GIFT OF 
 
 CASE 
 * * 
 
AND 
 

Copyrighted and Published 
 
 September. 1 C 15. 
 John r '* 
 
 , Gal. 
 For Private Distribution 
 
 . 
 t^ f - 
 
 Mimeographed 
 
 Misr illy 
 
 Binding 
 John Kitchen Jr., Go. 
 
CAMP AT SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1862. 
 
 VOL 1. No. 13. 
 
 rangements 
 
 lihgcments wer* 
 
 U News Letter 
 
 ray. which is 
 
 the State. 
 
 authori- 
 
 t of our 
 
 asure to 
 
 pletely 
 
 ation 
 
 equest 
 
 we have 
 
 llity, under 
 
 Uuatlon. 
 
 other kind 
 u ch a press 
 ized sheet, 
 ear in any 
 ed all that 
 U type, the 
 is at first 
 re are not 
 uvjre reading 
 atter has 
 make it 
 no mails, 
 ar and re- 
 eliable in- 
 e parties re- 
 u stick them 
 osing them; 
 tems, while 
 ed with the 
 oughtfulness 
 to this office 
 mccount we 
 r the Army 
 monopolize 
 and say of 
 be true 
 Not the 
 e no in- 
 ntsh intel- 
 t.dvocte of 
 o airstain. 
 at there is 
 d untrue as 
 *ll orders, all 
 all informa- 
 fleds, and 
 the com- 
 atter, of a 
 e the sum- 
 g, engaged in 
 It has re- 
 own clti- 
 
 papers to a regiment are distributed in 
 some Divisions. What becomes of the 
 paper? Who gets it? There surely must 
 be SOMETHING IN IT, or it would not 
 be hoarded like gold, and sent as me- 
 mentos to distant friends. 
 
 Our office is besieged from morning 
 till night by men from the army begging 
 for a paper, offering 50 cts. a copy for 
 the Argus, when they are informed by 
 Mr. Wisely that the paper is not for 
 sale, and has already been sent to their 
 divisions for distribution. They reply 
 "we don't get it." In other localities the 
 paper retails at $1 to $3 per copy! It 
 would seem from these facts that there 
 must be SOMETHING IN IT. Files are 
 begged for AT ANY PRICE, but the 
 paper is not for sale, but for the army. 
 We only wish that officers would do their 
 duty, and let the men have the paper! 
 The men really think there is something 
 in it! 
 
 LITTLE JOHNNY WICKERSHAM. 
 
 The communication over the signature 
 of "the ride to death," will be read with 
 much interest. It will be remembered 
 that Fremont's body g'uard attacked a 
 part of Gen. McBride's Division, then 
 encamped and recruiting a little West of 
 this town, in the latter part of October, 
 and the guard were repulsed with 
 slaughter. This skirmish was magnified 
 by Fremont, and characterized as the 
 most gallant and daring action, denomi- 
 nated the "ride to death." It was on the 
 occasion of the skirmish, the site of 
 which we had left two hours before, that 
 Johnny, the boy-hero, distinguished him- 
 self for true courage and noble daring. 
 Let Johnny have his company. Boys 
 noble, high spirited boys, the hope of our 
 country, come forward and fill up the 
 company of this brave soldier boy. 
 
 SLAP. 
 
 Miss Slidell was at the cabin door, 
 protecting an intrusion upon her father, 
 and Lieut. Fairfax then endeavored to 
 forcibly remove her, whereupon Miss 
 Slidell slapped him in the face. 
 Lieut. Fairfax then ordered one of the 
 
 "THE RIDE TO DEATH." 
 Under this caption the Federal papers 
 have sung praises of Zagoni and his men 
 for their fool-hardy charge during the 
 last skirmish at Springfield. If we were 
 to believe all that those papers have 
 said about these terrible fellows, the 
 charge of Balaklava is a small affair 
 indeed, as compared to it. But admitting 
 all they claim of gallantry and daring 
 for Fremont's Body Guard and we will 
 put the action of a mere boy a boy of 
 fourteen against it, which will show 
 them the mettle the "rebel army" is 
 made. We refer to the bravery and cool- 
 ness of little Johnny Wickersham. John- 
 ny was a private in a company com- 
 manded by his brother Capt. Rich. 
 Wickersham, and bore himself in the 
 action in a style which the bravest might 
 imitate. He was armed with an old 
 fashioned rifle the Missouri arm par 
 excellence and with a courage and pre- 
 cision 'irnusual of his age, fought at the 
 side of the stoutest of the company. On 
 the second shot, he brought an officer 
 from his saddle; and again with deadly 
 aim killed a federal Captain at the head 
 of his column. In a moment, he sprang 
 from the ranks, seized the officer's sword, 
 revolver and cap and returned to con- 
 tinue the work of death. If Zagoni doubt 
 the fact he can have an opportunity in 
 the next fight of seeing these arms, worn 
 by this brave boy who no doubt has a 
 spare bullet for the Major. 
 
 To make this matter more certain we 
 will inform the remainder of those who 
 made the "Ride to Death" that little 
 Johny Wickersham is now raising a com- 
 pany of boys for the Confederate ser- 
 vice. The company will be quickly 
 raised and we tell Zagoni to look to his 
 laurels and his arms. 
 
 Recruits will be received at the quar- 
 ters of the Adjutant General of Brig. 
 Gen. McBride's Division in the Bank 
 Buildings. None but boys of John Wick- 
 ersham's pluck are expected to enlist. X. 
 
 A Lincoln spy was arrested a few days 
 since in the neighborhood of Unlontown. 
 His baggage was searched, and a com- 
 plete plan of the fortifications at R~--' 
 'r'" Ovof-n and Randolph, TPT-\ 
 
THE GRAY 
 
 id 
 THE BLUE 
 
 At the solicitation of both family and 
 comrades, but articularly for the bene- 
 fit of my ten : old Grandson, Curtis Wri^ 
 III, I have tried to inscribe in the follow- 
 ing pages for hii::, and those who may come after 
 him, such personal incidents as-' memory permits 
 me to retain of ray boyhood life in the Army of 
 the South during our Civil War. 
 
 I was less fifteen year 3 old when 
 I ran away from home and joined th.v. Army. .The 
 tragic events of that period have indelibly 
 printed on memory's tablet, pictures that only 
 death can efface, the mind recalls them more 
 clearly than it does incidents of recent date. 
 
 I have not attempted a description of 
 great battles, or the strategic movement of 
 armies, but only the true personal escapades 
 of a boy, that arc known, told, retold, and 
 discussed by all the members of the family 
 around the fireside of your Grandfather. 
 
CURTIS 
 
 You, my little Grandson, are the descendant of both 
 Itforth and South and have in you the making of the highest 
 type of a true American citizen. Your Grandfather, on 
 your Father's side fought for the Blue, and your Grand- 
 father, on your Mother's side fought for the Gray, I 
 was too young to judge of the justice of either cause, but 
 looking backward after nore than fifty years, I .feel that 
 under our system of government then, with the doctrine 
 of States Rights paramount to that of the National Govern- 
 ment, any man living south of Mason and Dixon's Line who 
 did not defend his state from invasion, was as much a 
 traitor to his state as one who living north did not take 
 up arms for his government. 
 
 How that the War is but a memory, time has healed 
 all our wounds. U : e Grandfathers know no ITorth or South, 
 East or West, but vie with each other in our endeavors 
 to show our allegiance to our united glorious country. 
 I hope, Curtis, this Game spirit will anirna,te you and 
 your descendants. In being true to your father and his 
 people, and your mother and her people, you have &. grave 
 responsibility forced upon you, and more, much more, will 
 be expected of you. You must always maintain the honor 
 and pride of both ITorth and South, never permitting your- 
 
*"*'. 
 
 self to become the partisan of one against the other. 
 
 I will relate a little incident that will per- 
 haps illustrate my feelings: 
 
 Some time ago I made a trip through Canada. The 
 customs and habits of the Canadians are different from 
 ours. It would be impolite to speak to one without 
 passing through the formality of an introduction; so if 
 I wanted to talk, had to do most of it to myself. 
 
 Finally I reached Vancouver, B.C. It happened to 
 be Fete Week, and from every telephone and telegraph pole 
 floated the Canadian Flag or the Union Jack; buildings 
 covered with unfamiliar bunting, soldi. rs marching, and 
 bands playing "God Save the King" made me feel like a man 
 without a country, until I spied through the flags and 
 bunting four blocks away, "Old Glory" waving from a win- 
 dow. Unconsciously my hat came off, bareheaded I walked, 
 and up the stairs a young man met me at the railing of 
 our Consul's office. "I wish to see the American Consul", 
 I said. A white-haired officer who had lost a leg in 
 the Civil \Var heard me, and taking his crutch came to the 
 railing saying, "I am the American Consul, What can I 
 do for you?" I said, "Comrade, giv B me your hand, I 
 fought four years against that old flag hanging out the 
 window yonder, but you don't love or reverence it a bit 
 more than I do". He swung open the gate and I found a 
 
friend, as I always have from the true soldier that 
 wore the Blu 
 
 We all now realize that ore a very foolish 
 nation in 1061. We were not fighting enemies, but 
 brothers, reared under the same influence, with the 
 same hopes and aspirations, often of the same blood. 
 Even our own family was divided, and we fought to kill 
 each other. Your life is full of just such examples. 
 Your schoolmate and you last w^ok were good friends, one 
 accuses the other of wrong doing, you have a fight this 
 week, arm in arm you go to school and your respect for 
 each other is even greater than before. 
 
 The following are memory's vivid pictures of youth 
 that the "Good Master" permits us older people to retain. 
 The incidents here described occurred more than a half 
 century ago. The life pictures of my youth so indelibly 
 photographed on my brain at that time, have lain sealed 
 and, forgotten all these years, yet as I write, the mind 
 compels memory to unlock her storehouse. They are not 
 the cold, colorless pictures of the photographer, but 
 the real living pictures of my youth. Memory seems so 
 real; the pictures so vivid, that I am again a boy in 
 Gray and the tears come as I linger amid scenes of t] 
 bloody conflict . 
 
 3 
 
FAMILY SKETCH 
 
 A s y ou kn ow , . :; nt u c ky p e o p 1 e f o r many 
 generations. \Vhen I was two years old, my father took 
 his family to live in St. Louis where he accumulated 
 what was considered quite a fortune in those days. His 
 business was buying horses and mules and shipping them 
 South, and even from a little tot I was at home on al- 
 most any horse's back. I was awarded first prize for 
 the best boy rider at the St. Louis County Fair. Father, 
 in 1857, sold all his St. Louis properties and bought 
 large tracts of land in what was then a most thinly 
 settled section of the country in and near the village 
 of Lebanon in Southwest Missouri. There was a farm with 
 town house given to each of my two brothers and two 
 sisters. The home place was intended to be mine. 
 
 There was much excitement during the preparations 
 for our moving. In r those days such a move was considered 
 a great undertakin Father had seventy head of horses, 
 largely brood mares. I remember, particularly, Uickbiddle,, 
 Blackhawk. and his imported Belgian her ! rman, also 
 a drove of blooded cattl In that great caravan were 
 five buffaloes, besides household furniture and merchandise 
 for a general store. My two 3 started weeks ahead 
 and drove the stock over land lucre two hundred miles 
 to Rolla, the terminus of the railroad. The women, father 
 
and I went by rail to Rolla, and thence one hundred 
 miles over the roughest mountain road you could imagine 
 to Lebanon, Missouri. To a city bred child, the country 
 seemed a paradise. v/ith joy and gladness in my heart, 
 every morning on my horse with gun across the. pommel 
 of my saddle, I was sent to the prairies herding stock. 
 At nightfall I usually untied a string of prairie chick- 
 ens or quail from my saddle. Undoubtedly this, life in 
 the open air went far toward making me physically able 
 to withstand the hardships and privations I underwent 
 during t ] . 
 
 WHY I BECAIvIE A REBEL . 
 
 Lebanon, Missouri was the most secluded, isolated 
 little community you could imagine, one hundred miles 
 from railroad or telegra Newspapers were rare and 
 so old T/hen they reached us that we knew but little of 
 the contention and agitation that was exciting the rest 
 of the country. "- r e heard only sufficient to make gossip 
 for the loungers on the dry goods box at the country store. 
 
 heard talk of war, but never dreamed it would reach us 
 or that there were soldiers on either side near us. So 
 you cannot in any manner conceive of the surprise, alarm 
 and excitement caused by seeing the old lane, a mile and 
 a half away on the Rolla .road, filled with soldiers, their 
 
bayonets gleaming in the -sunlight. "Who are they?", 
 "What are they doing here?" was on everybody's tongue. 
 On they came and as they marched into town, we learned 
 they were General Lyon's advance guard of three regiments 
 of German United States troops, in command of General 
 Seigel, on their way to fight General Pric'? at v/ilson 
 Creek, near Springfield, Missouri. Few of them could 
 speak English. They immediately arrested and put in 
 jail all able-bodied men, my brother Dick among the 
 number. Brother Jim hid out in the brush and I carried 
 provisions to him. I was so small they did. not molest 
 me, and I went among them, learning what I could to tell 
 the frightened women and men in hiding. I saw them 
 drive big army wagons to my father's store and when they 
 drove away there were only empty shelves left . They 
 took every head of stock my father owned, except three 
 most valuable horses, Norman, Nickbiddle. Blackhawk, and 
 two saddle horses. They were in the barn, and when I 
 discovered what was being done, I led them out to the 
 woods and hid them in the small timber. Father sent me 
 to a corn field more than two miles from town where he 
 had eighty fat hogs and many sows and little pigs. I 
 found them all dead, riddled with bullets by the German 
 cavalry . 
 
 All citizens whether in. sympathy with the South or 
 
 6 
 
not, who did not voluntarily ask to take the oath of 
 allegiance, were proclaimed Rebels. The soldiers 
 under General Seigel had permission to take or destroy 
 their property. They took every advantage of this 
 permission. If a man asked for a receipt or a paper 
 showing his loss, he was put in jail. This was the 
 cause of my joining the South. Brother Dick starred in 
 jail six weeks, when with friendly assistance he cut his 
 way out and escaped to the woods. 
 
 After General Lyon's army reached Lebanon, and 
 General Seigel had moved on toward Springfield, we were 
 treated much more kindly. The town was filled with 
 soldiers coming and going. With much interest I watched 
 them drill, particularly the Field Artillery at target 
 practice. How they did brag and tell what they would 
 do to the "Rebs" when they caught them. I seemed trans- 
 formed into another boy, I had been the frail, petted 
 baby of the family, and almost girlish in my disposition, 
 but words came to my lips, "I'll figlrc them," "I'll fight 
 them," and when I reached home father said, "Johnnie, 
 what are you crying about?" I could only say, "I'll 
 fight them," I'll fi. : ;ht them," and for many days the 
 words passed my lips unconsciously. The time came when 
 the entire army had passed on towards Springfield, and 
 then how quiet and peaceful it The tov.-n looked n 
 
 7 
 
if some great hurricane had passed through it. 
 FIRING AT WILSON CREEK. 
 
 About three weeks later, on a bright Sunday, that 
 I shall never forget, it seemed that everybody was at 
 the Methodist Church. What the preacher was saying, 
 I do not remember, but I remember that in the midst of 
 the service someone tiptoed in -and whispered to my father, 
 Father followed him out of the church and so did others, 
 both men and women. Everyone knew something most un- 
 usual had occurred as none came back. Finally I took 
 courage and slipped out, Liy bey, you cannot imagine 
 my fear and consternation when I savr i:y father end every 
 man and woman lying flat on the ground. Not a word 
 was spoken, and I noticed they all had their ears to the 
 ground. Frightened, but curious I also lay down. I 
 could see or hear nothing, then I felt the earth tremble, 
 and I knew it was the ground vibration of the artillery 
 firing at Wilson Creek, nearly fifty miles away. This 
 was on the tenth of August. 1 I remember the date from 
 the old War Song that later became one of our camp songs: 
 
 11 T 'was on the tenth of August we made the Lyon roar 
 The musket and the niinnie balls around our tents 
 did pour", etc. etc. 
 
 8 
 
We all went back into the church. Such serious 
 looking people. I wanted to shout, "but dared not. The 
 preacher said, "Brother Wicker sham will you lead us in 
 prayer?" I wish I could remember that prayer, I knew 
 how I stood, but had never heard my father express him- 
 self. I knelt by his side looking up into his face, 
 hoping, and when he prayed God to give victory to the 
 South, I stood up and cried, "Amen" so loudly it was 
 moments before he could continue his prayer. 
 
 THE DEFEAT AHD DEATH OF GENERAL LYON. 
 
 my of the men and. women sat up and talked the 
 night through wondering who had won. Three days 
 passed. They seemed like weeks. Finally a man came 
 galloping intq town shouting the news that General Lyon 
 was killed and the Yankees were defeated most of 
 them captured with their cannon and wagons what was 
 left of them would be in Lebanon in a few hours 
 General Price was just behind, and a battle was expected 
 every minute. 
 
 The town was wild with suppressed joy and fear. I 
 remember everybody spoke in whispers. Then came the 
 Seigel men that we knew so well, in advance, but not 
 with the pomp and arrogance of a few weeks before. They 
 
 3 
 
 were raw troops, and my dear boy, may you never know 
 
 9 
 
what defeat and retreat means to untried, green soldier?. 
 They had virtually run fifty miles thrown away coats, 
 haversacks and many had no guns. The look in their 
 I will never forget. Their clothes were wet with per- 
 spiration and covered with 'dust. -en the command "halt" 
 was given, every man fell to the ground. Price was 
 not following, but they thought he was, and it -had t 
 same effect. They could rest but one hour. The- bugle 
 sounded, and with tired, weary legs and sore feet, they 
 started on that long tramp of one hundred miles to Rolla. 
 Their wagons carried only the wounded their horses 
 were exhausted* They did no foraging, had no stragglers, 
 and by ten o'clock the next day the entire had pas 
 on. 
 
 When we had ascertained that there were no more to 
 come, we uncorked our suppressed joy, and 'made the 'wel- 
 kin ring with praises to God. 
 
 A CQMPAIIY FOR THE SOUTH. 
 
