range was accurate, 
 for they centered their fire of several pieces 
 against my own. One of their shots passed over 
 my gun and knocked off its sight, passed 
 between the detachment, striking the caisson lid 
 in the rear and staving it in, and thus prevent- 
 ing us for a few minutes in replying. We had 
 to break it open with the hand spikes to get 
 ammunition. They undoubtedly thought that 
 we were irreparably silenced, and paid their 
 respects to some other part of our line, but we 
 resumed business again, and they came back at 
 us. I saw a ball rolling on the ground, about 
 six feet to my right. It seemed to be about the
 
 WAE BETWEEN THE STATES 105 
 
 same caliber as ours. It rolled up a stump, 
 bouncing about fifteen feet in the air. I thought 
 it was a solid shot and wanting to send it back 
 to them through the muzzle of our gun, I ran 
 after it. It proved to be a shell, as it exploded, 
 and a piece of it struck my arm. It was a pain- 
 ful wound, but not serious. Another ball struck 
 a tree about eight inches in diameter, knocked 
 out a chip, which struck my face and caused 
 me to see the seven stars in plain day light and 
 very near got a scalp of Captain Howell, who 
 stood behind that tree. Orders came for Cap- 
 tain Howell to fall back. He asked me to inform 
 Major Martin, who was in command of the piece 
 at the extreme right, that he was falling back. 
 I had to traverse the whole front of our line. I 
 took the color bearers' horse, a fine animal. 
 We named him Stonewall. The enemy's fire 
 was rather high, as they came up the incline 
 and the balls rattled through the tree tops like 
 hail. It commenced raining very hard. I dis- 
 mounted and took it afoot. On my way passing 
 the third section, Sim Bland, who acted as num- 
 ber 6, and whose duty it was to carry the ammu- 
 nition from the caisson and to hand it to No. 2 
 who inserts it in the muzzle of the gun, while 
 No. 1 rammed it home. As I crossed him at a 
 trot, I remarked, "Sim, this is hot time."
 
 106 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 Before he could reply, a solid cannon ball had 
 struck him. Poor fellow, he did not know what 
 hit him, for he was dead. His whole left side 
 entirely torn to pieces. 
 
 The enemy was now advancing more rapidly, 
 as our whole line had given away. On my return 
 I found my horse also shot down. I was trying 
 to save the body of Bland, but couldn't get the 
 assistance needed. I went through his pockets 
 and took what he had therein and gave it to his 
 brother, Lieutenant Bland. The enemy pushed 
 me so close I had to take to the woods in my 
 immediate rear, the trees of which somewhat 
 protected me from the enemy's fire. About a 
 hundred yards further I found Sergeant New- 
 some with his gun and a detachment, trying to 
 make for the public road leading to Jackson. 
 He had managed so far to drive his commas 
 evading the trees of the forest, when suddenly 
 he was confronted by a plank fence which stood 
 perfectly erect, not a plank missing and about 
 five feet high. He ordered the horses cut out 
 of the harness, and was about to abandon his 
 guns, when I hollered, "No Sergeant, don't do 
 it! Bide through between the posts, they are 
 wide enough apart, knock down the planks." I 
 put myself in action and kicked against the
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 107 
 
 planks, when the whole panel fell over, carry- 
 ing several others with it, for all the posts were 
 completely rotten at the ground, and thus I 
 saved this piece of artillery and probably the 
 men. We reached the road and marched in col- 
 umn. It was raining hard and every man was 
 soaked to the skin. The column halted, having 
 fallen back about a half a mile, firing as they 
 went, when again we formed in line of battle. 
 I was very tired, and sat down by the road side. 
 WTien called again into action, I found that I 
 could not use my arm, and that the leaders of 
 my leg had contracted at my groins. The 
 enemy had again out-flanked us, and the men 
 lifted me on a caisson. 
 
 The horses stalled. The road being very 
 muddy, the men had to assist at the wheel to 
 pull the carriages out of the mud, by using all 
 their efforts, so I had to get down, for I felt 
 that after all the gun would have to be aban- 
 doned, and I did not care to be taken prisoner, 
 but General Joseph E. Johnston made a stand a 
 little further on, until the Yankees outflanked 
 him again. Major Martin happened to be just 
 passing me on his horse. I begged him to take 
 me behind him, as I could not walk. He answer- 
 ed, "It is impossible, we are going to make
 
 108 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 another stand. Get in the ambulance." When 
 the ambulance came in sight, it was full to over- 
 flow with wounded and dying. The Major again 
 rode up. I said "Major Martin, can't you get 
 me out of my difficulty," he replied, "Hermann, 
 do the best you can to take care of yourself. If 
 they capture you, I will have you exchanged as 
 soon as possible." Poor consolation, I thought, 
 but I was determined not to be taken if I pos- 
 sibly could help it, so I started towards Jackson ; 
 taking the e'dge of the woods, first on account of 
 the mud, then as somewhat of a protection from 
 the bullets. My locomotion was slow, from eight 
 to ten inches was the longest strides I was able 
 to make, and this with excruciating pains. Pres- 
 ently our forces rushed past me and formed 
 again into line of battle, thus leaving me be- 
 tween both lines, the bullets coming from either 
 direction, when again I entered our line. This 
 maneuvre happened three times before I reached 
 Jackson, in a stretch of three miles. It was 
 then four o'clock p. m.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 When we reached Jackson the previous 
 day I noted a flat by the side of the railroad 
 bridge. I was thinking to cross Pearl Eiver 
 by that means, so I started to the right towards 
 the railroad bridge. On my way down the 
 street a lady was standing over a tub of whis- 
 key with a dipper in her hand. She said to me, 
 * ' Poor fellow, are you wounded ! ' ' I said, * * Yes. ' ' 
 She dipped up a dipper full of whiskey, which 
 I drank. It had a good effect on my shattered 
 nerves and did not cause me the least dizziness. 
 It was the medicine I surely needed. On arriv- 
 ing at the River, I found the flat was gone, the 
 railroad bridge was the only chance left me to 
 cross. I crawled up the embankment and found 
 that the cross ties were too far apart for me to 
 step it, owing to my contracted leaders, so I 
 concluded to "coon it" on my hands and knees 
 on the stringers, holding onto the rail. 
 
 The bridge is a long one and very high, Jack- 
 son being built on a high bluff. When about 
 half way across I heard a great deal of noise 
 and reports of fire arms ; I heard bullets whiz- 
 zing by. Finally bullets were hitting the trestle
 
 110 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 beneath me and in front of me. Looking back 
 I saw at a distance of about four hundred yards 
 a force of the enemy, which I judged to be about 
 half a regiment, coming up the lowlands in a 
 flank around Jackson. My first impulse was, 
 can I make it across, or must I surrender? I 
 concluded to take the chances, and continued 
 to cross. Bullets were striking beneath me, 
 and in front, splinters were flying. One ball hit 
 the rail about six inches in front of my hand. 
 They were gaining on me fast, when at last I 
 reached the other side, laying myself flat on the 
 track, I rolled over, down about an eighteen 
 foot embankment. Thus being protected from 
 the enemy's bullets, I entered the swamp not 
 far beside the road leading to Branton, I noted 
 a large hollow poplar tree. It must have been 
 four or five feet in diameter. I crawled in, I 
 felt faint and weak, had not eaten anything that 
 day. I must have fainted; when presently I 
 heard the sound of artillery and musketry to 
 my right across the river and the noise of an 
 empty wagon coming from towards Branton. I 
 took a reconnoitering look, and saw Jackson on 
 fire and a wagon driven by a negro, holding the 
 lines over four splendid mules, coming towards 
 the city. I took my stand in the road, pistol in 
 hand. The following conversation ensued :
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 111 
 
 "Halt. Where are you going?" 
 
 "To Jackson. Marse Eichard sent me to 
 fotch his things. He is afraid the Yankees 
 would cotch him." 
 
 "How will you get across?" 
 
 "Goes on the flat, sah." 
 
 "There is no flat now." 
 
 "Yes there is, and Marse Richard " 
 
 "Turn the head of the mules towards Bran- 
 ton, or you are a dead Negro" aiming at him 
 as I spoke. He exclaimed, "Don't shoot Mars- 
 ter, I'll do as you say." He turned the mules 
 towards where he came from. I crawled behind 
 in the wagon, pistol in hand, and at a gallop all 
 the way for twelve miles. We entered Branton 
 in the early part of the night. The people were 
 still up at the Hotel. The excitement ran high 
 about the enemies capturing Jackson. Branton 
 was a nice little village. The negro proved to 
 be a run-away. Had stolen the team from the 
 quarter-master and running with it to the 
 enemy. The lady of the hotel came to me say- 
 ing, "Are you wounded!" I stated my condi- 
 tion, and she sympathized with me, saying, 
 "Poor fellow, I expect you need something to
 
 112 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 eat." I surely did, for I was more dead than 
 alive, after having passed such an eventful day. 
 I ate a hearty supper. I was given a shirt. She 
 bandaged my arm, which was smarting badly. 
 She furnished me a room and a bottle of mus- 
 tang linament to rub myself. My clothes which 
 were full of mud were washed and dried by a 
 large fire. The following morning, I felt really 
 refreshed. It is unnecessary to say that I slept 
 well that night. At an early hour that morning, 
 the alarm of "The Yankees are coming. They 
 are only four miles from here and Johnston is 
 retreating towards Canton." Everybody that 
 could get away, left. The quartermaster had 
 an old broken down horse, which he tendered me 
 for having saved his fine team, and I left the 
 town on horse back, thanking my hostess for all 
 her kindness. About two miles from Branton I 
 met up with three men from my Company, viz, 
 A. P. Heath, Jackson O'Quinn and Harmon 
 Fields. They were not in the fight, having been 
 on the sick list and not fit for duty, so we trav- 
 eled together for some distance. We reached a 
 settlement, which from appearance, belonged to- 
 well-to-do people. The gentleman of the prem- 
 ises was standing at the gate leading to the 
 house. I said to my comrades that I would have 
 to rest and recuperate until I got well, so I
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 113 
 
 addressed myself to the proprietor, "Sir, can 
 you take care of a wounded Confederate? He 
 put his hand in his hip pocket in quick motion, 
 as if to draw a pistol, but instead drew a small 
 slate and pencil, handed it to me with a motion 
 to write my request, which I did. He rubbed it 
 out and wrote swiftly in a scholarly style, 
 "Nothing I have is too good for a Confederate 
 soldier. Walk in all of you." His name was 
 Williams, unfortunately deaf and dumb, but 
 very intelligent. His family consisted of a wife 
 and two daughters, and all seemed to be well 
 educated and comfortably situated. They were 
 very solicitous in their attentions to us. The 
 girls played on the piano while I entertained the 
 old man, by writing on his slate my experience 
 of the previous day. He looked at me in wonder, 
 and occasionally took hold of my hand and 
 shook it. I remained his guest for nearly a 
 week, until we located our Company, and where 
 to meet it. I got entirely well, my arm was 
 healing nicely, under the care of Mrs. Williams. 
 Our forces had located at Canton. He sent us 
 mule-back through Pearl River Swamp to the 
 Canton road, while I rode my horse. He re- 
 fused to take any remuneration for anything he 
 had done for us, so I sent back my horse with a
 
 114 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 note and begged him to accept the same and 
 thanking them all for what they had done 
 for us.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The following day I entered camp with my 
 comrades among great cheers, all having 
 thought me dead or a prisoner. Major Martin 
 asked me how I got through. I told him I took 
 his advice and did the best I could. I re- 
 lated to him the incidents that I met with. 
 He said, "Well, I congratulate you. I don't 
 believe one in a thousand would have escaped. ' ' 
 "I was glad I was the one." We were ordered 
 to strike tents at Canton, and we retraced our 
 steps again towards Jackson, a distance of be- 
 tween twenty and twenty-five miles. It was one 
 of the hottest days of the season. The road bed 
 being red clay. Our forces now amounted to 
 about eight thousand" men, and marching in 
 column with artillery, wagon train and all the 
 paraphernalia appertaining to a moving army, 
 raised such intense dust that it was impossible 
 to recognize one's file-leader in his immediate 
 front. Every step of every individual raised 
 clouds of dust, which lay ankle deep. It was 
 actually suffocating. Men and horses would 
 gasp for breath. The men occasionally would 
 expectorate large lumps of clay that settled in 
 their throats, and no water to be had. We didn't
 
 116 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 pass a single stream of any kind. It was a forced 
 march to get in the enemy's rear and to cut off 
 re-inforcement and supplies for Grant's invad- 
 ing forces onto Vicksburg. The enemy was also 
 making back to Jackson on the Clinton Road 
 which ran nearly parallel to the Canton Road, 
 and we could see their advance by the column of 
 dust to our right. Just before dark a very 
 heavy rain and thunder storm set in. It was 
 preferable to the previous conditions of the 
 weather, although it put us half leg deep in 
 sticky red mud. It got so dark we could not 
 see anything and the rain continued pouring 
 down in all its fury. It was nip and tuck as to 
 which army would reach Jackson first. We got 
 there just a little ahead of the enemy in time to 
 occupy the ditches which now were nearly knee 
 deep in water. In that condition we passed the 
 night, expecting to be attacked momentarily. 
 Men were detailed long in the rear to cook 
 rations for the men in the ditch, which were 
 issued along the line, and consisted of corn 
 bread cooked (a la hate) and a piece of fat 
 bacon. A very amusing incident happened to 
 one of my comrades, "W. A. Grimes, who early 
 on our march, and before the dust got so dense, 
 had to step aside for some reason, and being 
 detained while the column kept onward, threw
 
 WAE BETWEEN THE STATES 117 
 
 him some distance behind his command. The 
 State of Georgia had sent her troops some 
 shoes; the description of my draw I have 
 already stated, and some white wool hats. 
 Grimes put his name on the front of his hat 
 in large capital letters, and as he hurried to 
 catch up with his command, someone hollowed 
 as he passed, "How are you Bill Grimes?" 
 Grimes stopped in surprise to see who knew him 
 in some other command. Others took up the 
 word all along the line of "How are you Bill 
 Grimes?" Grimes hurried on, on his way, the 
 perspiration running down his face, which had 
 the appearance of being covered with a mask. 
 He could not account for his sudden popular- 
 ity until he pulled off his hat to wipe off his face. 
 He saw his name on his hat and quickly turned 
 it wrong side out. His name had passed all 
 along the column faster than he could travel 
 and passed Howell's Battery long before he 
 caught up with it. Early in the morning the 
 enemy made demonstrations all along our line 
 and was repulsed. It had quit raining. The 
 artillery kept up a desultory fire for eight days 
 and nights. The enemy's forces were at least 
 three to our one and therefore, could relieve 
 each other, while we were obliged to be kept 
 continually on duty, and consequently became
 
 118 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 exhausted, my eyes were blood shot, men 
 loaded and fired mechanically, and when so 
 exhausted that I couldn't stand any longer, I 
 dropped beside one of the pieces and in a jiffy, 
 was asleep. I couldn't even hear the report of 
 the guns within a few feet of me. The strain 
 was more than my physique could stand. I got 
 sick and unconscious, and when I came to 
 myself, I was in Yazoo City in a private house, 
 snugly fixed, and a kindly lady by my bedside, 
 whose name was Mrs. Lyons. She cried for 
 joy to see me recover my senses. I asked her 
 where I was and how long I had been there. She 
 said just a week. I asked her what place it was 
 and she said "Yazoo City." I shall always 
 remember gratefully the kind treatment I 
 received from that worthy family, and when 
 after a week's convalescence, I took my leave 
 with many thanks. The lady said she hoped 
 that her brother who was in the Virginia army 
 would in case of sickness receive the attention 
 that she would bestow on any Confederate sol- 
 dier. Such was the spirit that prevailed 
 throughout the Confederate States.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 I rejoined my command at Morton station 
 on the M. & 0. Railroad. The object of the 
 second fight at Jackson, as I understood it, was 
 to get in the rear of the investing army of 
 Vicksburg under General Grant. General 
 Joseph E. Johnston expected a reinforcement, 
 sufficient so as to cut off supplies from the 
 invading army, and to attack it in the rear, 
 while General Pemberton might make a sortie 
 and attack it in the front, and thus save Vicks- 
 burg from capture. Our reinforcement never 
 came. We then moved to Vaughn Station and 
 thus hung in the rear of Grant, but not strong 
 enough to venture an attack, unless in concert 
 with General Pemperton who was defeated at 
 Big Black and bottled up in Vicksburg, his 
 stronghold. A very sad incident happened in 
 our camp. Lieutenant Ruben Bland, a very 
 kind officer and beloved by all his men, died. His 
 brother Sim, as stated, was killed at the first 
 fight at Jackson. They were very much 
 attached to each other and brooding over his 
 misfortune, some thought he took opium with 
 suicidal intent, others thought otherwise. The 
 writer was sitting on a box on the railroad plat-
 
 120 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 form, smoking his pipe. Close to the platform 
 stood the Company's ambulance. In passing me 
 Lieutenant Bland remarked, "Well, Ike, you 
 seem to enjoy your pipe," I answered, "I do, 
 I smoke the pipe of peace," he smiled and said, 
 "Yes, everything looks peaceable here, I 
 believe I am going to take a nap in this ambu- 
 lance. ' ' About a quarter of an hour after, Quin- 
 ten Dudley who was Hospital Steward, had 
 cause to get some medicine out of the medicine 
 chest that Dr. Stewart kept in the ambulance. 
 He immediately gave the alarm that Lieutenant 
 Bland was dead. I could not believe it. I 
 jumped off the platform into the ambulance, 
 and there lay Lieutenant Bland stretched out 
 in full length, his face purple. Dr. Stewart, 
 who at once was on hand opened an artery on 
 top of his head. He bled freely. He tried to 
 get up artificial respiration by working his arm 
 back and forth, but to no avail. Bland was 
 dead beyond recovery and mourned by every 
 member of the Company. 
 
 It was on a very warm June day when I con- 
 cluded to have a general cleaning up. It must 
 be remembered that we lost all of our personal 
 effects, which we destroyed to keep them from 
 falling into the enemy's hands, and our ward-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 121 
 
 robes only consisted of what we carried on our 
 backs and filth begot what we called " creepers", 
 and one not used to such made him feel most 
 miserable, so I took a camp kettle which also 
 served for our culinary purposes to boil my 
 clothes in, and while they were drying in the 
 sun, I crept into the bushes in the shade and fell 
 asleep. During my repose some miscreant stole 
 my shirt, and for several weeks I did not have a 
 shirt on my back, so one day it came to my 
 knowledge that Gen. W. H. T. Walker, our Di- 
 vision Commander, having been promoted, and 
 Colonel Claude Wilson, was appointed as Brig- 
 adier General in his place, offered a reward of 
 thirty days furlough and a fine saddle horse to 
 ride during the war to any man that would 
 carry a dispatch to General Pemperton who 
 was then besieged in Vicksburg. I told Ser- 
 geant Hines if any man needed a furlough I did, 
 in the fix I was in. I believe I will go and offer 
 my services. He laughed and said, "Well, good 
 luck old fellow." So I started to headquarters 
 which were in an abandoned farm house, about 
 a quarter of a mile distant from where our bat- 
 tery was in camp. I walked to the sentinel who 
 halted me. I want to <see Gen. Walker. "You 
 can't get in." "Call the officer of the guard," 
 says I, which he did and the Lieutenant came
 
 122 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 up. I stated to Mm that I wanted to see Gen. 
 Walker. ''Follow me," says he, which I did. 
 There were at least from twenty to twenty-five 
 officers of all grades sitting in a large room, 
 engaged, it seemed to me, in social conversa- 
 tion. I walked 'Straight up to General Walker 
 and stated my business, and what I had heard 
 he offered to any man who would successfully 
 carry a dispatch to General Pemperton at 
 Vicksburg. "I thought, if any man needed a 
 furlough, it was I." Opening my jacket which 
 was closely buttoned, although it was a hot day 
 in July, I displayed my nakedness. "I have 
 not even, as you see, a shirt to wear." It 
 raised a giggle among some of the officers, while 
 others looked upon me in sympathy. I stated 
 how I lost that only shirt I possessed. Just at 
 that time entered Major Martin. Recognizing 
 me, he said, "Hermann, you here?" He 
 seemed rather surprised. I stated the object of 
 my visit. He turned to General Walker, saying, 
 "General, I stand sponsor for this man. He 
 belongs to my battery, and he is one of the best." 
 I inclined my head in recognition of the com- 
 pliment paid me, and he extended me his hand. 
 In the meantime, General Walker called me and 
 said, "You see that small trunk in yonder cor- 
 ner. Therein is my wardrobe. I believe I have
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 123 
 
 three shirts therein ; that is all I have I divide 
 go and get you one. We are about the same 
 size. I hope it will fit you." I made for the 
 little hairy trunk, no bigger than a good hand 
 valise and slightly oval, opened the lid, saying, 
 "Beggars ought not to be choosers. I will take 
 the first I come to," which was a clean white 
 shirt, with cuffs and collars attached. Off went 
 my jacket in the presence of the company ; into 
 the garment I went, feeling a thousand per cent, 
 better. I said, "Well, General, I've heard of 
 some stepping into other men's shoes, but never 
 before have I known of a high private slipping 
 into a General's shirt at one jump." This 
 brought a big laugh from the assembly, the 
 General joining heartily. I thanked him and 
 extended my hand in token of my appre- 
 ciation. He remarked, "You are surely 
 welcome, come around tomorrow at eleven 
 o'clock A. M., and we will talk matters 
 over." He asked, "Have you ever been to 
 Vicksburg." "No Sir." "Do you know anj - 
 thing about the country around, and about the 
 City?" "This is my first experience in these 
 diggins." "How would you manage?" "I'll 
 be governed by circumstances as they present 
 themselves." After a pause he repeated, 
 "Come around tomorrow at eleven o'clock." I
 
 124 MEMOEIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 gave the military salute and started towards the 
 door, when he called me saying, "Do you ever 
 drink anything?" I answered, "General, this is 
 a strange question. Why didn't Jack eat his 
 supper? I've not seen a drop since we left Jack- 
 son," and I stated how I got that. He laughed 
 and said, "Go in that room," indicating the door 
 with his index finger. "You will find a table in 
 there with liquors, I think a good drink will do 
 you good." One invitation was sufficient. I 
 stepped into the next room, and there I beheld 
 a round table loaded with all kinds of bottles,- 
 containing different liquors, some labeled differ- 
 ent kinds of whiskies, brandies, gin, schedam, 
 schnapps, etc. I took the square bottle of sche- 
 dam and poured me out a stiff drink, thanked 
 the General and departed for my camp, but not 
 being in the habit of drinking, I felt the effects 
 of the liquor. I felt somewhat, what I may call 
 buoyant, and in for any fun. I met Sergeant 
 W.H.Hines. He said, "Ike, what luck?" "The 
 best in the world, ' ' 'tapping myself on the breast. 
 "You see that shirt, this once was General Wal- 
 ker's, now it's mine." I told him all that passed 
 at headquarters. The next day I reported as 
 directed. The General said, "Well, Hermann, 
 the jig is up. While we were talking about the 
 matter yesterday, Pemberton surrendered, and
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 125 
 
 I therefore do not need your services. ' ' I said, 
 well, I wish he had held out until some other day 
 than the fourth of July." The General said, 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 As I started to camp, the General said, "Well, 
 Hermann I thank you anyhow for your offer 
 and you shall have a furlough all the same. I 
 give you two weeks. I hope you will have a nice 
 time." Major Martin who was present said 
 also, he hoped I would have a nice time. I 
 replied, "M'ajor, I have not a cent of money, 
 how can I have a nice time. We have not been 
 paid off since we left Savannah. Have you some 
 money? If so I would like to borrow until I get 
 mine from the Government." He said, he had 
 a fifty dollar bill. If it would do me any good, 1 
 could have it. He handed me the bill which was 
 then worth about two or three dollars in specie. 
 Such was the depreciation of our currency. I 
 went into the interior about ten miles from 
 camp. The people were downcast. They did 
 not know what would become of them. Jackson, 
 the capital of the State, in the hands of the 
 enemy. Vicksburg, a large and well fortified 
 city and defended by a large army had surren- 
 dered and its defenders taken prisoners. The 
 people were in despair, not knowing what evil
 
 126 MEMOEIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 awaited them. I soon found out that camp& 
 among the boys was the more congenial place 
 for me, so after an absence of three days I 
 returned.
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 So one good afternoon, J. B. Thomas, a good' 
 clever comrade and good soldier, and myself 
 took a stroll and incidentally looking for some- 
 thing to eat. We passed a vegetable garden, 
 a luxury we -seldom enjoyed. On the side of the 
 pailings were some squashes. Thomas remark- 
 ed, I wish I had some of them. I said, "Well, 
 slip one of those palings and get a few, I'll be on 
 the watch out." No sooner said than done. 
 Thomas gathered about a dozen the size of my 
 fist. He stuck them in his shirt bosom. I gave 
 him the alarm that the lady was watching him. 
 As he looked up he saw her at the other end of 
 the garden. He started through the opening he 
 had made quicker than a rabbit could have done 
 when pursued by hounds. Thomas is a man of 
 small statue and very short legged, but he 
 split the air to beat the band. We were both 
 in our shirt sleeves, no vests, only wore pants 
 confined around the waist by a belt, the squashes 
 were bobbing up and down in his shirt, as he 
 progressed and the proprietress after him. 
 Finally the squashes lifted the shirt out of his 
 confines and down came the squashes rolling 
 on the ground. Thomas did not stop, but cast-
 
 128 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 ing a regretful side glance at his booty, he sped 
 on to camp, while his garment was floating to 
 the breeze, caused by his velocity. When the 
 woman reached the spot where the squashes lay 
 scattered,, she stopped, looking after the fleeing 
 individual and sending a full vocabulary of 
 invectives after him. I who had followed leis- 
 urely caught up while she gathered her squashes 
 into her apron. I remarked, " Madam, you seem 
 to have spilled your vegetables." "No, it was 
 not me that spilled them, it's that good for 
 nothing somebody, there he runs he stole them 
 out of my garden." I said, "He ought not to 
 have done it, if I knew who he was I would 
 report him." She said, "I would not have 
 minded to give him some if he had asked me 
 for them, but I don't like for anybody to go into 
 my garden and take what belongs to me. ' ' Poor 
 ^voman, she had no idea that within a few days 
 ;after our departure, the enemy would appear 
 and not only appropriate the needful, but 
 iv^ould destroy all the rest to keep her from en- 
 joying any of it. She offered me some of the 
 squashes which I accepted with thanks. I car- 
 ried them to Thomas, saying she would have 
 given you some if you had asked for them. 
 Thomas replied, he wished he had known it.
 
 CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 The fall of Vicksburg ended the Mississippi 
 Campaign, and our troops were ordered to join 
 the Army of Tennessee. All had left with the 
 exception of the Mississippi Eegiment and our 
 battery who were awaiting transportation. Our 
 commissary had also gone ahead of us and so 
 we were left to "root hog or die." We had to 
 eat once in awhile any how. Quinton Dudley 
 and myself took a stroll to the commissary of 
 the Mississippi Eegiment. I learned that his 
 name was Coleman. Passing through the build- 
 ing which was an old wooden railroad ware- 
 house about a hundred feet long and forty wide r 
 Quinton picked up a piece of rock salt from a 
 large pile. Captain Coleman saw him put some- 
 thing in his haversack. In a brisk manner, said r 
 "What is that you have taken?" He showed 
 him a piece of salt the size of a hen egg. "Put 
 it back," he hollowed at him. Quinton threw 
 it back on the pile very much humiliated. On 
 our leaving the building, I spied on the platform 
 at the other end of the warehouse a large hogs- 
 head full of smoked meat of all descriptions, 
 there were sides, shoulders and hams. They 
 looked very enticing for hungry men like we
 
 130 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 were. We went to camp and reported how that 
 Captain had caught Quinton who was very timid 
 and did not like to be caught in the act. Others 
 felt different about such. We were entitled to 
 a living while in the field on duty. Some sug- 
 gested that we go and charge the commissary 
 and get some rations. I said, "That would 
 bring on some trouble. Maybe we might get 
 some of that meat by strategy," so we planned 
 that W. N. Harmon should take ten men around 
 and about the warehouse, while I would engage 
 the Captain in conversation, during which time 
 Harmon and his men would help themselves to 
 rations. I awaited an opportune moment when 
 Captain Coleman was at the other end of the 
 building from where the hogshead of meat stood. 
 Entering by that end, I walked squarely up to 
 >;the Captain, extending my hand. "How do 
 you do, Captain Colernan? I'm very glad to 
 meet you, it is an unexpected pleasure. How 
 long since you have heard from home?" He 
 looked at me in surprise-, holding onto my hand. 
 I heard some meat drop on the ground. I knew 
 the meat was flying campwards. "Well." said 
 Capt. Coleman, "you have the advantage of me.' 
 "Don't you know me?" says I? He replied, 
 "Well, your face is familiar to me, but I can't 
 place you. Are you not from Emanuel county,
 
 'Madam, ha*;e you spilled your vegetables?" 
 I enquired
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 131 
 
 tjeorgia?" "No, but I have some kinfolks in 
 Georgia with my name." "Well, then I am 
 mistaken and beg your pardon." "We have a 
 lake on the Ogeechee River called Coleman's 
 Lake. I went there often for fishing, and was 
 sure you were one of the Colemans that lived 
 there when at home. You favor them very 
 much." "Well, said he, they may be some kin 
 to me." By that time, between thirty and forty 
 pieces of meat had changed hands. The next 
 morning transportation came, and we loaded 
 the cars which carried us to the Tennessee 
 Army, then under the command of General 
 Bragg, who was then retreating, leaving Ten- 
 nessee to the tender care of the Federals, under 
 command of General E-osencrantz. Our forces 
 took a stand around and about Lookout Moun- 
 tain and Chickamauga. We struck camp some 
 distance from the main forces after unloading 
 the train and watering and feeding the horses. 
 The boys took a swim in the river, a luxury not 
 realized for many days past. I was detailed to 
 cut underbrush in the woods to assist stretch- 
 ing ropes to corral our horses. I was not quite 
 as green in handling an axe by this time as I 
 was in Virginia, when I was detailed to cut wood 
 for the blacksmith shop. I was again taken sick 
 with risings in my ear. I suffered as only those
 
 132 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 who ever suffered with such affliction knew 
 how to extend their sympathy. The pains were 
 simply excruciating and threw me into hot fever. 
 We were ordered to strike camps. We marched 
 that forenoon until eleven o'clock. The sun 
 was shining in full force. I could no longep 
 keep up. I stopped by the roadside and lay 
 down, waiting for the Company's baggage 
 wagon to come along. Lorenzo Stephens was 
 the driver. After awhile he appeared on foot. 
 One of the rear axles of his wagon having bro- 
 ken, he therefore hurried forward to get some 
 assistance. In the meantime, the ambulance 
 came along in charge of the Company surgeon. 
 He had me picked up and placed in it. He said 
 I had high fever and gave me some medicine, 
 and as we passed the station of a railroad, the 
 name of which I did not know, I was put on the 
 train with others and sent to the Atlanta Hos- 
 pital, in charge of Dr. Paul Eve, of Augusta, 
 Dr. Eosser being in charge of my ward. I was 
 suffering terribly, both of my ears were dis- 
 charging corruption. Through suffering and 
 hardship, my general health was giving away. 
 I needed rest and time to recuperate. Medi- 
 cines were hard to get, and I was slow in recov- 
 ering my strength. One day Dr. Rosser asked 
 me if I would like to have a furlough. He
 
 WAS BETWEEN THE STATES 133 
 
 thought it would help me. I said, ' ' Yes, the best 
 in the world, as soon as I can gain a little 
 strength, " so he and Dr. Eve came to my cot the 
 following morning, and after examining my 
 condition, departed. Dr. Eosser came again in 
 the afternoon and handed me a thirty days fur- 
 lough. I was very grateful to him. He was a 
 perfect gentleman, hard working and sympa- 
 thetic. I came home to my foster mother, Mrs. 
 Jas. L. Braswell, under whose care I soon 
 gained strength.
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Before leaving the hospital I requested 
 Dr. Bosser to inform my Captain of my 
 whereabouts and of my physical condition, 
 which he promised he would do, and I have no 
 doubts he did. "While at home I also corre- 
 sponded with some of my comrades. I enjoyed 
 my furlough at Fenns Bridge among my friends. 
 Colonel Sol. Newsome, Hudson W. Sheppard, 
 Bennett Hall, W. J. Lyons, Daniel Inman and 
 others, who came after their mail and inciden- 
 tally brought their fishing tackle and guns to 
 fish and hunt in the Ogeechee river and swamp. 
 In the meantime discussing the ups and downs 
 of the men in the field. The above named citi- 
 zens were all slave owners and above the requi- 
 site age for military duty. It was quite a pas- 
 time for me to hear them discuss among them- 
 selves the politics of that day, for be it under- 
 stood they were not exactly a unit in sentiment 
 as regards secession. They were about equally 
 divided; some for the union, while those who 
 differed brought some of the most convincing 
 arguments to my mind to bear on the situation, 
 and although young in the cause of politics, I 
 was obliged to take sides with them, as a matter
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 135 
 
 of right, as we saw it. Those who opposed did 
 not question our right, but differed as to the 
 policy pursued. They contended that we were 
 wrong in judgment as the sequel had proven. 
 In fact, we were not prepared for such tre- 
 mendous onslaughts as we had to meet, and we 
 believed and had reliance on our so-called 
 friends across Mason and Dixon line, which 
 proved to be as bitter as the rankest abolition- 
 ists. One morning, Mr. Brantley came up and 
 brought the Georgian, a county news paper, say- 
 ing, "Hermann, your name is in this paper." I 
 said, "Is it?" "Listen." 
 
 "The following men are absent from their 
 Commands without leave, and should they not 
 immediately report for duty, they will be re- 
 ported as deserters: J. J. Sheppard, I. Her- 
 mann and others whose names I have forgotten, 
 It was signed Captain Evan P. Howell, com- 
 manding battery. I said, "Gentlemen, it is a 
 lie, and here is the proof, showing my sick fur- 
 lough from Dr. Paul Eve." Mr. Lyons then 
 spoke up, "Well, what are you going to do 
 about it?" I walked into cousin Abe's store, 
 took a sheet of paper and addressed, Mr. J. N. G. 
 Metlock, Editor of the Sandersville Georgian,"
 
 136 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 11 My dear sir : 
 
 In perusing your previous issue I noted Capt. 
 Evan P. Howell's advertisement, which among 
 others I was named as one absent without leave, 
 and should I not report immediately to my com- 
 mand, he would publish me as a deserter. Now 
 in simple justice to myself, I wish to inform 
 Capt. Howell, as well as the public, that his 
 statement is false, that I have a furlough grant- 
 ing me leave of absence and that under no con- 
 sideration would I be away from my command, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 I. Hermann. 
 At Home. 
 
 P. S. Please forward copy of your next issue 
 to Captain Howell and charge expenses to me." 
 
 I returned to my friends and said, "Gentle- 
 men, this is my reply, and when my time is up, 
 I shall report, either to Dr. Paul Eve, or Cap- 
 tain Howell." Colonel Sol Newsome tapped 
 me on the shoulder, saying, "Hurrah, Hurrah 
 for you, Hermann. " In a few days later, Ser- 
 geant W. H. Hines, and four men of my Com- 
 pany came to arrest me. I said to them, "You 
 can't do it as long as I have authority to remain
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 137 
 
 here," and showed them my furlough, which 
 lacked about two weeks of having expired. They 
 were all glad I was properly fixed and so 
 expressed themselves. They were also glad of 
 the opportunities they had to call upon their 
 respective families, which they would not have 
 had otherwise. 
 
 From Fenns Bridge I went to Macon to spend 
 a few days with a cousin who lived there. As I 
 walked the street one named Colson who 
 belonged to the Provost Guard came up saying, 
 "Ike old fellow, I have orders to arrest you." 
 "What for, Colson?" He answered, he did not 
 know. "Who gave you the orders?" He said 
 ' ' Major Roland. " " Let us go up and see him. ' * 
 We walked up from Cherry Street to Triangu- 
 lar block, where Roland, who was commander 
 of the Post, had his headquarters. The room 
 was full of men and officers, among whom I rec- 
 ognized Captain Napier, who had lost a limb in 
 Virginia; the rest were all strangers to me. 
 Major Eoland addressed himself to me "What 
 can I do for you?" "You had me arrested." 
 Colson was standing there ; I looked at him ; he 
 said "You gave me the orders." "What is your 
 name ? " " Isaac Hermann. ' ' Roland brightened 
 up; "You are the fellow I was after; you are
 
 138 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 reported as a deserter." I pulled my furlough, 
 which was somewhat dilapidated from constant 
 wear and tear ; he scrutinized it closely, handing 
 it back to me, saying, "This paper is forged; 
 some brother countryman fixed it up for you. ' ' 
 "You are a liar," I said. Quick as lightning 
 he grabbed and drew his sword, which was lying 
 on the table, exclaiming as he faced me, "I am 
 an officer." In the meantime I executed a half 
 about, drawing my pistol, saying: "I am a pri- 
 vate; if you make a move I'll put daylight 
 through you." And there we stood, facing each 
 other for a few seconds, when one of the officers 
 in the room approached me, saying in a whisper, 
 "Put up your pistol, I am your friend." 
 "Who are you?" "I am Paton Colquitt, Col- 
 onel of the 46th Ga. Reg't., stationed at 
 Charleston, S. C., I am on my way to my com- 
 mand, but intend now to remain to see you out, ' ' 
 I extended my hand and he shook it heartily. 
 Major Roland looked very pale ; the rest of the 
 company present looked on with interest. 
 Eoland ordered a Sergeant and four men as a 
 guard to escort me to the guard house. I said 
 "I'll die first, right here, before I'll march 
 through Macon, guarded like a horse thief. I 
 have not done anything to be arrested for; I 
 am known in Macon and will not submit to any
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 139 
 
 such indignity." Colonel Colquitt stepped up 
 to the table, saying, "Will you take me as spon- 
 sor for this gentleman, to report at any place 
 you may designate, without a guard?" Roland 
 could not refuse, so trembling he wrote me (a 
 billet de logement) : "To the Officer in Com- 
 mand at the Calaboose : Admit the Bearer. By 
 order of Major Roland, Commanding Provost 
 Post, Macon, Georgia." Before calling at the 
 prison I passed to where my cousin lived. I 
 stated what had happened, so that she would not 
 look for me, as I was stopping at her house. 
 She was much distressed and feared personal 
 harm would befall me. I reassured her the best 
 I knew how and requested her to let me have a 
 blanket, if she could spare one, so that I could 
 sleep on it that night. I rolled the blanket, tied 
 the ends together with a string and drew it 
 across my shoulder. On the way I thought of 
 the threat Captain Howell made at Bryant 
 County, Camp Arnold, when Sergt. Hines 
 reported to me what he said, that he would get 
 me yet. I was mad ; I was honor bound to report 
 at the calaboose. Col. Colquitt was my spon- 
 sor, I could not go back on him. Finally I 
 arrived at the prison, an old building, about 
 25 by 40; it might have been used as a stable. 
 I presented my ticket for admittance, the offi-
 
 140 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 cer looked at it, read it, then looked at me and 
 smiled, and said, "Well, this is unusual." I 
 disengaged myself of the blanket, as he unlocked 
 the door. The room was packed with men, 
 among them some Yankees, or some in Federal 
 uniforms. As the door was locked behind me 
 one of the inmates hollowed. "There is a new 
 comer, he must sing us a song;" I remarked, 
 I rather felt like fighting than singing just now, 
 when a big strapping fellow presented himself, 
 with his coat off, saying, as he put himself in a 
 fighting attitude, "Here is your mule;" I an- 
 swered as I hit him, "Here is your rider." I 
 struck him such an unexpected blow that it 
 stunned him, when he said he had enough, 
 as I was to double him. He apologized, say- 
 ing he was just funning; I answered and 
 said, "I meant it, and you believe it now; 
 I am obliged to you for having given me 
 this opportunity, for I have been badly 
 treated." I need not say that I was respect- 
 fully treated by the rest of the inmates. And 
 while room to lay down was at a premium, I had 
 all I needed for that purpose. The following 
 morning at the break of day, my name was 
 called at the wicket; I answered. The door 
 swung open and there stood Col. Colquitt, smil- 
 ing. "Well, you are a free man"; "How did
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 141 
 
 you do it!" "Ask me no questions and I'll tell 
 you no lies." I said, "Let me get my blanket 
 I borrowed on the way." He answered: "The 
 train that will carry me to my regiment will 
 leave in half an hour, and I have done what I 
 intended before going ; I wish I had a thousand 
 men like you, and I would walk through Yan- 
 keedom." I thanked him heartily for what he 
 said and did, promising never to forget it, and 
 I never have. We walked some distance together, 
 the atmosphere was chilly, and I proposed to 
 him if he would accept a treat from me in the 
 way of a drink; he said, "With great pleasure." 
 We found a place on our way 'to the depot, 
 which was not very far, as the Calaboose was 
 situated a little back of the Brown House, and 
 we drank a drink of as mean potato whiskey, 
 the only kind the men had, at one dollar a dram, 
 that was ever distilled.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 As matters now stood, I was determined 
 not to return to my Company until I was 
 entirely recovered to my usual health. So 
 I reported to Dr. Green in charge of the 
 Floyd House Hospital for treatment. He 
 asked me what was the matter with me ; I told 
 him I did not know. He stripped me and made 
 a thorough examination, and when he got 
 through he said, "You have an enlargement of 
 the heart, and ought not to be exposed." He 
 prescribed for me, and I reported to him daily 
 until my furlough had expired. I felt a great 
 deal better and was about ready to return to 
 my command, but Dr. Green advised me not to 
 do it yet awhile. I said, "My furlough is out;" 
 He said, "That does not make any difference, 
 you are under my charge for the present. ' ' In 
 the meantime Major Roland was removed as 
 Commander of the Post at Macon and Col. 
 Aiken was appointed in his stead. While in the 
 Hospital I made myself useful, and Dr. Green 
 appointed me General Ward-Master. My duties 
 were to look over the entire wards and see that 
 those under me did their duty, and that all 
 inmates were properly attended to. One good
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 143 
 
 morning Sergt. Haywood Ainsworth came to 
 me, saying, "Ike I have in my possession a let- 
 ter for the Commander of the Post, Col. Aiken, 
 from Capt. Evan P. Howell ; he is giving you the 
 devil ; he sent me after you. *If you go with me 
 to the command I will not deliver it." I said, 
 "Haywood, do you know what he writes in that 
 letter?" "No, not exactly, but it is very 
 severe." "I'd like to see what he says." 
 "Have you seen Col. Aiken; does he know 
 you?" No. "I will tell you what we will do; 
 you give me the letter and I will deliver it 
 myself ; you can see that I do it, he will not know 
 me from you, as he does not know either of us." 
 Ainsworth laughed and says, "Well as you 
 say." So we both marched up to the Provost 
 Marshal's office. Col. Aiken was sitting in a chair 
 at his desk. I walked up to him, gave him the 
 military salute, handed him the letter and took 
 my position behind his chair, looking over his 
 shoulder as he read the letter. Capt. Howell did 
 not at all times write a very legible hand for one 
 not used to his writing ; hence I being used to it, 
 got through before the Colonel did, I took a lit- 
 tle step to my left and rear, awaiting Col. 
 Aiken 's orders. * ' Sergeant, where is the man ? " 
 asked he. "He is in the Floyd house hospital, 
 in charge of Dr. Green. " "Is he sick." "I sup-
 
 144 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 pose so." "Then he is under proper authority, I 
 can do nothing in this case, as it stands. You 
 go and see Dr. Green and ask him if Hermann 
 is well enough to \ be discharged and go to 
 camp. If so and he refuses to go, come to me 
 and I will give the necessary assistance re- 
 quired." I thanked him, saying, "Col. I do not 
 think there will be any necessity for me ta 
 trouble you further," and Haywood and myself 
 left, laughing all the way. Sergt. Ainsworth 
 then said, Well Ike, you are a good one, I know 
 you won't give me away. I said, You surely 
 do not think that of me. Oh no ! I have all con- 
 fidence in you. Well, what are you going to do T 
 I will go back with you ; I shall face the gentle- 
 man and tell him what I think of him. What 
 was in the letter, what did he say? He stated 
 in the letter that I was a very desperate charac- 
 ter; that I left in time of battle; that he had 
 used all his efforts to get me back to my com- 
 mand, and had failed. To please give Sergt, 
 Ainsworth all necessary assistance to accom- 
 plish that object. Continuing, I said, Haywood r 
 you like to go home; so do I. Suppose we ga 
 to Washington county for a few days, say until 
 Friday. You living in town put a notice in the 
 paper, stating that you will return to our camp 
 which is now at Dalton, and will take pleasure
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 145 
 
 in forwarding anything that may be sent to the 
 hoys from their friends and families. Sergt. 
 Ainsworth said, That is a good idea. I said, 
 Well I will meet you at Tennille Friday on the 
 night train. But before we go, I must have the 
 approval of Dr. Green, under whose charge I 
 now am; so we went to see Dr. Green: I 
 stated to him that I would like to return to my 
 command. He said, You are not well enough 
 to do camp duty. I said, Well, under circum- 
 stances as they are, I am willing to take my 
 chances. I stated to him the facts as they were, 
 in the presence of Sergt. Ainsworth, who co- 
 incided to everything I said. Then I remarked, 
 Doctor, you have been very kind to me, and 
 done me lots of good, for which I am very grate- 
 ful, but I can't rest under such imputation; I 
 intend to straighten matters out. So he said, 
 Well, if I can do anything for you or be any 
 service to you, let me know what it is and I will 
 be glad to do it. I said, All I want is for you 
 to give me a statement under what condition I 
 placed myself under your care, and the date of 
 my admittance and discharge, and your opin- 
 ion as to my present condition for active ser- 
 vice. He said he would do that, he would make 
 a statement and have it ready in an hour. In 
 the meantime Sergt. Ainsworth and myself
 
 146 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 took a stroll through the city. I told my rela- 
 tives and friends good bye. We returned to the 
 hospital, they were all sorry I left them. Doc- 
 tor Green gave me the papers I required, I put 
 them in my pocket unopened. He said, If there 
 is anything else you need, let me know. I 
 thanked him very kindly, and we left for Was! 1 
 ington county. Sergt. Ainsworth said to me y 
 Dr. Green seems to think a great deal of you; 
 he seems to be a perfect gentleman. I said, Yes,, 
 everybody who comes in contact with him likes 
 him; he is a very conscientious Doctor and 
 is very attentive to his business. Friday night 
 I took the train at Davisboro; I had about a 
 dozen boxes for the boys in camp, under my 
 charge at Tennille. Sergt. Ainsworth met me 
 with as many more boxes, and we travelled to 
 Dalton ; it took us two nights and a day to get 
 there. It was Sunday morning early, when we 
 reached camp. The boys were all glad to see 
 us, we delivered our trust and there was plenty 
 of good things to eat in camp, in consequence of 
 our forethought. During my absence from camp 
 Dr. Stewart was transferred and Dr. Beau- 
 champ took his place. I had never seen him 
 before, so I at once reported to him, gave him 
 my papers from Dr. Green and he at once 
 relieved me from active duty. Then I stated to-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 14? 
 
 him why I had returned to camp, and the feud 
 that existed between Capt. Howell and myself, 
 and what he had done and said. So I was 
 determined to face the worst. I walked about 
 that day among the boys in camp, all of whom 
 were my friends; if I had an enemy in camp 
 outside of Capt. Howell, I did not know it. 
 About four o'clock p. m. I bethought myself 
 since I was not arrested after the awful charges 
 having been made against me, I had probably 
 better report my presence, although every one 
 in camp, Captain included, knew I was there. 
 So I just met Sergt. Hines, being very intimate 
 with him, I said, Bill, you want to have some 
 fun? Come with me, I am going to report at 
 headquarters; since all that hullabaloo I am 
 still unmolested. The officers quarters were 
 about one hundred yards up on a ridge from 
 where the pieces were parked. Capt. Howell 
 was sitting in front of his tent. I gave him the 
 salute, saying, Well, here I am. He answered, 
 I thought I never would see you again. I said 
 probably you would not, if it had not been for 
 
 some d d lies written to Col. Aiken, Provost 
 
 Marshal at Macon. Who wrote them 1 ? Capt. 
 Evan P. Howell, Comdg. Battery. If you think 
 that I am afraid of powder and ball, try me ten 
 steps. Do you mean it as a challenge 1 ? You
 
 148 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 are an officer; I am a private; it is for you to 
 construe it as you see fit. I'll have you court- 
 martialed and shot. I dare you to do it. In the 
 meantime Sergt. Hines was swinging to my 
 jacket and we withdrew. So Hines said, If 
 I had known that you would get mad that way 
 I would not have come with you. So I remarked, 
 I wanted you to come and be a witness, as to 
 what should pass between him and me. A half 
 hour later Sergt. Hines came to me, saying, Ike, 
 you are on duty tonight. By whose orders? 
 Capt. Howell 's. I said, It is not a rule to put a 
 man on guard duty who had passed two nights 
 in succession without sleep, he might fall asleep 
 on his post. However, I did not come here to 
 do duty, I merely came to see what punishment 
 Capt. Howell would inflict on me, as he stated 
 that I deserted; and again, I am relieved from 
 duty by Dr. Beauchamp. Sergt. Hines made his 
 report. I saw Capt. Howell hastily walk over to 
 Dr. Beauchamp 's quarters and expostulated 
 with him as to my ability of doing duty, thus 
 impugning the Doctor's capacity as a physician, 
 he who after a thorough examination having 
 passed on my condition; I heard Dr. Beau- 
 champ speaking in a loud voice : ' i Capt. How- 
 ell, if you would attend to your duty as faith- 
 fully as I do mine you would get along better
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 149 
 
 with your men. ' ' Howell replied that he would 
 have me examined by a Board of Physicians. 
 That's all right, that is exactly what Hermann 
 asked me to have done and I have already set 
 him down to meet the Board at Dalton on next 
 Wednesday. In the meantime Dr. Beauchamp 
 treated me and I reported to him daily, when 
 able to be up; if not he came to my quarters.
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Wednesday came, the day I was to report before 
 the Board; I was not feeling as well as I had 
 a day or so previous. I went to Bell, our ambu- 
 lance driver, saying Joe, I have to meet the 
 Board today at Dalton, you will have to carry 
 me there. He answered he could not do it as 
 he had orders from Capt. Howell to have the 
 ambulance ready for him, as he wanted to make 
 a social call, so I said no more. Dr. Beau- 
 champ who saw me walking about in camp, came 
 to me saying, I thought you were going to Dal- 
 ton today. I said I would go but Mr. Bell said 
 the Capt. engaged the ambulance to go on a 
 social call; I thought that vehicle belonged to 
 your department and is intended for the sick 
 only. So it is, says the Doctor, and I am going 
 to see about it. I said, Doctor, I do not feel 
 well enough to walk three miles and back today. 
 In a few minutes Joe Bell drove up with the 
 ambulance, saying, Ike, get ready, I will drive 
 you to town. So I went before the field Board 
 of Surgeons and Physicians. Dr. Beauchamp 
 had sent in his report of me, and I was pro- 
 nounced unfit for active duty and discharged 
 from service on account of ill health. This
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 151 
 
 action took me from under the jurisdiction of 
 Capt. Howell, greatly to my relief. I thanked 
 the Board, saying, Gentlemen, I enlisted for 
 the war, and at times I am able to do some duty. 
 There are other duties besides standing guard, 
 camping out and shooting. I am willing to do 
 anything I am able to do. About that time 
 Major Martin came in, undoubtedly sent there 
 by Capt. Howell. After speaking to the Doctors 
 he turned to me, we shook hands and he said, 
 "Well Hermann, take good care of yourself, I 
 hope you will recover and get entirely well ; you 
 have been badly treated, I am sorry to say. 
 Good bye. We again shook hands, he mounted 
 his horse and departed at a gallop. The Board 
 gave me an order to report to Gen. E. K. Smith, 
 who was then in Atlanta, doing post duty. He 
 asked me how long I had been on the sick list, 
 and I replied about three months. He said, Can 
 you do any office work; I answered I did not 
 know to what kind of work he would assign me 
 to. He said, Can you write? I told him yes; 
 so he put me to copying some documents, which 
 I did to his satisfaction. The desk at which he 
 put me to work was breast high and I had to 
 stand up. The following day I was suffering 
 so I could not do anything, and I had no more 
 medicine. The next day I felt worse. Dr. G.
 