 Brother Dick came back Jim came to town, and 
 from all over the country came men with their squirrel 
 rifles and shotguns. They organized on the Public 
 Square, a large company for the South, electing Brother 
 Dick Captain; Joe Crawford, First Lieutenant; and Brother 
 Jim, Second Lieutenant. They were mostly young men who 
 
 10 
 
had spent their lives in the open physically strc 1 
 and crack shots. Had it not been for the conduct of 
 General Seigel and hio men, probably not more than one in 
 ten of these would have ca.st his lot with the South. 
 
 Accustomed to the equipment and discipline of our 
 regular army of today, you cannot imagine what an un- 
 soldierly . "chis company made, with their peace- 
 fill hunting gi orrs, and bullet molds^ The 
 
 contrast with the soldiers of General Lycn's army stood ir 
 bold relie There were- "hers in their hats, nc 
 brass buttons, no bands of mu sic or loud command; but 
 
 when they left f' .. Sou\" iptain simply said, 
 
 ', 
 
 "Come on boys 11 , :.r clothes were homemade and of 
 every color, .ey had no flag. The ladies wished to 
 make them one, but could find no person who knew what t 
 Rebel flag was. 
 
 In the morning, with three wagons loaded with cnv 
 cooking utensils, provisions, but no tent 3, .they started 
 to find General Price's army. They heard he. was at 
 Springfield, - an. . 
 
 I BM AMI 1EQM HOMiu. 
 
 How. I begged to go. liy brothers were angry 
 that I should think of such a thing. Dick said, "If 
 you mention that again, I will cross :e.e." 
 
Then 1 went to my father. h me, 
 
 and understood me much "better than my brothers, but 
 said it was out of reason that I not yet fif- 
 teen, and they would drive me out of car . "we talk- 
 ed far into the night, and when I was in bed he knelt 
 and prayed and kissed me. .But my mind was made up. 
 When he left, and the house was quiet, I stole quietly 
 downstairs, took the old rifle from t] . er-horns in 
 the hall, saddled my horse in the barn, and started 
 sout . By making inquiries r.nd watching the trail, I 
 had no difficulty in finding jry way. In a few hours 
 would reach them. 
 
 QL FATHER 
 
 I looked back, and in a cloud of dust 
 n corning at full speed. It proved to be my father. 
 first great crisis of my lif To his 
 entreaties I had only one answer, "If you make me go 
 bao -her, I will run away n n . thout a word. 
 but with tears i. eyes, he unstrapped a package on the 
 back of his saddle and when he had unwrapped it, he handed 
 me the most beautiful little gun I had ever seen. It 
 was in two pieces, ;e showed me how to put it to- 
 
 -.her. It was breech-loading r .*oved to be a 
 riaynard rifle. 
 
He took my big gun and v:e frot down on our knees in 
 that dusty road, and lie prayed as I had never heard 
 him pray before. He took Lie in his arms. Then he 
 mounted and rode away leaving me alone in the road. 
 Alone, but Oh. 1 so happy. 1 Half an hour before I had 
 been a. runaway boy, but now I was a man going with my 
 father's blessing to defend my State, and in my arms 
 I held the rifle he had gj.- re, 
 
 I came upon the Conunand some twenty miles from 
 Springfield, much to the disgust and annoyance of my 
 brothers, but the other boys gave me a hearty welcome. 
 Other companies of the "Web-foot" (Infantry) "ound us, 
 and when d Springfield we numbered some two 
 hundred and forty men. All along our march there 
 came men on horseback in- squads of from four to ten. 
 They were unorganized, and I remember that few had guns 
 
 SPRINGFIELD. 
 
 When we reached Springfield, to our great sur- 
 prise, we found that General Price and his army had 
 hurriedly retreated some time before. We went into 
 camp in an old pasture a mile south of town. 
 
 We stood our guns against the fence and hung our 
 powder horns to the stakes. 
 
 were ignorant of war, being more like a gather- 
 
of country folk bent on bavin; . relic. Bor- 
 dering ture on the south was a dense growth of 
 scrub oaks whose trunks were about the size of my 
 an... In front (east) was the county road with it? 
 ten-rail staked and double-riderer fence forming a 
 continuous lane from Springfield to t iir Grounds, .?. 
 mile and a ?ialf to the south. jringfield 
 
 pasture sloped do\vnward to a . k some six 
 yards away. 
 
 A wide gap -le in the rail fences in our 
 front, so we could cross the lane to Li g in t 
 pasture b e y c nd . 
 
 HORSE RACING. 
 
 id barely settled in canp before the bo;_ 
 were trying the running qualities of their hors i . 
 Horse racing in ^hose days was our most fascinating 
 sport , and the lane like the race-track at- our 
 county fair As the horses raced, vie boys afoot 
 lined the top rider of the fence like blackbirds. 
 yelled and cheered them as they passed by. 
 
 CAPTURE 01 MAJOR WHITE. 
 
 About three o'clock in the. rnoon, our officers 
 with the exception of Lieutenant Joe Crawf ord, rode int- 
 
 14 
 
Springfield; I followed afoot, and a great surprise 
 awaited us. We found that some of our men on horse- 
 back (you could not call them cavalry in those days ) 
 had captured a Yankee major named V/hite of General 
 Fremont's body guard. He was a sight to our un- 
 educated eyes, literally covered with gold braid from 
 head to foot, the wonder he created among us can only 
 be imagined. All we could learn was he had taken 
 the wrong road and was lost. I might here tell you 
 something of General Fremont ' s body-guard taken from 
 official report. 
 
 FREMONT ' S BODY-GUARD. 
 
 To become a member of this select organization 
 of four hundred and eighty men one had to be six feet 
 or over; pass strict physical examination, and have a 
 full military mustache. Their clothing was made from 
 the finest cloth covered with ornaments and gold braid. 
 Their large hats were black felt with a great gold cord 
 and tassel wit,h black ostrich plume. Besides his sword, 
 each had swung from his shoulder a four-inch fair-leather 
 belt attached tc which was a silver plated gun-stock or 
 breech. Each had a pair of holster fastened to the horn 
 of his saddle -containing a Colt Army Dragoon -six-chamber , 
 silver-plated revolver made to attach to the stock or 
 
 15 
 
breea 
 
 ,t a dj five mi". 
 
 from Sprinr 
 
 peach brandy, had. i 
 
 in his uni-, iook or bre< 
 
 their saddl The trn 
 
 equalled tiios 
 
 reprimanded, for ; 
 
 The n P:-.- " - 
 
 in Tiy. 
 
 'toraachs Vv r iti: 
 could scarcely keep 
 
 aene^al i'ro:; 
 
 ard 
 
 i'ORGOT 
 
 CRS. 
 
 i to go back tc 
 
 ley had < 
 
 e Jr ar? 
 
 spied me d cv/^,. ? i. 
 and tell the bcyc 
 tured a v 
 
 When I reac ie. I v/aited for 
 
 finish , horse rac. ore cin : Upon . 
 
 the c;* d the ' feet beyonci 
 
 the i; pc.in^ of oui 
 
 BIG RA 
 
 in it" . 
 I for- 
 
 n left 
 
 rac.. es 
 
 ;bed the fence 
 too rider. 
 
 "! ^ 
 
and, like all the rest, Wci.fi waving my hat and shout- 
 ing encouragement at the top of my voice to the riders, 
 particularly to a man on a gray horse who was a little 
 behind. "I'll bet two bits on the bay", shouted my 
 neighbor. (That was the limit of betting in those 
 days). Every man was on the fence excepting a very 
 few who were not interested in racing. Before the 
 dmst of the seven horses, that we later learned were 
 those of our frightened pickets, had cleared away, came 
 eighty men, the Yankee advance guard, eight abreast with 
 sabers drawn and plumes flying. 
 
 "Law, what pretty men", the boys yelled. Every 
 one of us was now on the top rider of the fence, cheer- 
 ing and yelling in our mad excitement at the gold and 
 silver men passing on horses. Many stood up on the 
 fence and waved and yelled as long as they were in sight. 
 Not a soul thought of war, or fighting. 
 
 THE FIGHT. 
 
 Before they had passed from view, the main body 
 of four hundred had wheeled in our front and commenced 
 firing at us. "You gol-darned fools", the boys shouted, 
 "cut that out, you'll hit some of us with your blamed 
 foolishness". Others said, "Say, are you fellows from 
 Price's army?" Lieutenant Crawford jumped on the fence 
 
 17 
 
waving his sword and shouted, "Soys, get your guns, 
 they are Yankees". fortunately for us they were 
 over drilled. They fired by command, and in platoons, 
 raising those big revolvers over their shoulders, at 
 the same time cocking them, and at the word "Fire", 
 pulled the triggers, and over shot us. 
 
 In this first part of the fight, the only men that 
 were hit were the ones without curiosity or interest 
 in the horse race. l\To words of mine, ray boy, can give 
 you any idea how Lieutenant Crawford's words electri- 
 fied us. Instantly every man dropped from the fence 
 and found a gun. Through -the opening between the 
 rails the clear crack of the squirrel rifle, or the 
 deeper 'detonation of the shot gun, filled every man 
 with the ecstacy of excitement and joy. Four hundred 
 of the enemy crowded between the two fences, almost 
 against the muzzles of our guns, the front line using 
 their sabres, cutting at our men over the fence. 
 
 There was no fear; it all came upon us like a 
 flash of lightning. We plain country folks were then 
 like wild animals at the first tast'B of blood. "I got 
 the big fellow, look at him falling", cried a neighbor 
 boy. "My God", said another, "look at the dead horses" 
 The enemy were a brave lot, and stayed until each ha.d 
 fired twelve shots at us. They passed on to the creek 
 
 18 
 
towards town where they formed a junction with their 
 advance guard. The lane seemed filled with dead 
 and wounded men and horses. Then came the scramble 
 for every man to find his own gun and get his powder 
 and balls ready, for we believed they would come back, 
 and they did. 
 
 Again from towards town, eight abreast, they wheeled 
 into line against the fence, riding over the dead and 
 wounded, and the same battle was repeated, but much 
 more fatally to both sides. A man by the name of McCall, 
 by my side, after he had fired his gun, could not find 
 his powder flask* In his frenzy he climbed on top of 
 the fence, and with the butt of his gun unhorsed one 
 of the enemy. The poor fellow was cut to pieces by 
 the sabres. My attention was attracted to some sixty 
 of the enemy that were outside the lane, in perfect 
 line, about sixty yards away, using their dragoon re- 
 volvers as guns. They fired at will and did good 
 execution. 
 
 How plain that picture is to me today. It does 
 not seem possible, and yet I shouted with joy as I saw 
 them fall from their saddles. About twenty of our 
 riflemen with a rest on the fence made many a shot tell. 
 They left many men and horses on that knoll. The 
 fighting lasted until each had fired twelve shots, and 
 
 19 
 
they then ran toward the Pair Grounds. Ten, fifteen, 
 twenty minutes passed, and we thought they were gone. 
 We found we had many killed and wounded, and were caring 
 for them. A straggler came running, saying they were 
 forming for another charge, at the Fair Grounds. 
 
 I might say here, that in the scramble and excite- 
 ment, I could not find my little "Maynard Rifle", but 
 grabbed the first gun I found leaning against the fence. 
 Fortunately it had powder horn and bullets- tied to it. 
 It was all right when I had the fence to rest it on, 
 but I could not hold it off -hand. 
 
 Lieutenant Crawford foolishly formed the line 
 thirty yards back from the fence. He made us a speech;. 
 positive orders, for no one to fire without his command. 
 I was the smallest, and, as was usual in those days, my 
 place was at the tail end of the line, or nearest Spring- 
 field, and immediately in front of where the fence was 
 down. Prom my position, I could see as far as the Pair 
 Grounds and I saw them in the road forming . They 
 started in a walk. 
 
 I was wild with the ecstacy of it all for I was 
 too young to appreciate the danger, I danced and 
 shouted, "They are coining, coming". The men said, 
 "Shut up, you little fool", etc., etc., but I heard 
 them not. They were coming now in a trot, a big officer 
 
 20 
 
on a magnif icient prancing horse leading them, his 
 sword flashing in the sunlight. He shouted his or- 
 ders, but I could not understand him. As they came 
 nearer I heard, "Charge the gap, charge the gap". 
 Thirty yards in my jumnediate front was the gap. I 
 turned and shouted down the line, "They are going to 
 charge the gap". I never knew what made me, but I 
 ran to within ten paces of the gap, knelt down with 
 elbow on my knee and rifle at my shoulder, waiting. The 
 men swore and cursed me, but I did not heed them. I 
 was unconscious of what I was doing. 
 
 On they came; not a shot was fired. The officer 
 wheeled into the gap. The advance had passed through, 
 and as the officer raised his sword to strike me, my 
 rifle rang out; the bullet pierced his breast. I had 
 never used a profane word before in my life, but the 
 men said I threw down my gun and danced and swore like 
 a trooper. I was oblivious to my surroundings. I 
 did not hear the hundreds shout, "Lie down, you little 
 fool". Lieutenant Crawford gave the command "Fire", 
 but I did not hear it. My man was down, his horse had 
 stopped. One foot was still in the stirrup. I worked 
 it loose and tied the horse, then I went back to him 
 
 and made him as comfortable as possible. He tried to 
 
 
 
 say something to me, but I could not understand him. 
 
 21 
 
He was a very large man, and I had. nuch difficulty 
 unbuckling his sword belt and getting it off. His 
 sword was still fastened to his wrist by a braided 
 leather cord, and it took me several minutes to get 
 it loose. I tried .to hold the sword 'out, and when 
 I stood it up by me it was nearly as tall as I. I 
 remember he wore' a fine _ diamond and much jewelry. 
 Ho. power on earth could have induced me to even touch 
 these things, but his sword, pistols and horse were 
 mine by the rules of war, and I would have fought the 
 world for them. 
 
 M TROPHIES. 
 
 I left him and went to the horse. He was a 
 beauty. His saddle and bridle were the most .ficent 
 I had ever seen. There were funny looking things on 
 the horn of the saddle, and I found they contained 
 two silver plated dragoon revolvers. Both were load- 
 ed. I had never seen such pistols. I was so fas- 
 cinated with my trophies I forgot the fighting going on 
 all around me. I came to myself when I heard the 
 shout of cur boys and learned afterwards that we had 
 defeated them for the third time in the lane; that the 
 gap was almost blocked with dead horses and men, and 
 that they had gone to the creek towards town and let 
 
 22 
 
down the fence and made th^ grca-j "Charge of Zegonia" 
 in history, and driven our boys "back into the scrub oaks 
 previously mentioned. Horsemen, no matter how brave 
 and gallant, cannot compete with squirrel rifles and 
 shot guns in thick timber. I was unconscious of the 
 charge that swept by me, sabring some of our men before 
 they could reach the brush, and only came back to earth 
 when I heard the Rebel yell of victory, I looked 'up 
 and saw the Yankees running in every direction to get 
 out of range of the deadly fire of our men. I was. 
 standing in front of the gap with one of those most won- 
 derful pistols in each hand. I saw our boys come out 
 of the brush, firing at the running Federals. To my 
 surprise a body of about thrity was trying to escape 
 by way of the gap. In 'my boyish ignorance I yelled to 
 them to come on. They' came. My fire checked the 
 leaders, the ones behind ran over them. It was a 
 miracle the horses did- not trample me to death. When 
 the boys found me I was Dying unconscious from a blow 
 on the head, but tightly grasped in each hand was my 
 first spoils of war, the two siiv3r mounted Dragoon re~ 
 volvers with only one chamber not fired. One of them 
 now lies on my desk as I write. ore than a half 
 century of time has changed its silver plating to dull 
 brass, but not so with memory. If I shut my eyes'- on 
 
 23 
 
the present as I close my fingers around the butt of 
 the old gun, I feel again the same thrill that shook 
 the little fifteen year old Johnnie Reb when he fool- 
 ishly tried to hold the gap a.lone against Zegonia's 
 Charge. To you, my little grandson, I give my most 
 cherished relic of the war. 
 THE JUST PUfflSHME&T OF A COWARD . 
 
 There was a very unpopular men in our Command. He 
 was always telling what -he would do when he got a chance 
 at the "Yanks" . He was not only a braggart, but a 
 coward. During the entire fight he hid in the brush, 
 but when he found the enemy was gone, he came out of 
 hiding. Approaching a group of prisoners, he deliberately 
 
 shot and killed one. Lieutenant Crawford, who was 
 standing by, without a word drew his sword, and with 
 one stroke almost severed his head from his body. After 
 the war was over Lieutenant Crawford was sent to prison 
 for this act, and did not get out until years after 
 when he was pardoned by the governor.. 
 LEAVING FOR PRICE'S ARMY. 
 
 We left most of our frying pans, skillets and 
 plunder, and loaded our wagons with the wounded, and 
 started again to find General Price, who was in Arkansas. 
 The men pulled the dead men and horses out of the gap 
 and lane, and piled them together against the fence on 
 
 24 
 
either side so our wagons could pass, and about ten 
 o'clock that dark night, we started. Several of our 
 officers had come back, I noticed my brother Jim 
 among them. He, with others, had taken refuge in the 
 Court House in town, and had made a gallant fight. Jim 
 took charge of some thirty men as a rear guard. The 
 night was very dark. The men on horseback at the be- 
 ginning of the fight had "struck for the tall timber", 
 but now they ivere coming back in bunches. They dis- 
 turbed us greatly as we could not tell in the dark 
 whether they were enemies or friends. The foolish boys 
 who had guns kept firing, 
 THE STAMPEDE. 
 
 The road ran through a very large prairie. To 
 the right and parallel with the road Was a ravine with 
 almost perpendicular banks about ten feet high. We had 
 some twenty or thirty horsemen behind the rear guard. 
 Suddenly, out of the darkness came a large body of 
 horsemen yelling and firing as they came. 
 