 152 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 G. Crawford called in the office; he was in 
 charge of the fair ground hospital. General 
 Smith said, Doctor, what is the matter with 
 this man; since yesterday, he seems to be suf- 
 fering very much. Dr. Crawford spoke to me 
 and asked what my complaint was. I told him 
 I was suffering in my chest, and I was trying to 
 write at that desk and grew worse. He said, 
 You are a Frenchman? I said Yes. He said 
 he could tell it from my brogue. And he then 
 talked French to me and told me he studied 
 medicine in Paris, and having lived there my- 
 self our conversation grew interesting to both 
 of us. So he turned to General Smith and said 
 General, I think I can help him considerably, 
 even if I can't cure him. So General said, 
 " Hermann, you go with Dr. Crawford, he will 
 take charge of you. And we left together for 
 the fair ground hospital, a temporary institu- 
 tion, built of wood, roughly put up, consisting 
 of several wards, whitewashed in and out. I 
 found Dr. Crawford to be a perfect gentleman 
 and very interesting and we got along like 
 brothers; he was very kind to me. Under his 
 treatment I recuperated wonderfully and in a 
 couple of weeks I thought I was entirely cured. 
 I made myself as useful as possible, still con- 
 tinuing my course of medicine. Dr. Crawford
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 153 
 
 appointed me to the same position I held under 
 Dr. Green at the Floyd hospital at Macon, and 
 he was well pleased with my work, as well as the 
 inmates of the hospital.
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 General Bragg was removed from the com- 
 mand of the army of Tennessee and Gen. Joseph 
 E. Johnston appointed in his place early in the 
 Spring of 1864. The campaign opened and Gen. 
 J. T. Sherman commanded the Federal forces. 
 His sanguinary and uncivilized warfare on the 
 defenseless is a matter of history. His careless 
 application of the torch, destroying by fire what- 
 soever he could not carry off, leaving the old 
 and decripid, the women and children to per- 
 ish in his wake as he marched through Georgia, 
 and reducing to ashes everything within his 
 reach, within a scope of territory fifty miles 
 wide by over three hundred miles long. John- 
 ston's army consisted of only about half the 
 strength of that of his antagonist, consequently 
 he adopted tactics by which he reduced Sher- 
 man's army every time that General would 
 make an attack. Joseph E. Johnston acted all 
 along on the defensive, but was ever ready to 
 inflict severe punishment. When General Sher- 
 man would force his lines of defense, thus Gen- 
 eral Johnston generally ceded ground. While 
 his defeats were actual victories, as the ceme- 
 teries along the line of his march indicate. The
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 155 
 
 hospitals were filling up with sick and wounded ; 
 provisions became scarce, especially as our ter- 
 ritory became gradually contracted. So Dr. 
 Crawford came to me one morning, saying, 
 "Hermann, I want to send you out on a for- 
 aging expedition. Do you think you can buy up 
 provisions for the hospital? I just drew my 
 allowance of $10,000.00; it wont buy much at 
 present prices." Yes, I can try and make it go 
 as far as possible. What do you say? I 
 remarked, Doctor, I will try and do my best. 
 So he gave me two packages of newly struck 
 Confederate money, all the way from $1,000.00 
 to $5.00 bills, more money than I had ever had 
 in my possession, and I was actually afraid to 
 carry such sums around with me, although I 
 knew it was not of much value. I also wanted 
 all the linen, lint and bandages that I could get. 
 I came to Washington county where I was 
 known ; I put a notice in the weekly paper edited 
 by J. M. G. Medlock, setting forth my mission, 
 and that I would gladly receive any contribu- 
 tion for the sick and wounded at the fair ground 
 hospital in Atlanta, under the charge of Dr. 
 Geo. G. Crawford, of the army of Tennessee, 
 and that I would pay the market price to any 
 who did not feel able to contribute the same free 
 of charge ; that I would publish all contributions
 
 156 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 in the Central Georgian. I wrote to the Central 
 Railroad Company's office at Savannah, asking 
 them to kindly spare me two box cars, one at 
 Bartow and one at Davisboro, on a certain day, 
 when I would load them with provisions for the 
 hospital. The officials kindly offered me the 
 cars free of charge. It was on Thursday I 
 came to Bartow. Mr. Sam Evans, the agent, 
 gave me all his assistance, and provisions com- 
 menced to rolling in. Mr. Warren from Louis- 
 ville, Ga., sent me four horse wagon loads of 
 flour from his mill, free of charge. Mr. Tarver, 
 a large planter, brought me a heavy load of 
 meats, chicken, eggs, butter, etc. Mr. B. G. 
 Smith also brought me a hogshead of hams, 
 shoulders and sides, the meat all nicely smoked, 
 and 100 pounds of leaf lard, chickens, eggs and 
 sweet potatoes, in fact the farmers of that sec- 
 tion, all well to do people and slave owners, 
 vied with each other as to who could do the most. 
 I filled up the car that day with the choicest pro- 
 visions which did not cost me a nickel. Many 
 poor women would bring me the last chicken 
 they had, and when I wanted to pay for the same 
 refused to take the money, and regretted they 
 could not do any more. They unraveled all the 
 old linen table cloth and brought me bags full of 
 lint and bandages. That night I forwarded the
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 157 
 
 car under special instructions by Mr. Evans 
 that it contained perishable goods, labeled for 
 the hospital in Atlanta. The following day I 
 went to Davisboro, G-a. "VV. C. Riddle, Simon 
 Thomas, Daniel Inman, Ben Jordan, Syl 
 Prince, Daniel Harris and others in that 
 neighborhood proved themselves as generous 
 and patriotic as the people of Bartow and 
 filled my car to overflowing with all kinds of pro- 
 visions, with the exception of one instance; in 
 regard to his worthy family I will withhold his 
 name. He was a well to do farmer and had a 
 profession. He was a hot secessionist and made 
 speeches to that effect. On the day of receiving 
 he came up in a fine buggy, with a bushel of 
 sweet potatoes. I said to him, What are they 
 worth? He answered, "Four dollars," I think 
 is what they are selling at. I paid the money 
 and he departed, and that was all the money 
 on the debit side of the $10,000.00. The same 
 was published as stated in the Georgian. I 
 returned to Atlanta with the last car of provis- 
 ions and when I alighted from the car the hos- 
 pital convalescents actually carried me on tEeir 
 shoulders and would not let me walk. Dr. Craw- 
 ford looked on me in wonder when I returned 
 my account and gave him back the $10,000.00 
 minus $4.00, and said, "Well that gives me money
 
 158 MEMOEIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 to fix up my hospital as it should be. He bought 
 sheets and mattresses and had the hospital ren- 
 ovated and made as comfortable as money could 
 make it. Under Dr. Crawford's treatment I 
 again became strong and the paroxisms of pain 
 gradually gave way and became less frequent 
 until I really considered that I was a well man 
 again.
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 My cousin in Macon gave a little social 
 entertainment and sent me an invitation. I 
 showed the same to the Doctor, and he said, 
 Well go, I give you 48 hours. The following 
 morning I hurried to the Quartermaster with 
 my furlough for transportation by placing my 
 permission on his desk. The train just blew the 
 signal for departure ; I picked up the transpor- 
 tation and in my hurry left my furlough on the 
 desk. Between Atlanta and Griffin the guards 
 passed through the coaches to inspect all papers 
 of the passengers. When they came to me I 
 found my transportation in my side pocket 
 minus my forty-eight hours leave of absence. I 
 explained how it might have happened, and' 
 hoped they would let me continue, but I was; 
 requested to get off at Griffin, which I did, and 
 asked the guard to conduct me to the Provost 
 Marshal, so that I might explain, and he could 
 inform himself, never doubting but that he 
 would wire and inform himself of the cor- 
 rectness of my statement and let me pro- 
 ceed. Instead, he told me he had heard such 
 statements before and informed the guard to 
 be especially vigilant in regard to me, so I
 
 160 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 was conducted to an old livery stable that 
 served as a prison. This was in Dec. 1863. I 
 spoke to my guard if there was not a way by 
 which I could communicate with Dr. Crawford 
 in Atlanta; he said he did not know. I said, 
 Please tell the Provost to write to Dr. Crawford 
 about me. Presently one of the guards brought 
 me a broom, saying, It is a rule when a new 
 comer comes to make him sweep out the cala- 
 boose. I said, Well this time you will have to 
 break your rule. Do I understand that you 
 refuse to comply? I certainly do. He went to 
 the Sergt. of the Guard and made his report 
 as to what passed between us. The Sergt. came 
 at once, saying I understand you refuse to 
 sweep out the calaboose. I certainly do; is it 
 for this which I am arrested? He said, Do you 
 know the penalty, sir? No, and I don't care, 
 was my reply. He remarked, You'll be bucked 
 and gagged for two hours. I again said, "You'll 
 have a nice time doing it." He answered. Not 
 so much talk ; pull off your overcoat. I said, If I 
 do I'll make you feel sorry for it. All this oc- 
 curred while I was standing before the fire place, 
 with my hands behind me. In front of me about 
 five feet distance, stood a wooden bench. The 
 Sergeant stood between me and it. Calling 
 for the guard to come up, they asked him
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 161 
 
 if they should bring their guns. He said 
 no, only one bring his gun. They came up. 
 When the Sergeant put his hand on me as 
 if to unbutton my coat. I had moistened 
 the knuckles of my fingers by passing them 
 between my lips, concentrated the muscles' 
 tension and struck the Sergeant over the 
 bridge of his nose, sending him sprawling back- 
 ward over the bench, his head hitting the pave- 
 ment, and I had to dodge to avoid his heels hit- 
 ting me under the chin. The man who had the 
 musket made a lunge at me. Fortunately I had 
 a memorandum book in my side pocket which he 
 hit and dented the leaves of it half way through. 
 I grabbed at the gun and caught it just at the 
 curve of the bayonet, close to the muscle, and 
 jerked it out of his hands. I made moulinets, 
 holding the gun by the barrel and bayonet, and 
 drove the whole guard, consisting of twelve 
 men, before me. One of them stopped at the 
 rack, close to the door, which was open, to reach 
 for a gun, when I hit him with the butt end on 
 the arm, just below the shoulder, and sent him 
 to the ground, falling as he went in the middle 
 of the street. The exit of the men out of the 
 guard house was so hasty it attracted the atten- 
 tion of the populace so that in a very short 
 space of time a crowd had assembled before the
 
 162 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 door, looking askance as to what had happened, 
 among which was a Lieut. Colonel, judging from 
 the ensign he wore. Advancing to me, who stood 
 quietly at the entrance, at parade rest, he, 
 undoubtedly thinking that I was the sentinel, 
 asked me what was the matter, what are the 
 casualties. I simply remarked, Nobody hurt on 
 my side, Colonel. What is all this assemblage 
 here doing? So I explained to him what had 
 happened and the cause of it. He asked me 
 where were the guards. I pointed out some of 
 them in the crowd; they gradually approached. 
 He asked some of them to lead him to the Pro- 
 vost Marshal, whose name was Capt. Willis, 
 which gentleman (pardon the expression), he 
 berated to the utmost, telling him that he was 
 not fit for a hog herder much less to be in com- 
 mand of human beings, who ever heard of buck- 
 ing and gagging in the Confederate Army. I 
 iim going to report you to the proper authori- 
 ties, and he ordered him to send me back to 
 Atlanta by the next train, so that I might prove 
 my assertion. The train from Macon to Atlanta 
 was due within half an hour, so I was sent back 
 under guard of a Lieutenant and four men with 
 loaded muskets, with orders to shoot should I 
 make an effort to escape. Luckily in my school 
 days, which were close to an army post, I went
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 163 
 
 twice a week to the armory to take lessons in 
 boxing and sword exercise, and while I do not 
 profess to be an expert in those sciences, they 
 served me tolerably well in the above stated 
 instance, and others through which it has been 
 my misfortune to pass. Arriving in Atlanta, I 
 was conducted to the Provost Marshal. The 
 Lieutenant in command of the guard handed 
 him a letter which the Provost read, after which 
 he looked at me, standing in the middle of the 
 room, and said, "Well Lieutenant, I'll take 
 charge of the prisoner ; you can go back by the 
 next train. The Lieutenant saluted him and he 
 and his guard departed. It was between four 
 and five o'clock in the afternoon. There were 
 two more men at the office at their desks, and 
 they soon left the room, leaving me and the 
 Provost by ourselves. Turning to me he said, 
 You belong to Walker's Brigade? I said, Yes, 
 Howell's Battery. He said, Well I thought I 
 
 knew you. He said, Well you got in a h 1 of 
 
 a scrape. I answered that I did not know that 
 a man losing his furlough was so criminal. He 
 looked up at me in surprise, saying, This is not 
 what you are charged with; you are charged 
 with striking a superior officer ; do you know the 
 penalty! Yes, shot if found guilty. What did 
 you do it for? About that time I had been eye-
 
 164 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 ing my questioner all along, I thought I knew 
 him but I could not place him. He was Capt. 
 Beebee of a South Carolina Regiment. I 
 answered him thus, "Well, Captain, I fought 
 for the rights of the Confederacy for the last 
 three years and thought five minutes for myself 
 was not too much." I explained to him all of 
 the circumstances leading to my present condi- 
 tion. He exclaimed, "My God, why did you not 
 kill him?" I said I did my best, I only got one 
 lick at him and I give him a good one. He said 
 Go over to the quartermaster's and see if you 
 find your papers; if not I will give you some 
 that will carry you through. I ran across the 
 street, asking the quartermaster if I did not 
 leave my furlough on his desk that morning. 
 He opened a drawer and handed me my paper. 
 I thanked him and reported my find to Capt. 
 Beebee, who said, I know you are alright, you 
 can go. We shook hands and I went my way to 
 the fair ground hospital for the night to make a 
 new start in the morning. Dr. Crawford seeing 
 me said, I thought you had gone to Macon. I 
 answered that I had gone a part of the way and 
 was brought back under guards. How was 
 that? So I recounted to him all the circum- 
 stances and illustrated with a musket the pic- 
 ture of the guard getting out of my reach. Dr,
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 16 5 
 
 Crawford laughed till he cried. Well you had 
 a time of it said he. I sure did, and half of my 
 permit is out. He said, Well go and stay as long 
 as you like it, but not too long. He wrote me 
 another permit and I again made for the train 
 leading to Macon. This time the guard did not 
 -come aboard inspecting papers, but the train 
 on arriving at Griffin was entered by the guards 
 and papers were shown. I was sitting by the 
 window of my coach when I heard some one say 
 "Sergt. there is the fellow, the same fellow," 
 pointing at me. I had not noticed the Sergt. at 
 first as I was looking above and beyond him, 
 and I saw him standing right close beside the 
 train, in front of the window. I put out my 
 head to speak to him ; he had a bandage around 
 his forehead and both of his eyes were inflamed 
 and discolored. I said to him, Sergt. are you 
 hurt? He did not reply, so I said, I am sorry 
 for you, the next time you want to have some 
 fun in the bucking, gagging line you try some 
 one else who likes that kind of sport better than 
 I do. The train departed and nobody even 
 looked at my papers that day. I arrived at 
 Macon a day after the feast, but had a pleasant 
 day anyhow.
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Before the battle of Resaca Dr. Crawford was 
 ordered to move his hospital further into the 
 interior, so he located at Vineville, a suburb of 
 Macon. He pitched his buildings in front of 
 Mr. Burrell Jordan's premises and sent me 
 again on a foraging expedition. I came again 
 home to Washington County, expecting to make 
 headquarters at the home of Mr. Benjamin G. 
 Smith, where I was always welcome. Mr. Smith 
 however, at that time seemed to be very much 
 disturbed and not in his usual pleasant and 
 cheerful mood. I asked him the cause of his 
 troubles; he handed me a slip of paper just 
 received from Lieut. Stone, recruiting agent at 
 Sandersville, to be sure and report without fail 
 at Sandersville on the following Thursday to be 
 mustered into service. Mr. Smith was a wid- 
 ower; his wife had died a couple of years pre- 
 vious, leaving him an only daughter about four 
 years old. Mr. Smith was the owner of about 
 one hunded slaves and a very large plantation. 
 He remarked to me, Hermann, I do not mind 
 going to the front, but what is to become of my 
 dear little Jenny among all those negroes; this 
 is more than I can stand. Mr. Smith was a great
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 167 
 
 benefactor to the indigent widows and orphans, 
 and soldiers families. He contributed unstint- 
 edly to the wants of those at home whose male 
 persons were at the front fighting the battles 
 of their country; in fact he run his whole plan- 
 tation in their interest, making thousands of 
 provisions which he distributed among them as 
 they stood in need and without remuneration. 
 This was the period of the war when everybody 
 able to bear arms was called to the front, and 
 the saying was, "The Government is robbing 
 the cradle and the grave." Sherman was ad- 
 vancing; Johnston was falling back; the people 
 were clamorous for a test fight, General John- 
 ston could not see the advantage of the same 
 and still kept retreating. The battle of Ken- 
 nesaw mountain was hotly contested, with 
 severe punishment to the enemy but Johnston 
 withdrew and thus fell back to the gates of 
 Atlanta. Keferring again to Mr. Smith, I told 
 him I thought I had a solution to his troubles. 
 1 said, Carry your little girl to Mrs. Francis, 
 your sister; she will take care of her. This is 
 only Tuesday, we will run up to Macon tonight, 
 and I will plead your cause before Governor 
 Brown, who had established his headquarters 
 there. I think it worth a trial anyway, you can't 
 lose anything by it anyhow. This was about
 
 168 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 3 o'clock p. m. He at once gave orders to his 
 cook to boil a ham and make biscuits and that 
 night about midnight we took the train to 
 Macon, Ga. We took breakfast at my cousin's 
 and repaired to the Governor's headquarters. 
 I saw the Governor in front of a table, exam- 
 ining some papers. I said, This is Governor 
 Brown? He said Yes, what will you have? I 
 introduced myself, stating that I was a member 
 of HowelPs Battery, and that on account of dis- 
 abilities was relieved from duty and assigned 
 by Dr. Crawford as foraging agent. I related 
 the condition of Mr. Smith and his surround- 
 ings, saying, That man is worth as much at 
 home as a regiment at the front. The Gover- 
 nor at once wrote on a sheet of paper, handing 
 it to Mr. Smith, said, Hand this to the enrolling 
 officer. It was an exemption from military duty. 
 We took our leave, thanking the Governor. Mr. 
 Smith was so overcome with the fact that I had 
 never seen such emotion displayed by a man; 
 tears ran down his cheeks, his thoughts con- 
 centrated on his "Sis" as he called his little 
 daughter Jenny. 
 
 Mr. Smith lived to a ripe old age. He was of 
 a very benevolent disposition. He was a relig- 
 ious man but not a fanatic, quick answering and
 
 WAK BETWEEN THE STATES 169 
 
 very charitable. Many now prosperous and 
 substantial citizens owe their start in life to 
 his munificence. He was as gentle as a woman 
 but as firm as a rock in his convictions. In his 
 death Washington County has sustained an 
 irreparable loss and the State a true and loyal 
 citizen.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 General Joseph E. Johnston was removed 
 from command and General John B. Hood was 
 appointed in his stead. Dr. Crawford was 
 ordered to remove to Montgomery, Ala. In 
 reference to the battle of Besaca I omitted to 
 state that I received a letter from my friend 
 B. S. Jordan, whom I had appointed as local 
 agent to forward supplies for the general hos- 
 pital, that his brother, Jas. P., a Capt. in the 
 57th Ga. Eegt., and a dear friend of mine, was 
 dangerously wounded. I at once set out in 
 quest of him and found him lying on a pallet on 
 the platform of the depot. He was suffering, but 
 when he saw me he brightened up. I said, poor 
 fellow, are you wounded badly? He said, Yes, 
 and indicated the place. Now I have to refer to 
 a little incident that transpired at the time when 
 Capt. Jordan had organized a Company and 
 was about to leave for the front: This was in 
 1862. When I had already experienced one 
 year's service in the 1st Ga. Regiment. I said, 
 "Well, James, don't you let me hear of you being 
 shot in the back. He was indignant. Never, 
 replied he, emphatically. But when he indi- 
 cated his wound, I remarked at once : Shot in
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 171 
 
 the back, as I expected. Suffering as lie was, 
 he laughed heartily and said I want to explain; 
 I said, No explanation is necessary, the evi- 
 dence is before me. He remarked, Yes, but 
 I want to explain how it was done. I said 
 evidently by a musket ball in the hands of 
 a Yankee, and so I teased him until he 
 nearly forgot all about his wound, which was 
 in the fleshy part of his hip. Captain James 
 P. Jordan was of a noble and chivalrous 
 disposition and his Company had seen much 
 hard service. He explained that they were 
 ordered forward on a double quick to charge 
 the enemy in their immediate front, when owing 
 to some obstructions his Company got out of 
 line, turning towards them to align them a ball 
 had struck him and he was carried to the rear. 
 I carried him to the .Vineville hospital. Dr. 
 Crawford extracted the ball, and when his Uncle 
 Burrell heard of his being there he had him 
 removed to his home and well taken care of. 
 