 The horsemen in our rear, thinking they were the 
 enemy, stampeded and broke through the rear guard, but 
 not before Brother Jim had ordered his men to fire in 
 order to save ourselves from being trampled. Several 
 were killed. The larger body on their mad, plunging 
 horses, rode over us, men and wagons, and most of us 
 
 25 
 
were forced into the ravine. All were more or 
 less . by the fall. In the confusion many 
 prisoner a p e d , 
 
 When I recovered con- I found near 
 
 me two horses with the wagon of the I 
 was among sc.-r..e ~. rio oners, and in my dazed 
 condition I v .ad come 
 
 "back and defeated oj.: T Started to crawl out 
 to escape when I saw a ir\an v;ith a lantern in the 
 ditch ordering the prisoners out, "believed him to 
 be a Yankee officer. Then others c id they "be- 
 gan taking the men LVD. The" ir>ar- .e lantern 
 approached me. I was lying on my fd.ce holding my 
 breath, he felt my pulse and threw my hand down on 
 the hard ground but I did not ilir< He said, "This 
 poor boy is dead" . Several men v; ixed up under 
 the horses and wagons, and as h> lantern 
 high I saw his face. Joy came to my heart, and I 
 shouted, "Hello, Dr. Britts". Dr. Britts was a 
 dear friend, and not only during the war, but for 
 many years after, we laughed over this incident. 
 
 Long before we reached General Price's army the 
 news of our fight was the talk of the camp. Hen 
 love to magnify the deeds of a boy. Everybody was 
 my friend, and all exaggerated what I had done. 
 
 26 
 
CQMMISS JOKED CAPTAIN. 
 
 The second day after we had reached the army 
 an orderly came with the command for me to report 
 at General Price's headquarters. You can imagine- 
 how surprised I was. I found a fatherly, white- 
 haired old man, with such a kindly look, so entire- 
 ly different from what I had imagined the great sol- 
 dier to be that I was not afraid and walked right up 
 to him. He took my hand, and I stood by him all the 
 time I was there. He asked me many questions. I 
 did not feel that I had done anything unusual. I told 
 him about the fight, and he laughed most heartily. He 
 turned to Colonel Sneed, his Adjutant General, and said 
 "Write out a commission to Captain Johnnie Wicker sham". 
 I could not grasp the full meaning of it. I was or- 
 dered to report every day at headquarters. When I 
 went back to the boys they all wanted to know why 
 General Price had sent for me. I said, "He gave me 
 this paper with this big seal on it". The men danced 
 and shouted, and embarrassed me by waiting on me with 
 exaggerated respect and said that a captain must not 
 do anything for himself. Whatever I wanted done I 
 dust tell them. It took me a long time to become 
 accustomed to my new honors. 
 
 27 
 
Colonel Colt on Green took charge : One 
 day I was ordered to his tent. He told me to strip 
 and put on the clothes I found there. ere he got 
 it I never knew, but it was a Confederate Captain's uni- 
 form, and fitted me perfectly. I was proud, and yet 
 I did not feel. I deserved the honor they vrere giving 
 me, but I tried to wear it "with the dignity that I 
 knew they expected. Everybody who heard of ' me mag- 
 nified what I had. done, and -every soldier saluted me. 
 How I wished they would not. 1 I had ^looded bay 
 horse with all his trappings. Thinking of it to- . 
 day, I must have. been a caricature; a little slender 
 boy in 'an- off icer ' s gorgeous uniform on that big horse 
 with that big saddle. 
 
 The regiment was on parade, the fife and drum 
 corps was playing. Colonel Green ordered me to ride 
 with him to the front. The. regiment was at "present 
 arms", and Colonel Green made the men a speech. Turn- 
 ing, he presented me with a beautiful pearl handled 
 sword. It was small, but of exquisite workmanshi; . 
 It was lost in the surrender of Vicksburg. 
 
 The army stayed at Cassville, Arkansas, some time, 
 drilling, burning charcoal to make powder, and molding 
 bullets. The routine of camp life grew monotonous to 
 
 28 . 
 
rne. I was Ca.pt ain, but 
 to perform, and could go and c : .-.ill. I rem 
 ber Colonel Colt on Green to the guard house 
 
 for swearing in , resenc< and Colonel ?tanaett . 
 McDonald were il 01 me as if I wore a girl. 
 
 i.'IY FIRST 
 
 Brother Dick was C In of General Price's 
 Scouts. General Price erdored him to go alone as 
 far as he could toward Rolla in order to find out if 
 any troops were in o^ beyond Lebanon. I was home- 
 . sick and begged that I might go with him. I appealed 
 to General Price, ana then Dick surprised rne by say- 
 ing he would like to .have me. Oh: Curtis, you can- 
 not imagine how happy yes, and loroud too, I was to 
 be on my horse, with my fine pistols, out in the 
 woods and prairies again. Brother Dick treated me 
 S0 differently, t as .- - Of this I think 
 I was more proud than 01 that had happened. 
 .It seemed to me rode everywhere. Eow far or 
 how long I do not remember, but t;l 
 
 Dick with all his daring, autious and many times 
 I held his horse while he cr: u P to a house for 
 information. 
 
 Finally we reached ft. ^n section of the country 
 How uneasy and restless I gr,,- as I held the horses and 
 
 29 
 
waited the night through for Dick to return. Just 
 at daylight he came back. He had been into Lebanon. 
 In answer to my questions he said: "No Johnnie, I'll 
 not say a word until we both have something to eat. 
 Then we will hold a council of war." 
 LANCERS . 
 
 We ate our cold grub, and he laughingly told me 
 there was only one company of Lancers in town, but a 
 large body of troops some miles beyond. Some very 
 foolish officers armed many Yankee companies at the be- 
 ginning of the war with long hickory poles with a sharp 
 steel spear on the end. We had seen an article in an 
 old St. Louis Republican in which the writer claimed 
 that in the first fight each Lancer would have a Reb 
 on the end of his lance. Dick said they had six pickets 
 out where I used to herd stock, and that we would have 
 some fun tonight. 
 
 We tethered our horses and slept until past mid- 
 night. Again we looked after our horses, ate our 
 lunch and started off. It was a dark night. Finally 
 we dismounted and led our horses. Bill showed me 
 t> .rap fire which had almost gone out , but 
 
 it a long -;ay off. went down the hill and 
 i >fl Detour coming back to a hollow. 
 
IHS CIiAKGE. 
 
 At last Bill whispered, "The pickets are three 
 hundred yards to our right; look to your saddle girt; 
 see that everything is right ; follow me and do just 
 what I do'" ; : Are you ready?" With spurs in the flanks 
 of . our surprised horses, we were off like a shot fro^ 
 a pistol. .When '.TG reached the knoll we gave the Rebol 
 Yell, and commenced firing. They thought the entire 
 Rebel army was on thorn. The company in town heard 
 the firing and fled. Bill sent me clown one street 
 
 ont up Brother. We kopt yelling and filing, 
 driving tiiem to the outskirts of the town, and in twenty 
 .minutes there was not a Lancer to be seen. It was 
 dark, but we knew every part of the old town, Dick 
 said he was going home. I rode my horse to Father's 
 barn and gave him a big feed. 
 FIRST KISS. 
 
 Then I went^ to Brotner Dick's house. Mary, his 
 v/if e , v-'-^s ir. his arms where she had jumped from bed 
 at hi 1, She gave me a great hug and said, "Little 
 Lizzie Harrison is here". Although I had hoped for 
 this, I had only enough courage to say "Kowdy" , but 
 Lizzie said, "Oh. 1 Captain Johnniv. , -won't you kiss me 
 too? 11 I shall always remember this, ray first kiss. 
 How proud and vain I was to have Lizzie see me in my 
 
 31 
 
new gaudy uniform with feathers and gold braid. 
 
 It was about daylight so Mary gave us a fine break- 
 fast , and I started out to see my sister Sarah. She 
 was wild with joy to see me, but scared almost to death 
 as she was nervous and excitable. "Johnnie, do please 
 take off those big pistols,- they might go off and hurt 
 you" , she cried. Here it was that the boy in me made 
 me strut and brag, and when I was in the midst of a 
 boyish recital of my deeds of valor, little Lizzie 
 Harrison came running with tears streaming down her 
 cheeks crying: "Johnnie, Captain Johnnie, the lane is 
 filled with bayonets, and the cavalry has surrounded 
 the town". All the hilarity vanished. My horse was 
 half a mile away in Father's stable. Sister Sarah 
 and little Lizzie Harrison were on their knees begging 
 me to surrender. The boy in me made me fold my arms 
 and give them all a look of disgust as I slowly walked, 
 or shall I say strutted, out of the house. But when 
 I turned the corner I ran like the dickens for my horse. 
 ffl FIRST GREAT SORROW. 
 
 I put on the bridle and saddle, and to] my great 
 horror discovered my horse was foundered, and I could 
 not make him take even a single step. 
 
 Dick was on his horse in the Public Square firing 
 to give me warning. How I wished my voice could reach 
 
 32 
 
him so that ho could come and take me with him on his 
 horse. I closed the stable door and fired one shot. 
 He knew the loud report of my pistol, but instead of 
 conning, two reports rang out from his pistol to let me 
 knov; that he felt I was safe, and then ho galloped a- 
 way, never dreaming that I was not on my good horse and 
 about to join him. 
 
 There arc times, my boy, in the crisis even of a 
 boy's life, when events and circumstances, temporarily 
 at least, drive youth and laughter from his life. Again 
 I tried to induce my horse to go, but he could not. Tears 
 of helpless rage at this trick fate had played me ran 
 unheeded down my cheeks as I tried to think of a way to 
 reach Dick. I saw Lizzie running toward me. Then I 
 realized I had been crying and was ashamed. "Don't 
 dare think I cried because I am afraid", I said. She 
 said, "No, No, No, but run, please do, Johnnie". I 
 carried a dirk knife. I drew it out, swung open the 
 stable door, and with toars streaming down iny face, I 
 cut my beautiful saddle and bridle to pieces. I thought 
 of killing the horse that I lovod so well, that no Yankee 
 might ever ride him again, but I had not the heart to do 
 it. Lizzie fcept- saying, "Oh, the Square is filled with 
 soldiers, do please go, Johnnie". I walked down the 
 staked and rider ed fence of the horse lot to where the 
 
 33 
 
hazel bushes grew rank and thick. I parted them, and 
 turning I saw Lizzie standing where I had left her. I 
 threw a kiss to her, my first little sweetheart. That 
 was the last time I ever saw her. 
 ALONE. 
 
 The lancers' never stopped until they reached the 
 main command, a few miles from Lebanon. My cousin 
 Dudley Wicker sham was Colonel of the 10th 111. Cavalry. 
 He immediately, on receiving the reports of the frighten- 
 ed pickets, ordered an advance, supported by infantry, 
 to repel the supposed advance of Price's Army. 
 
 The Cavalry supported by infantry and artillery 
 surrounded the town, and closing in on all sides , in- 
 stigated a thorough search for the supposed rebel 
 command. The endeavor proved fruitless, and they 
 finally desisted. Cousin Dudley, after stationing a 
 strong guard, turned his-, horse and rode toward the home 
 of his Cousin, my sister Sarah. The sight of him 
 made her almost hysterical. "Oh, Cousin Dud," she 
 cried, "You won't have him shot. Oh, please don't". 
 "Why Cousin Sarah, what are you talking about?" "Why, 
 little brother Johnnie, of course". "What about little 
 Johnnie?" he asked. "Why it was only he and Brother 
 Dick that fired on your pickets". "Do you mean to tell 
 me they were the only rebels in town?" he asked. At 
 
 34 
 
her reply he was convulsed with laughter, saying the 
 company of Lancers would never hear the last of "be- 
 ing run out of town by a man and a "boy. He stayed 
 to dinner i and quieted Sister Sarah's fears by promising 
 to "bring me back on the horn of his saddle. This 
 incident was one of the Colonel's famous war stories. 
 
 I knew every foot of that section of country and 
 was not afraid of being caught. But Oh, Dick, Dick! 
 what would he think! kept passing through my brain, I 
 knew he would not leave me, knew he was waiting and 
 hunting somewhere for me. I thought of all the kind 
 things he had said to me on our long ride. He had 
 even called me. "old pardner" and talked to me some- 
 times as if I really were a man. The memories of his 
 companionship were the sweetest I had ever known. 
 
 Since early morning I had heedlessly roamed through 
 scrub oaks and thick hazel brush close to Lebanon, hop- 
 ing to find Dick. I saw two small scouting parties 
 of the Yankee Cavalry. I remember I prayed to come 
 across one, yes, even two of them, that I might fight 
 them for their horses, and in my boyish mind, I planned 
 v.hen we met to shoot high so I would not hit > the horse, 
 I sat down and held a council of war with myself. 
 
 COUNCIL OP WAR. 
 
 The council decided that I would change my course 
 
 35 
 
and go direct to the father of Lieutenant Joe Craw-- 
 ford who lived /: miles fro 
 reached there -about 9 o'clock and told iny story. 
 They gave me a hearty welcome, and a fine dinner, 
 and while one of t> .nt to the brush for a horse, 
 the women folks prepared me an abundance of. grub, a 
 blanket and a Federal overcoat. iorse proved to 
 be a fine young sorrel of good blood. How I rejoiced 
 as they led him prancing up to the door. ' The worn 
 all kissed me with tears in their eyes, and I rode away 
 into the darkness. I kept saying over and over again, 
 "Dick, Dick, what will you think of nic?" After I 
 had ridden a mile or more, I shouted "Dick, Dick", -at 
 the top of my voice, hoping he might hear me. I kv.pt 
 my course by the stars which were but dimly shining, 
 and turned in the direction of tho v ., ringf ield road. 
 Dick, in my opinion, was the greatest of scouts, and 
 from him I had learned much. . r I longed to do some- 
 thing really wonderful. Again and again I would 
 imitate him; got off my horse, and put my ear to the 
 ground. Dick said a scout could never succeed without 
 using great caution. -en I was within a mile and a 
 half of the Springfield road, I distinctly heard 
 Cavalry passing. I got on my horse and rode to a 
 skirt of timber on the hillside. I walked through the 
 .all timber until I reached a point within a quarter 
 
 36 
 
of a mile of the road where I tied my horse and crept 
 nearer. I found it was a large command. Clouds had 
 gathered, and it was quite dark. I thought of my 
 Federal coat and wondered if I could beat Dick and learn 
 more than he could. The boy in me came to the top 
 again. I could scarcely keep from shouting aloud. 
 RIDING WITH THE 10th ILL. CAVALRY . 
 
 As a daredevil plan popped into my mind, I ran 
 most of the way back to my horse and rode within a short 
 distance of the road. Watching my chance I fell in 
 with the Federal Cavalry. They were too tired and 
 sleepy to notice me. A man lit his pipe, and by the 
 flash from the match, I saw it was the Tenth I-llinois 
 Cavalry. Then your Grandfather had one of the close 
 calls of his life. The great surprise caught me off 
 my guard, and in a youthful voice I shouted, "Tenth 
 Illinois Cavalry. 1 " It was the regiment commanded 
 by my dearest cousin, Colonel Dudley Wicker sham. He 
 had once given me a fine saddle and bridle for my horse- 
 manship, and I loved him. Patting spurs to my horse 
 I galloped away in the darkness which kept them from 
 questioning me. I was between two fires. I wanted 
 to ride up and tell the Colonel for I felt guilty of 
 spying upon him. But the blue overcoat I wore brought 
 me back to a realization of my situation. I was a spy, 
 
 37 
 
and J.f caught would be shot. t)ick had said "caution". 
 I rode many miles with them, listening to the conversa- 
 tion of the men, arid I learned there was no army back 
 of them. They were only trying to locate Price. 
 
 Day was breaking and it was getting lighter, but I 
 had no difficulty in riding into the brush by the road- 
 side and escaping. I was very happy. I rode several 
 miles from the road, tied my horse cut to grass, ate 
 from the bountiful "grub", wrapped myself in a blanket, 
 with my saddle for a pillow, and slept only as. a boy 
 can. I did not wake until past noon, very sore ttnd 
 still sleepy. I washed in a little creek, ate my 
 breakfast- with the appetite of a boy, and held, another 
 council of war. The question was whether I should 
 ride like Paul Revere direct tc General Price with my 
 news. or wait and try to find Lick. I felt sure he was 
 somewhere around watching the cavalry. I was so happy 
 for I was certain I had more news than he. I saddled 
 up. The "council" decided to take chances and start 
 for General Pric . 
 MEETING DICK. 
 
 I rode all that day and toward evening I saw a 
 lone horr If it was Dick he would know the re- 
 port of my pistol? for it sounded like a young cannon. 
 I fired. Waiting in suspense, seemingly for minutes, 
 
 38 
 
to my joy I saw the smoke of two discharges as Dick 
 wheeled his horse and started toward me, I cried 
 in his arms so long I couldn't tell him a thing. I 
 think Dick cried too, but in the after years he would 
 never acknowledge it. 
 REPORTING TO GEITERAL PRICE. 
 
 We had eaten our supper, and our horses were 
 resting while feasting on the prairie grass. Dick 
 made out his report, and I started for General Price's 
 headquarters more than a hundred miles away. About 
 ten o'clock the second morning I rode into camp. Head- 
 quarters Guards saluted and held my horse, I was so 
 tired and sore I would have fallen had not a soldier 
 almost carried me to General Price. My friend Colonel 
 Emmett McDonald, happened to be there, and while my 
 body was exhausted, my tongue was not affected. They 
 made me repeat the story over and over again. I know 
 I cried when I told of leaving my horse. Then I was 
 put to bed, but before going I insisted on tending my 
 horse. General Price said that he would personally 
 see that he had every attention. 
 THE gIRST TIME I HEARD "DIXIE". 
 
 We stayed in camp quite a long while when one 
 day there came word to prepare three day's cooked ra- 
 tions and get ready to move. There was joy in camp. 
 
 39 
 
\7e started on the inarch. This was the fir^t time I 
 had heard "Dixie". The Headquarter id hod just 
 learned it. How we all yelled. 1 ;r .after during 
 the "bloody years to follow, when that great war tune 
 was played, the army yelled as though they had never 
 before heard it. On the weary marches, I remember how 
 it rested tired legs and made well the sore feet. I 
 have seen the battle line waver, but when the band Y/ould 
 start "Dixie", spontaneous yells would sweep the ranks. 
 It made heros of the men, and I have v.lways thought of 
 the thousands of brave and gallant soldiers it has 
 led to death. 
 