 It must be remembered matters were getting 
 very squally; every available man and boy was 
 called to the front. The battle of Atlanta was 
 fought and lost at a great sacrifice to both sides, 
 on July 21st, 1864, Gen. W. H. T. Walker on 
 our side, General McPherson on the Federal
 
 172 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 side, were both killed. The City was sacked 
 and laid into ruins as a result of the most unciv- 
 ilized warfare. General Hood changed his tac- 
 tics, and -after the engagement at Jonesboro he 
 swung to Sherman's rear, expecting by that 
 move to cut off Sherman's supplies and rein- 
 forcements, and Sherman having now no army 
 in front to oppose him marched through the 
 length of Georgia by rapid strides to the sea, 
 Savannah being his objective point.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 The prisoners at Andersonville, amounting 
 to many thousand, owing to their Government 
 refusing to exchange them, preferring to let 
 them die in their congested condition rather 
 than to release those of ours, caused untold 
 hardships on those unfortunate fellows. Their 
 own Government even refused to furnish them 
 with the requisite medical relief and medicine 
 which became unobtainable on account of the 
 close cordon of blockaders guarding our ports 
 of entry. It must be remembered that while we 
 on the Confederate side had only seven hundred 
 thousand available men, in round numbers, in 
 every branch of the service, our adversary had, 
 according to statistics, two million, seven hun- 
 dred thousand men in the field, and while we had 
 exhausted all our resources they still had the 
 whole world to draw from. Neither were they 
 particular then, as now, as to wha'i kind of emi- 
 grants landed in Castle Garden or Ellis Island, 
 but they accepted the scum of the world, paying 
 fifteen hundred dollars bounty as an incentive 
 to enlist in their army. Such were the condi- 
 tions in the latter part of 1864. General Whee- 
 ler's Cavalry was the only force that swung
 
 174 MEMOEIES OF A VETEBAN- 
 
 close to Sherman's flanks, thus keeping his col- 
 umns more compact and preventing them from 
 doing more depredations than they did. Even 
 as it was, they lived on the fat of the land, and 
 as stated, wantonly destroyed what they could 
 not carry along, to the detriment of the defence- 
 less women and children. 
 
 Dr. Crawford was ordered to remove his hos- 
 pital to Montgomery, Alabama. I was out for- 
 aging ; I was at Davisboro, Station No. 12, 
 Central E. E. when a train load of the Ander- 
 sonville prisoners stopped at the station. The 
 train consisted of a long string of box cars. 
 Davisboro was not then the prosperous little 
 city it is now ; it consisted of only one dwelling 
 and outhouses usually attached to a prosperous 
 plantation, and a store house; it was owned 
 by Mrs. Hardwick, the great grandmother of 
 our now Congressman, T. W. Hardwick, an 
 elderly widow lady, who for the accommodation 
 of the railroad kept an eating house where the 
 train hands would get their meals as the trains 
 passed on schedule time. Curiosity led me to 
 approach the train, which was heavily guarded 
 by sentinels stationed in the open doors and on 
 top of the cars, with loaded muskets, to prevent 
 escapes, when I heard the grand hailing words
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 175 
 
 of distress from an inmate of the car. Being a 
 Mason, I demanded what was wanted, when 
 some one appealed to me, "For God's sake give 
 me something to eat, I am starving to death; 
 somebody stole my rations and I have not eaten 
 anything for three days." Being meal time I 
 at once run in the dining room of the Hardwick 
 House, picked up a plate with ham and one with 
 biscuits, and ran to the train, called on the man 
 in Masonic terms', and handed him the provis- 
 ions that I had wrapped up in a home made 
 napkin, bordered with indigo blue. It was seven 
 o'clock p. m. and one could not distinguish the 
 features of an individual; it was a starless, 
 foggy night. After the train left I entered the 
 house and excused myself for the rudeness of 
 taking the provisions as I did. Mrs. Hardwick 
 not having been in the dining room at the time 
 I explained to her that my obligations were 
 such that I had to render assistance to any dis- 
 tressed Brother Mason; he applying to me as 
 such; "I am now ready to pay you for all the 
 damages I did," and this was her reply: "I 
 don't charge you anything honey, I am glad you 
 did it. ' ' But not so with her housekeeper, Miss 
 Eliza Jackson, who berated me for everything 
 she could think of, saying, "They had no right 
 ,to come here and fight us ; you are nothing but a
 
 176 MEMOBIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 Yankee yourself," etc., etc. Miss Jackson was 
 a long ways beyond her teens, so I said, "Mis& 
 Liza, you are mad, because owing to the war 
 your chances for marriage have greatly dimin- 
 ished, especially with the disposition you have." 
 Those present enjoyed her discomfiture. 
 
 Usually when troops were about to be ordered 
 in transit, they were issued three days rations, 
 all of which were often walloped out of sight 
 at one square meal on account of its meager- 
 ness ; undoubtedly that is what happened to my 
 Masonic Brother; he received his rations and 
 someone stole them. I myself often ate at one 
 meal what was intended to last me three days 
 and trusted for the future. I never felt any 
 remorse of conscience to get something to eat, 
 if I could; I felt that the people for whom I 
 devoted my services in those days, owed me a 
 living, and when the authorities failed to sup- 
 ply it, I took it where I could find it.
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 I rejoined Dr. Crawford and he sent me out 
 again. I took the train to Greenville, Alabama, 
 .and walked about eight miles to Col. Bowens', 
 who was an uncle of Mrs. John George. Mrs. 
 George was a niece of Mrs. Braswell, where I 
 boarded. She came to spend many days with 
 her Aunt while I was with the family; her 
 home was only about three miles distant. 
 She married Mr. George and moved to But- 
 ler County, Alabama. Mr. Bowen, her un- 
 cle, furnished me with a horse and I rode 
 -out to see them. Butler county is a sort 
 of an out of the way place, and that country 
 had not been overrun with soldiers, and pro- 
 visions were plentiful. When I hollowed at the 
 gate she recognized me at once 'and was over- 
 joyed; she took me around the neck and kissed 
 me. George ran out saying, "Mollie! Mollie! 
 What are you doing." She said, "Never mind 
 that is home folks." Poor woman, she was so 
 overcome to see someone from home that she 
 actually cried for joy. They were a happy fam- 
 ily. I gave them all the news about their peo- 
 ple, as I had just come from there. I stated 
 my business and both of them set in the follow-
 
 178 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 ing day to assist me in my duty. Butler county, 
 where they lived was a very hilly country, but 
 tolerably thickly settled, and provisions came 
 in by the quantities. I, with the assistance of 
 my host and hostess, filled a single box of egg& 
 six by three feet long and three feet high. W& 
 stood every one on its end with alternate layers 
 of bran and sawdust and carried them over a 
 very rough road to Greenville, together with a 
 great many chickens and shipped them to the 
 hospital, and we only lost three dozen eggs by 
 breakage. One morning we heard the report 
 that the enemy, in great force, was approaching. 
 People were leaving the city. With the excep- 
 tion of a small garrison there was no defense^ 
 Dr. Crawford had to abandon the city, removed 
 all that were in condition to get away, but there 
 were about a half a dozen men who were too sick 
 to be removed. The enemy came into the city 
 soon after we left. Dr. Crawford remarked to 
 me that evening, "Herman, I am going to send 
 you back to take charge of the hospital and those 
 poor fellows that I could not get away." I 
 demurred, saying that I did not care to be taken 
 prisoner. He said, "Listen; In all civilized 
 warfare the medical department is exempt from 
 molestation." I said, "From the way this war 
 is waged it is not altogether civilized, but I am
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 179 
 
 under your orders ; I'll do what you want me to 
 do." He said, "I'll take it as a great favor; 
 I can't abandon those poor fellows, some one 
 has to take care of them and administer to their 
 wants." He said he did not know where he 
 would locate but wherever he went I must come 
 back to him. I was then about nine miles from 
 Montgomery. It was late in the evening, and I 
 took it afoot back." When passing through 
 Macon on my way to Montgomery, I passed a 
 night with my cousin, Mrs. Wurzbourg, whose 
 husband was exempt from military duty on 
 account of physical infirmity. My jacket which 
 I wore was threadbare, and even (holy). He 
 presented me with one of his blue flannel sack 
 coats. I had previously been able, through Dr. 
 Crawford, to get enough cloth for a pair of 
 pants and vest. It was blockade goods which 
 the Government had purchased, and it was 
 of a coarse textile, and of a light blue cast, 
 and thus I was fairly decently clothed. In 
 those days the Confederate grey was very 
 much lacking, and men, as well as women, 
 had to wear anything, of any color they 
 could get hold of. So after leaving Dr. Craw- 
 ford, to return to the hospital at Montgom- 
 ery, I stopped over at a cottage. The pro- 
 prietor had a watch repair and jewelry shop in
 
 180 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 Montgomery, who owned a small plantation 
 about six miles from the city. He had left the 
 city for lack of business, and now lived at his 
 country home. He was an Englishman, his wife 
 was French. This book being written entirely 
 from memory, after a lapse of about a half a 
 century, I can't remember the names of those 
 people, but they were very kind and hospitable. 
 After supper we repaired to their little parlor. 
 The house was well kept, and proved that the 
 mistress of the same knew how to manage a 
 home and make it comfortable. There was a 
 piano, and I asked the lady, (talking French to 
 her), if she would kindly play a little. So she 
 asked me if I could sing some French songs ; I 
 said a few. She at once repaired to the instru- 
 ment, and asked me what will you have. I of 
 course called for the Marseillaise, which she per- 
 formed to perfection. So she asked me to sing; 
 I started the melody of 
 
 Adieu Patrie 
 
 France Cherie 
 
 Ou Chaque jour 
 
 Coulait si pure 
 
 Monhelvretie 
 
 Douce et jolie 
 
 Pays d 'Amour 
 
 Ociel d azure 
 
 Adieu, Adieu!
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 181 
 
 Having finished that stanza I noticed she had 
 quit playing and was crying; so I remarked, 
 4 'Madam, had I known that my singing would 
 have had such an effect I surely would not have 
 sung." By way of explanation she remarked 
 that her first husband was a composer and that 
 the song I sang was his first effort and he 
 received a prize on it. Oh those were happy 
 days she said ! Her husband talked very kindly 
 to her and the general conversation turned on 
 Prance and of days gone by. She had lived in 
 Paris and knew many business houses that I 
 knew and I passed a most pleasant night. The 
 following morning I sat down to a substantial 
 country breakfast. We had hardly finished when 
 the negro servant ran in, saying, " Master the 
 Yankees are coming. They are here." Look- 
 ing up the road, sure enough, a few hundred 
 yards beyond where the road turned, they were 
 in view. I at once, on the first impulse, jumped 
 into a closet. Hardly was I in, closing the door, 
 when I thought of this being the first place they 
 would examine. I opened the door, and not 
 knowing where to go I went into the back yard, 
 between the house and the smoke house. Hardly 
 had I done so when a dozen or more Yankees left 
 their column entered the house very boister- 
 ously. Being dressed somewhat like they were,
 
 182 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 in blue, lacking but the brass buttons, I entered 
 the back door, unconcernedly, mixing among 
 them without being detected or noticed. Some 
 of the men had placed their guns in the corner 
 of the room; when of a sudden my hostess run 
 in by the back door, crying, "My God! They 
 are taking all of my meat." I don't know what 
 impelled me but I seized a gun from the corner, 
 ran out of the back door, brought my weapon 
 from a trail to a support, and ordered the two 
 men to throw back the hams each of them had 
 in their grasp, one of which acted at my com- 
 mand, and the other said, What in the h 1 
 
 you got to do with it. Before I could reply his 
 comrade said to him, "Throw it down, don't 
 you see he is a safe guard;" he threw down the 
 hams. I took the cue from what the Yankee 
 said, although it was the first time I had heard 
 of a safe-guard. The door of the dwelling wide 
 open, those in the house saw me walk the post 
 back and forth, made their exit and left the 
 house, and as long as I was guarding, no more 
 Yankees tarried on the premises; they came, 
 looked about and left the premises as soon as 
 they saw me standing guard, until the whole 
 column had passed. My host came to me say- 
 ing, Well, they are all gone, thank God, I said 
 no, the rear guard has not passed. The dwel-
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 183 
 
 ling house was constructed close to the ground, 
 leaving only about a foot space in front while 
 the rear end was about two and a half feet from 
 the ground. I took my gun and crawled under 
 the house. Presently there came what I thought 
 to be about a regiment, and several stragglers. 
 Finally I came from under the house. I gave 
 my hostess the gun I'd taken, telling her, If I 
 do not call for it it shall be yours. My host took 
 my hands, shook them heartily, saying, "You 
 are a hero;" I laughed, saying, Well, I saved 
 your bacon; Good bye; I am much obliged to 
 you for your kind hospitality, and if it had not 
 been for those fellows we would have had a good 
 time. I started on my philanthropic errand, 
 not knowing if I would find the sick men dead 
 or alive. I had gone but a few hundred yards 
 when I met a Federal soldier marching hastily 
 to catch up. He said, Are they far ahead; I 
 said, No, about five hundred yards or a quarter 
 of a mile. You are going the wrong way, said 
 he. I answered, I am not going far, I lost some- 
 thing. Further on I met two more, who like the 
 first, took me for a Federal. One said, Comrade 
 you are going the wrong way. I said, I am not 
 going far. How far behind are we I I said, Not 
 far, a few hundred yards. And so within about 
 one and a half mile I met a dozen stragglers,
 
 184 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 walking to catch up, all comparatively asking the 
 same questions, and to which I replied alike. 
 When about four hundred yards in front of me, 
 and about alike in the rear of the last straggler 
 I saw four horsemen, riding abreast, holding 
 their carbines by the barrel and resting the butt 
 on their thighs. I recognized them as Confed- 
 erates. I walked up to them, asking, What 
 troops do you belong to? Harvey's Scouts of 
 Porrests' Cavalry, was their reply. Are there 
 any others behind? Yes. How fnr? The rear 
 of the enemy's column is about two miles ahead 
 of you, said I, and there are about a dozen strag- 
 glers, some with >guns, and some have none; 
 they are separated several hundred yards apart, 
 some single and some in pairs ; if you spur up 
 you can catch the whole gang; I'll tell those men 
 ahead of me to hurry up. Where is Capt. Har- 
 vey? You'll find him in the Exchange Hotel, 
 in town. They at once put spurs to their horses 
 and galloped on, and I followed my course 
 towards the city. I met the reinforcements 
 some little distance ahead of me, and reported 
 what I had seen and told their advance scouts. 
 They all went at full speed, and later, I saw the 
 whole gang of stragglers brought in. I asked 
 Capt. Harvey what had become of the inmates 
 at the hospital. He said he did not know for he
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 185 
 
 had just arrived that morning. I went to the 
 hospital, found things in rather bad shape and 
 the inmates gone. After careful investigation 
 I heard that the Ladies Belief Association had 
 taken care of the sick and that they were well 
 provided for.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Dr. Crawford followed General Hood's army 
 and established headquarters at Corinth, Miss. 
 I followed at once, as soon as I could locate 
 him. I bought what provisions I could along 
 the stations. At Columbus, Miss., some Feder- 
 als who came there to tear up the track fired in 
 the train as we passed; several of the passen- 
 gers were wounded but General Forrest 
 appeared at that moment on the scene and 
 routed the enemy, killing and wounding quite a 
 number of them, and thus preventing the 
 wreckage of the railroad track. The car I rode 
 in was riddled with bullets, but I escaped 
 unhurt; several of the passengers had a close 
 call. 
 
 While at Corinth I was deputized to carry a 
 message to the front, this side of Franklin, Ten- 
 nessee. I arrived in time where General Beau- 
 ford's men had a brush with the enemy. A stray 
 bullet hit me in the thigh, and for a time I 
 thought I was seriously hurt. I was close to 
 a little stream of water. I had my leg tied above 
 the wound with my handkerchief and put it in 
 the running stream. A surgeon came to probe
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 187 
 
 my wound, but trembled like a man having the 
 palsy, and I told him he must not touch me any 
 further; he could hardly put his probe in the 
 hole made by the bullet. After a while I was 
 picked up and sent to the rear where I was cared 
 for by Dr. Crawford, who was very sorry and 
 regretted having sent me. My wound was doing 
 so well and there was no inflammation taking 
 place, and by keeping cold applications on it I 
 was able to be about in less than two weeks. Dr. 
 Crawford said I did the best thing that could be 
 done by keeping inflammation down by putting 
 my leg in the stream. The wound did so well 
 that he would not bother it to extract the ball, 
 and so I still carry it as a memento of the war. 
 While at Corinth the ladies of Washington 
 county sent me a box. The battle of Franklin 
 was fought and a victory dearly bought. Two 
 weeks later the battle of Nashville was fought, 
 and General Hood's magnificent army nearly 
 annihilated. They came through Corinth the 
 worst conditioned men I ever laid my eyes upon. 
 There I met Lieut. John T. Gross of this County 
 and Capt. Joe Polhill of Louisville, Ga., and 
 about twenty of their command. They were 
 hungry and in rags; I said, ''Boys, you are in a 
 bad fix." Capit. Polhill said, "Ike, can you tell 
 me where I can get something to eat; I am
 
 188 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 starved." I said I had just heard that there 
 was a box in the depot for me, let us see what is 
 in it. I took fthe crowd up to the hospital and all 
 got something to eat. The hospital wagon went 
 to the depot and got the box. It was a large 
 box, and was filled to the top with clothes and 
 eatables. Lieut. Gross, who was barefooted, 
 I supplied with a pair of broken shoes. Many 
 of the provisions were cooked. I took out some 
 checked shirts and knit socks and a pair of 
 pants and jacket and divided the rest among the 
 boys, who were all from Jefferson and Wash- 
 ington counties, and even to this day Capt. Pol- 
 hill declares I saved his life. He is still one of 
 the Vets, and a useful and honored citizen of 
 Louisville, Ga. 
 
 Corinth at that time when I saw it, was only 
 a railroad station with an improvised station 
 house or warehouse. A few chimneys here and 
 there indicated where had previously stood 
 some houses. It is not far from the Tennessee 
 river, about ten miles from Shiloh, where Albert 
 Sidney Johnson, from Texas, -was killed and 
 General Beauregard saved the day. During 
 my convalescence I walked over some of the bat- 
 tle ground. Being tired I sat down on a log. 
 There were two logs touching each other length-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 189 
 
 ways. They had been large trees, about two and 
 a half to three feet in diameter. Playing on the 
 ground with my crutch I unearthed a bullet; 
 presently I scratched up another. I noted that 
 the logs were riddled with bullets. I picked up 
 over one hundred pounds of musket balls in a 
 space not over twenty-five feet square. How any 
 escaped such a shower of lead in such a small 
 place can't be possible. Undoubtedly those logs 
 had served as a protection behind which those 
 brave fellows sent forth in the ranks of their 
 adversaries a similar amount of death dealing 
 missiles.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 This brings us towards the last part of De- 
 cember, 1864. When General Hood planned his 
 campaign to the rear of General Sherman, in- 
 stead of following General Johnston's tactics 
 and thns leaving the balance of the State of 
 Georgia to the tender mercies of our adversa- 
 ries, who had no mercy or respect for age nor 
 sex, but wantonly destroyed by fire and sword 
 whatever they could lay their hands on, save the 
 booty and relics with which they were loaded. 
 Howell's battery, on account of their horses 
 being exhausted, could not follow General 
 Hood's army into Tennessee, and were ordered 
 to Macon to recruit. This Company had seen ar- 
 duous service from Chickamauga to Atlanta, in- 
 cluding Jonesboro. After the battle of Chicka- 
 mauga, one of the hardest contests of the war, 
 in which the confederate forces were successful, 
 Howell 's battery had the honor to open the bat- 
 tle from the extreme right, on the 18th day of 
 September, 1863. On the 19th, which was on 
 Saturday, the fight was progressing furiously, 
 with no results, both armies holding their own, 
 but on Sunday morning our forces centered their 
 attack on the enemy's center, charged through
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 191 
 
 their lines and rolled them back in complete dis- 
 order, and the victory was ours. General Bragg 
 rested his forces for a few days and renewed the 
 fight around Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain 
 and Missionary Ridge. He found the enemy 
 well fortified and ready. The battle was a san- 
 guinary one; Howell's battery besides losing 
 two pieces of artillery, which were recovered in 
 the evening and returned to us, lost in wounded, 
 Leonidas Hines, Frank Bailey and Corporal 
 Braswell, and captured James Mullen, John S. 
 Kelley, John Tompkins and John Braswell. 
 That night General Bragg withdrew as quietly 
 as possible and went into camp at Dalton, where 
 we spent in winter quarters. At Macon they did 
 provost duty under direction of General Howell 
 Cobb. The writer drifted back through Ala- 
 bama expecting to rejoin Dr. Crawford as soon 
 as he would locate, and being intercepted by 
 Federal troops I reported to the nearest Confed- 
 erate post, which proved to be General Beau- 
 fort from Kentucky, a cavalry officer at Union 
 Springs, Alabama. General Abe Beaufort was 
 of colossal stature and an able officer, so I re- 
 ported to him for duty until I could join my 
 proper command. He said, Have you a horse? 
 We are cavalry. I said, No, but I expect to get 
 one the first fight we get into. He laughed and
 
 192 MEMOIRS OF A VETEHAST 
 
 said, Well, you can hang around here. I stayed 
 at his quarters several days. One day he seemed 
 to be worried more than usual; I ventured to 
 say, " General, You seem to be worried over 
 something." He said, "I have enough to worry 
 about; there is General Forrest at Selma;! have 
 sent him two couriers and neither of them have 
 reported; I don't know what became of them, 
 whether they have been captured, killed or run 
 away. I want to hear from General Forrest so 
 that we can act in concert of action." The Fed- 
 erals who held possession of Montgomery under 
 General Wilson's corps d'army, who later cap- 
 tured President Jefferson Davis in Irwin Coun- 
 ty, Ga., during the several days of my hanging 
 around at General Beaufort's Headquarters, he 
 Disked me how long I had been in the service. I 
 said, "I joined the first Company that left my 
 county and the first regiment that left my 
 State." How long had you been in this coun- 
 try before the war broke out 1 I answered that I 
 came to Georgia direct from France in the Fall 
 of 1859, about sixteen months before I enlisted. 
 I found in this country an ideal and harmonious 
 people ; they treated me as one of their own ; in 
 fact for me, it was the land of Canaan where 
 milk and honey flowed. In the discussion of the 
 political issues I felt, with those that I was in
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 193 
 
 contact with, that they were grossly imposed 
 upon by their Northern brethren and joined my 
 friends in their defence, and so here I am, some- 
 what worsted, but still in the ring. I said, Gen- 
 eral I have an idea; I think I can carry a dis- 
 patch that will land. I have in my possession at 
 home my French passport. I can write for it 
 and use it by going squarely through their lines, 
 as being an alien. I can change my clothes for 
 some citizens clothes. After a little reflection 
 General Beaufort said, "Hermann, you are an 
 angel; it's the very idea." So we arranged to 
 write at once for my pass. It came in due time. 
 The lady of the house where the General kept 
 his quarters furnished me with a suit of jeans 
 cloth, but begged the General not to send me for 
 fear I might meet with reverses. But the Gen- 
 eral said, He is all right, he can work the scheme. 
 That night I started about ten o'clock, on horse- 
 back, with two escorts. It was a starlight night. 
 We passed for some distance through a dense 
 swamp. The General cautioned me to be careful 
 and on the lookout, an admonition I thought en- 
 tirely unnecessary. He said the enemy's camp 
 was about twelve miles distant, and that they 
 had a company of scouts out that night, and so 
 had we, but as we journeyed along at a walk the 
 lightning bugs were so thick as to blind a fellow
 
 194 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 anJ the swamp so dark that we could only desig- 
 nate the road by the distance and open space of 
 the tree tops and the stars. We did not how- 
 ever, meet any of the scouts. On emerging 
 from the swamp I noticed on my right a small 
 farm cottage and a dim light through the cracks 
 of the door, I dismounted, knocked at the door. 
 At first no one answered. I knocked again when 
 a lady's feeble voice answered, Who is there? A 
 friend, was the reply. Open the door please. The 
 door opened and there stood in front of me an 
 old lady of about seventy, I judged, nearly 
 scared to death, trembling from head to foot. To 
 re-assure her I said, Madam, we are Southerners 
 flon't be frightened, we won't do you any harm. 
 Can you tell me how far it is from here to the 
 enemy's camp? She answered very excitedly 
 that she had nothing to do with the war, she is 
 only a lone woman and we can't cheat her out of 
 many years. You all have stolen all my meat 
 and did not leave me a mouthful of corn or meat, 
 and I am left here to starve to death. I said, 
 But we are Confederates; but I noticed the 
 woman did not believe me, undoubtedly owing 
 to my brogue, as there were thousands of for- 
 eigners in the federal army. I lit a match and 
 scrutinized the ground and noted the doors of 
 the outhouse wide open, houses empty and the
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 195 
 
 ground churned into dust by the horses hoofs. 
 Undoubtedly we were not far from the enemy, 
 as they were there that day and looted the prem- 
 ises. I bid the lady good night and joined my 
 escort who waited for me in the road. As I was 
 about to mount my horse I perceived ahead of 
 me through the limbs of the trees, a bright 
 light. The lady was still standing in the door, 
 and I asked her what that light was we saw- 
 ahead of us. She said they were the negro 
 quarters about a quarter of a mile ahead, and I 
 thanked her and we moved a little forward and 
 held consultation as to what was best to do, 
 whether they should return to camp leading my 
 horse back and I to take it afoot or whether we 
 had better go together to the quarters, probably 
 they might get a few potatoes and some butter- 
 milk, for be it understood that we belonged to 
 the hungry army where rations became very 
 scarce, for as a rule the Confederate soldier 
 respected private property and often suffered 
 hunger rather than appropriate property be- 
 longing to others. They concluded they might 
 buy something to eat from the darkies. The 
 negroes in those days, as before the war, always 
 had a surplus of provisions. They were well 
 fed, in fact most of them made their own provis- 
 ions with the exception of meat, their owner
 
 196 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 allowing them patches and giving them time to 
 cultivate the same for their own use or to sell 
 with their master's permission, which was gen- 
 erally only a matter of form or respect.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 In keeping my eyes to the front watching the 
 light, we came to an open field on the right. On 
 the left of the road was a dense forest. I noted 
 some one crossing the light and heard some one 
 screaming and hollering like negroes carous- 
 ing. Presently the same person recrossed and 
 I thought there must be some Federals about 
 there and we stopped to consult. I conclude 
 that I would take it afoot and reconnoiter while 
 my escort would enter the woods where we stood 
 and wait for me until I returned. I took the 
 darker side of the road along the woods until I 
 arrived close to the premises, and I circum- 
 vented the place. I noted a double pen log house 
 with a large chimney at one end and a rousing 
 lightwood fire in it. A step over fence about five 
 rails high surrounded the yard in which stood 
 a very large oak tree, the limbs of which hung 
 low, a little above a man's head. To those limbs 
 were hitched three splendid horses. In the 
 house were three Federals, enjoying their sur- 
 roundings. The house had a front and back en- 
 trance and the fire in the chimney cast its light 
 some distance, front and rear, around the prem- 
 ises. I hurried back to my comrades and made
 
 198 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 my report as above, and I suggested a line of 
 action as follows : We will leave our horses on 
 the road side, about two hundred yards this 
 side the house. One of us will enter the back 
 side as I enter the front, and one of you follow 
 me ; Are you willing. If you do as I say we will 
 capture those fellows without firing a shot. The 
 youngest of the escort was a young man of about 
 19 years; the other was 21 years old. The 
 younger said, General Beauford told us to obey 
 your orders, and I am ready to do what you tell 
 me to do. I said, Bravo, my boy. The other 
 one was silent, I remarked, what do you say? 
 He tried to answer but his teeth chattered and 
 he was trembling so he could hardly speak. I 
 said, What is the matter with you, are you 
 scared? He said, No, I am excited. You must 
 compose yourself if you follow my advice and 
 do exactly what I say and we will capture those 
 fellows without firing a gun, but there must be 
 no wobble, or they may turn the joke on us. I 
 told the youngest to hold his gun ready for use 
 and to make a detour around the house and face 
 the back entrance, and I would give him time to 
 get in position, and as I enter the front door he 
 must enter the back door, and we must get the 
 drop on them, otherwise they might get it on us. 
 I told the other fellow to follow me and do as I
 
 "WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 199 
 
 do and not to fire unless I do. I carried a couple 
 of colts pistols. As we entered the negro women 
 and the men were sitting on benches before the 
 fire, when I exclaimed, surrender! in the mean- 
 time covering them with my pistols and the 
 guns of my comrades. They jumped as if 
 lightning has struck them. "Unbuckle your 
 weapons or you are dead men; be quick about 
 it. ' ' My orders were executed with alacrity and 
 we marched them out of the house. In the far 
 end of the house I spied a plow line hanging 
 from a nail in the wall. I appropriated the 
 same and we unhitched the horses and walked 
 to where ours were. Not a word was spoken 
 by either of us. The horses were brought for- 
 ward and the prisoners mounted. The plow line 
 served to pinion their legs under the animals be- 
 low. All this was done as quickly as possible. 
 When the prisoners realized that we were but 
 three, one of them commenced being obtrusive 
 and talking loud and abusive. I cautioned him 
 and his comrades that unless they moved along 
 quietly and not talk above a whisper we would 
 be compelled to leave them by the roadside, for 
 some one, unknown to us, to bury them. My 
 admonition had a good effect, and our cavalcade 
 advanced in a lope, one leading the horses, the 
 prisoners were riding by the bridle reins, and
 
 200 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 I and the other man closing up the rear. I was 
 fearful ; of meeting some of their scouting par- 
 ties, of which General Beaufort advised me of 
 on our departure, but it seemed that they were 
 in some other direction from us, for we noted the 
 firmament in every direction lit up by an aurora 
 borealis from the burning houses those* mis- 
 creants set afire. When arriving close to our 
 pickets we halted. I sent one of my escort in 
 advance to announce our arrival so as not to be 
 fired into, as it was only day break and still too 
 dark to be recognized. I rode at once to Gen- 
 eral Beaufort's headquarters to report. He was 
 still in bed ; the guard admitted me. He said, I 
 thought you were on your way to Selma. I said, 
 General, I met with an accident and came back. 
 An accident said he ! So I stated that acciden- 
 tally I captured three Federals and got me a 
 horse at my first opportunity. He got up and 
 dressed, had the prisoners brought before him 
 and commenced questioning them but they were 
 very reticent and evaded many of his questions. 
 General Beaufort was very anxious to find out 
 the strength of his adversary in his immediate 
 front and their destination. I suggested that I 
 change my clothing for the uniform of one of the 
 prisoners who was my size, and ride in their 
 line. He said, That is a very dangerous busi-
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 201 
 
 ness ; if you are trapped they will hang you. I 
 said, I am in for the war; life as it is is not 
 worth much, I'll take the chances. So that night 
 after midnight I passed again our videttes, in 
 company with two escorts who accompanied me 
 for company sake for a few miles, when they 
 returned to camp and I went it alone. After 
 passing the cottage of the old lady where we 
 sought information, the previous night, I put 
 my horse at full speed and passed the negro 
 quarters. No one was astir and I continued my 
 course for about three miles when I saw some 
 obstruction in the road on the brow of the hill. 
 Halt, was the command. I halted, at within 
 about seventy-five yards. Who comes. A friend. 
 Seeing that I was alone I was asked to advance. 
 As I approached I noted that there was a rail 
 fence across the road, behind which were two 
 sentinels, their muskets pointing at me. I re- 
 marked as I crossed the fence, Didn't I have a 
 race; those four rebels run me clean to nearly 
 where I am. My horse was steaming wet. I 
 said, You see that fire yonder; we set the gin 
 house afire when the rebels came up and gave 
 me a hot chase. The sentinels were all excite- 
 ment and kept their eyes to the front. I had 
 dismounted and placed myself in line with them. 
 I could have killed them both but that was not
 
 202 MEMORIES OP A VETERAN 
 
 my object. Finally, seeing no one coming, I 
 said they must have gone back. I mounted my 
 steed and slowly rode up, in a walk, where I 
 saw what I thought was the main camp, but it 
 was only what was known as the grand guard of 
 about a half a regiment of cavalry. Taking in 
 the surroundings at a glance I noted the horses 
 hitched in the corners of the fence along the 
 road and the men some lying, some sitting on 
 improvised seats around their camp fire. I at 
 once rode to an empty corner in the fence and 
 hitched my horse and walked to a fire where 
 most of the men were lying down, seemingly 
 sleeping. There lay one empty blanket on the 
 ground and I laid myself down on it, facing the 
 fire, which felt pretty good, for I was chilled, the 
 night being cold. As I pretended to take a nap 
 some fellow gave me a hunch with his foot, say- 
 ing, Hello comrade, you are lying on my blan- 
 ket. I grunted a little and turned some further 
 when he pulled the blanket from under me. 
 This seemingly roused me, and I was wide 
 awake. I stretched out my arms as if I were 
 yawning, addressing myself to the men next to 
 me, "This is a terrible life to lead. Where are 
 we going? To Savannah. I heard some say 
 Savannah. That is in Georgia, a long ways 
 from here ; I am afraid some of us will never get
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 203 
 
 there ; I heard that there is an army of fifteen 
 thousand rebels ahead of us within fifteen miles 
 of here. ' ' He answered, That would not amount 
 to much with what we have. I thought I would 
 stretch as far as I could reasonably do so, for 
 General Beauford's force was only 1,500 strong. 
 You say that would not amount to much with 
 what we have to oppose them? He said Wil- 
 son's Corps amounts to nearly 25,000. 0, not 
 that much. He commenced to enumerate dif- 
 ferent regiments, the number of cannon, etc., 
 etc. All at once I heard the bugle blast ' ' Call to 
 Horse," and everything was active. What's the 
 matter I said, seeing everybody catching their 
 horses? He answered, Did you not get three 
 days rations? I said, Yes. Well we are going 
 to advance. I run to my horse and mounted. I 
 felt that I had to advise General Beauford of 
 this move, and not to pass the picket post that I 
 did coming in I took down the railroad track 
 which run parallel the wagon road some dis- 
 tance, but to my surprise there was a vidette 
 post there of two sentinels. They halted me, 
 saying, You can't pass. I remarked that they 
 will be relieved in a few minutes, that our forces 
 are advancing. There being a nice spring of 
 water in sight, just to the left of the road I 
 wanted to fill my canteen full of water. The road
 
 204 MEMOIRS OF A VETEBAN 
 
 being very dusty I suggested that I would fill 
 theirs if they wished me to in the meantime. 
 I'll be back in a few seconds. So they handed 
 me their canteens and I put the spurs to my 
 horse. Further on I turned to the left into the 
 wagon road and post haste and at full gallop 
 rode into our camp, which was twelve miles 
 ahead of me. The cap which I had borrowed 
 from one of our prisoners was a little too big 
 for my head and in my haste to reach camp blew 
 off. I did not stop to pick it up, but reached 
 camp in about three quarters of an hour. It 
 still being a little before day a bullet passed me 
 in close proximity and I knew that I was close to 
 our lines. I stopped and held up both hands. 
 The bad marksmanship of the sentinel saved 
 me from being shot. I at once rode up to the 
 General's quarters, was admitted by the senti- 
 nel and made my report. He was still in bed, 
 but he got up and ordered two companies of 
 Col. Armistead's Regiment to the front and de- 
 ployed into a skirmish line. In less than an 
 hour we heard the firing. All the forces were 
 astir, and we withdrew towards West Point, 
 Georgia, thus giving the enemy the right of way. 
 The General asked me if I held any commission. 
 I said, Yes, high private in the rear ranks.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 205 
 
 Well, I '11 see that you will be promoted when I 
 make my report to the war department. I need 
 a hundred men just like you.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 That evening I donned my disguise as 
 a citizen, and advanced, as before, to go 
 through their lines as an alien. I rode as 
 before as far as my judgment would permit 
 to prevent the capture of my escort, when 
 I took it afoot to carry out the program 
 first suggested. I walked about four miles and 
 day was breaking. As two nights previous, the 
 country indicated depredations by fires. When 
 I again, as the night before, saw obstructions in 
 front of me, I walked within twenty-five or 
 thirty paces up to it when I was commanded to 
 halt and challenged as to who comes there, 
 their muskets pointing at me. I said, "Me no 
 speaky English, je parle Francais." Where 
 are you going? Me no stand English. They 
 made me a sign to sit down by the side of the 
 obstructive fence, after having let me cross their 
 barricade. About fifteen minutes later an offi- 
 cer with the relief guard came up. Who's that 
 you got there? How did he get here? They 
 answered I walked up. He is a foreigner and 
 can 't speak our language. Turning to me he said, 
 where are you going? " Je ne comprenspas, je 
 parle francais." So he made me signs to fol-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 207 
 
 low him, which I did. He conducted me to a 
 large camp fire where I saw several men guard- 
 ing others and recognized them to be Confede- 
 rates. This was the first time I felt my danger; 
 I was afraid that there might be some among 
 the prisoners that might have seen me before 
 and might recognize me. However my fears 
 were without cause as I did not know any of 
 them. About eight o'clock a. m., the Provost 
 Marshall General came around and addressed 
 himself to me. Who are you, said he. As be- 
 fore, I said je parle francais. Oh, you are a 
 Frenchman. Well, I will get some one that can 
 speak to you. He ordered one of the guards to 
 go to a Canadian Company and ask the Captain 
 to send him a man that could speak French and 
 English. Presently a young soldier presented 
 himself. The Provost took him aside and I pre- 
 tended not to notice them. They stepped to 
 within a few paces of me ; when I heard the Pro^ 
 vost say to him, Pump him. I thought, He will 
 be welcome to all he will get out of me. He 
 stepped up to me and talked to me in French. 
 I appeared to be so glad to meet one I could talk 
 to, that I did not give him an opportunity to 
 ask me a single question. I told him how I came 
 here in the fall of 1859, pulling out my passport 
 which he scrutinized and handed over to the
 
 208 MEMOIKS OF A VETERAN 
 
 Provost, who in turn looked at the same. I told 
 him that I made a mistake coming here, that the 
 people made it very unpleasant to me because I 
 would not enlist; that I had to leave Georgia, 
 and I am now on my way to New Orleans, which 
 I heard the port was open so as to see the 
 French consul to assist me back to France ; that 
 I am tired of this land where people murder 
 each other. During all of our conversation the 
 Provost said, What does he say. My inter- 
 locutor explained and then they all would laugh. 
 Finally I said that I was hungry, that I had had 
 nothing to eat in 24 hours. So the Provost said, 
 Boys, can you fix up something for him among 
 you, and they all contributed some from their 
 rations and filled my haversack full of substan- 
 tial food, and besides contributed $10.00 in 
 money. I thanked them and started off, after 
 being told that I could go, but as I was appar- 
 ently green I asked my questioner how far I 
 was from New Orleans 'and if there were any 
 more places where I might be delayed, when 
 the Provost intervened with his, What did he 
 say? Which after being explained to him, he 
 said, I had better give him a pass, they might 
 take him up on the other end of the line, and so 
 he wrote on a slip of paper, "Pass the bearer 
 through the line," and signed his name in such
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 209 
 
 ehirography that I could not read it. I arrived 
 into Montgomery late that afternoon, and re- 
 ported, as per previous arrangement with Col. 
 Paul to Judge Pollard, whose daughter he mar- 
 ried, and told that family how the boys were 
 getting along. Judge Pollard was a stately old 
 gentleman of great prominence in that section 
 of the country. He received me in his large li- 
 brary and we had quite a long conversation 
 over the situation. I told him that I was directed 
 to him with the understanding that he would 
 provide me with a horse so that I might continue 
 my journey to Selma. He shook his head and 
 said I'll see what can be done, but I don't be- 
 lieve there is a horse to be got within ten miles 
 of here ; the Yankees stole every horse and mule 
 they could lay their hands on, and sure enough 
 he was unable to furnish me with an animal, but 
 thought I might, by making a long detour be- 
 yond the flanks of the enemy's columns, be able 
 to proceed. That morning one of the ladies pre- 
 sented me with a tobacco bag, made out of a 
 piece of pink merino, and the initials of my 
 name embroidered on it with yellow silk and 
 filled with smoking tobacco, and a shaker pipe 
 stuck in it. It was quite a novelty and was 
 highly appreciated. After having partaken of 
 a substantial breakfast I bid my host and his
 
 210 MEMORIES OF A VETERAN 
 
 family good bye, visited my friends Faber, 
 Lewellen, Coleman and other acquaintances of 
 the city, all of which had their tales of woe and 
 sufferings to account at the hands of the enemy. 
 I departed for Selma on foot. I was weary and 
 depressed. I heard that I was again in close 
 proximity to the enemy who routed Forrest 
 from that city and came within a fraction of 
 either killing or capturing him. He was sur- 
 rounded by four troopers who demanded his sur- 
 render, when he threw his saber, spurred his 
 horse and run the gauntlet among a shower of 
 bullets. I heard that in the melee he received a 
 saber cut in the face. I felt sick at heart and 
 physically worn out and took a rest and wended 
 my way to Col. Bowen,, who was glad to see me 
 and offered me all the comforts to recruit my 
 strength. I remained there nearly a week. I 
 really did not know where to report to, General 
 Beauford being on the retreat before Wilson's 
 corps who came from via Pensacola, Florida. 
 I was surrounded on every side, so I concluded 
 to retrace my way back to Montgomery but when 
 a few miles from Greenville as I emerged from 1 
 a long lane at the end of which the road turned 
 into a forest I noted some Federal soldiers. I 
 came within a very short distance of them be- 
 fore seeing them; my first impulse was to run
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 211 
 
 back, but I was tired, it being a warm day and 
 nothing to protect me from the bullets, having 
 an open lane where they might play at my flee- 
 ing figure. I concluded to give up on demand, 
 but on close approach, seeing that they were 
 negro troops I regretted not having taken chan- 
 ces, however great, of escape, especially when 
 I was asked to surrender my arms, which con- 
 sisted of a couple of colts 6 inch pistols, one of 
 which I carried in a scabbard buckled around 
 me and the other in the belt of my pants, which 
 were tucked in my boot legs. In unbuckling my 
 belt I contracted my body allowing the one in 
 my pants to slide down my leg into my boot and 
 thus only surrendered one of them. The other 
 I carried on as I marched. The friction of the 
 barrel on the ankle of my foot gave me excru- 
 tiating pains but I continued on until I could 
 feel the blood on the inside of my boot. There 
 were other prisoners, among them General Pil- 
 low and his son, George. Arriving in Montgom- 
 ery we were locked up in the Lehman Brothers 
 building which had served as a shoe factory for 
 the Confederate Government. I intended to use 
 my weapon at the first opportunity I saw to gain 
 my liberty. That night I asked for a doc for to 
 dress my wounded foot. He came and asked me 
 how that happened. My socks adhered to the
 
 212 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 wounds and the pains it gave me were unbeara- 
 ble. I told him I had snagged myself. He 
 dressed my wound and I felt relieved to a great 
 extent. The next morning I sent word to my 
 friend Faber to come to see me and he did so. I 
 said to him to see if he could not get me a parole, 
 after he had told me that he had had some Yan- 
 kee officers quartered at his house, saying that 
 they were all Western men and seemed to be 
 clever fellows. He promised to use his influence. 
 Presently he returned with an officer and I wad 
 turned out on parole, but to report every morn- 
 ing at nine o'clock. The following morning 1 
 reported, when the officer commanded one of the 
 men to take charge of me and lock me up. 1 
 thought the jig was up, that probably I had been 
 reported by some one and that I might fare the 
 worst for it. There were fifty prisoners; we 
 were all called out to form into line and from 
 that into column, and marched up the hill to the 
 capitol, where we received some salt pork and 
 hard tack to last us three days. We were iii 
 formed that we would be sent to Ship Island, a 
 country of yellow fever, close to New Orleans in 
 retaliation of Andersonville, there to take the 
 chances to live or die; undoubtedly they would 
 have preferred the latter. About one o'clock p. 
 m. a courier rode up to the capitol. followed by
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 213 
 
 another. Presently \ve were in formed thai 
 war was over, that General Lee had surrendered 
 and that Lincoln was assassinated and instead 
 of being sent to Ship Island we were to be pa- 
 roled under promise not to take up arms again 
 against the United States, until properly ex- 
 changed. This brings us up to the early part 
 of June 1865, or latter part of May.
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 Thus it will be noted that while the war was 
 over in the East, we of the Western army didn't 
 know it and were still fighting, all communica- 
 tion between the two armies being cut off. My 
 friend Faber, who was one of the most popular 
 citizens of Montgomery was afterwards elected 
 Mayor of the City. The following morning I 
 prepared to wend my way back to Georgia. My 
 foot was inflamed and gave me pain, so I said to 
 a Yankee Sergeant who was in waiting on some 
 of the officers there if he could not manage to 
 get me some piece of a horse to ride as I was a 
 long ways from home and in a crippled condi- 
 tion. He said, Yes, if I would give him my 
 watch, which was an open faced, old fashioned 
 English lever, generally called bulls-eye. I ac- 
 quiesced. We marched down one of the main 
 thoroughfares. We halted before an establish- 
 ment which was used as a guard house and pre- 
 viously had served as a store. In its front on 
 the sidewalk was a cellar. The Sergeant asked 
 them to bring out that horse, and in the mean- 
 time asked me for the watch. Thinking of him 
 as a clever, sympathetic soul, owing to his 
 prompt offer of assistance, I unhesitatingly
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 215 
 
 handed him my watch. They having entered the 
 cellar, they lifted out of its confines a frame of 
 horse so poor that six men took him bodily and 
 placed him on the sidewalk. He was actually 
 nothing but skin and bones; I was astonished 
 that life could have existed in such a frame. I 
 said, Is this the best you can do for me? He 
 said, I promised you a horse for your watch and 
 here he is, and he left me. The men were amused 
 at my discomfiture. I finally concluded that a 
 bad ride is better than a good walk and I made 
 the best of a bad bargain. I asked the men if 
 they could get me a bridle and saddle. They an- 
 swered that they had none, so I made me a hal- 
 ter out of the rope around his neck, pulled off 
 my coat as padding on either side of his sharp 
 backbone so as to serve me as a saddle and asked 
 the man next to me to give me a lift, and there 
 I was, mounted, representing the picture of Don 
 Quixote to perfection. I urged the horse for- 
 ward and the men hollered Whoa! which com- 
 mand he was only too eager to obey, I eventually 
 got away from that place and took the Eufaula 
 route homeward. It was four o'clock in the 
 afternoon and I was only four miles from my 
 starting point. The animal had neither eat nor 
 drunk anything while in my possession and from 
 his looks probably not in several days previous.
 
 216 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 I saw as I passed along at a snail gait, a corral 
 by the side of the road, with all kinds of con- 
 traband. There were negroes, women and chil- 
 dren, cattle of all description and a quantity of 
 mules and horses, all encircled by a large rope 
 and guarded by sentinels. I passed a soldier 
 about a half mile from this place. I said to him, 
 What troops are those on the right hand side up 
 the hill? He said they were cavalry. I con- 
 cluded to ride up, that probably I might induce 
 the officer to exchange animals with me so as to 
 enable me to get along, for I came to the con- 
 clusion to abandon my steed and take a bad walk 
 in preference to a bad ride. As I approached 
 the camp I noticed a man sitting on a camp stool, 
 his back towards me, his feet propped up 
 against a large tree, reading a newspaper and 
 seemingly greatly preoccupied as he did not 
 hear my approach. He was in negligee, it being 
 a very warm day ; he wore nothing but his pants 
 and a spotted white blouse shirt and was bare- 
 headed. I left my horse by the side of a stump 
 and slid off, approaching within a respectful 
 distance in his rear, I said, Good evening. He 
 jumped like he had been shot. I said excuse me 
 sir, I did not mean to scare you. So he peremp- 
 torily said, What will you have? I answered, 
 Are you the commander of these troops? He
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 217 
 
 said, Yes ; what will you have? I answered that 
 I was a paroled prisoner on my way home ; that 
 I was crippled and had a long ways to go. The 
 horse I got I bought from one of the Federals 
 for a silver watch. It took me a whole day to 
 get from the City to where I am; that I had 
 noted, coming along, a corral with many loose 
 horses and mules and I ventured to see if he 
 would not be kind enough to furnish me with a 
 better mount than the one I possessed. He re- 
 plied, What country are you from! I am from 
 France. How long have you been in the army ? 
 Ever since the war started. Were you forced 
 into the army or did you volunteer? I volun- 
 teered sir. And you have been fighting us for 
 over four years and now come and ask me for a 
 favor I You need not grant it ; good bye. And 
 off I hobbled to where I left my horse taking 
 him by the mane I led him up to the stump and 
 was about to mount when the officer commanded 
 me, Come back here, said he, I like your style. 
 You are the first one I've met but what was 
 forced into the army. Tell the officer in charge 
 of the corral to exchange animals with you. I 
 remarked, Colonel, a written order from you 
 might have a better effect. He laughed, got up 
 and walked into his tent and when he returned 
 he handed me a slip of paper addressed to Capt.
 