 The "Star Spangled Banner", "Maryland My Maryland", 
 and all the other songs of both 1 North- and South combined, 
 cannot fill an army with such enthusiasm as our dear 
 sweet old "Dixie". To this day it thrills me -to the 
 very core of my being. 
 OUR RETURN TO SPRINGFIELD. MISSOURI. 
 
 V7e were on the march and learned we were going 
 back to Springfield. 1 and shouted. I 
 remember the loviiv i come the people gave us. General 
 Price was a very 1< i - n, and except in cies, 
 rode in a carriage. I usually rode with hin while an 
 orderly led my horse. Colonel ^irtrriott .aid gave . 
 me a new suit of clothes, 3 ;iven 
 
 40 
 
me "by Colonel Green, and I tell you, my boy, I felt 
 quite proud. General Pi-ice was a great hero, and the 
 idol, not only of the arrny but of all the people as 
 well. 
 KISSES. 
 
 History tells us from the beginning, of woman's 
 love for heroes and her desire to express that love 
 in kisses. You remember how they ruined the reputa- 
 tion of Captain Hobson. General Price was wiser, and 
 when they gathered around the carriage and tried to 
 kiss him, he stood me in the carriage door and said: 
 "Kiss Captain -Johnnie", - and in those days there was 
 scarcely a woman in Springfield that had. not, by proxy, 
 kissed General Price. I grew to like it and its 
 flavor still lasts. Every afternoon General Price 
 rode in his carriage. I accompanied him, and the per- 
 formance was repeated. 
 MY COMMAND. 
 
 We were all still Missouri State Troops. You 
 have the paper, "The Springfield Army Argus", of that 
 date in the ivory frame, containing the order of General 
 Price for all boys in the army under sixteen years of 
 age to report to Captain Johnnie Wickersham, to be 
 organized into a company. You would have been in- 
 terested to see them, day after day, just as soon as 
 
 41 
 
they received the orders (for they were read to each 
 division ) flock to an old school house that was given 
 me for company headquarters. They surely were a 
 tough lot, many of them St. Louis "boys. I think, 
 like myself, all had. run away from home and joined the 
 army. General McBride and Colonels Green and McDonald 
 .took a great interest in the company. They drilled 
 me ond helped drill the boys. 
 
 The question of arms was a serious one. Our army 
 was now fairly well armed, largely with those captured 
 from the enemy, but we had many useless small-b6re 
 squirrel rifles. General Price's armories were th< 
 
 different blacksmith's shops in town. My two Colonolc 
 
 i 
 
 agreed to take charge of the arming of my company, Select- 
 ing eighty-two old cap rifles from the hundreds on hanfl 
 of similar design and make, they sent them to a shop, 
 detailed blacksmith and Machinist, and had the barrels 
 cut off to uniform short length and rebored or drilled 
 them to the same caliber. Then they v/ere polished, 
 and with bullet moulds and powder horns they were turn- 
 ed over to ipy company. 
 
 In the meantime the ladies sewing society of 
 Springfield had made uniforms for the entire company. 
 By the time the clothes and guns were ready, thanks to 
 my friends, the company was well drilled. u r e had a 
 
 42 
 
drum and fife corps of five, but no "bass drum, to 
 
 our great sorrow. How those little rascals could 
 
 play. 1 
 
 THE REVIEW. 
 
 How can a civilian understand or appreciate any- 
 thing of the pride and j.oy that was in all our hearts 
 as we marched that bright, sunny, wintry, Sunday 
 morning to be reviewed by all our Generals 1 officers. 
 Thousands of men and all the ladies of town were in 
 the Public Square. General Price, in our estimation, 
 was not as great a man as the least of us. 
 
 There were no other troops on parade, but housetops 
 and porches were lined with men and women. The boys, 
 under strict orders, were told before starting what 
 was expected of them. When we reached the edge of the 
 Square the drum corps struck up "Dixie". The thousands 
 yelled, but we heard them not. We did not see the 
 waving of hankerchiefs eyes "twenty paces to the 
 front" they maintained. I drew my pearl-handled 
 sword as I thought a gladiator would draw it. "Kep, 
 Hep, Hep," in perfect accord to the music, and like old 
 troopers, with heads erect they marched. Reaching the 
 centre of the Square, \vith "Company Front", we marched 
 in perfect line to General Price's carriage. He was 
 standfng outside bareheaded. "Halt, Present Arms", 
 
I saluted. He waved his hand. :. drilled for half 
 an hour and marched "back to the school house, "but be- 
 fore we reached it, the ranks were broken, every boy 
 talking and bragging, and no power on earth could have 
 controlled them. 
 LITTLE THIEVES. 
 
 That night, as on almost every previous night, 
 we had fried chicken. They knew every roost in the 
 country. Young pigs were their delight, and we al- 
 ways had more, and a greater variety to eat than General 
 Price. The boys were known as the biggest bunch of 
 thieves in the army, and the soldiers laughed at their 
 deviltry. I counted them each night as they lay rolled 
 in their blankets on the school benches. One roll 
 looked suspicious so I kicked it, and found it was L 
 big roll of plunder. Next morning the guard brought 
 the boy t'o me. I said: "Joe, you \vere out last night 
 stealing". With the most innocent look and laugh he. 
 said: "Why Captain, for goodness sake, I nearly died 
 laughing when you kicked me last night and you thought 
 it wasn't me". They were really uncontrollable, and 
 often brought shame and sorrow to me, 
 E FIRST PICKET DUTY. 
 
 I was ordered to take twelve of my Company and gc 
 on picket duty six miles down the Memphis Road. I was 
 
 44 
 
given the countersign with orders to let no one pass 
 without it. About twelve o'clock I saw a great cloud 
 of dust on the road, then saw many men, horses and 
 artillery approaching* I sent two of the boys back to 
 report, and ask for orders. The men wore uniforms 
 with gold braid that glistened in the sunlight. I 
 surely was troubled. The boys said; "Captain, let's 
 fight them". On they came. The ten of us were in 
 perfect line across the road, and at my orders guns 
 cocked, and at their shoulders. An army officer 
 dressed similar to Fremont's body guards rode in front. 
 In a voice I tried to make big and strong I cried, 
 "Halt". He kept coming. I yelled "If you pass that 
 scrub oak I'll fire". He shouted, "I am General Hale 
 of the confederate army". "Dismount, and give the 
 countersign", I said. "I don't know it", he replied. 
 His command halted. He and another officer gave their 
 horses to an orderly and advanced. When he came with- 
 in ten paces of rne I said "Halt". He said, "What is 
 the meaning of this damned foolishness?" He commenced 
 to swear in a very loud voice, I said, "Halt, pro- 
 fanity is against the army regulations, and if you 
 don't quit it I'll fire". He said, "Say have those 
 damned kids uncocked their guns?" I told the boys 
 not to uncock their guns, but not to take them from 
 
tlieir shoulders. He see] uc]i relieved and saicl 
 he would order Iiib conriand to charge us. I said "If 
 you move ou'c of your traces, or \y o orrimand , I 
 v/ill kill you". He looked int e} r es and cursed 
 those "little devils". I knew they would fire, and 
 they believed I would give the command. At this point 
 Colonel Emmet t McDonald, who had met my two boys, came 
 galloping up. He told me to let then pass. This 
 little incident created quite a furor in the army. 
 General Hale felt greatly insulted and swore he would 
 have me cashiered. :i.s a very ostentatious, pompous 
 and dictatorial man. He had been to 'Vest Point, a. 
 looked down on the officers in the nay as mere civilians 
 who knew nothing of the manly art of warfare. He 
 knew this incident was 'the campf ire talk of trie arm" . 
 Later, to his .sorrow. I met him under quite different 
 circumstances, 
 LEAVING- SPRINGFIELD, 
 
 Again th 'ed, but this time in retreat. 
 The federals w Doming in force. As General Price 
 did not wish to risk -a battle with only Missouri State 
 Troop;-.. -carted for the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. 
 Every night I could see roasting on our company's 
 campf ires a calf, pig, or sheep, or something that did 
 not come from our commissary stores. The enemy was 
 
 46 
 
close after us, and we had several rear-guard skirm- 
 ishes. 
 
 Our regiment was the rear-guard. Brother Jim 
 was- Lieutenant of Company E. A brave cavalry charge 
 penetrated our line and sabred some of our men. They 
 paid very dearly for their rashness. We formed a junc- 
 tion with the Arkansas troops and some five thousand 
 Indians under General Mclntosh. General Van Dorn 
 had been sent from Virginia and assumed command of the 
 combined forces, and, after much drilling, preparation 
 and delay, we started north. General Mclntosh, a 
 tall, long-haired man, whom I think was part Cherokee, 
 had command of the Indians. They certainly were 
 a great sight to our men. They wore many- colored 
 blankets and feathers, and rode the poorest and 
 thine st ponies I had ever seen. I remember how we 
 all talked of them and of what great things they woula 
 do when we met the enemy. 
 
 General Hale was placed in command of our 
 brigade. Colonel Colt on Green was commander of our 
 regiment. I wish, my boy, I could draw a picture of 
 my ideal soldier, Colonel Emmet t McDonald of the 
 Artillery. .He was iny ideal of a soldier. His long 
 black hair reached to his shoulders, and his skin was 
 as fair and fresh as a girl's. I 'remember he was not 
 
a preacher, but he used s preachers privilege of using 
 the Masters name. My company of boys was assigned 
 as support to his battery. also had in our brigade 
 and under command of General Hale, a battery consist- 
 ing of 6-6 Ib. , and 2-12 Ib. Howitzers, with men in 
 uniform and gold braid. All of our artillery in those 
 days was smooth bore and similar to the guns you see 
 now in the parks. They would be useless in this age 
 of modern warfare, but in that bloody conflict they 
 brought death and desolation. 
 ADVANCING ON SEIGLE AT CASSVILLE, ARKANSAS. 
 
 We marched several days and learned the enemy's 
 forces were divided. By forced march all -night we 
 surprised the troops under General Seigel's command, 
 at daylight. We captured their jamp equipage and 
 much plunder. They retreated for the main body many 
 miles away at Pea Ridge. Colonel Colt on Green command- 
 ed the infantry in the aovance. The running fight 
 occurred along the road that followed a small creek in 
 a wide valley, with a high ra.nge of hills on either 
 side. Our flanks were covered with Indians riding 
 in single file- on the crest of the hills. The creek 
 and the road were very crooked and winding, and behind 
 every bend, where the small trees grew thick, the 
 enemy's guns poured grape and canister shot into our 
 
 48 
 
ranks . 
 
 At each assault our battery wheeled into line, 
 unlimbered and returned the fire. Ours seemed the 
 better gunmen. At one place we counted sixteen dead 
 and many wounded from our fire. literally ran 
 after them. The day was very warm and but few had 
 canteens. How plain is the picture of the men lying 
 down and drinking the muddy water of the creek that 
 the Federals had passed through. During the artillery 
 fire not an Indian could be seen. They had disappeared 
 ov^r the ridge, proving entirely useless as they could 
 not stand "big guns" as they called them. Their squirrel 
 rifles were of short range, and some of them were 
 wounded more than a mile away by Federal minnie balls. 
 They were really not in action at all. Two of my 
 boys were killed and three wounded in this running fight. 
 
 Through the thick smoke I saw an officer force 
 his horse to the front with orders for Colonel McDonald. 
 In the act of. saluting a cannon ball passed through the 
 horse > severing the man's leg above the knee. Dr. Brittrs 
 shouted to me for help to extricate the horse from the 
 officer. When this was done the Doctor cut the flesh 
 that held the almost severed limb, and threw it with the 
 high boot still on, out of the road. The bone was 
 badlj" shattered. th what looked to me like a 
 
 49 
 
common butcher's knife, he cut the flesh back, sawed 
 out the shattered bone, washed the wound with water 
 from his canteen, then sewed and "bandaged the stump, 
 and 'in twenty minutes the man was being carried to 
 the ambulance, and we boys were running to catch up 
 with our command. 
 THE BATTLE OF PEA RIDGE. 
 
 I am not going to try to describe the Battle of 
 Pea Ridge, ( sometimes called Elk Horn after an old 
 tavern of that name on the top of the range.) The 
 "Whys" and the "Wherefores" I knew nothing of, and 
 c^n tell you only of my company and the incidents which 
 I recall. We marched all night long, up the steep 
 hillsides, as we had left the creek road behind us; 
 we heard firing in' the valley and knew that other 
 troops were taking our place. V/e had orders to make 
 no noise. I afterwards learned we had made a detour, 
 and we Missourians had passed by, and were on the 
 other side of the Federal army. At daybreak Colonel 
 McDonald had planted his entire battery on a high knoll 
 overlooking their camp. This hill or knoll was, 
 so steep that the horses were unhitched and the men 
 aided my boys, and with whispered orders pulled the 
 guns to the top. The officers orders were in hushed 
 voices. The first indication the enemy had of our 
 
 50 
 
presence was the rapid firing of McDonald's eight guns 
 loaded with canister shot. 3 captured their tents, 
 commissary and quartermaster's stores and, had the 
 rest of the commands been as prompt, the day would 
 surely have been won. The Federals were veteran troops, 
 and their officers rallied them. Again we drove them 
 farther and farther back. The Arkansas troops on 
 the other side of the Federal army were most unfortunate 
 on the skirmish line, and early in the day their tv/o 
 leading officers were killed, and the third captured, 
 consequently they fought without system or command. 
 General Van Dorn was v/ith us and learned too late of 
 this unfortunate incident. 
 
 There came a lull in the fighting. I was most 
 anxious about Brother Jim as Colonel Colt on Green's 
 command had borne the brunt of the day's fighting. The 
 men were tired after a forty-hour tramp. They 
 lay down on the crest of the ridge that the enemy was 
 shelling, I found Jim, his face and hands black with 
 powder, lying down. I spoke to him but he did not 
 answer, I thought him dead, and knelt by him crying, 
 "Jim, Jim, Jimy He turned over and said "Kid, what 
 are you crying for?" He had been fast asleep. 
 COLONEL HCDOHALD. 
 
 Night came and both armies slept. At break of 
 
 51 
 
day the dogs of war turned loose along our entire front. 
 
 It was a bitter fight. 1 Our battery was posted on a 
 ridge and the enemy in two lines, charged it. The 
 boys lay flat on the ground beside every gun. We re- 
 pulsed them and they came again. How our men and 
 horses suffered. 1 I have always thought they would have 
 taken our guns except for the daring of Colonel McDonald. 
 Above the shouts of both armies (we were not much more 
 than a hundred yards apart ) and the roar of musketry 
 and cannon, all heard his clarion voice ring "-out "Ad- 
 vance by hand, by G-. 1 advance by hand.'" V.'e grabbed 
 the wheels of the guns and pushed them forward, not 
 stopping for the firing, and poured grape, double charged, 
 into their ranks at which they broke and fled. 
 
 Oh, how my poor boys suffered. 1 I have a photo- 
 graph on my brain that time has never effaced. One 
 of our battery horses, with a great hole in his side 
 from a shell, was turned loose astride him, without 
 saddle or bridle, was one of my poor boys trying to 
 reach the hospital with one leg swinging loose, held 
 only by a piece of flesh, 'the blood streaming. I 
 knew afterwards that there were times when a serious 
 wound, would so shock the nervous syst'em that for a. 
 time it deadened pain. I saw an Irishman mortally 
 wounded, leaning against a large tree to keep from 
 
 52 
 
falling, loading and firing his gun. When the smoke 
 had somewhat cleared away, McDonald found that thore 
 were no supporting troops near him. Colonel Green 
 was a mile to our left, and we knew he was hardpressed. 
 
 = had scarcely a sound horse in our battery. They 
 were unhitching one which had been wounded in the neck 
 close to the collar. 
 I AM SENT FOR ORDERS. 
 
 Donald examined it and ordered me to ride 
 harness and all, to find General Hale, tell him of our 
 condition, and ask for orders. I rode back over th'~ 
 hill into the valley beyond and found a battery of ei~ht 
 ;s that had not been in action. They told me General 
 Hale, with his escort, had left and taken a certain 
 direction. I forced my wounded horse into a run, 
 caught up with him, saluted, told my story and asked 
 for orders. He ordered me to fall in behind him. I 
 was but a boy and did not know what to do. I rode 
 nearly a mile, and could stand it no longer, so saluted 
 again and asked for orders. He cursed me and told 
 of the defeat of our Arkansas troops on the other side. 
 I told him of the condition of Colonel Green. He 
 said in less than an hour both Green and McDonald \vould 
 
 ;risoners, and ordered rue to fall in. I told him 
 if they were taken prisoners my boys would be too, and 
 
 53 
 
I would be taken with them. He tried to catch my 
 "bridle rein, but I was off. HOY; I did whip that old 
 horse. I again passed the Memphis battery but said 
 nothing. McDonald was st ill : sore pressed. When I 
 told hin well, my boy, I can't write what he said, 
 but I never heard such an outburst of language from 
 human lips. 
 ORDERED TO TAKE THE HORSES FROM THE_IDLE BATTERY. 
 
 With joy I shouted, "Colonel, there is a battery 
 over behind the hill awaiting orders. I never said 
 a word as I came by. I know they haven't fired a shot 
 and they have six fine horses to each gun and caisson". 
 His eyes flashed like fire. "Take everyone of your 
 boys and bring me .four horses from every caisson, and 
 two from every gun. . Tell thorn to throw their ammuni- 
 tion away and start South. If they refuse, shoot to 
 kill. Don't you dare come back without them". The 
 boys had heard every word the Colonel had spoken. He 
 was their God. In their opinion he outranked Generals 
 Van Dorn, Price, and all the rest of the army. 
 
 The boys fell in, and at double quick we reached 
 the batt i . ! had ordered them to see that not only 
 the officers, but every man was covered by their guns. 
 There was no par lying. . I gave the captain Colonel 
 Donald's orders, and told him what General Hale had 
 
 54- 
 
Said. As previously ordered, my detail unhitched the 
 horses, while the rest of the boys covered tho men \vith 
 ns. The men did not want to die, but realized 
 the "little devils", as they were called, would obey 
 orders. How they did curse ur. ,' A Sergeant struck at 
 one of the boys. He was instantly killed. I reached 
 Colonel McDonald with more than forty horses. I never 
 shall forget the shouts with -.vhiclQ "~c ~vere received 
 3KPOBI1IC; JO COLONEL GREZN. 
 