 218 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 Ledger, and read as follows: Exchange ani- 
 mals with the bearer; Col. York, Com'd'g 7, 
 Indiana Cavalry. I thanked him, gave the mili- 
 tary salute and retraced my steps towards the 
 corral. I presented my note to the Capt. in 
 charge; he said, Pick out the one you want. 
 There were some excellent animals but many 
 were galled and not serviceable for any immedi- 
 ate use. I spied a medium sized, plump mule. 
 She was in excellent order, and as I was short 
 in funds I thought I could tether her out to eat 
 grass and thus progress without having to buy 
 food. So I took the mule. I asked him if he 
 would furnish me with a saddle and bridle, and 
 he let me have nearly a new Mexican saddle and 
 bridle and I was once more in good shape. Capt. 
 Ledger asked me where I was going. I said, 
 Home, in Georgia. Which way? I am on my 
 way to Eufaula. So he said, I believe I'll ride a 
 piece of the way with you. He had his horse 
 caught, which was a magnificent animal. Riding 
 along side by side I remarked, Captain that is 
 a splendid horse you are on. He said, Yes, I 
 have a pair, you could not tell one from the 
 other; they are spirited animals but perfectly 
 gentle. Their owner must have prized them 
 highly ; some of the men picked them up. That's 
 a new name for stealing, said I. He remarked,
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 219- 
 
 I suppose so, but if I could find out their owner 
 I am going to return them to him ; I am making; 
 some effort towards it. I said, Well sir, it does 
 me good to hear you say so, and to know that 
 there are some men of feeling, and gentlemen 
 among your army. He said, Well, war is war. 
 It is true that many acts were committed unnec- 
 essarily harsh, but I am glad it is over and I 
 hope we will all be friends again. He stopped, 
 saying, Well, I have ridden far enough, and I 
 am going back. We shook hands, he wished me 
 a safe journey and cantered back to his camp. 
 It was already late and I proceeded as far as 
 Fort Browder and stopped over night with Mr. 
 Tom Wells. His wife was also a Georgian and 
 a kinswoman of the Braswell family.
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 The following morning after bidding my 
 host good bye I took the road to Union Springs. 
 On my way I caught, up with General Pillow, 
 who was riding in a carriage drawn by two fine 
 mules, and his son George, who was riding 
 horseback. I said, Hello! On your way home? 
 He answered, Yes. What route are you going! 
 We are trying to make Union Springs for to- 
 night ; father is not very well and we are making 
 short stations. I remarked, I am surprised 
 they left you your horse. He said, They left us 
 our side arms and let father have his carriage 
 and mules and me my horse. I rode up to the 
 carriage, shook hands with the old General, 
 whose head was as white as snow, congratu- 
 lated him on his good luck of being able to keep 
 his outfit. He said, Yes, it was more than I ex- 
 pected. We traveled together for several miles 
 when we were met by five men, one of which, a 
 rather portly fellow, remarked, Boys, if this is 
 not Sal, I'll be hanged. And he advanced and 
 took my mule by the bridle, saying, This mule 
 belongs to me, you will have to get off. I said, I 
 reckon not, drawing my pistol. He said, The 
 Yankees stole that mule from me. I said, Well,
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 221 
 
 I got her from the Yankees, but she cost me a 
 watch worth about thirty dollars. I stated facts 
 as they were, saying, I am on my way to Eu- 
 faula and I am crippled and can't walk, and I 
 shall ride there if it costs me my life. So Gen- 
 eral Pillow interfered, saying, Gentlemen, this 
 is a Confederate soldier on his way home ; he is 
 crippled and can't walk. I will pay you for the 
 mule to end the matter. What kind of money? 
 Confederate, of course, I have no other. Well,, 
 that is not worth a curse. That is all I've got. 
 The men were still standing in front of me and 
 occasionally touched the reins, when I cocked 
 my pistol, saying, Turn that bridle loose, I am 
 going to Eufaula on this mule. After that I do 
 not care what becomes of it ; I expect to take the 
 boat there for Columbus. He answered, I tell 
 you what I '11 do ; here is a gold chain ; I suppose 
 it is worth as much as your watch. I will give 
 you that chain and you'll leave the mule with the 
 hotel man and I'll get her there. So I said all 
 right, when General Pillow remarked, Gentle- 
 men, undoubtedly you are in search of stock; 
 suppose you were to find any that belongs to 
 somebody else, which it would be pretty apt to 
 be, and the owner would come and claim it; 
 would you turn it over to him ? The spokesman 
 hesitated, then said, I don't know if I would or
 
 222 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 not. I said, well, our arrangement suits me; 
 what is the hotel keeper's name! He told me 
 but I have forgotten it. So we arrived at our 
 destination about one hour by sun and stopped 
 all night at the house of Major Pempertou, a 
 friend of General Pillow's. George and I oc- 
 cupied the same bed. He proved to be an ex- 
 cellent companion and we recounted many in- 
 cidents to one another. After breakfast we 
 parted company. I took the route to Eufaula, 
 Ala., by myself, leaving General Pillow and his 
 son with our host, with whom they proposed to 
 stay for a few days, before continuing their 
 homeward journey, which was near Franklin, 
 Tenn. I arrived at Eufaula at about three 
 o'clock p. m. and inquired for the hotel, whose 
 proprietor I found sitting in a chair in front. 
 Is this the hotel? Yes sir. A soldier on his way 
 home ? Yes sir. This is a good mule you have 
 got; will you sell her? I said, How much will 
 you give me for it? He remarked, I have only 
 Thirty- Five Dollars, in Mexican silver and some 
 Confederate money that nobody takes about 
 here. I'll give you the Mexican dollars for the 
 outfit. You will also give me my dinner and fill 
 my haversack with provisions to last me home? 
 Yes, I'll do that too. What time will the boat 
 leave for Columbus? At four o'clock. Well, I
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 223 
 
 have time to take dinner. I turned the mule 
 over to him, he had me served something to eat 
 and paid me thirty-five Mexican silver dollars. 
 I took the chain, which was not gold but galva- 
 nized brass, and said, I am glad I have made 
 connection with the boat, I will get home sooner. 
 Handing the proprietor the chain, I said, There 
 is a gentleman who may call for me; you tell 
 him I made connection and went on. This chain 
 belongs to him and I want him to have it. All 
 right, said he. The boat, according to schedule, 
 left for Columbus with me aboard. In Colum- 
 bus I met Dr. Mullin, a friend of Dr. Crawford's, 
 but could get no information as to his where- 
 abouts. From Columbus I traveled to Atlanta. 
 The sight that met my view was sickening. In- 
 stead of a nice little city, for it must be remem- 
 bered that Atlanta at that time was not the cos- 
 mopolitan of this day, it could not have had 
 over seven or eight thousand inhabitants; there 
 it lay in ashes, the work of vandalism. The 
 brick chimneys marked the places where com- 
 fortable shelters used to stand. Its inhabitants 
 fled from the approaching foe, fearing even a 
 worse fate at the hands of such unscrupulous 
 barbarians. From Atlanta I followed in the 
 wake of Sherman's army towards Macon, and 
 had it not been for my trade with the hotel
 
 224 MEMOIRS OF A VETEEAN 
 
 keeper of Eufaula to have my haversack filled, 
 I could not have existed to the end of my jour- 
 ney. As already stated, the Country for miles 
 in every direction was sacked and burned. I 
 say this much for the New England civilization, 
 of these days, that in no country, civilized or un- 
 civilized, could such barbarism have excelled 
 such diabolical manifestation. I arrived in 
 Macon at dusk, intending to pass the night at 
 my cousin's. In front of the Brown House 
 came an ambulance, said to contain President 
 Jefferson Davis. They traveled at a good trot, 
 surrounded by a body of cavalry which I was in- 
 formed were Wilson's men, Macon being in the 
 hands of that General to whom General Howell 
 Cobb surrendered that city. I was sick at heart 
 at our entire helplessness and complete prostra- 
 tion. I called on my relatives who were glad to 
 see me again among the living. They were much 
 depressed at the condition of things, hoping for 
 the best, but expecting the worst. I met Mr. 
 Kaufman, General Cobb's orderly, as I was 
 about to leave for what I called home. I stated 
 that if there was a chance for me to get some- 
 thing to ride it would greatly facilitate my loco- 
 motion. My ankle, although still sore was heal- 
 ing nicely. Mr. Kaufman said, I will sell you 
 my horse, I have got nothing to feed him on. I
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 225 
 
 said, I will give you all the money I got for the 
 mule, having given them already the history of 
 my itinerary from Montgomery to Macon. He 
 accepted my offer and I was again in a traveling 
 condition. All along my route devastation met 
 my view. I could not find sufficient corn to give 
 my horse a square meal. Wherever I found a 
 green spot I dismounted to let my horse eat 
 grass. I traveled at night as well as in the day 
 time and arrived at my destination about 10 
 o'clock a. m. the next day.
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 Conditions there were not as bad as I 
 had seen along the line of march, although 
 they were bad enough. Mr. and Mrs. Bras- 
 well received me as if I had been one of 
 their own family. I found the premises badly 
 dilapidated, fences down everywhere and every- 
 thing in disorder, the negro men gone, following 
 the yankee army, the negro women and children 
 were still left to be taken care of by their Mas- 
 ter and Mistress. Before leaving the Yankees 
 started to set the premises on fire but the ser- 
 vant intervened and begged for their good mas- 
 ter and mistress and they desisted in their in- 
 tentions. I asked if old Sal lie could wash my 
 clothes I had on, and if I could borrow some- 
 thing to put on while mine was in process of 
 cleaning, for the enemy had stolen my trunk and 
 its contents and I had no change of garments. 
 Mr. Braswell was of very corpulent stature, 
 fully six feet high, weighing about 250 pound?, 
 while I, in my emaciated condition only weighed 
 135. One of his garments would have wrapped 
 twice around me. At 12 o'clock dinner was an- 
 nounced, and I was surprised at the good and 
 substantial meal that was served. The menu
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 227 
 
 consisted of fried ham and eggs, corn bread, bis- 
 cuits, butter and honey. I said, " folks, you 
 ought not to complain ; if you had gone through 
 where I have and seen what I have seen you 
 would feel like you live like royalty, for I have 
 seen women and children scratch in the ground 
 for a few grains of corn for sustenance where 
 the enemy's horses were camped and fed." Mr. 
 Bra swell then explained how he managed when 
 he heard of the enemy's approach. He took his 
 cattle, horses and mules and everything he 
 could move, deep in the Ogeechee swamp, leav- 
 ing only a few broke down around his premises 
 which the enemy, General Kilpatricks cavalry, 
 shot down and left for the buzzards. Mrs. Bras- 
 well asked me what I was going to do. I said I 
 did not know ; I was in hope to meet Cousin Abe 
 Hermann, but you say he was taken prisoner. 
 Do you know where they carried him to! They 
 answered, No, that Cousin Abe was drafted and 
 went, as a sutler in General Rube Carswell's 
 regiment and was captured by the enemy and 
 that they had heard nothing from him, direct. 
 Then Mr. Braswell said, As long as I've got a 
 mouthful I will divide with you. We are poor 
 and I don't know how to begin with the new or- 
 der of things, all the hands having left me. 
 After telling Mrs. Braswell about her kindred
 
 228 MEMOIRS OP A VETERAN 
 
 in Alabama and of my ups and downs during 
 that afternoon, I spent a sleepless night, rumi- 
 nating in my mind as to what to do. The future 
 looked dark, the country was ruined. Wherever 
 I cast my eyes, conditions looked the same. The 
 following morning after breakfast I approached 
 Mr. Bras well, saying, My friend, I can't accept 
 your proposition to be an extra burden to you in 
 your already impoverished condition. He said, 
 What are you going to do? I said, The next 
 time you hear from me I will be in a position to 
 make a support, or I will be a dead cock in the 
 pit. I am going to leave this morning. I left 
 for Sandersville, where I met many friends. 
 While there I heard of some of the boys having 
 picked up an abandoned Confederate wagon. 
 There were about fifteen that claimed a share in 
 it. The next day I went to Milledgeville and 
 stopped this side at Mr. Stroters, who had run a 
 distillery during the war. I said, Mr. Stroter 
 have you any whiskey on hand? He said, Yes, 
 one barrel, I had it buried. Can I get about five 
 gallons f He said, Yes. What will you take for 
 it? Five dollars a gallon, in Yankee money, the 
 Confederate money is no good now. I said, I'll 
 take five gallons if you have a keg to put it in. I 
 have no money of the description you want, 
 but I will leave you my horse in bond.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 229 
 
 Early in the morning I proceeded on my way 
 to Macon, carrying the five gallon keg of whis- 
 key on my shoulder. The journey was a long 
 one, thirty-two miles, with a burden and it 
 being summer time was no small undertaking. 
 I arrived however, in East Macon the following 
 day. I entered the woods in search of a clay 
 root where I could hide away my burden. I 
 found a large tree that was blown down, leaving 
 a big hole, where I placed my keg and covered it 
 with leaves. I marked the place so as to find it 
 when wanted. I also carried a canteen full of 
 liquor under my coat, and walked towards Ma- 
 con. On the way I met a Federal in deep study. I 
 passed him a step or two, then stopped and said, 
 Say! He turned, saying, you speak to me? I 
 said, Yes, would you like to have a drink? He 
 said, Yes, the best in the world. I tell you how 
 you can get this canteen full. If you bring me 
 out a mule this side the sentinel I will give you 
 this canteen full. He remarked, You'll wait 
 yonder until I return. I waited over an hour, 
 when I saw him come on a small mule. The ex- 
 change was quickly effected, and I rode back to 
 Milledgeville and left the mule at Stroters. Af- 
 ter eating a hearty meal I returned on foot to 
 Macon, I repeated the same tactics, brought 
 back three mules and sold over one hundred
 
 230 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 drinks at $1.00 a drink, paid Stroter my debt 
 and returned to Washington County, left ray 
 stock with my friend B. S. Jordan to tend his 
 crop, who at that time had a negro plowing an 
 old steer. I said, Ben, Work your crop, for I 
 do not know how long you can keep them. I re- 
 turned to Sandersville in quest of the boys who 
 claimed the captured Confederate wagon, and 
 to purchase it. They agreed if I would bring 
 each a wool hat from Savannah on my return I 
 could have the wagon, which I agreed to. Major 
 Irwin gave me an old set of gears and I was 
 ready to carry freight from Sandersville and 
 Washington County to Savannah for a living, 
 for let it be known that Sherman in his vandal- 
 ism tore up the Central railroad all the way 
 from Macon to Savannah, Ga., and for eight 
 months after the surrender I continued wagon- 
 ing hauling freight back and forth, taking the 
 weather as it came, rain or shine, cold or warm.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 My first journey as wagoner to Savannah was a 
 successful one. There was still some cotton 
 through the country that escaped the Sherman 
 depredators. Mr. W. Gr. Brown let me have two 
 bales. Mr. Pinkus Happ let me have one. My 
 tariff was $5.00 per 100 pounds, and the same 
 returning. I took the Davisboro road from San- 
 dersville, having only two mules hitched to the 
 wagon. I had sent word to Mr. Jordan to meet 
 me with my horse and mule still in his posses- 
 sion. The road was heavy for it was a rainy 
 season and to make it lighter pulling I con- 
 cluded to have a four mule team. So we put the 
 harness on the horse and mule and hitched them 
 in the lead. About that time a negro I knew, 
 named Perry, came up and made himself useful. 
 I said, Perry, what are you doing? Nothing, 
 Marse Ike. How would you like to wagon for me 
 at $15.00 a month and rations? Very well, said 
 he. Well, jump in the saddle, I am on my way 
 to Savannah. It was about four o'clock p. m. 
 Perry took hold of the line and cracked his whip, 
 when the horse, whose other qualities, except a 
 saddle horse I did not know, commenced to kick 
 in a spirited manner, so as to skin his legs with
 
 232 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 the trace chains in which he became entangled, I 
 had to unhitch him. Mr. John Salter was pres- 
 ent and saw the whole proceeding. I remarked, 
 Well. I am sorry for that for I had expected to 
 have a four horse team, and now can have only 
 a spike team. Salter said, Hermann, what will 
 you take for this horse? You say he is a good 
 saddle horse? I never straddled a better one. 
 What will you give me? He said he had no 
 money but had two bales of cotton under his gin 
 house and I could have it for the horse. How 
 far do you live from here? Two miles only. 
 All right, the horse is yours. Perry, let us go and 
 get the cotton. Mr. Salter led the way where 
 the cotton was. We loaded the same and drove 
 that night to the Fleming place and camped. 
 The trip was uneventful. We made the journey 
 to Savannah in four days. There was a firm of 
 cotton factors named Bothwell and Whitehead 
 doing business in the City, and they were my ob- 
 jective point. However, before arriving into 
 the city, about thirty miles this side, I met men 
 wanting to buy my cotton. They offered me 
 from fifteen to fifty cents per pound. I did not 
 know what the value was ; I knew that before the 
 war started it brought about eight cents. How- 
 ever, I drove up to the firms office on Bay street. 
 I saw Mr. Bothwell ; after the usual greeting I
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 233 
 
 said, What is cotton selling at? It brought 
 *62y 2 this a. m., but I think I can get more than 
 that if it is good cotton. To make matters short 
 I got .65 per pound and the two bales Salter let 
 me have for my horse weighed 600 pounds a 
 bale, netting me $720.00. I bought me another 
 mule and now I was again fully equipped and 
 made the voyage regularly every week. I took a 
 partner, as the business was more than I could 
 attend to by myself; his name was Solomon 
 Witz. He would engage freight during my ab- 
 sence, and we sometimes made the trip together. 
 The country was forever in a state of excite- 
 ment. New edicts appeared from time to time 
 from Washington, D. C., Congress promulgated 
 laws to suit their motives, and notwithstanding 
 the agreement between General Lee and General 
 Grant at Appomattox that the men should re- 
 turn, build up their waste places and not again 
 to take up arms until properly exchanged and 
 they should not be molested as long as they 
 should attend to their daily avocations, Con- 
 gress established what was then known as the 
 Freedmen's Bureau, seemingly for the protec- 
 tion 'of the negroes, as if they needed any, as 
 their devotion to their master and their behavior 
 at home while every white man able to bear 
 arms was at the front fighting for their homes
 
 234 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 and firesides, leaving their families in the hands 
 of their slaves whose devotion was exemplary, 
 was not that a sufficient guarantee of the rela- 
 tionship between slaves and masters? The at- 
 tachment was of the tenderest kind and a white 
 man would have freely offered his life for the 
 protection of his servants ; but that condition did 
 not suit our adversaries. Although we thought 
 the war was over, it was not over and more ter- 
 rible things awaited the Southern people. Em- 
 issaries of every description, like vultures, sui- 
 named carpetbaggers, for all they possessed 
 could be enclosed into a hand bag, overran this 
 country to fatten on the remnants left. School 
 mams of the far East, of very questionable rep- 
 utation, opened what were called schools, pre- 
 sumably to teach the negroes how to read and 
 write, but rather to inculcate into their minds 
 all sorts of deviltry, embittering their feelings 
 against their former owners and life long 
 friends, urging them to migrate for unless they 
 did they would still be considered as bondsmen 
 and bondswomen, thus breaking up the kind re- 
 lation existing between the white man and the 
 negro. And all this under the protection of the 
 Preedmen's Bureau backed up by a garrison of 
 Federals stationed in every town and city 
 throughout the Southern States. In fact the
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 235 
 
 South was made to feel the heels of the despots. 
 Military Governors were appointed. All those 
 who bore arms or aided or abetted in the cause 
 of the South were disfranchised, the negro was 
 enfranchised and allowed the ballot, with a mili- 
 tary despot at the helm and negroes and carpet 
 baggers, and a few renegades such as can be 
 found in any country, as legislators. The ship 
 of state soon run into shallow waters and was 
 pounded to pieces on the reeves of bankruptcy. 
 Taxes were such that property owners could not 
 meet them and they had the misfortune to see 
 their lifelong earnings sacrificed under so called 
 legal process, of the hammer, for a mere 
 song. These were the actual conditions in the 
 days of the so called reconstruction. Bottom 
 rail on top, was the slogan of those savage 
 hordes. Forty acres and a mule, and to every 
 freedman, Government rations, was the prelude 
 of legislation. Men who took up arms in defense 
 of their sacred rights could not be expected to 
 endure such a state of affairs forever, the 
 'women and children must be protected. The 
 garrisons were gradually withdrawn; the car- 
 pet baggers remained and ruled; negroes 
 formed themselves into clubs and organizations 
 under their leadership, when as an avalanche all 
 -over the Southern states appeared the K. K.
 
 236 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 K. *s, called the Ku Klux Klan, or the Boys Who 
 Had Died at Manassas, who have come back to 
 regulate matters. Terror struck into the ranks 
 of the guilty and of the would be organizers and 
 the country soon resumed its normal state, 
 Governors fled and Legislators took to the bush. 
 But I am deviating from my subject.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 On the following trip to Savannah I met G. 
 "W. Kelley and Dr. G. L. Mason, on the same 
 errand, viz. hauling cotton to market. After 
 having disposed of the same we reloaded our 
 teams in merchandise, which was easily dis- 
 posed of, as the country was in need of every- 
 thing that could add to the comfort or even ne- 
 cessities of the people. The country being in 
 the condition it was, we were glad to travel to- 
 gether for company's sake. So in the evening 
 we left and camped about twelve miles out of 
 the city. As a rule one of the party ought to 
 have been on guard, but such was not the case 
 that night. About midnight I awoke and found 
 two of my mules gone. I noted also that the 
 line with which they were attached had been cut 
 with a sharp knife. Following the tracks they 
 led back into the city. So I left my partner at 
 Savannah on the lookout while I went my way 
 back to Sandersville, minus two mules. I man- 
 aged to buy two more mules to fill out my team. 
 I had to take what was offered to me, at any 
 price, my partner, after remaining several days 
 at Savannah, recognized one of the mules in 
 charge of a negro. He called for the police and
 
 238 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 had the negro arrested. There being no legal 
 judge, the case was carried before a captain of 
 one of the military companies stationed there. 
 The negro proved by a confederate that this 
 mule was in his possession long before my part- 
 ner claimed it was stolen, thus setting up an 
 alibi, without proving as to where he got her 
 from. My partner failed to get the mule and 
 had to pay about $8.00 costs for his trouble, 
 which was all the cash he had with him. Later 
 the firm received a bill for $5.00 more cost but I 
 paid no attention to it and never heard of it any 
 more. 
 
 Under the advice of their instructors, the 
 blacks were going and coming. The road to 
 Savannah was traveled by them at night as well 
 as by day. Most of them were making for the 
 cities. Savannah was the goal for those in this 
 section. One evening on my way I stopped my 
 team within eighteen miles this side of the City. 
 Mr. Guerry, who was a fairly well to do farmer 
 for those days and conditions, near to whose 
 domicile I camped, buying some corn and fod- 
 der from him to feed my team, also such provis- 
 ions for myself as he had for sale. At break 
 of day we had left on our weary journey ; on my 
 return a day or so afterwards I passed his
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 239 
 
 premises and to keep from walking I had bought 
 me an extra mule. As I rode up I noticed Mr. 
 Guerry and three of his sons in a pen, ready to 
 kill hogs. It was on a Friday, in the month of 
 December, 1865. It was a clear, beautiful, cold 
 day. I greeted them, Good morning, gentlemen, 
 this is a beautiful day to kill hogs. Without 
 noticing my greeting, one of them said, "This is 
 the fellow," when the old fellow picked up his 
 gun from the fence corner and raising the same 
 
 exclaimed, "You are the d d fellow that took 
 
 off our cook." I was completely taken by sur- 
 prise, and the first word I spoke I said, "You 
 lie", and I jumped off my mule and drew my 
 pistol. My neighbors say they saw her follow 
 your wagon the day after you camped here the 
 night before. I said, In fact we caught up with 
 a negro woman about two miles from here car- 
 rying a large bundle on her head, and she asked 
 my driver if she could put her incumbrance on 
 the wagon. I said, No, my mules have all they 
 can pull, and are jaded already. In fact that 
 was all the words that passed between her and 
 me and up to about 10 o'clock a. m. she was 
 either walking in front or behind the team, car- 
 rying her luggage. I did not know where she 
 came from nor where she was going. I sup- 
 posed she was on her way to Savannah, like the
 
 240 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 rest of them. I guess you see them pass here 
 daily. He said, some of my neighbors told me 
 they saw her behind your wagon. Just at that 
 moment Messrs. L. D. Newsome and Seaborn 
 Newsome and Alex Brown drove up, hauling 
 cotton to Savannah. I was glad to see them. 
 Hello boys, you of Washington County come in 
 good time. Here are some fellows accusing me 
 of stealing their negro cook. They said at once, 
 Oh, no ! You got hold of the wrong fellow. We 
 know him, he comes from our county and would 
 not do such a thing. He is a Confederate soldier 
 and fought all through the war. Then I saia, 
 Mr. Guerry, let us reason together. You have 
 always treated me clever when I passed here. 
 I have never entered your yard. I always paid 
 you for what you sold to me. The negroes are 
 free and they are thought to migrate. I had no 
 rights to stop the woman on her journey, but 
 had I known that she was your servant I would 
 have talked to her and advised her to go back 
 where she belongs. Mr. Guerry seemed to re- 
 gret his hasty words and begged my pardon, 
 and insisted on all of us, to go into the house for 
 refreshments. We finally shook hands and 
 parted good friends.
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 A rainy season soon set in; the streams were 
 overflowing, and the road became bad and hard, 
 to travel. On arriving at the Ogeechee river at 
 Summertown I found that it had deborted its 
 banks and was at least a quarter of a mile wide. 
 I struck camp, waiting for the water to recede. 
 The following day Geo. W. Kelley drove in 
 sight. He also had a load of five bales of cotton 
 and he struck camp. But it continued to rain 
 and the river instead of receding became wider 
 and deeper. The cotton market was declining 
 rapidly and we were anxious to reach the mar- 
 ket. I suggested to Mr. Kelley that I would 
 take the tallest of the mules and sound the width 
 of the current. The mule walked in the water 
 up to the banks, neck deep, when he began to 
 swim, I guided him when again he struck foot- 
 hold. I rode to the end of the water, in parts 
 only breast deep. I retraced my steps and re- 
 ported my investigation. We held counsel to- 
 gether and concluded that by using prolongs we 
 could hitch the eight mules to one wagon and 
 while the rear mules would be in mid stream the 
 front ones would be on terra firma and pull the 
 team across. We sent to Mr. Coleman who lived
 
 242 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 close by, for ropes. We cut saplings, laid them 
 on top of each wagon fastened the ends tight 
 to the wagon body so as to prevent the 
 current from washing off any of the cotton 
 while the wagon would be submerged in mid- 
 stream during the crossing. Our plan proved 
 to be a successful one, and thus we forded the 
 Ogeechee river without the least accident. We 
 repeated the same tactics for the remaining 
 wagon. We reached Savannah in due time, sold 
 the cotton and bought merchandise for other 
 parties, and I received pay going and coming. 
 On returning I concluded to cross the river by 
 the upper route, at Jenkins Perry, to avoid re- 
 crossing the river as per previous method. We 
 struck camp at dark close to the river bank. I 
 told Perry to feed and water the team while I 
 would examine the ferry flat. Presently Mr. 
 Stetson from Milledgeville, drove up and also 
 struck camp. I considered the flat a very shabby 
 and a dangerous affair to cross on with a heavy 
 load and so reported, but Mr. Stetson thought it 
 all right. The following morning at break of 
 day the ferryman was on hand as per arrange- 
 ments that evening. Stetson and his men hur- 
 ried up so as to get across first and thus gain 
 time. My man Perry also hurried faster than 
 was his wont to do, for he was usually slow in
 
 WAE BETWEEN THE STATES 243 
 
 his movements, when I cautioned him to take 
 his time and go slow and let the other wagon 
 cross first. It was well that I did so, for the 
 flat went down nearly midstream, and if the 
 front mules had not had foot hold in time the 
 whole business would have drowned. Stetson's 
 damage in merchandise was considerable. He 
 was loaded with salt, cutlery and general mer- 
 chandise. When I saw that no personal damage 
 was done I bid them good bye to take another 
 route by a twenty mile detour, via. Louisville^ 
 and crossed the river at Fenn's Bridge.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 The Central road was being rebuilt from Sa- 
 vannah and we met the trains at its terminals, 
 thus shortening the distance of our journeys. 
 The train had reached Guyton, thirty miles this 
 side of Savannah and was advancing daily until 
 completed to Macon. It was early in the spring 
 when I met the train at station No. 6, a flat coun- 
 try. It had rained nearly daily for a week ; the 
 roads were slushy, I had on a heavy load; we 
 had traveled the whole day long until dark. It 
 was hard to find a dry knob to camp on, until fi- 
 nally we came to a little elevation. I said Perry 
 we are going to stop here. He guided the team 
 into the woods a few paces and unhitched, while 
 I was looking for a few lightwood knots to build 
 up a fire. Everything was wet and it was hard 
 to kindle up a blaze. When suddenly there ar- 
 rived on the scene an ambulance pulled by a 
 team of four splendid mules and thirteen Fed- 
 eral soldiers alighted. They took the grounds 
 on the opposite side of the road. I thought to 
 myself, Now I am into it. Perry was on his 
 knees, fanning up the damp pine straw, when 
 one of those fellows called, Heigho, you black 
 fellow, come here. I said to Perry in an under-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATE& 245 
 
 tone, Attend to your business. When the same 
 fellow called again, Hello you negro, I told you 
 , to come here, did you hear me?' accompanying 
 his remarks with the coarsest words. Perry an- 
 swered, My boss told me to tend to my business. 
 
 D n you and your boss, too, was his reply. 
 
 As he had completed the sentence, I being close 
 by the side of my wagon, reached up and took 
 my Spencer in hand, bringing it from a trail to 
 a support. I stepped to the center of the road, 
 
 saying, D n you some too. This is not the 
 
 first time I have met some of you at odds, and I 
 am ready for the fray, if it has to be. Every- 
 thing was quiet, not a word was uttered. I still 
 remained standing in the road, watching any 
 move they might make, when one of them spoke, 
 saying, Will you let me come to you? He spoke 
 in a very conciliatory tone. I said, Yes, one 
 at a time. He came to me unarmed, and said, 
 Let us have no trouble; don't pay any attention 
 to that fellow, he is drinking. There is plenty 
 of room here for all of us, without any friction. 
 I said, Well, if your friend is drunk, take care 
 of him. I am able to take care of myself. He 
 returned to his camp and I to mine. I heard 
 him say to his comrades, That fellow won't do 
 to fool with. By that time Perry had succeeded 
 in having a rousing fire and we went to work on
 
 246 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 the culinary department. Our meals were sim- 
 ple, a little fried meat and corn bread and water 
 from out of a ditch. Presently one of the Fed- 
 erals hollered over, "Say, Johnnie, don't you 
 want some coffee?" I answered, "No, it has 
 been so long since I tasted any I have forgotten 
 how it tastes. ' ' He said, We have a plenty and 
 you are welcome to it if you will have it. I said 
 I have no way to make coffee if I had any. So 
 one of them came over with some parched coffee 
 and offered it to me. I declined it, for I had no 
 mill to grind it, nor any vessel to stew it in. 
 They insisted, bringing over all of the parapher- 
 nelia for the brewing of coffee and I must admit 
 that it was enjoyed by Perry, as well as myself, 
 it being the first that had pssed my lips in four 
 
 i years. After our meal was completed they came 
 over, one after another and sat around the fire. 
 
 ,The conversation became general and I found 
 them to be very congenial company. One brought 
 me a whole haversack full of green coffee, say- 
 ing, Have it, we have a sack of over a hundred 
 pounds. I thanked them saying, This is quite a 
 treat. And what seemed to be a disagreeable 
 affair in its incipiency terminated most agree- 
 ably. It having become late I suggested that we 
 take a night cap and retire. I passed around 
 the jug and each returned to his respective
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 247 
 
 quarters. However I slept, as the saying is, 
 with one eye open. Early in the morning we 
 fed the mules, rekindled the fire, drank a warm 
 cup of coffee and ate a bite or so. We harnessed 
 two of our mules, two of which in the lead were 
 of small size, when one of the Federals proposed 
 to swap mules. I said, Your mules are worth 
 a great deal more than mine, and I have no 
 money to pay boot. We don't want any money 
 said another, we want you to have the best team 
 on the road, by swapping your two lead mules 
 for those tall black ones of ours you will have 
 a real fine team. They then said they were on 
 their way to Augusta to report to the quarter- 
 master there, that they had receipted for four 
 mules and a sack of coffee to be delivered to the 
 quartermaster in Augusta. The mules in their 
 possession were not branded as government 
 mules but were picked up and a mule is a mule, 
 so we deliver the number of heads is all that is 
 required. To tell the truth I feared a trap, but 
 while I was talking with one of them the others 
 changed the lead mules for two of theirs and off 
 they drove in a lope, singing, Old John Brown 
 Lies Buried in the Ground, etc. We trudged 
 along, Perry and I elated over our good luck, 
 when Perry said, Well Marse Ike, your stand- 
 ing up to them made them your friends.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 I had rented the store house from Mr. Billy 
 Smith where he and Slade had done business be- 
 fore the war, in Sandersville, and opened up 
 business in heavy and family groceries. In the- 
 meantime my team was making the trip be- 
 tween Sandersville and the Central terminal, 
 which had not considerably advanced, owing to 
 the demoralized condition of labor. So I con- 
 cluded at this particular time it would accelerate 
 matters by hauling a load of merchandise with 
 my team ; hence I drove through all the way to 
 Savannah. While there, on passing Congress 
 street, I met an old friend named Abe Einstein, 
 of the firm of Einstein and Erkman, wholesale 
 drygoods merchants. He was speaking to one- 
 Mr. Cohen from New York, who had just ar- 
 rived by steamer with a cargo of drygoods. He 
 wanted to locate in Augusta, but owing to the 
 Federals having torn up that branch of the rail- 
 road at Millen the Augusta trains run no fur- 
 ther than Waynesboro. Hence he was trying to 
 fill in the gap with teams. Mr. Einstein told 
 him that I had a splendid team and that I would 
 be a good man for him to employ. So he asked 
 me if I would haul a load for him. I replied I
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 249 
 
 would if he would pay me enough for it. He 
 said, How much can you pull at a load? I said, 
 My mules can pull all that the wagon can hold 
 up. What do you ask? Pour hundred dollars. 
 Whiz, I did not want to buy your team, I only 
 wanted to hire it. I said to him, Well, that is my 
 price. I said, You fellows up North tore up the * 
 road, you ought to be able to pay for such accom- 
 modations as you can get. He studied over the 
 situation a little. Turning to Mr. Einstein, Do 
 you know this man ; can I rely on him? Mr. Ein- 
 stein replied, Perfectly reliable, I stand spon- 
 sor. He said, I tell you what I'll do, I'll pay 
 you down $200.00 and Mr. Einstein will pay you 
 $200.00 when you return. Mr. Einstein agreed 
 to it, so I said, That is satisfactory, I shall de- 
 liver so many boxes as you put on to the agent, 
 take his receipt for the same and Mr. Einstein 
 will pay me $200.00 due. I had, to my regret, 
 had to discharge my teamster Perry, owing to 
 the neglect of duty, and engaged another named 
 Bill Flagg. He was an old conscientious negro, 
 very religiously inclined. We loaded our team 
 and followed instructions. On arrival at 
 Waynesboro, I never had been there before, so I 
 inquired for the depot and found an improvised 
 little house beside the railroad track and a man 
 claiming to be the railroad agent. I have a load
 
 250 MEMOIRS OP A VETERAN 
 
 of goods here for Augusta. Put them in the car 
 said he. I said, count the boxes and make me 
 out a receipt. He said all right. After my bus- 
 iness with the agent was concluded, I asked him 
 to show me the Louisville route, which he 
 pointed out to me, with several explanations as 
 to the right and left intervening roads. Waynes- 
 boro was at that time, as it is now, the county 
 site of Burke county, a town of about 1000 in- 
 habitants. It has greatly improved since and is 
 quite a prosperous city of some importance now. 
 
 Before we got out of the incorporation a de- 
 tachment of Federal troops surrounded my 
 team and ordered my driver to dismount. I was 
 a few paces behind my wagon and I hurried to 
 the front. One of the soldiers had hold of my 
 mules' bridle and ordered my driver to dis- 
 mount. I said to my man, If you dismount I will 
 kill you ; you sit where you are, you are under 
 my orders. I ordered the trooper to let go my 
 mule. He turned loose the bridle, but held his 
 position with others in front of the team. The 
 commotion brought together the balance of the 
 garrison and some citizens. I remarked right 
 here, I'll sell out; you shall not deprive me of 
 the means to make an honest living. So the 
 Captain remarked, We are ordered to take up
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 251 
 
 all Confederate property. I said, I have no ob- 
 jection for you to take up Confederate property, 
 but this is my individual property and your ac- 
 tion is highway robbery, which I do not propose 
 to submit to. There is a way to prove those 
 things ; I am a citizen of Sandersville and have 
 been wagoning for a living. There is a garrison 
 of troops in my town and if this is Confederate 
 property they have had a chance to confiscate it 
 long ago. He said, What is your name 1 ? I an- 
 swered, I. Hermann, Sandersville, Washington 
 County, is my home. He pretended to make a 
 note of it and told me to drive on. I was glad to 
 have gotten out of that scrape. On reaching 
 home Flagg came to me, saying, Boss, I have to 
 quit you. What is the matter, Bill? said I, have 
 I not always treated you right. Oh yes, but I am 
 afraid of you. How so Bill ? I am afraid some 
 day you might get mad with me and kill me: 
 Any man that can stand before a whole company 
 of Yankees like you and keep them from taking 
 his team, is a dangerous man. You must get 
 you another man. I sai'd, all right, Bill. When 
 Perry heard that Bill Flagg had left my em- 
 ployment he came to me, asking to be re-instated 
 and promising to be more attentive to his duties. 
 So I took him back and he remained with me 
 for several years.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVHL 
 
 The railroad track had advanced consider- 
 ably, and in the Fall of the year, 1866, had 
 reached Bartow, No. 11. My partner for some 
 time had taken charge of the team while I at- 
 tended to the store. Once he came home badly 
 bunged up and a knife cut on his cheek. I said r 
 What has happened? He said he had some diffi- 
 culty with the Agent and they double teamed on 
 him. So I remarked, Well, you can send Perry 
 without you going. I wrote to the agent asking 
 him to deliver to the bearer, Perry, a load of 
 my merchandise then in his possession, to check 
 off the same and send me a list. We had at that 
 time two car loads on the track for the firm. 
 When Perry returned he failed to bring the list, 
 his wagon being loaded with corn and every 
 sack ripped more or less. I said, How come 
 you to accept merchandise in that condition. He 
 answered, the sacks were allright when I took 
 them out of the car, it was after they were 
 loaded one of them fellows, a white man named 
 Smith, run around the wagon and cut the sacks 
 and I spilled lots of corn. I picked up some of 
 it and put in that sack, indicating a sack % fulL 
 I said, Do you know the man ; would you recog-
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 253 
 
 nize him again if you were to meet him? Oh 
 yes, Marse Ike. Saturday morning I took charge 
 of the team and my partner remained at the 
 store. I took dinner and fed my mules at my 
 friends' Mr. B. G. Smith, to whom I stated the 
 facts as told to me. He said, be careful, don't 
 be too hasty. I said, Bight is right and I dont 
 want anything but my rights, and those I am 
 going to have before I return. 
 
 We arrived at our destination about four 
 o'clock p. m. The Sherman contingency had 
 burned the warehouse as they did all the others 
 along their march. Consequently the railroad 
 Company used passenger cars on the side track 
 to transact their office work, while freight cars 
 served as a warehouse until discharged of their 
 contents. As I entered the office car a young 
 man met me. I remarked, Are you the agent! 
 He said, No, Mr. Mims is at Parson Johnson's 
 house. What is your name? My name is 
 Smith. Then you are the scoundrel that muti- 
 lated my goods, and I advanced. He run out of 
 the door and slammed it to with such force that 
 he shattered the glass panel into fragments. 
 When I came out to where Perry was, he said, 
 That's the fellow that cut the sacks, there he 
 goes. Well Perry \uild a little fire by the side
 
 254 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 of this car for here we will camp until some one 
 returns to deliver us the freight. The sun had 
 set below the horizon and it had begun to get 
 night, when Mr. Tom Wells, an acquaintance of 
 mine, approached me. He was an employee of 
 the railroad company also. Well Ike, old fel- 
 low, how are you getting along? All right Tom, 
 how are you? I am all right. What brought 
 you here, said he? I said business, I have goods 
 here if I can find an agent to deliver them. I 
 heard you came here for a difficulty, said he. I 
 remarked, It seems I am already in a difficulty, I 
 can't get any one to deliver me my goods. Well, 
 I will tell you, Mr. Mims is a perfect gentleman. 
 I am glad to hear it. Do you know him? No, 
 I have never seen him, but up to now I can't have 
 the same opinion of him that you have. I have 
 not been treated right and I came here for jus- 
 tice. He said, Well, let me tell you ; there are 
 about forty employees here, hands and all, and 
 they will all stick to him, wright or wrong. I 
 said, I came here to see Mr. Mims and I intend 
 to stay here until I do see him, if it takes me a 
 week. Well Ike, if you promise me that you will 
 not raise a difficulty I will go after him and in- 
 troduce you to each other. I said, Tom, there 
 are other ways to settle a difficulty without fight- 
 ing if men want to do right. Well I will go for
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 255 
 
 him; I know Mr. Mims is going to do what is 
 right, and you too. Mr. Mims came presently, 
 and a whole gang following him. I said, Mr. 
 Mims, it seems you and my partner had a diffi- 
 culty. I do not know the cause and I do not 
 care to know. He said you fellows double 
 teamed on him and he got worsted in the fight. 
 To avoid a recurrence of the difficulty I sent my 
 driver to you and a note. You ignored my note 
 and sent me a load of corn with all the sacks 
 ripped open, more or less, with a knife in the 
 hands of one of your employees. I berated my 
 man for accepting goods in that condition and 
 he stated to me how all of it was done. I am 
 now here to see what can be done about it. I 
 have never done you any injury to be treated in 
 that manner. He said, Mr. Hermann, I am sorry 
 it happened. I will see that it will not be done 
 again. I said, Have you discharged the fellow 
 who did it ? He answered, No, not yet. I said, 
 Well, I demand that it be done now. And what 
 about the damage I sustained. He remarked 
 that the road would run to Tennille by next 
 Wednesday, a distance of 25 miles, and he woulcl 
 forward my two car loads of freight free of 
 charge from Bartow to Tennille. I said that 
 was satisfactory. I wanted to load my wagon ; 
 he said, we do not deliver goods at night. I an-
 
 256 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 swered that if he had been at his post of duty on 
 my arrival I would have had plenty of time to 
 load and be on my way back, and I wished to 
 load up at once for the morrow being Sunday I 
 did not want -to be on the road. He delivered 
 the merchandise and Perry and I passed Sun- 
 day with my friend B. Gr. Smith, who was glad 
 matters passed off as they did. Monday morn- 
 ing we took an early start and by twelve o 'clock 
 I was at home. That was my last trip as a wag- 
 oner, but not as a soldier, as the sequel will 
 show.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 When the commanding officers of the Confed- 
 erate army surrendered and stacked arms the 
 rank and file expected that the terms of the car- 
 tel promulgated and agreed upon would be car- 
 ried out to the letter. The men laid down their 
 arms in good faith, feeling as General E. E. 
 Lee remarked in his farewell address to them, 
 that under present unequal condition it would 
 only be a waste of precious lives to continue the 
 struggle. The following were the terms of the 
 agreement entered into between General Grant 
 and General Lee: The officers and men to re- 
 turn to their homes and remain there until ex- 
 changed and not to be disturbed by the United 
 States authorities so long as they observe their 
 paroles and the laws in force in their respective 
 states. 
 
 But the fellows who directed the ship of 
 state and who were invisible on the firing line 
 became invincible, when the South lay pros- 
 trated. The first order was from Secretary 
 Staunton, for the arrest of our commanding of- 
 ficers. This order, however, was resented by 
 General Grant as contrary to the cartel and
 
 258 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 should not be executed. This caused a rupture 
 between the two and the order was finally re- 
 scinded. The next step was to disperse all State 
 authority and appoint a military Governor. 
 General Wilson acted in that capacity in Geor- 
 gia. The same year, 1865, negroes were pro- 
 claimed free and military garrisons established 
 in every town, city or village throughout the 
 South. Under the superintendence of those 
 militaries the Freedmen's Bureau was estab- 
 lished, forcing negroes to migrate from one 
 place to another, thus breaking up the good re- 
 lationship still existing between Masters and 
 servants. The bureau was seemingly gotten up 
 for the protection of the blacks, as if they needed 
 any protection, they to whom we owed so much 
 for their good behavior during the time when 
 every available man able to bear arms was at 
 the front, leaving their families in charge of the 
 negroes. The gratitude of our people was or 
 ought to have been sufficient guarantee in that 
 line. Such harmonious condition did not suit 
 the powers that be, there was venom in their 
 heart for revenge, and punitive measures were 
 concocted. Never were captives bound tighter 
 than the people of the South. Is it a wonder 
 that the men of the South became desperate and 
 used desperate remedies to oust more desperate
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 259 
 
 diseases? The carpet baggers made their exit. 
 The negroes' mind had been prejudiced under 
 the auspices of those vultures. They were forced 
 into societies, one of which was the Rising Sun. 
 Some called it The Rising Sons. God only 
 knows what ultimate result they expected to ob- 
 tain. Drums and fifes were heard in every di- 
 rection at night times. The woods were full of 
 rumors that the negroes are rising. Men in 
 towns made ready for emergencies, every one on 
 his own hook; no organization for defense, in 
 case harsher measures should be needed. When 
 the author of this sketch took up the idea of a re- 
 union of his comrades and inserted a call in the 
 county's weekly, calling on the members of 
 Ho well's Battery for a social reunion, their 
 wives and children, when other veterans sug- 
 gested why not make it a reunion for all the vet- 
 erans of the County. I was only too glad for 
 the suggestion and changed the call to include 
 all veterans of the county, and on the day speci- 
 fied there was the greatest reunion Washington 
 County ever had. It was estimated that eight 
 thousand people participated. There were over 
 one hundred carcasses besides thousands of bas- 
 kets filled to overflow with eatables and delica- 
 cies. The object of the meeting was stated to 
 form an artillery company as a nucleus or ral-
 
 260 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 lying head and to meet organization with organ- 
 ization not as a measure of aggression but as 
 a protection. The author was elected Captain. 
 Under his supervision he built an armory and 
 eventually the State furnished him with two 
 pieces of artillery. The day he received the 
 guns he had a salute fired. The boys in the rural 
 districts had not forgotten the sound of artillery 
 and the town was filled with enthusiasm. Some 
 of the negro leaders called on me to know what 
 all that means, I told them it was to teach their 
 misguided people that we can play at the same 
 game and if they don 't stop beating their drums 
 and blowing fifes in the night time when honest 
 people are at rest I would shell the woods. This 
 admonition had a splendid effect and the people 
 of Washington have lived in peace ever since. 
 The author resigned his commission in the year 
 1881, when Honorable Alex Stephens was Gov- 
 ernor of Georgia. And Washington County has 
 the honor of having inaugurated the first re- 
 union of Confederate veterans. The citizens of 
 Washington County and Howell's Battery pre- 
 sented the author with a gold headed ebony 
 cane, beautifully carved, as a memorial and 
 their regard for him as a citizen as a soldier. 
 Being taken by surprise I had to submit to the 
 caning.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 261 
 
 The South passed seemingly through the 
 chamber of horrors of the Spanish Inquisition 
 and punishments administered by degrees. 
 First robbing the owners of their slaves, of their 
 justly acquired property, after they, (the 
 North), received from the Southern farmer its 
 full equivalent in U. S. money. Second, in the 
 promulgation of the Civil Rights Bill, in April, 
 1866. Third, in forcing the Southern people to 
 accept the 14th and 15th amendment to the Fed- 
 eral Constitution, not as a war measure, as. 
 Abraham Lincoln claimed, when issuing his 
 proclamation to free the negroes, but as politi- 
 cal measures >to perpetuate themselves in power. 
 
 Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, 
 South Carolina and North Carolina refused to 
 accept those conditions and in consequence were 
 not admitted into the Union until 1868, although 
 paying enormous taxes without representation, 
 and finally had to submit in self defence. Vir- 
 ginia, Texas and Mississippi held out until 1870 
 before they succumbed to the thumb screw.
 
 CHAPTER XXXX. 
 
 In writing the foregoing reminiscences I 
 came near omitting an incident that unless in- 
 serted would make them incomplete. In 1868 I 
 went to New York, via. Charlotte, North Caro- 
 lina. It was a long journey by rail, on account 
 of many disconnections and lay overs. On ar- 
 riving at Greenville the South Carolina Legisla- 
 tors had adjourned in Columbia and boarded the 
 train enroute for Washington, D. C. to see Gen- 
 eral Grant inaugurated as President of the U. 
 S. The body at that time was composed of a 
 mongrel set of coal black negroes, mulattoes and 
 carpet baggers. Cartoosa, a mulatto, was then 
 Treasurer of the State. A negro named Miller 
 was General in chief of the S. C. militia of State 
 troops. They came prepared to have a regular 
 holiday.' They carried large willow baskets full 
 of the best provisions and champagne by the 
 quantity, all at the expense of the State of South 
 Carolina. On arriving at Aqua Creek, which 
 was about 5 o'clock p. m., we took the boat up 
 the Potomac and were furnished with dinner. 
 When the bell rang, one of the South Carolina 
 Legislators, a coal black negro, took his seat at 
 the table when one of the waiters, also a negro,
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 263 
 
 whispered in his ear. He replied in a very bois- 
 terous manner that his money was as good as 
 any white man's. The waiter reported to the 
 Purser, who took the would be gentleman by 
 putting two fingers in his collar, lifted him up 
 and gave him a kick that sent him reeling into 
 the engine room. The white carpet baggers 
 seemed not to have noticed this little side show. 
 However the black brute continued his boister- 
 ous remarks and abusing the white race, and 
 that he, a South Carolina representative had his 
 dignity grossly insulted and that he was going 
 to report the incident to General Grant on arri- 
 val. When an old gentleman who must have 
 been between 65 and 70 years of age could not 
 stand his abuse any longer, although the balance 
 of the passengers were amused at his discom- 
 fiture took a pistol from his coat side pocket, 
 shoved it near the negro's face and remarked, 
 I stood that abuse as long as I intend to; one 
 more word and I'll send you to hell where you 
 belong, you black brute. The representative, 
 seeing that this man meant what he said, kept 
 mum. The South Carolina delegation undoubt- 
 edly made a report at headquarters of the above 
 incident, for in the winding up of President 
 Grant's inaugural address he expressed the fol- 
 lowing sentiments: That he hoped that white
 
 264 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 and black races would conform to the situation 
 and that by mutual good conduct would main- 
 tain the peace and harmony so necessary for 
 both races, or words to that effect. 
 