 I was ordered to ride like the wind to Colonel 
 Green. "Tell him what General Hale said, and- that I 
 will meet him on the hill by the two big pines". 
 
 Colonel Colt on Green was medium sized, very dark, 
 with close cropped hair, slender and as erect and 
 straight as an arrow, a gentleman and a soldier from 
 i toes to the crown of his head. As I see him now, 
 
 ading in his stirrups, his face purple with rage, 
 oaths in French, Italian and Spanish flowing from his 
 lips, "Damn him, he ordered mc v at all hazards, to hold 
 
 a-blankety, blank, blank, etc. "Tell HcDonald 
 I'll bo there in an hour 11 .' The retreat bc e rr,n. 1 inet . 
 
 ..Id, with all his guns safe, slqwly re- 
 treating but stopping to fire when the guns were loaded. 
 t of ti -one. 
 
Colonel McDonald had lost two-thirds of his men, 
 and the ones that were left, except in the excitement 
 of battle, were almost useless to work the guns. Our 
 guns were muzzle loaders, with a touch hole which had 
 to be primed with powder and lighted by the flash of 
 a match. After each firing, the gun had to be wiped 
 out by a swab on the end of a pole. The gunner was 
 obliged, in order to prevent explosion, to place his 
 
 thumb over the touch hole to keep air from reaching 
 
 
 
 the chamber of the gun when loading. The guns grew 
 so hot that the mens thumbs were badly burned. 
 
 Our retreat was most orderly. At nightfall we 
 went into camp in the bed of an old dry stream. It 
 v/as very wide and covered with flat thin rocks. Thore 
 was an epidemic of measles, and almost every man in 
 the command was a victim, and after they had washed the 
 powder and dirt from their faces, the skin looked like 
 raw beef. Colonel McDonald and my company had failed 
 to connect .with the commissary wagons and so had nothing 
 to eat, when lo, and behold. 1 my old father- rode into 
 camp with two sacks of flour "which he had taken from 
 the Federal commissary that we had captured. He had 
 learned the army was coming north and v/as wild to see hi: 
 boys, but had not I. ibl'e to find us until we had 
 
 56 
 
gone into camp. My, but it was a feast. 1 Some mixed 
 the flour in water and put it on the flat thin rocks 
 over the fire, while others cut hazel switches, wrapped 
 the dough around one end and held it over the fire. We 
 had no salt. After satisfying our hunger in this manner 
 we lay down in the dry bed of the creek and were soon 
 fast asleep. 
 CLOUDBURST. 
 
 Perhaps it was on account of the cannonading, but 
 that night Pea Ridge had a cloud burst , ard there came 
 on the sleeping soldiers, without warning, a deluge of 
 water nearly four feet high. The Creek became a raging 
 torrent, and the men were thankful to get out alive, even 
 if they did lose some of their guns, blankets and traps. 
 Fortunately in those, days we never undressed when we 
 went to bed. The men (as you might suppose) were wet 
 to the .skin, but I never heard of a fatal case of 
 measles, although we marched in our wet clothes until 
 we reached permanent camp. 
 GENERAL HALE RELEASED PROM COMMA. HP. 
 
 Two weeks later General Hale and escort came into 
 camp. Colonels Green and McDonald had brought charges 
 against him. Generals Price and Van Dorn had me on the 
 witness stand, and I related the incident above mentioned. 
 He never again held a command in the army, 
 
 57 
 
DISBANDING MY COMPANY. 
 
 How came a general reorganization of the army from 
 State troops to regular Confederate troops. A few 
 would not enlist. 
 
 The solemnity of the oath of allegiance to the Con- 
 federate States of America greatly impressed me. This 
 was in the early years of the war, ^y were more, yes, 
 much more particular at that period than later. Any 
 boy could join the Stets troops, but to be a government 
 soldier then, one mu^t "be over the age limit. They 
 refused, for this cause, to accept my company and it 
 was disbanded, much to the disappointment of U3 all. 
 History tells us that youths make the best soldiers. The 
 realization of danger is lacking. Ever in our front we 
 had that picturesque, gallant soldier, Colonel Emmett 
 McDonald. I see hi:.i now with coat off, shirt sleeves 
 rolled above his elbow, hair hanging ov^r his shoulders, 
 his long sword held over his head, running from one 
 gun to another shouting encouragement to his men and 
 to my boys a perfect "dare-devil" was. Colonel Emmott 
 McDonald. With such ir.en for their excmple, their horo, 
 their idol, do you wonaer that the boys performed deeds 
 of valor that would cause older men to hesitate? Without 
 a single exception they proved themselves heroes. They 
 
 scattered and joined different" commands, largely cavalry, 
 
 53 
 
and stayed in Arkansas and Missouri, while all tho 
 
 confederate troops were transferred east of the Mississippi 
 
 River. 
 
 EL INT-LOCK MUSKETS. 
 
 Before the transfer of the troops to General Joseph 
 E. Johnson's army, some five hundred cases or big boxes 
 containing guns that had been stored at army ports in 
 the South, were shipped to us. They had been manufactured 
 
 thirty years before the war. I "remember with what 
 curiosity we watched them unload a train of these boxes, 
 and our surprise and disappointment when we found they 
 were all flint-lock muskets with funny little bayonets, 
 and hundreds of boxes_ of ammunition. They, too, were 
 antique. Each paper cartridge contained powder, ball, 
 and three buckshot . What fun we had with them for a 
 few days, Ho ramrod was needed. First bite the end of 
 the cartridge off, prime the lock with powder and -drop 
 the rest in the muzzle of the gun. If held perpendicular , 
 we could hear the cartridge hit the bottom. Instructions 
 were "never to let the muzzle of the gun drop below 
 level", lest the load be dropped out. We rolled on the 
 ground and shouted with laughter to see the men trying to 
 shoot them, both eyes shut for fear the flash in the 
 pan would blind them. Bang. 1 went the gun, and the 
 target, an old barn a hundred yards away, remained un- 
 
 59 
 
touched. But the great fun occurred when some care- 
 less or uninformed soldier let the muzzle drop a 
 little. The cartridge had perhaps slipped half the 
 length of the barrel with powder strung along to meet 
 
 it. Chin, Chin, bang. 1 went the gun and man lying flat 
 
 I 
 
 on his back ten feet away, certain he was shot. Laugh.' 
 We laughed until tears ran down our cheeks. The 
 soldier would gradually recover, sit up and look around 
 wondering what had hit him, and seeing us all shouting 
 with laughter would break the old gun over a stump. 
 From what he said, you would have thought, he had for- 
 gotten his home, flag and country; in fact, everything 
 but his God. The guns were never used. 
 
 With few exceptions our army was but a body of 
 raw recruits. A few weeks of drill and discipline rnadt 
 a great change. From morning until night there was no 
 rest, drill, drill, drill, I was acting as orderly 
 for General Price. 
 RAID HTTP MISSOURI. 
 
 Colonel Burbage and Brother Dick (who was a. major 
 now) was' ordered "with some six or seven hundred cavalry 
 to make a raid into Missouri. I begged General Price 
 to let me go with them and he consented. 
 
 The object or destination of our expedition, I 
 did not know and I did not care. We rode many miles 
 
 60 
 
in the seven days journey, following few roads. Our 
 guides led us through an almost uninhabited section. 
 We rode at will, with songs, jokes and laughter. One 
 afternoon we halted at a stream; orders were "unsaddle 
 and feed, and pay particular attention to your horse's 
 feet". Each company had its own blacksmiths. The 
 shoes of all the horses were examined, and if loose were 
 renailed. After nightfall we were on our horses for 
 a long night rid . Our direction was entirely changed. 
 Officers rode along the line saying, "Ho loud talking, move 
 as quietly as possible" . We spoke only in whispers 
 and not one of us was then tired or sleepy. Just be- 
 fore morning we went into camp in a dense forest. "No 
 foraging, leaving camp, or fires" were the orders. We 
 then knev we were at last in the enemy's country. About 
 ten o'clock next morning brother Dick .'--.nd two scouts 
 came riding their tired horses into camp. They talked 
 v/ith Colonel Burbage qptite a long 1 While Brother 
 Dick was eating his breakfast he told me, in confidence, 
 that they had seen a very large army train. The wagon 
 train was more than two miles long, with a .heavy es- 
 cort of cavalry. He was sure they would camp tonight 
 in an old field where the main road crossed the creek, 
 about six or seven miles from where we now were. Very 
 quietly we saddled and followed the creek to within a 
 
 61 
 
mile of the fcrd. The command was divided and hidden 
 in the timber. A few scouts were sent out to watch 
 the enemy and report if they had changed their course. 
 I CAPTURE TWO PRISONERS. 
 
 We scattered, hid our horses and crawled in the 
 tall prairie grass until we could see the main road. 
 How my heart beat as I \vatched that long train wind- 
 ing its way over the crooked prairie road. I tried to 
 count them but failed. There was a large body of 
 cavalry in their front, squads lined either side, with 
 the main body bringing up the rear. Had my horse not 
 been tied in timber nearly a mile away, I would, out 
 of curiosity, have slipped back to camp to learn what 
 disposition Colonel Burbage had made of our men to 
 surprise them. I felt sure the larger part would be 
 dismounted. 
 
 It was the hour of sundown. Small parties of 
 from two to ten wore leaving the command to forage in 
 every direction. I crawled back through the tall -grass 
 as I saw two soldiers start toward a, lonely cabin in 
 my direction. 
 
 How, my boy, if there is anything in this 'world. 
 I despise it is a braggart, and in relating the in- 
 cidents recorded here I am not trying to impress you 
 with the bravery of your grandfather, but rather with 
 
 62 
 
his childish ignorance of danger. As I now look back 
 I see a joyous, happy boy, one who never made a com- 
 plaint. He laughed at the hardships, and often made 
 the old soldiers ashamed of their grumbling. Hard- 
 ships had made a. perfect boy, physically, of him, but 
 he was still a boy, and lacked discretion and judg- 
 ment. I have torn up the pages, giving 'the detail of 
 the capture of the two federal soldiers I mentioned. It 
 seemed too much like bragging. . Suffice it to say that 
 I got the drop on them first. It was just at sundown, 
 and with their belts hanging from the horn of my saddle, 
 I marched them three miles away to our camp. 
 
 Later, I learned that Colonel Burbsge had, as I 
 hoped, hidden his men in ambush. The great train crossed 
 the ford; the first wagon stopped in the centre of the 
 field, and each succeeding wagon made the circle larger 
 and larger until they were all packed as closely together 
 as possible. Then our men opened firo from all sides 
 at once. It did not last long as they soon surrendered. 
 A detail of our men unhitched the six mules from each 
 wagon and led them away while another detail, by hand, 
 pushed the wagons as close as possible to each other and 
 
 set them on fire. 
 I GET AN OVERCOAT. 
 
 I, with my prisoners, was- about two miles away 
 
 63 
 
when the firing began. I was sure we would whip 
 them and kept my course. One of my prisoners was a 
 boy, not much older than myself, and had it not been 
 for the cowardice of his big companion, I would not 
 be here writing these memories. 
 
 We galloped into the firelight. What a sight it 
 was. 1 The entire train of wagons loaded with quarter- 
 master and commissary stores, with the aid of coal oil, 
 was a mass of flames. However, that did not deter the 
 soldiers from getting what, to them was most valuable 
 plunder. When I rode up with my prisoners they were 
 pounced upon by many soldiers for their overcoats. The 
 little fellow fought for his. Colonel Burbage rode up 
 and asked what the trouble was. The men said, "He won't 
 give up his overcoat". Colonel Burbage ordered him 
 to turn it over to the men. He said, "Colonel, if I 
 have to give it up, I want to give it to this little 
 fellow who captured me". Colonel said, "That's right, 
 give it to Captain Johnnie". 
 
 The prisoners were all paroled. 
 1 MOTE A LETTER TO SISTER SAPIAH. 
 
 Thi& boy and I sat on the tongue of a burning 
 wagon and talked. He said the reason he fought for 
 his overcoat was that it was not a regular army coat, 
 but had been given him by his Father. He was happy at 
 
 64 
 
being paroled, and of returning home. I inquired 
 if he would go through Lebanon, Missouri. He said 
 that was his only way so I asked him if he would 
 take a .letter, to my sister Sarah. He was very happy 
 to do so. We found paper and I wrote telling her all 
 I could of the events, etc., which letter he de.livered 
 immediately on- his arrival at Lebanon, and during his 
 visit he told in detail all the incidents regarding our 
 fight . 
 
 With several hundred mules, m-ny of them loaded 
 down with plunder, we had a monotonous trip back. We 
 found the army drilling. How long wo stayed I do 
 not know. 
 CROSSING TO 
 
 I do not recall incidents of especial interest 
 until' our crossing to the East side of the Hit sissippi 
 F.iv joined y of General Joseph E. 
 
 Johnson at Shiloh, Tennessee, and I saw in all but little 
 of that. I' remember we tried to cut the Federal army 
 in two, and t. :arched through bog after bog, and 
 arrived in time only to have a fight 'and s '-mt appear- 
 ed to be the entire Federal army. Later we fell back. 
 If all the battles that - 1 had matur d there 
 
 ;.d have been no one ITorth or South left to "<.<rito 
 history. 
 
 65 
 
GENERAL VAN 
 
 I remember at Corinth. Except our breast works 
 at Atlanta, Georgia , and the Federal works at Frank- 
 lin, our works at Corinth were the most impregnable 
 I have ever seen. 
 
 It seems to me almost marvelous that time and age 
 do not mar or blot out the imprints of a picture I saw 
 there. As if it were only yesterday, I see standing 
 on the head log of our works at Corinth, a man who 
 from his outline you would know to be every inch a 
 soldier, with field glasses to his eyes, in plain view, 
 not only of sharpshooters, but their big batteries of 
 thirty-two pound Parrott gun. 
 
 My boy, you knov/ the effect the cry of a hawk has. 
 on chickens; yet that is nothing in any sense or mean- 
 ing, to the effect- that the crying, yelling, shrieking, 
 moaning whistle of a thirty-two pound shell has on men. 
 Behind every tree the men were lying on the ground with 
 the tree directly between them and the Federal battery, 
 some trees had fully thirty men in perfect line behind 
 them, and even when lying flat on the ground the men 
 would try to duck their heads as those crying monsters 
 whizzed by. Hot so with Major General Van Dorn. He 
 stood on that head log like a statue; not a muscle moved, 
 and this incident made him the idol of the army. A 
 
 66 
 
shell plowed its way into the ground; it failed to 
 explode, An officer ar-d some men dug it up to see 
 what the devilish thing looked, like $ they being new 
 to us. The officer tried to unscrew the cap from the 
 end and it exploded. A piece of the shell cut away 
 the calves of both his legs, and killed and wounded 
 several men. A shell struck a caisson and exploded 
 it, when the smoke cleared there was scarcely anything 
 left. Men, horses and even wheels were not recogniz- 
 able, Such is war; may you never know anything of it 
 except from history, 
 QHE MST1NG ARMY- 
 
 I know xve fought each other like wild animals. It 
 made but little difference, we can now see, in' the 
 general result, who won the victory on any special "battle- 
 field, We of the South had no men to take the place 
 of our dead and wounded. Every able bodied man was 
 in the ranks, and each dBy our army grew less and less, 
 and its dead, wounded and prisoners could never be re- 
 placed. The northern army, while their loss was as 
 great as ours, had new and fresh men day by day taking 
 the place of the dead; and instead of their army grow- 
 ing less as the war went on, they had a greater number 
 in the field at its close than at any time previous. 
 With us it was really extermination. We crossed over 
 
 67 
 
and went into the Battle of Shiloh an army corps; 
 we came out of Vicksburg, a small division, then a 
 brigade, and that gallant body of men at the close 
 of the war mustered less than a regiment. It seems 
 marvelous, looking back more than fifty years, that 
 we did not realize these conditions. What influence 
 or power compelled us to hang on, with more than bull 
 dog tenacity, will never be known. In victory or 
 defeat; in the long marches of both day .and night, 
 half fed, half clothed,, and half shod; that gallant 
 army, never discouraged, never complaining, never paid, 
 fought on through those bloody years -.until their old 
 battle flags had been shot into shreds; until there 
 was.no one left to defend it. 
 A PEAYING NATION. 
 
 .We were a praying nation in those days, both North 
 and South. Each regiment, had its chaplain. In al- 
 most every home, no. matter how humble, how crude and 
 plain its furnishings, there usually stood in the best 
 room the stand or centre table., on which lay the large 
 family Bible. The custom in almost every home in that 
 long ago was for father or mother to read each night 
 a chapter from that Holy Book, and kneel and pray God 
 to spare the life of their loved ones, to stop the bloody 
 
 war. "Peace, Peace, Oh God", was the cry of the Nation. 
 
 
 
 68 
 
God answered not their prayers. continued to 
 butcher each other. 
 
 SOUTHER: 
 
 In all the histories of the world you 'cannot find 
 record of braver or more gallant soldiers than those of 
 the South. But there was a people so much braver, so 
 much more self-sacrificing, so much nobler, that the 
 luster of the chivalry of the soldiery of the South was 
 dimmed by comparison. I mean the mothers of the South. 
 Last year, Father was killed way off yonder in Virginia, 
 and his body thrown with hundreds of others in that- 
 unmarked trench. The oldest died six months ago at 
 Shiloh; the next boy was brought home to be a mother's 
 loving care the rest of her sad life.' She called her 
 precious baby boy, pointed to his father's gun, and 
 with tears streaming from her eyes said, "Ily son, for 
 the honor of your father, your brothers, your country 
 and myself, take it and go", Hy boy, it hurts me to 
 write this to you, but I wish you to know 'what war 
 really means. I pray God that you and none that come 
 after you may have the experience of your grandfather. 
 GENERAL SHEI^ 
 
 General Sherman said "War is Hell". He was con- 
 sidered a great authority in those days. I myself do 
 not know, but if in any way hell described in the Bible 
 
 69 
 
is similar to our Civil War, avoid it. Don't go 
 there. You would find it a place of ruin, desola- 
 tion and suffering. 
 
 The hell General Sherman meant was once a 
 country of beautiful and happy homes; of a prosper- 
 ous, chivalrous people, and growing towns and villages; 
 a Christian nation whose church spires dotted the 
 entire landscape. Around the happy fire sides were 
 children with laughter and song, as quiet and peace- 
 ful and loving as our own homes of today. Imagine 
 a territory much larger than the State of California, 
 with a much greater population, left desolate and 
 ruined. Women and children fleeing in the night from 
 their burning homes, carrying on their backs all their 
 belongings to they knew not where. Not a house, 
 barn, fence, was left, not a bushel of grain of any 
 kind, and after the war the only sign of former habita- 
 tion was the thousands and thousands of chimneys that 
 would not burn. 
 CURIOSITY. 
 
 How, my boy, if you will go with me, for a little 
 while at least, we will leave the rattle of musketry, 
 and roar of artillery. 
 
 I was acting aide to Brigadier General Colt on Green, 
 and by his orders I was riding at his side. We had 
 
 70 
 
left the army in our rear and were riding over the 
 country, stopping at nightfall at some house, or 
 sleeping in our blankets under the stars. I had as 
 much curiosity as you have, and was as prone to ask 
 questions, but many times found it against the rules 
 of the army school. "Obey orders and ask no ques- 
 tions" had been told me more than once. I remember 
 there was no order harder for me to obey. Had I been 
 a man, I think I would have spent most of my time in 
 the guard house for this breach of discipline. 
 
 General Green, when we were alone, frequently 
 called me "my son", and I believe he loved me. I 
 think he enjoyed the curiosity he saw in my face, but 
 never once did he enlighten me as to the purpose of 
 our ride; notwithstanding it was a joyous holiday to 
 .me. After many days we came, one lovely morning, 
 to a beautiful little river. There was a guard standing 
 at the ferry boat, and when he examined our passports, 
 he saluted, and we ferried across in the little boat. 
 There was a large cable- or rope swung across the river, 
 and when he shoved the boat off, the guy ropes attached 
 by pulleys to the cable, caused the current to swing our 
 boat to the other side. 
 EAIRYLAM). 
 
 I wish I could describe the "Fairyland" that the 
 
 71 
 
little boat brought us to. It seemed to us both to 
 be Paradise, the Garden of Eden. The whole face of 
 nature seemed changed. As we rode along that shady 
 road we heard not the fife and drum, but birds singing 
 in the trees, shrubs-, and vines that seemed the most 
 beautiful and fragrant and green, God ever created. 
 We saw squirrels running up "the trees, and just ahead, in 
 the road, was a covey of quail with no sign of fear, 
 gave us the right-of-way. The -road had known but little 
 service. There were no deep ruts, caused by the heavy 
 wheels of the artillery. War had not yet reached this 
 Paradise of beauty and peace. It was like being trans- 
 ported from the "Hell" I have been telling you of, to 
 the Heaven I hope for. Our r@jins hung loose from the 
 pommels of our saddles, our horses walked at will, 
 nibbling the green things by the wayside. We spoke not. 
 My mind had taken me back home; I was on my good horse 
 out on the prairie. Suddenly General Green said, '"Halt " 
 and uncovering his head he offered the first" and only 
 prayer I ever heard him make, "Peace, Oh God, give us 
 peace". His cheeks were wet with tears. It was the 
 only time I ever knew him to be ashamed. He leaned over, 
 put his hand on mine, and said, "My dear boy, never men- 
 tion this". 
 
 We stopped at a spring for lunch. There was a 
 
 72 
 
rustic scat made from i by which was 
 
 covered and shaded by honeysuckle. Again we saddled 
 and rode until through the well-tended trees we saw 
 a wide and long valley, all in cotton, with the negroes 
 in their white clothes at work. Away yonder in the 
 hills on our right were droves of sheep and cattle. 
 The dove of peace seemed to hover over all, and yonder 
 through that lane of tall poplars, on a knoll, stood 
 a great white house. 
 A SOUTHERN HOME, 
 
 How it grew in proportion and beauty as we neared 
 it. Today, I remember it as the most beautiful house 
 I have ever seen. It looked like a -white city, with 
 its numerous negro's cabins, gin houses, barns, and out 
 buildings, all of the same swanny TThite. I can see it now, 
 with its great Corinthian columns, wide, vine-covered 
 balconies, and the great wide massive steps leading to 
 it. 
 
 Two negroes in livery held our horses. General 
 Green sent in his card and credentials. Then a big, 
 pompous butler, black as night, with many bows and curt- 
 sies, showed us into the reception room. I have been 
 in many beautiful homes since then (have admire:! what 
 we call art, refinement and elegance of the present day), 
 but never before, or since, has such a perfect picture of 
 
 73 
 
a home, true in every sense, crossed my vision. The 
 ceilings were fully twenty feet high, frescoed by a 
 great artist; the walls were covered with paintings 
 in massive gold frames; the furniture, priceless old 
 mahogany . 
 LITTLE MARY. 
 
 We stood to meet a grand old white-haired gentle- 
 man, formerly a major in the United States Army. Ke 
 had lost a leg in the war with Mexico, and now stood 
 supported by crutches. The sweetest, most beautiful, 
 white-haired old lady, in lace cap and hoop skirt stood 
 by his side. They gave us a welcome that only southern 
 people can give. Our introductions over, General Green 
 had said flattering things of ; le he and our host 
 were talking, the lady said, "Cc-ptar-.n Johnnie, come 
 stand by rne". She was almost the only woman who had 
 spoken to me since the war began, and when she put her 
 arm around me as I stood by her, I had to fight to keep 
 the tears back. 
 
 She called Mary, her only little girl, and in- 
 troduced me to her. How plain is that picture. Mary 
 stood on the other side, a.nd her mother's arm was around 
 her. They asked many questions, and as I felt free 
 from embarrassment, talked freely. Finally we were sent 
 upstairs to dress for dinner. A bright black negro boy 
 
 74 
 
was-; given me as my servant. I will not try to tell 
 you of my room. It was the most beautiful one I . ever 
 had seen. The boy asked, me tc take off my clothes. 
 He emptied rny pockets, and gave my clothes to a wait- 
 ing negro. There was an old fashioned, zinc bath tub. 
 Think of it, my boy. 1 I do not believe I had been in 
 a regular bath tub since we had moved from St. Louis. 
 He scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed me, and at last 
 said, "Massa Captain Johnnie, you just stay in the tub 
 and soak, I'll be back in a minute". I learned ..after- 
 wards he had gone to his ilissus and told of the wretched, 
 dilapidated condition of my underclothing. She gave 
 him the underclothes of her baby boy who was in the army. 
 My clothes, you should have seen them, I scarcel} 7 " be- 
 lieved they were mine. They were not only cleaned and 
 pressed, but the brass buttons and gold braid were 
 burnished. My boots were cleaned and polished. I 
 saw myself in a mirror for the first time since the 
 war began. Joe, my black boy, brought in my red silk 
 sash, with belt and sword. I buckled it around me, 
 stood before the glass, while Joe danced with delight. 
 Kot only was -the pearl handle- of my sword cleaned, but 
 the scabbard, brass chains and belt looked as if they 
 were fresh from the jewelry store. I fear, my boy, had 
 a centra eeught me as I ;;toocl before the glass, I would 
 
 75 
 
have been a fine subject for "Vanity Fair". 
 
 Supper was announced. Gene.ral Green met me at 
 the head of those wonderful stairs. Kow I longed to 
 straddle the bannisters and take that long, winding 
 ride to the bottom. e were both surprised at*: the 
 change in the other. He said, "Well, my little mas- 
 cot, they have changed you into a dude". "General, 
 I can return the compliment", I replied (which he did 
 not seem to appreciate). To us, it -ras most surely 
 a banquet with wine at each plate. V/c were barely 
 seated when General Green remarked, "Captain Johnnie 
 doesn ! t care for wine". The wine glasses were immediate- 
 ly removed from my place, and during the two weeks I 
 was there it was never again at my plate. We all had 
 big embroidered napkins. I was uncertain what to do 
 with mine as I did so wish to be on my best behavior. 
 Then I saw all the others tuck them under their chins, 
 and spread them out on their breasts. I did the same. 
 If that practical old custom were obtained today, your 
 grandfather would not be such a regular patron of the 
 cleaners. 
 I TELL MY STORIES. 
 
 It was not cold, but there was a hickory fire in 
 the great fire place in the living room. Father, mother, 
 daughter and guests were seated in the firelight. General 
 
 76 
 
Green and our host insisted upon my relating in- 
 cidents: of our army life. He used to have to or- 
 der me to tell stories to his guests, but this night 
 Mother asked me, little Mary pleaded, and my clothes 
 being so clean and bright, I willingly stood up to 
 tell my tale. Little Mary said, "Wait, please," and, 
 turning to her parents, asked "May I call the ser- 
 vants?" At their consent she passed out of the 
 door to return shortly with twelve or fourteen house 
 servants, including my boy, Joe. How quietly they 
 came in and squatted in a semi-circle on the floor in 
 the background. I was asked to stand on the hearth 
 with my back to the firelight. The candles were 
 snuffed; little Mary was on the rug at my feet. I 
 told many of the incidents which I have here previously 
 related* 
 
 The mind is truly God's great photographer; Only 
 death can make their pictures fade. If an art photo- 
 graph were in my hand today it would show o;:ly the 
 bleak, dead outlines; while I have always in mind the 
 living, perfect picture of the brightest and happiest 
 night of my boyhood life. When we said good-night, 
 Mother kissed me on the forehead, and I was very happy. 
 When I went to bed Joe took my clothes and boots out 
 of the room, IText morning as I said "Come" to his 
 
 77 
 
rap, he placed a silver tray with coffee and crackers 
 on the little table by my bed. When I was dressed 
 
 I found not only the holes in my pockets, but every 
 rip and tear in my uniform neatly mended. Those were 
 surely happy days. 
 
 II THE PIG GROVE. 
 
 Next morning little Mary said, "Come with me 
 Captain Johnnie to the fig grove". We strolled through 
 the most beautiful, picturesque gardens, and I no- 
 ticed she carried a basket covered with a napkin. "Mary, 
 let me carry the basket", She in her pretty, coquettish 
 way, refused. "What is it?" I asked. She said, " IT, 
 contains a beautiful silver platter with sugar and 
 creamer to match, that belonged to my great grand- 
 father". "What are you bringing it out here for?" 
 I could not resist asking. "Have patience a little 
 longer, and you will know". When we had reached 
 the orchards, and were among the fig trees, she said, 
 "Gather only the ugliest, biggest, blackest ones". I 
 brought them to her. With skillful hands, she pre- 
 pared them, and from a beautiful dish, in a rustic, 
 vine clad bower, we ate them. Could it be that only 
 yesterday I was on the firing line? 
 
 When we reached home, Mother, Pat her and General 
 Green were sitting on the porch. Mary said, "Mother, 
 
 70 
 
what do you think Captain Johnnie said to me as we 
 were eating creamed figs in the bower?" "I don't 
 know, what did he say?" Ke said, "Mary, are you 
 real?" "Are we really flesh and blood, or is this 
 only a dream?" "He frightened me and we came home." 
 I can see that sweet, white-haired mother standing 
 there, and can hear her saying, "No, my child, in your 
 innocence you cannot appreciate that for two years he 
 has been away from home, with men, amid the .carnage 
 of battle, and roar of artillery, and on this, his 
 first day from it, he goes with you, my child, to the 
 quiet, peaceful bower to eat creamed figs prepared by 
 your hands. It would be a marvel if he did not feel 
 he was dreaming. I hope he and the General will stay . 
 with us until he can realize it is no dream" . With 
 wet eyes turned to Heaven, and almost in a whisper, she 
 said, "Oh, God, let strife, suffering and death cease. 
 Spare, oh spare ray two sons." 
 COMPANY OF BOY ARTILLERY. 
 
 There were no able-bodied men left in thie entire 
 section. Had there been one, and he had not joined the 
 army, he would have been tarred and feathered. But 
 there were a lot of boys too young even for our army 
 to accept. They had organized a company of artillery, 
 and had three breech loading, one pound guns, pretty 
 
 79 
 
little brass ones, really 
 
 Through General Green, and our host and the 
 "darkies" the boys had heard of me, and to our sur- 
 prise one afternoon, the Company, with one horse 
 drawing each gun, paraded and drilled on the lawn 
 in front of the house. Our host and General Green 
 made them a speech. They introduced me, and I said 
 something, and with much boyish cheering, and many 
 hurrahs, they elected me Honorary Captain. They 
 were anxious for a fight, so the older heads got to- 
 gether and planned our battle scheme. 
 
 It was some twenty miles to the Mississippi River. 
 Ten miles farther 'was a great bend where the channel 
 ran close to our side. By water it was six miles 
 around' the bend, but only two ir.il os across the neck by 
 land. To make my story short, the second day at day- 
 light, you could have seen a company of thirty boys, 
 starting for the bend. The entire community was at 
 fever heat with excitement. Every boy was loaded 
 down with cookies, doughnuts and goodies. Little 
 Mary saw to it that my bag was full. The levees on 
 either side of the river were enormous breastworks. 
 The next morning we had dug out large flat places- in 
 them for our little guns. The barrels were just- 
 above the ground. Ammunition was carried and placed 
 
 80 
 
in piles beside them. We saw the smoke of a trans- 
 port coming, and with difficulty kept the boys from 
 firing, or crawling up and looking over the embank- 
 ment. Nearer and nearer came the boat, and our ex- 
 citement and nervousness grew in proportion. The 
 boat was loaded with troops. She was in our immedi- 
 ate front, one hundred and fifty yards away. "Fire I" 
 and the three guns popped, and kept popping. You ne- 
 ver saw such surprise and excitement as there was on 
 that boat. Shouting men were running in every direc- 
 tion. The boat stopped, then went ahead. The sol- 
 diers got their guns and fired at us. Many of our 
 shots went wild. We could see some of them hit the 
 water, but not all. Then with full head off stream 
 she passed on. More smoke was seen; we loaded and 
 waited, but not for long. "Whing, bang. 1 " came a big 
 shell from a gunboat, and. they kept coming. We pulled 
 our little guns down from the embankment and hitched 
 our horses. Boys, horses and guns scampered away. We 
 scurried the two miles across the bend where we made 
 ready, knowing we had beaten the transport. When she 
 came in shore we were both prepared. Our shots were 
 better directed, and so were theirs. Three of the 
 boys were wounded. The shells of the gunboat followed 
 us, so we gallantly retreated. How proud those boys 
 
 81 
 
were of their wounds, and when we reached home, what 
 heroes the girls made of them, to the envy of the 
 rest of us, 
 I TAKE DISPATCHES TO GENERAL KIRBY SMITH. 
 
 General Green had not been well. for some time, 
 and instead of improving under our restful conditions, 
 gradually grew worse, and had to spend most of the 
 time in bed. He and our host had long talks. One 
 day when' Mary and I were talking in our favorite re- 
 treat, .Sill, the General's servant, came and said, 
 "The General ..' wishes to see you". I hastened to 
 his side. "Captain Johnnie", he said, "My orders are 
 to deliver dispatches to General Kirby Smith, west 
 of the Mississippi River. My old wound has again bro- 
 ken out, and I am unable at present to attempt their 
 delivery. Do you think, Captain Johnnie, I could 
 trust you for their safe delivery?" I saluted and 
 said "Yes Sir," 
 
 It ca.used much sorrow in that household. The 
 mother begged that I be not sent; told of the dangers; 
 how the river was patrolled by, not only men, but gun- 
 boats as well. Still I was anxious to go. Skiffs, 
 and in fact every kind of boat on either side of the 
 river, had been destroyed. Iy host sent away one of 
 
 82 
 
his black men, and next day he brought back an old 
 white ma.n. He and the General had a long talk, and 
 decided I was to leave with him the following morn- 
 ing. General Green had given me explicit instruc- 
 tions to deliver the package to some one of the rank 
 of Captain or over, in the regular army, and he would 
 find orders for the delivery to General Kirby Smith. 
 My instructions were to return as soon as possible, 
 and if I got across safely I was to give the man a 
 note to that effect. Our host was to give him a fine 
 horse on the delivery of the note. 
 
 Little Mary and I spent most of that afternoon to- 
 gether. 
 CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 
 
 At sun up next morning, I rode away. The good- 
 byes, blessings and tears, I shall never forget. My 
 boy Joe oried and begged to go. Little Mary took one 
 of my brass buttons for a keepsake. We rode all day, 
 and into the night through the river bottoms before we 
 came to his flat -bottomed boat, hidden in the willows 
 half a mile from the river. We spent most of the night 
 and' the next day forcing cotton into the cracks and seams 
 of the old boat. It seemed an endless job, as it had 
 not seen water for many months. We both thought we 
 had stopped every crack and made her seaworthy, and the 
 
 03 
 
next night we started on our journey. By tying the 
 rope to my horse's tail, we dragged it to the river. 
 Fortunately for us we left an old tin bucket:- in the 
 boat, for it proved to be our salvation. 
 
 The night was very dark, and the river two and 
 a half miles wide. We shoved the boat into the wa- 
 ter. I had taken the saddle and traps off my horse 
 as I had to take him with me, not knowing How many 
 miles I would have to travel to find a captain to 
 whom I could give my dispatches. The man got in and 
 took the oars while I sat in the stern, and, after 
 much persuasion, my horse took the water. He swam ~ 
 even and true. I held him to the side of the boat by 
 his bit. 
 