 Arriving in New York I took in the City. It 
 was my first trip there since I had landed at 
 Castle Garden from the four masted schooner, 
 The Geneese, nearly ten years previous. I vis- 
 ited the large firm and emporium of H. B. Claf- 
 lin & Company and spoke to Mr. Bancroft. I 
 gave him a statement of my commercial stand- 
 ing, such as it was, and asked for his advice, as 
 it was my first attempt as a dry goods mer- 
 chant. My means being very limited I wanted 
 to make them reach as far as possible. He 
 treated me very courteously and furnished me 
 with a salesman, whom he introduced as Mr. 
 McClucklan. On our way to the basement he 
 
 asked me, What State? I said Georgia. D n 
 
 Georgia. I stopped at once, looking him 
 squarely in the face I said, You can't sell me any 
 goods, I am going for some one not prejudiced 
 against my State, and started back, when he ex- 
 claimed, Hold on, you misconstrue me; I have 
 been a prisoner at Andersonville and I hate the 
 name of Georgia. I do not mean to say that 
 there are no good people in Georgia, like every-
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 265 
 
 where else. Noting a keystone that I wore on 
 my watch chain he said, I see you are a Mason 1 
 So am I, displaying a square and compass 
 pinned on the lapel of his coat. We can talk 
 together said he. If it had not been for a brother 
 Mason I don't think I'd be here today, I think 
 I would have died of starvation. He told me of 
 his transit from Andersonville to the Coast. 
 When the train stopped at a country station, the 
 name of which he did not know but he knew if 
 was on the Central railroad, he gave the words 
 of distress. It was a dark night, he could hardly 
 have expected anybody to answer it, but some- 
 one did and before the train left some one 
 brought him enough fried ham and biscuit to 
 last him several days. So I said, It was wrap- 
 ped in a home made napkin with blue borders. 
 He looked at me with astonishment, saying, So 
 it was; what do you know about it. I said, 
 I am the fellow, and told him what I did and 
 that Mrs. Hardwick commended me for it and 
 would not take any pay and that the station was 
 Davisboro. The man was beside himself. He 
 hugged me, tears ran down his cheeks ; he acted 
 like a crazy fellow. He said, You can't buy any 
 goods today, you are my guest. He ran to Mr. 
 Bancroft to get excused, saying that I was an 
 old friend and that he wanted to get off that
 
 266 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 day. He hired an open carriage and we drove 
 over the whole city, showing me everything 
 worth seeing. He carried me around to a fine 
 restaurant and ordered an elaborate dinner, 
 spent his money with the most lavish hand, re- 
 gardless of my protestations, for he would not 
 let me spend a copper. The following day I 
 made my purchases. It is useless to say that he 
 dealt squarely with me and with his advice and 
 experience I made what small capital I had pur- 
 chase me a very decent stock of merchandise.
 
 CHAPTER XXXXI. 
 
 Again when President Lincoln in 1863 issued 
 his edict to the Commanding Generals in their- 
 respective territory to proclaim all the negroes 
 free, as a war measure, as he claimed, he at- 
 tempted on a large scale what John Brown 
 failed to make a success of on a small scale, 
 namely to create a servile insurrection, and thus 
 exposing the helpless and defenceless to the ra- 
 pacity of semi-savage hordes. But it failed, as 
 all other attempts in that line have failed, thus 
 again proving the good relationship existing be- 
 tween the masters and their servants. Compare 
 the situation now with that of the anti-bel- 
 lum days. When a white emissary from the 
 North hired a horse and buggy from the propri- 
 etor of the hotel in Sandersville, Washington 
 County, Georgia, and left with the same for 
 parts unknown, he was finally located in Flor- 
 ida and captured and brought back and put in 
 jail. The lock of the jail was so rusted for the 
 want of use that it took the assistance of a lock- 
 smith to open the door to let him in. How is 
 it now? A commodious building has had to be 
 erected to accommodate the masses who trample 
 under foot the laws of their country; the jails.
 
 268 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 and chaingangs are full to overflowing, with the 
 perpetrators of crimes. Those are the results 
 of the so called reconstructionists. Lynching 
 was an unknown quantity in those days; there 
 was no necessity for it. The laws of the country 
 were administered, justly and loyally. Courts 
 met at regular periods and often adjourned the 
 same day for the want of patronage. Some say 
 we are progressing. That is true, but in the 
 wrong direction. Retrogressing is the proper 
 word to apply, especially in morality.
 
 CHAPTER XXXXII. 
 
 Another illustration worthy of mention in 
 connection with the others is related here. A 
 friend of mine named John J. Jordan, wounded 
 at Vicksburg, Miss., one of the cleverest and 
 inoffensive beings, owned several slaves by her- 
 itage. Among them was one John Foster, a mu- 
 latto. He was an accomplished carpenter and 
 very active. His master gave him his own time 
 and he was comparatively free all his life, he 
 was devoted to the Jordan family and was a 
 very responsible negro, however, his newly 
 made friends the carpet baggers filled his brains 
 with such illusions that he became a leader 
 among the negroes, making speeches and made 
 himself very obnoxious to those who were his 
 friends from infancy. All at once Foster disap- 
 peared. He was gone a couple of years when 
 his former master received a letter from him, 
 dated New York, begging assistance to enable 
 him to return to Washington County. Not- 
 withstanding his master's impoverished "condi- 
 tion, the money was sent him and Foster came 
 back entirely reformed. He had no more use 
 for the Yankees, his short stay among them 
 cured him. What a pity the authoress of Un-
 
 270 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 cle Tom's Cabin did not take John Foster under 
 her protecting wings. What a lost opportunity ! 
 What a fine additional illustration that picture 
 would have made to her already fertile imagi- 
 nation as the sequel will show. 
 
 One day John Foster came to my house to 
 see me. Good day, Marse Ike, said he, I 
 thought I'll come to see you it has been a long 
 time since I sawn you, and the following conver- 
 sation took place : Where have you been John f 
 I've been to New York. How do you like New 
 York? I don't like it at all, let me tell you Mass 
 Ike, those Yankees are no friends of the negroes. 
 Well John I could have told you so before you 
 went. Mass Ike, let me tell you what they've 
 done. They told me I could make a fortune in 
 the North, that I could get four and five dollars 
 & day by my trade as a carpenter. Who told 
 you so? Why John E. Bryant and his like of 
 carpet baggers. Well did you not get it? I got 
 it in the neck, I tell you what they did. I left 
 here with right smart money, Marse John let 
 me pay him for my time and got nearly three 
 hundred dollars that I saved. I went to New 
 York, and after looking around the city for a 
 few days I couimenced hunting work, but where- 
 ever I went they shook their heads, for no. I
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 271 
 
 spent the whole winter there without striking a 
 lick until I spent all my money. I finally applied 
 at a shop where a dutchman was foreman, I was 
 willing to work at any price for I had to live but 
 do you know what they did? No John, I don't. 
 Well they every one of them, and they worked 
 twenty-five hands, laid down their tools and 
 walked out of the shop declaring that they 
 would not work by the side of any damned ne- 
 gro, and the boss had to discharge me. No, 
 Marse Ike, the Yankees are no friends to we 
 colored people, only for what they can cheat us 
 out of. I worked all my life among white folks 
 here at home and it made no difference, I tell 
 you Marse Ike, the people of the South are the 
 negroes friends. Well John, you did not say so 
 before you left here. No, I did not appreciate 
 what the people here done for me until I went 
 North. Well, John, you ought to go among your 
 people and disabuse their minds and tell them 
 what you know from personal experience. I 
 am doing that Marse Ike every day. I have not 
 long to stay here below, I have contracted con- 
 sumption from exposure and am hardly able to 
 do a day's work. I am taking little jobs now and 
 then. Well John, if you stand in need of any-
 
 272 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 thing come to see me. You will always find 
 something to eat here and some clothes to wear~ 
 John died six months later.
 
 CHAPTER XXXXIII. 
 
 Before concluding these reminiscences I take 
 pleasure however in stating that Capt. Howell 
 and myself met after the surrender and after a 
 thorough understanding agreed that honors 
 were easy and by mutual consent to bury the 
 hatchet and eventually became warm friends. A 
 little incident, however, is worth relating here. 
 I was a delegate to a Governatorial Convention 
 from Washington County. Capt. Howell also 
 was a delegate from Fulton County, the vote 
 was very close. We were each for the opposing 
 candidate, the convention lasted for several days 
 and could not agree. Capt. Howell came to see 
 me, stating that he was a committee of one ap- 
 pointed by the caucus to come to see me and in- 
 fluence me to change my vote and vote for their 
 candidate. I said "Capt. what did you tell 
 them"? He said, "I said I doubt very much 
 that my influence would have any effect, darn 
 him I could not do anything with him when I 
 had the power to control him and I am satisfied 
 that my mission will be in vain." I said, "you 
 spoke well, Captain, go back and report failure.
 
 274 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 I would be derelict in my duty and the gratitude 
 I feel towards the noble women of the South 
 who shared the brunt of misery while their loved 
 ones were at the front suffering the hardship 
 and rigors of camp life, and were fighting the 
 battles for what they deemed their most sacred 
 duty. With aching heart and burning tears she 
 bade her dear ones God speed and a safe return, 
 shouldering all the responsibilities of providing 
 for those who were left behind 'and not able 
 to provide for themselves. Did they stop at 
 that f Many delicacies and garments were sent 
 to the front by them to cheer those in the field. 
 They organized wayside homes for those sol- 
 diers who were in transit. They visited the 
 hospitals and administered to the sick and 
 wounded. They organized the ladies relief as- 
 sociation and in every way imaginable added to 
 the comfort of those who shared the brunt of 
 battle. The Confederate veterans felt grateful 
 to their wives, daughters and kinswomen who 
 banded themselves together under the name of 
 U. D. C. They have proclaimed in songs and 
 stories the righteousness of the Confederate 
 cause and even at late date forced our adversa- 
 ries to admit that the cause we fought for was
 
 WAS BETWEEN THE STATES 275 
 
 right and the Courts so hold it. Would it be 
 too much to ask the United Confederate Veter- 
 ans to see that enduring monuments of imper- 
 ishable material be erected in the capital of ev- 
 ery Southern State to perpetuate the memory 
 and the fidelity of those noble heroines ? 
 
 Sparta heroism was tame indeed in compar- 
 ison with that of Southern women, especially 
 those who were left in the wake of the invading 
 armies amidst the ruins of a once happy home. 
 It is a half a century that has elapsed since the 
 thunder of Fort Sumter shook this hemisphere. 
 New generations have appeared on the scene, 
 fraternization is progressing slowly, but surely, 
 the past is relegated gradually to the rear and 
 the States again assert their rights, as they see 
 it. Therefore it behooves the National admin- 
 istration to see to it that equal rights to all and 
 special privileges to none, is its duty to enforce 
 so as to maintain this nation the greatest nation 
 on the globe. The sections must get together 
 and look to the wants and needs of their asso- 
 ciates and as far as lies in their power assist in 
 bringing relief. Thus past differences will van- 
 ish and brotherly love will again prevail and this 
 United States of America will forever be united 
 to stand in bold relief the model government 
 in the world.
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE WASHINGTON RIFLES. 
 
 Capt., S. A. H. Jones. 
 1st Lt., J. W. Budisill. 
 2nd Lt., B. D. Evans. 
 3rd Lt., W. W. Carter. 
 Ensign, C. M. Jones. 
 1st Sergt., E. P. Howell. 
 2nd Sergt., G. W. Warthen. 
 3rd Sergt., J. M. G. Medlock. 
 4th Sergt., A. D. Jernigan. 
 5th Sergt., P. E. Taliaferro. 
 1st Corpl., W. J. Gray. 
 2nd Corpl., A. T. Sessions. 
 3rd Corpl., W. H. Eenfroe. 
 4th Corpl., John K. Wicker. 
 Color Bearer, J. T. Youngblood. 
 Surgeon, B. F. Rudisill. 
 
 LIST OF PEIVATES. 
 
 Allen, G. E. Arnaw, James 
 
 Bailey, J. W. Boatright, B. S. 
 
 Barnes, A. S. Barnes, M. A. 
 
 Barwick, W. B. Brantley, J. E.
 
 WAS BETWEEN THE STATES 
 
 277 
 
 Brown, Jos. M. 
 Curry, David 
 Curry, J. S. 
 Cullen, S. E. 
 Cullen,, E. W. 
 Clay, W. S. 
 Cason, W. 
 Dudley, J. A. Q. 
 Durden, M. 
 Fulford, T. B. 
 Flucker, M. B. 
 Grimes, W. B. 
 Gilmore, T. J. 
 Gilmore, E. 
 Gaskin, J. 
 Haines, C. E. 
 Hines, W. H. 
 Bines, S. 
 Hicklin, A. F. 
 Hermann, I. 
 Jordan, N. J. 
 Jordan, J. J. 
 Jones, S. B. 
 King, Jas. R. 
 Knight, W. G. 
 Knight, W. K. 
 Lay ton, J. H. 
 Lewis, W. H. 
 McCroon, J. J. 
 Morgan, John H. 
 Matthews, W. C. 
 McDonal, J. J. 
 
 Collier, Ed. 
 Curry, S. K. 
 Curry, J. H. 
 Cullen, W. A. 
 Commings, G. E. 
 Cason, G. 
 Cook, A. T. 
 Dudley, W. H. 
 Fulghum, J. H. 
 Fulford, S. 
 Gray, W. B. 
 Gilmore, J. N. 
 Gilmore, S. M. 
 Godown, James 
 Haines, S. S. 
 Haynes, T. H. 
 Hines, A. C. 
 Hines, B. 
 Hicklin, W. P. 
 Honard, W. 
 Jordan, J. T ; . 
 Jones, W. H. 
 Kinman, W. H. 
 Kitrell, G. 
 Kelley, G. W. 
 Lamb, I. 
 Lawson, W. H. 
 Lewis, "W. B. 
 Medlock, E. 
 Mason, G. L. 
 Massey, S. N. 
 McDonald, A.
 
 278 
 
 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 Newsome, J. J. 
 Orr, T. A. 
 Parnell, B. J. 
 Roberts, J. B. 
 Roberson, W. G-. 
 Robison, R. T. 
 Rodgers, L. 
 Rawlings, C. 
 Renfroe, J. 
 Scarboro, A. M. 
 Smith, J. C. 
 Smith, J. H. 
 Smith, John H. 
 Solomon, H. 
 Spillars, J. 
 Trawick, A. J. 
 Tyson, T. L. 
 Tax-button, G. A. 
 Veal, R. H. 
 Whiddon, B. 
 Warthen, T. J. W. 
 Wall, W. A. 
 Wagoner, W. H. 
 Wicker, T. 0. 
 
 Newsome, J. K. 
 Peacock, Gr. W. 
 Pittman, W. H. 
 Parker, W. J. 
 Roberson, J. A. 
 Robison, W. R. 
 Riddle, A. M. 
 Rawlings, W. H. 
 Stanley, J. S. 
 Stubbs, J. N. 
 Smith, J. P. 
 Smith, W. H. 
 Slate, S. L. 
 Sheppard, J. J. 
 Tarver, F. R. 
 Trawick, J. T. 
 Tookes, C. C. 
 Turner, N. H. 
 Whitaker, G. W. II. 
 Whiddon, M. M. 
 Wall, C. A. 
 Waitzfelder, E. 
 Wessolonsky, A. 
 Watkins, W. E.
 
 APPENDIX B. 
 
 The Newnan Guards, A. Capt. Geo. M. 
 Harvey. 
 
 The Columbus Guards, B. Capt. F. G. 
 Wilkins. 
 
 The Southern Eights Guards, C. Capt. J. 
 A. Hauser. 
 
 The Oglethorpe Light Infantry, D. Capt. J. 
 O. Clark. 
 
 The Washington Rifles, E. Capt. S. A. H. 
 Jones. 
 
 The Gate City Guards, F. Capt. W. F. Ez~ 
 zard. 
 
 The Bainbridge Independents, G. Capt. J. 
 W. Evans. 
 
 The Dahlonega Vols., H. Capt. Alfred Har- 
 ris. 
 
 The Walker Light Infantry, I. Capt. S. H. 
 Crump. 
 
 The Quitman Guards, J. Capt. Jas. S. 
 Pinkard. 
 
 J. N. Ramsey of Columbus, Ga., was elected 
 Colonel.
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 1st. Lt. John W. Rudisill became Capt. of 
 Compy. C. 12 Ga. Battalion. 
 
 2nd. Lt. Beverly D. Evans became Col. 2nd. 
 Ga. State troops. 
 
 3rd. Lt. W. W. Carter became Capt. Compy. 
 G. 49 Ga. regiment. 
 
 Ensign C. M. Jones became Capt. Compy. 
 H. 49 Ga. Eegiment. 
 
 1st. Sergt. E. P. Howell became Capt. of 
 Martins Battery. 
 
 4th. Sergt. A. D. Jernigan became Capt. 
 Compy. H. 49 Ga. Regiment. 
 
 5th. Sergt. P. R. Taliaferro became Capt, 
 Compy. E. 32nd. Ga. Regiment. 
 
 1st. Corporal W. J. Gray became 1st. Lieut. 
 Sandersville Artillery. 
 
 2nd. Corp. A. T. Sessions became Lieut. 
 Compy. B. 12 Ga. Batalion. 
 
 3rd. Corp. W. H. Renfroe became Lieut. 
 
 4th. Corp. J. R. Wicker became Lt. 32 Ga. 
 
 Private G. R. Allen became Lt. 57 Ga. 
 
 Private James Arnau became Lt. 49th Geor- 
 gia.
 
 WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 281 
 
 Private B. S. Boatright became Lt. 12th 
 Georgia Bat. 
 
 Private James M. Brown became Lt. 5th 
 Georgia Eeserve. 
 
 Private M. R. Flucker became Orderly 
 Sergt. 12th Georgia. 
 
 Private T. J. Gilmore became Lieut. Mar- 
 tins Battery. 
 
 Private Wesley Howard became Corp. Mar- 
 tins Battery. 
 
 Private J. T. Jordan became Col. 49th Geor- 
 gia Eegiment. 
 
 Private W. H. Jones became Lt. 32nd Geor- 
 gia Regiment. 
 
 Private S. B. Jones became Capt. 8th Geor- 
 gia Cavalry. 
 
 Private James B. Kinman became Lieut. 
 Company B. 12th Georgia Bat. 
 
 Private W. G. Knight became Sergt. Com- 
 pany B. 12th Georgia Bat. 
 
 Private Isaac Lamb became Lt. 53rd Geor- 
 gia. 
 
 Private W. H. Lawson became Capt. 5th 
 Georgia Reserve. 
 
 Private W. C. Matthews became Capt. 38th 
 Georgia Regiment. 
 
 Private J. J. Newsome became Capt. Com- 
 pany E. 12th Georgia Bat.
 
 282 MEMOIRS OF A VETERAN 
 
 Private Geo. W. Peacock became Lt. 12th 
 Georgia Bat. 
 
 Private J. B. Roberts became Capt. Com- 
 pany D. 49th Ga. Regiment. 
 
 Private W. J. Parker became Capt. Cobbs 
 Legiose. 
 
 Private W. G. Robson became Lt. Martins 
 Battery. 
 
 Private J. A. Robson became Sergt. Com- 
 pany B. 12th Ga. Bat. 
 
 Private H. T. Robson became Sergt. 12th 
 Georgia Bat. 
 
 Private J. N. Stubbs became Sergt. 12th 
 Georgia Bat. 
 
 Private J. C. Smith became Lt. 12th Geor- 
 gia Bat. 
 
 Private H. Soloman became Capt. 14th 
 Georgia Regiment. 
 
 Private G. A. Tarbutton became Capt. Hil- 
 lards Legion. 
 
 Private G. W. H. Whitaker became Capt. 
 12th Ga. Batt. 
 
 Private Benj. Whiddon became Capt. 5th 
 Georgia Reserve. 
 
 Private T. 0. Wicker became Adgt. 28th 
 Georgia Regiment. 
 
 Private W. E. Watkins became Sergt. Com- 
 pany B. 12th Georgia Bat.
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 
 
 Robert Martin, known as Bob Martin, from 
 Barnwell, S. C., was elected Captain. 
 
 Evan P. Howell, 1st Lt. 
 W. G. Eobson, 2nd Lt. 
 Reuben A. Bland, 3rd Lt. 
 H. K. Newsome, 1st Sergt. 
 S. J. Fulfonn, 2nd Sergt. 
 W. H. Hines, 3rd Sergt. 
 J. B. Warthen, 4th Sergt. 
 W. H. Dudley, 5th Sergt. 
 W. M. Cox, 6th Sergt. 
 Haywood Ainsworth, 7th Sergt. 
 W. B. Hall, 1st Corp. 
 W. B. O'Quinn, 2nd Corp. 
 W. F. Webster, 3rd Corp. 
 J. E. Cullin, 4th Corp. 
 
 ! 
 
 PRIVATES. 
 
 r 
 
 H. Allen A. C. Hines 
 
 J. F. Bailey J. D. Hardy 
 
 J. F. Brooks Gabe Kittrell 
 
 W. A. Brown J. E. Johnson 
 
 B. L. Bynum A. R. Lord
 
 284 
 
 MEMOIBS OF A VETERAN 
 
 W. T. C. Barnwell 
 M. B. Cox 
 E. W. Cullen 
 J. Curry 
 R. Dixon 
 E. E. Caudell 
 W. E. Doolittle 
 J. E. Ellis 
 Geo. T. Franklin 
 E. T. Ford 
 S. M. Gilmore 
 J. A. Godown 
 W. N. Harmon 
 Gabrill S. Hooks 
 V. A. Horton 
 C. Howell 
 J. J. Hadden 
 Ben Jones 
 
 E. E. Jackson 
 T. M. Lord 
 
 J. E. Mnllen 
 H. C. Lord 
 J. W. Massey 
 J. J. O'Qninn 
 S. B. Pool 
 N. Eaifield 
 Wm. F. Sheppard 
 W. L. Stephens 
 G. W. Thomas 
 W. H. Toulson 
 
 F. A. McCary 
 J. C. Waller 
 
 D. G. McCoy 
 F. M. Loden 
 J. B. Oxford 
 J. H. Pittman 
 H. L. Skelley 
 J. F. Salter 
 W. A. Smith 
 J. P. Thomas 
 
 E. Tompkins 
 
 D. B. Tanner 
 J. H. Veal 
 
 J. J. Waller 
 T. Webster 
 Simeon Bland 
 J. Armstrong 
 Henry Achord 
 C. Blizzard 
 T. J. Brooks 
 J. J. Braswell 
 T. M. Barnwell 
 W. B. Barwick 
 H. L. Cox 
 T. C. Cullen 
 
 A. Dixon 
 
 E. L. Campbell 
 E. D. Chaplen 
 J. C. Durham 
 
 B. 0. Franklin 
 H. Ford 
 
 W. E. Gilmore 
 T. J. Gilmore 
 W. A. Grimes
 
 WAB BETWEEN THE STATES 
 
 285 
 
 G. W. Webster 
 Geo. D. War then 
 Lawson Taylor 
 All Armstrong 
 W. D. Bodiford 
 W. J. Brooks 
 B. S. Braswell 
 W. J. Bell 
 J. N. Bentley 
 S. B. Cox 
 E. W. Cullen 
 T. A. Curry 
 J. H. Coleman 
 
 D. F. Chambers 
 T. C. Doolittle 
 
 A. E. Erwin 
 H. Fields 
 
 B. Garner 
 
 E. T. Gilmore 
 R. A. Godown 
 Isaac Herman 
 H. J. Hodges 
 R. H. Hales 
 A. P. Heath 
 
 T. J. Hamilton 
 W. H. Horton 
 W. C. Howard 
 L. W. Hines 
 Red Jones 
 J. Jackson 
 F. A. Lockman 
 John L. Laymade 
 N. A. Lord 
 W. J. Mass:ey 
 W. Oxford 
 
 F. Posey 
 
 G. B. Rogers 
 
 J. F. Sheppard 
 J. P. Smith 
 W. C. Thomas 
 J. F. Tompkins 
 H. T. Thompson 
 W. Waller 
 T. C. Warthen 
 J. Wood 
 T. R. Gibson
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000909474 9