 When we had gone out of our little lagoon, and 
 reached the body of the river, we saw the lights of 
 three gunboats. The man wanted to go back, but I, ' 
 like a boy, would not listen to it, so we changed our 
 course, and went between the two that were fartherest 
 apart. My horse swam noiselessly, and when we had gone 
 a third of tho way he turned on his side and floated. 
 I felt my feet were wet, and to our horror found the 
 boat was leaking badly. _th one hand I grabbed the 
 tin bucket and baled as never a boy baled before. I 
 
 84 
 
still held my horse. The man bent his back to the 
 muffled oars, and for hours and hours, it seemed to 
 me, we spoke never a word. The water was gaining 
 rapidly on me. The man whispered, "You d fool, 
 let the horse go", but I held on and tried to. work the 
 harder. The water had reached nearly to our knees, 
 and our speed was slower and slower. We could just 
 distinguish in the dim light, the outline of the other 
 bank by the heavy fringe of the willow trees, that, lined 
 it. 
 
 Hope had almost gone. I could not swim. The 
 man sat facing me, and suddenly whispered. "Look at 
 your horse, what is he doing?" I did not turn, but- 
 putting my hand back could feel his shoulders. I told 
 the man so, and he said with an oath, "Ke 's .walking" 4 
 did not at first realize what it meant. ' The man slid 
 out of the boat into the water, and it was barely up 
 to his shoulders. He said, "Kid, we are all right now. 
 I '11. walk and lighten the load. You stay in or you'd 
 drown". He walked and pulled; it was slow progress. 
 When the water reached half way up my horse's side I 
 crawled on his back and told the man to tie the rope 
 to his tail. The man walked and held the boat while 
 my good horse pulled it ashore. My dispatches were 
 sealed in an oil-skin case and they were the only dry 
 
things we had. We turned the boat ovc-r and hid it 
 in the willows. The man said when it was light he 
 would force more cotton into the cracks, and next night 
 go back. On a piece of wet paper I wrote, "Landed 
 safe", and signed my name. In the darKness I saddled 
 my horse, and was more than two hours finding a place 
 on the levee where he could climb. At last I was 
 over. About ten o'clock that day I reached a cabin 
 occupied by an old negro woman and her children. She 
 gave me a meal of dried pumpkin and rye coffee. Nature 
 furnished grass for my horse. 
 DELIVERY OF DISPATCHES. 
 
 Without incident of any special note, I rode over 
 the country until the third night, when I saw a camp 
 fire. Crawling up I found they were our men under 
 command of Captain Todd. They gave me a warm welcome, 
 for they were very anxious to hear news of the armies 
 east of the river. I delivered my dispatches, for 
 which they gave me a receipt. Captain Todd immediately 
 forwarded them by an officer and three men. He sent 
 a sergeant and several men with me for more than a 
 hundred miles up the river where there was a boat used 
 for crossing. We found a regular picket at that point 
 whose duty it was to cross at Captain Todd's orders, men 
 or dispatches. I was told to be ready at dark, and we 
 
 86 
 
crossed without accident or delay. 
 
 Older people cannot feel the same pride or joy 
 at the consummation of an act, or the fulfillment of 
 an order as can a youth. My very heart sang with joy, 
 although I knew I was in the enemy's country, my haver- 
 sack was full, and the boatman had told me what direc- 
 tion to take, and for four days to ride only lay night. 
 I will not tire you with the details of rny lonely ride. 
 Twenty-four days after making my last crossing over the 
 river I came to what had once been a .peaceful home. It 
 was occupied only by women the men had all been lost 
 in battle. I asked for my host, the Major of the 
 Mexican War.' They said his place was thirty miles 
 distant. I was the only white person they had seen for 
 weeks. 
 CASTLE SUILP11G. 
 
 At daylight I galloped away. What would life 
 be without its castle building? Ko castles were ever 
 so pretty and charming as those I built that day. I 
 took the receipt out and read it ov,er, "Signed, Todd, 
 Captain C.S.A." What would my General say when I 
 saluted and presented it? I was sure the old Major 
 would say, "Well done, my boy, well done 11 . I knew 
 sweet, dear, beautiful Mother would kiss me on the fore- 
 head; maybe she would even put her arms around me. Little 
 
Mary 1 looked down at my clothes. Oh how ragged, 
 
 muddy, torn and dirty they were. 1 My pretty gold 
 braid was nearly all gone. The briers and limbs 
 had torn it off. One boot was entirely gone and my 
 foot was tied in rags; the other boot was not much 
 better. . Worst of all, my right pant's leg had a 
 torn gap from the waist almost to the knee. I could 
 not mend it. I wrapped it round and round with willow 
 bark, but even this did not wholly cover the rent. 
 I had lost my pretty hat with its gold cord. The 
 tin soldier boy was gone. Would little Mary go with 
 me to the bower? I knew it would make no difference 
 to my General how I looked. When I delivered my re- 
 ceipt he would say, "Well done, my Boy, I am proud of 
 you". The look in his eyes would be enough to repay 
 me for all the hardships I had undergone, and the 
 humiliation of appearing before the Major, Mother and 
 little Mary in such a plight. Never was a boy so 
 wrought up between joy and despair. 
 SUB!)EI AWAKENING. 
 
 "Halt. 1 " came a clarion, fearful voice. Instantly 
 the big curb bit threw my horse from a gallop on to his 
 haunches. My revolver, ever ready, I held cocked in 
 my hand. The picket knew I was alone. He had heard 
 me coming a long way off. In 'my castle building I 
 
 88 
 
had forgotten Dick's' command "caution". "Advance 
 and. give countersign", the picket cricct. "I'll meet 
 you half way". I said. As he mounted his horse I 
 saw he was a confodorat . advanced within 
 
 speaking distance he said, "\7ho are you?" I was not 
 afraid and cried, "Captain Johnnie Y7i eke r sham ", special 
 aide to General Colt on Green". He shouted, "Hello 
 Johnnie, I've heard of you", and we rode into camp 
 where I was conducted to the Colonel commanding. He 
 said, "I heard of your mission, were you successful?" 
 I handed him my receipt . He was much pleased and called 
 in a dozen officers, introducing me to them. I remem-i 
 her they all took off their hats as they held my hand. 
 While I was relating to the officers the news of the 
 West side of the river, the Colonel was busy writing. 
 He had previously ordered a Captain and four men to 
 carry some dispatches. The captain saluted, and 
 the Colonel commanded as follows; "Ride without saving 
 your horses and deliver this paper to General Joseph E. 
 Johnson", then turning, he said, "The little Captain 
 got across all right", at this I jumped up and said, 
 "No, no, you can't take my paper. I promised to give 
 it to General Green." 
 MY CASTLE DESTROYED. 
 
 The Colonel said, General Green left for the army 
 
more than two weeks ago. Grant came near catching him 
 at the Major's place". "You don't mean the Federals 
 have taken 'Fairyland 111 . "Yes", he answered, "and 
 destroyed and burned everything that would burn. There 
 is not a fence rail left on the place". "Oh, what be- 
 came of the Major. Mother and little Mary?" I asked. 
 "The last trip of the ferry boat before we destroyed it, 
 brought over a wagon containing Mother, Mary, and the 
 dead body of the Major", he replied. "Where did they 
 go?" I cried. "God only knows, my boy". 
 
 That night the kindly old Colonel found me lying 
 face downward in the woods, crying my heart out for my 
 beautiful lost Fairyland, for my gallant Major who died 
 trying to defend his home and family; for the lovely 
 snowy-haired Mother, and little Mary, whom I never saw or 
 heard of again. Of the events immediately following, I 
 have not a faint recollection. 
 STRAY DOG. 
 
 I only know I was a poor, ragged, dejected boy, 
 lost in that army of strangers. I felt like a stray 
 dog. All were kind to me, but my childish dreams and 
 hopes were blasted. I wanted to reach General Colt on 
 Green. I inquired for my other dear friend, Colonel 
 Emmett McDonald, and learned that he had died while 
 leading a gallant charge. The longing for General 
 
 90 
 
Green still remains unsatisfied, for I never saw him 
 again. I had no position, no command. I simply 
 followed the soldiers, taking but little interest in 
 what happened. I was in the fight at Big Black River 
 and escaped over the burning bridge. We were finally- 
 driven back into Vicksburg, Mississippi, and there I 
 found my old brigade, and once more I felt at home. 
 
 The recent events and experiences had, temporarily, 
 at least, driven all the poetry and enthusiasm from rny 
 nature. To a boy, the change was great. Heretofore I 
 had been honored and petted; had worn good clothes, or 
 gaudy uniform, while now I was ragged, dirty, and shoe- 
 less, with but little hope of bettering my condition. My 
 old comrades were glad to see me, and gave me a warm 
 welcome, but I realized perfectly that I did not have 
 my former standing. When not on duty in ditches, we 
 lived in caves in the ground, and as we sat around the 
 little fire we had during the weeks we were there lis- 
 tening to the tales of bravery, suffering and sacrifice 
 of comrades and regiments, I felt, not only how small 
 in station, but how small in actual deeds rny life had 
 been. 
 VICKSBURG. 
 
 We were completely surrounded and hemmed in with 
 
 91 
 
no possible chance of being released or of cutting our 
 way out. Day by day our rations grew less, and every 
 other night we crawled to the works, and the second 
 night following, those surviving crawled back, 
 were sick and starving. The picture of the men with 
 gaunt figures, sober faces, reflected in the ghostly 
 light of that cave fire, will never leave me. They 
 were men whose wives and children were, God only kn> 
 where. All of their earthly possessions had been 
 taken from them; yet starving even unto death, they 
 fought on and on without a complaint. If there was a 
 Judas among us, we were ignorant of his presence, 
 enemy was mining our big fort and every day and night 
 we expected the explosion. It affected the nerves 
 of the entire army. I remember any sudden, loud bom- 
 bardment made the men jump and grasp their guns, for 
 we had general orders if the fort was blown up, to 
 rush to its defense. It became almost the custom for 
 the regiments ordered to relieve the one in the fort to 
 leave letters to loved ones and say goodbye to friends. 
 THE SURRENDER. 
 
 That fated night orders came to us. We had so 
 many on sick leave and wounded that it was pitiful to 
 see those men "fall in". "No boys, if you die, I'll 
 be with you", read the history of that fated Fourth 
 
 92 
 
of July, 1063. The mine destroyed our works, but 
 they failed in their desperate attempt to take them. 
 By starvation they compelled our surrender. We had 
 stacked our guns and were standing or lying on the 
 ground, inside our works, surely the most wretched, lot 
 of men the world has ever seen. A Federal command 
 in their fine blue uniforms and brass buttons, was 
 marching past, or' at least the Colonel tried to make 
 them, but the men' broke' ranks. I remember a big pri- 
 vate sat down beside me saying, "My God, Johnnie, I 
 did not think it was as bad as this," as he watched 
 me eat from his bountiful haversack. 
 PAROLED. 
 
 We were paroled and sent to Demopolis, Alabama. 
 I was allowed to keep my little pearl handled sword 
 but some one stole it. The pistol you have, I was 
 permitted to retain. At Demopolis we reorganised, 
 and, after some time, received clothing made of grey 
 confederate cloth. I was most unfortunate with my 
 new suit. It consisted of jacket and trousers of 
 woolen material. In order to cleanse my suit, I, 
 one night, placed them in a kettle of boiling water. 
 Imagine my surprise and 'horror when I took them from 
 the kettle. They had shrunk, shrivelled, contracted, 
 and closed up so that I could scarcely get an arm in 
 
 93 
 
the pants leg. My next suit of clothes was many 
 sizes too large for me, and I regretted my foolish 
 act. 
 
 The army was still under parole and we had a fine 
 time. They gave us plenty to eat, with no work to do, 
 
 * 
 
 and we soon recuperated and became ourselves once more. 
 Our camp was situated in .a beautiful grove of tall 
 pines. Ector's brigade of Texans occupied one ridge, 
 and we the other with a deep ravine between us. Each 
 gathered pine cones during the day and made them into 
 high piles. At night we would set them afire and have 
 a battle royal with each other with the burning cones. 
 
 ' OH FOR DALTQN, GEORGIA. 
 
 Finally we were exchanged and were armed with 
 New Enfield rifles. Then came drilling. We had new 
 
 wagons and artillery, and soon started, under General 
 Joe Johnson, for Dalton, Georgia, where we met Sherman's 
 advance, and had the same old thing a fight. John- 
 son's army was so inferior to Sherman's in numbers that 
 we had to fight and retreat, fight and retreat, all the 
 way back to Atlanta. For six weeks through a con- 
 tinual rain we fought every day and fell back at night 
 and built new -works, only to find Sherman's army in our 
 front the next morning. Our engagements were sometimes 
 most bitter, especially at Ressaca, Kcnnesaw Mountain, 
 
 94 
 
Marietta and Ackworth. 
 
 At Kennesaw we held the gap between Big and Little 
 Kennesaw. General Sherman says in his memoirs "Na- 
 poleon's idea that any given point defended by a weak- 
 er force can always be taken by the overwhelming force", 
 is incorrect. He says he tried it at Kennesaw Gap. 
 It depends entirely on the bravery of the smaller force. 
 For forty hours, more than two hundred Federal guns poured 
 their shot and shell into and through this gap until 
 there was not a limb or sprig left. Then as the smoke 
 cleared away through that long wide valley that opened 
 in its front, two army corps could be plainly seen in 
 martial array, ;vith bands and banners flying. Our force, 
 defending the gap, numbered three thousand two hundred 
 men. Our works were nature's rocks and boulders that 
 had rolled down from the mountain sides. We lay flat 
 behind these. Th .'ere no commands, only "shoot". 
 BLEDSOE ' S EAT.TEPY 
 
 On top of Kennesaw, on our " right, was the famous 
 Bledsoe battery. Luring the cannonade mentioned, I 
 was sent to Colonel Bledsoe with dispatches. That 
 morning as the men were sitting at breakfast around 
 their camp fire, a federal shell had burst in, the 
 fire killing and wounding nineteen of his men. Blodsoe 
 
 95 
 
had sweet re\ by pouring grape and cannistor shot 
 into their solid ranks. On they came, only to re- 
 treat and come again. They were more than a rnile 
 deep and our shots wore most fatal. [Finally they 
 gave it up and retreated. There was not rn officer or 
 man in our command whose fac not as black as a 
 negroes from biting cartri That night .ont 
 over the field of dead seeking arms. Brother Jim and 
 a big Irishman of his company found. a dead Lieutenant 
 Colonel within twenty feet of our line. Jim was nearly 
 barefooted and the Colonel had on fine boots. The 
 Irishman insisted that they would just fit him, so pull- 
 ing him astride of a sapling, they tried to pull ' of f 
 the boots." When the dead man's body made, what . seemed 
 to the Irishman, an unearthly sound, he dropped the boot 
 and ran. When Jim came back with the boots he found 
 the Irishman at prayer. 
 THE- COOK HOUSE. 
 
 Back of Kennesaw, the ground rose to quit*: 
 ridge, sloping away on the other side four -miles to 
 Marietta, which was the cook house of /my. During 
 the entire six weeks we were never to IT 
 
 a camp fire, although our clothing th'the 
 
 the daily rains. Our cattle were dr jad of 
 us and lived only on what little food nature provided. 
 
 96 
 
We killed only those that were unable to travel. At 
 the cook camp their carcasses were boiled and loaded 
 in wagons and hauled to the different commands on the 
 front, where they were dumped in piles. The com- 
 missary sergeant cut it in two pieces for the men. 
 With it sometimes was a corn hoe cake. To illustrate 
 how gristly and unpalatable it was, the soldiers often 
 threw pieces that they could not eat against the trees, 
 where it stuck. About four o'clock in the afternoon 
 I would often run through the dropping shells to the 
 top of the ridge back of us to watch the cook wagons 
 start for the front through the hail of shells. There 
 were more than a hundred two-horse wagons. The drivers 
 stood up, big long whip in hand, waiting for the signal 
 pistol shot. The hillside. was open with no road, and 
 such a race as they had. All of them did not get through. 
 ."RATTLE FLAG. 
 
 It was much more rare to see a Confederate flag 
 in the armies of the South than it was to see "Old 
 Glory" in the armies of the North, The flag we loved 
 the most was our Battle Flag, and under our army 
 regulations if a regiment received special mention in 
 general orders for deeds of heroism, it was entitled to 
 sew the name of such engagement on its battle flag., 
 For the part we rlayed in the taking of the enemy's 
 
 97 
 
works at Franklin we were permitted, to attach the 
 name "Franklin" to our flag. This flag had but 
 little left to show what its original color or decora- 
 tions had been so torn and rent was it by shot and 
 shell, and so covered "by the now faded names of battles 
 through which it had been carried with honor. In 
 appearance it more nearly resembled an old faded patch- 
 work quilt than a battle flag, yet we loved it. 
 
 "The Commanding General wishes to especially 
 mention the heroic and gallant charge of the Regiment in 
 taking the enemy's works at Franklin". The above was 
 read to all that now remained of the command. fools 
 shouted ourselves hoarse. Then came the jealous rush 
 among the men to furnish the letters for the new name 
 to be added to our battle flag. "Captain, you pro- 
 mised I could furnish a letter next time", said one, and 
 so on. They all considered it a great honor to fur- 
 nish from the right trouser leg (as was our custom) the 
 necessary fragment of cloth measuring about six inches. 
 Only those not having previously furnished a letter 
 were permitted to contest for this honor by drawing 
 lots, and the lucky ones, with pride, fashioned the 
 rude letters from butternut, blue or gray. Then one 
 man was selected to fasten the letters to the faded 
 banner, handling that old battered rag so reverently, 
 
 98 
 
as they gathered its torn. edges together, "Franklin" 
 being the last and only legible name there. 
 ATLANTA . 
 
 Finally we reached Atlanta where each army vied 
 with the other in building the most modern and Im- 
 pregnable breastworks. The engineers in charge were 
 from the school, '' it Point", and rivalry made 
 them use every knc is of defense. 'en. the war 
 was over and 1 orks of each army examined, it was a 
 common expression among the officers- that they both 
 look as though tj ; - built under the direction of 
 the same officer, or at least of the same school. Ours, 
 
 thought, never could be taken. Lines of "Cheval de 
 frise", after the French designs, lined our extreme 
 front. -~f stakes driven firmly into 
 
 the ground, six to eight inches apart, at an ; angle of 
 forty-five degre ith sharpened ends pointing to- 
 
 They were tied and woven together 
 
 with wire (barbed s not known at that time ). If 
 the enemy succeeded in cutting its way through this 
 obstruction, t ith deep pits 
 
 with sharp iron spikes covering the -bottom pits. The 
 ones with no spikes were used by our pickets. Our 
 breastworks marvelous of strength, built in z 
 lines, so that in the event of an attack on the front of 
 
 99 
 
any command the enemies 1 columns cvould be enfiladed 
 oy all our guns which could reach them. In front of 
 the breastworks and a deep yawning ditch having on 
 its crest heavy head logs so raised as to permit the 
 men to fire between them and the earthworks. The side 
 toward the enemy looked as though struck by lightning. 
 They were splintered and shattered by the enemy's 
 bullets until their sides seemed made of lead. In for- 
 tification every possible contingency is provided for. 
 If the outer works were ever taken in some places 
 at least, we had as many as three lines in our rear, 
 with underground passages, and so situated that our 
 fire would control the works taken. 
 LIFE IN THE TRENCHES . 
 
 How long the days seemed.' we waited, hoped, 
 and prayed that they might try and take our works by 
 assault. The only reading matter we had was news- 
 papers taken from the dead Federals. Their pa ; ore 
 divided and read by many at the same time. How wild 
 with anger some of our boys would get over many state- 
 ments contained in the Yank's Capers. lived only 
 in the trenches. There was no drill, no duty ti 
 broke the monotony of our life, except a picket would 
 slowly crawl at night through holes in our Cheval do 
 frise t;o his pit, where by sitting down lie could kec 
 
 100 
 
his head below the surface. The bottom of our 
 trench was always covered with card players. I well 
 remember a soldier shouted "Joe Howard is shot J " 
 Every man dropped his cards, on the dirty blankets. 
 "Where is he hit?" asked one. "Just between the eyes" 
 came the answer. "Got shot", one said as they all 
 picked up their cards and- continued playing. Had 
 he been wounded, all would willingly have done all in 
 their power to relieve his suffering but dead, that 
 was the end. Our cards came largely from the Federals. 
 "I got a pocket knife and these things", said one of 
 the boys, "But the Yank got scared when he knew there 
 was going to be a fight, and threw away his cards". 
 They prised a deck of cards above everything. To place 
 a hat on a ram rod and let it project over our works 
 and see it riddled with bullets was great sport, and 
 broke the wearisome monotony. 
 
 One great pleasure was our band concert each day 
 just before sundown,- it was the joy of both armies. 
 Our band would play "Dixie" and at its close the Yanks 
 joined with us in the applause. Then the sweet notes. 
 of the "Star Spangled Banner" would be wafted over our 
 quiet camp. So piece after piece, in its turn cheered 
 the soldiers of both armies. During our concerts not 
 a shot was fired. As the concerts grew more common, 
 
 101 
 
yc.-;; could see the men of both ies more exposed 
 over the head logs. I remember the big fort on our 
 left had two guns that threw sixty-four pound shells. 
 They only fired occasionally, as we were short of 
 ammunition which had to be conserved for emergencies. 
 At the report of these guns, every man was on the 
 lookout. With our eyes we could follow that great 
 shell. We could see the wagons and cavalry of the 
 enemy scatter. How we yelled as they ran to cover. 1 
 
 We knew we could not always protect our rear. 
 General Sherman would not attempt to take Atlanta by 
 assault, but with his larger army was continuing his 
 former tactics of out-flanking and cutting out communica- ' 
 tions . 
 QUfi ASSAULT ON JUNE THE TWENTY- SECOND. 
 
 President Davis insisted that General Joseph 3. 
 Johnson give battle to the overwhelming forces .of General 
 Sherman. When he. refused, to our sorrow, General Hood 
 was placed in command. Almost the first order given 
 by General Kood on his assuming command of the army, was 
 regarding preparations for an offensive campaign. The 
 preparations were quietly made. Lien were selected and 
 provided with wire-cutters and sharp axes to cut the 
 enemies 1 Cheval de freise. On that fated 22d of June, 
 like a hurricane, we tore up every obstruction in our 
 
 102 
 
front, passed their ditch, took their forts and 
 breastworks j hurled General McPher son's army corps 
 back with such rapidity and force that they be- 
 came much demoralized. Major General McPherson 
 was killed while trying to rally his men. We cap- 
 tured artillery, much camp equipage and many prisoners, 
 but with our small force were unable to hold their 
 works. We slowly retreated to our side. We lost 
 many men, but how we did brag that we would like to 
 see them take our works, 
 EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. 
 
 Next day the signal for a parley was shown from 
 the Federal line. It was an hour later, answered by 
 Colonel Phil Howard of General Hood's staff, meeting 
 Colonel Davidson, representing General Sherman. They 
 met midway between our lines, each carrying a flag of 
 truce. 
 
 Colonel Davidson, on behalf of General Sherman, 
 proposed the exchange of prisoners. Colonel Howard 
 said he would be most pleased to lay the offer (which 
 was in writing) before General Hood, and at noon the 
 following day would return with the reply. 
 
 When the official functions had been complied 
 with Colonel Davidson cried, "Phil, God bless you, give 
 me your hand. This is the most pleasant surprise of 
 
 103 
 
my life". They had been old Yale college chums. 
 The happy memories of that long ago brought joy and 
 happiness at this unexpected meeting. With hands 
 still clasped, they talked of their youthful school 
 day. "Phil", finally said Colonel Davidson, "General 
 Sherman requested me 'to inquire, if opportunity per- 
 mitted, if you had among your prisoners a Lieutenant 
 Hadley of his personal staff who was reported- miss- 
 ing". Colonel 'Howard replied, "Can't sajr positively, 
 but remember in looking over the list of prisoners there 
 was only one who was reported as seriously wounded, and 
 I think his name was Hadley. I know he was a Lieut 
 and staff officer. I will ascertain and let you know 
 tomorrow". "Please do", came the quick response, Tor 
 General Sherman has other than personal reasons for 
 making this inquiry. " 
 
 At the same place and hour the next day they 
 met again. Colonel Howard said, "General Hood not only 
 accepts, but appreciates the kind and humane proposition 
 of General Sherman, and has given orders for all Facie:- 
 prisoners m our possession to be immediately trans- 
 ferred under flag of truce to your army. He also handed 
 Colonel Dalton a surgeon's report stating, "Captured, 
 June 22, Lieutenant Richard Hadley of Goner, 's 
 staff. Seriously 'wounded. Sword -ts in breast^ -run 
 
 104 
 
shot wounds in left shoulder and arm. Impossible in 
 present condition to be moved", 
 LITTLE YANKEE NANCY. 
 
 "Too bad, too bad", cried Colonel Dalton, "Phil, 
 old school-mate and friend, the reason General Sherman 
 and I are so interested in Lieutenant Hadley is not only 
 because he is a prince of good fellows, and a gallant 
 officer, but the day before the battle, the sweetest 
 little girl ( only fifteen ) his sister, arrived in camp 
 
 to make him a visit, and is now the guest of General 
 
 \ . 
 
 Sherman. 
 
 When her brother was reported missing the misery 
 in the eyes of that innocent child brought tears to the 
 eyes of not only General Sherman, but to an old reprobate 
 like myself. Yesterday when I entered General Sherman's 
 tent to make my rep'ort , Little Nancy, as we call her, 
 was sitting on the arm of General Sherman r s chair.' When 
 
 I told what you said, that the only seriously wounded 
 
 t .\ . " 
 prisoner was an officer, and you thought "his name was 
 
 Hadley, all color left her face. I saw her lips were 
 bleeding, but not a tear fell. Ere-ct she walked to 
 the corner of the tent, and on her knees offered a 
 prayer for her brother Lick; a prayer that for faith, 
 confidence and fervency, I do not believe ever before 
 reached the throne of God. Returning to the General, 
 
 105 
 
she asked, "Has General Hood a little sister ? u "I 
 do not know, Nancy", he replied. To me she said, 
 "Oh, won't you please ask him if I may not go and 
 nurse my brother Dick. Tell him please that I am 
 only a little girl, and if he will let me, I will go 
 on my honor" For a moment we could say nothing. 
 Then General Sherman spoke "Tell Colonel Phil Howard 
 every word that has been spoken here. Ask him in my 
 name to report it to General Hood. If he can grant 
 little Nancy's request, General Sherman will never for- 
 get it". 
 
 Colonel Howard replied "The picture of that scene 
 in General Sherman's tent, with every word just as you 
 have spoken are indelibly printed on my memory. Word 
 for word, it will be told to General Hood. If it affects 
 him as it has me, and he feels that it is not impossible, 
 he most surely will grant it. If he grants your request, 
 the battle flag on the fort at our left will dip three 
 time$ at noon tomorrow. At three o'clock an officer 
 with white flag will meet her on this spot", continuing 
 he said, "I feel it would be unnecessary for me to say, 
 if she comes she will be treated with the same courtesy 
 a Southern soldier always pays to womanhood". 
 MY NEW PUT IES . 
 
 I, of course, at this time knew nothing of the 
 
 106 
 
above incident. At noon a soldier shouted "Some- 
 
 to happen. 1 Look at thorn di~ ping the 
 flag on the big fort. 1 " Oar excitement grew more 
 intense when an officer came clown our trench shout- 
 ing, "Captain Johnnie V7i eke r sham !l . "Here", I cried. 
 The major took me to one side and said, "Captain, 
 General Kood has selected you as the 3^oungest commissioned 
 officer in th ,y,- to escort a little Yankee girl 
 whom you, with a flag of truce, will meet at exactly 
 three o'clock on the spot where the exchange of 
 prisoners took place. You are to conduct her to the 
 General Ho- iere her brother is seriously 
 wounded. Until further orders, you are released from 
 your prc duties, and will be held responsible for 
 the care and comfort of Lieutenant Hadley of General 
 Sherman's staff, and his little Yankee sister. Gen- 
 eral Hood desires every courtesy possible shown them". 
 Then looking mo over with laughter in his eyes, said, 
 "I would suggest, Captain, you borrow or steal sor 
 better clothes," and with a laugh took from his pocket 
 a little package. Giving it to me, lie said, "I think 
 without the use of this you will not make a very 
 favorable impression on the little Yankee". I went 
 back to the boys and sat down in the dirt of that 
 trench, "What's up? Tell us about it. 1 " they shouted. 
 
 10? 
 
I was so amased and surprised i could scarcely gather 
 my wits together. Then word for word, I repeated my 
 orders. "Well I'll be gol-darned, if you don't have 
 more good things come your waj 7 ", and only a kid at that". 
 "Say boys", said another, "our little Captain is go- 
 ing to turn into a Don Juan". "I'll bet all the 'confed 1 
 I've got they fall in love with each other". 
 AKE_0|L_S GAP . 
 
 ""/hat did the Major give you?" said one. It 
 was still in my hands forgotten. When I unwrapped it 
 a cake of soap fell out. You never heard such laughter. 
 Hot one of us had seen soap in many months. "Give me 
 a bite", said Bill Havens, "been so long since I have 
 seen any, have forgotten the taste". Big Joe Hawkins, 
 lying flat on his back in the dirt smoking his corn- 
 cob pipe and looking at his much pri Captured gold 
 watch said, "Captain, what time was you to 1 meet the 
 Yank?" "Three o'clock", I replied. "It only lacks 
 olve minutes of two you've got to hustle, and so 
 have we. Boys, we can't send our little Captain out 
 to meet the beautiful Yank in them clothes, - we've 
 just got to hustle and go through the camp and borrow, 
 or, as the Major said, steal, glad rags and make a 
 dude of him". With a camp kettle of water, I stood 
 while three of the boys washed me. How good it did 
 
 100 
 
feel to be thoroughly clea -ait your fuss in 
 I'm goi:. Lsh these here ea.rs ji- ther 
 used to mine tr ans cleni : , said Joe 
 Davi s . 
 
 The boy: gone through the trenches telling 
 the story. It broke the monotony of the camp. Al- 
 most every officer and man donated something for my 
 apparel or ornamentation. The great difficulty was, 
 I was so little and the clothes so large. They brought 
 clothing almost sufficient for a company, and the works 
 seemed practically deserted. ''."omen never took more 
 pleasure in dressing a bride than those men had in 
 trying on their different offer! .nen they tied 
 borrc -- adjusted my sword and hat, I saw 
 .me in place of laughter in the faces of the. men, that 
 they had to send me to meet a lady in such ill-fitting 
 and outl clothes; they had no others. One of 
 the -'oys, from a distance, /ill look fine", 
 time YV-SS up. Almost the entire cc .1 followed me 
 past t ,rt to the point opposite the exchange place, 
 V/e were surprised that firing ceased in our vicinity. 
 One by one, men exposed themselves, but no shots came 
 from our side. Then the men from both armies, cs v/ith 
 a seem. unde: 
 
 open. 
 
 109 
 
THE 
 
 inutes of three", a com officer 
 
 said, SI Gc". I diately 
 
 from the 
 
 aloft a i similar to mine. nine! her a 
 
 a black man carrying quite a la. . . The officer, 
 seeing the negro, and realizing tl . i was too 
 large and heavy for me to -carry, or that I at least 
 would . ;aost undignified if burdened with it , or- 
 dered a soldier to discard his belt, : . take the 
 package from the negro. I walked with military bear- 
 ing, eyes "forty-five spaces to the front 11 , but oh, how 
 my knees trembled at the thought of meetin, irl. 1 I-jy 
 f eet did not keep pace with the rapic . hep of 
 my heart. ..-n a hundred spaces apart I forgot 
 eyes. "Forty-five spaces to the front'- 1 . A came 
 nearer and nearer, her beauty unfolded. h head erect, 
 no fear in her soul, she seemed t). b, sweetest and 
 most lovely picture I had ever* looked upon, 
 was scanning my face, as 1 was h '- met, 
 
 she freely extended her hand with full confidence and 
 trust. I held it but a moment in mine, and unconsciously 
 I bowed rny head and kissed it, then from ten thousand 
 throats, on either side of us, rang out a mighty shout, 
 not of Y/ar, but of courtesy and gladness. en we reached 
 
 110 
 
our works, without a conmancl or suggestion, every man 
 uncovered. The Federals, seeing the respect" and 
 courtesy with which little Nancy was received, gave 
 cheer after cheer of seeming friendship that made 
 every man in our army, not only proud but happy. Ten 
 minutes later the big gun at the fort fired, but it 
 bore not death, it was only a blank shot to let the 
 men get under cover, in another ten minutes our en- 
 tire front was a sheet of flame. 
 
 Little ITancy and I were out of range of the fire. 
 I told her of my orders that I was released from 
 all my former duties, and was held responsible for the 
 comfort of Lieutenant Hadley and herself, that there 
 was not a soldier in Atlanta who would net have been 
 proud to do her bidding, also that we had no com- 
 forts nor luxuries, but everything that we had was 
 at her command. I told her my name and said I hoped 
 in time we might become friends. 
 PRIE3TOS. 
 
 She stopped, looked into my eyes with that pure, 
 innocent look of surprise and said, "Why Captain Johnnie, 
 are we not friends already?" I could not answer her, 
 We were but children, there being but three years 
 difference between us. \Vithout again speaking, we 
 reached the hospital door. It was in a very large old 
 
 111 
 
stone church building and had adjoining it many large 
 temporary frame structures. As Miss Nancy walked 
 down that long aisle, with cots: on either side filled 
 with wounded soldiers, surprise and pleasure showed 
 from every face. 
 
 An attendant, in answer to my inquiry for Lieuten- 
 ant Hadley, directed me to one of the many small rooms 
 that lined one entire side of the hospital. I said, 
 "Miss Nancy, I will call later", and as she passed in, 
 I closed the door. I then .report ed_ to the command- 
 ing surgeon, who stated he had been notified of the 
 little Yank's coming, and had been ordered to provide 
 every possible comfort for both she and her Brother. 
 He said there was only one pleasant room in the old 
 Church building, and that was the one which had for- 
 merly been the minister's study, and was now occupied 
 by Colonel Holt on, a convalescent. He asked me to 
 call on the Colonel and tell him of the coming of the 
 little Yankee girl, saying, "you will find him a true 
 Southern gentleman, and I hope he will suggest giving 
 the Yankee his room" . 
 HOLT ON. 
 
 I called on the Colonel as he suggested, and re- 
 lated to him the events of the day including the 
 arrival of the little Yankee. "By gad, sir, do you 
 
 112 
 
n to tell mo there i? a little Yankee girl that 
 General Hood permitted to come into our lines to 
 nurse her wounded brother?" he asked. "Yes", was 
 my reply. "Joe, you black rascal", (turning to his 
 servant ) "pack all my traps immediately and put an- 
 other back log on the fire", "This, sir, is the only 
 place fit for a lady. Present my compliments, and 
 please notify the surgeon in charge that this room is 
 at the disposal of the little Yank and her brother" . 
 I told the surgeon of the kindness of Colonel Kolton. 
 
 laughed and said, "I knew he would .do it. He is 
 the type of ' man that honors womanhood above everything". 
 
 Hospital servants cleared everything out of the 
 room and in a short time it was comfortably furnished 
 and supplied with everything clean and needful. A 
 neat couch was placed for Miss Nancy. I* was asked to 
 notify her of the change and tell her that she and her 
 Brother would soon be moved to better and more com- 
 fortable quarters, and so I left to fulfill my mission. 
 HER V/OUTOED BROTHER. 
 
 "Come", came in answer to my rap at the door of 
 their quarters. 'Such a picture as greeted my eyes. 1 
 She was on h'er knees beside her wounded brother's cot. 
 Her hood or bonnet was removed, and her glossy brown 
 hair, parted in the middle, hung in two long, heavy 
 
 113 
 
braids far below her waist. Upon seeing me she in- 
 stantly arose, and with both hands extended, took mine, 
 saying, "Captain Johnnie. -come and meet my brother 
 Dick. This is he, Brother, who -was so kind to me", 
 Lieutenant Hadley in a weak voice thanked me and ex- 
 pressed the hope that' we should be friends. I told 
 him of the change of quarters. He appreciated the 
 kindness of the Colonel and asked rne to thank him in 
 his name. Miss Nancy said, "Brother, just as soon 
 as the change is made, and you are comfortable, I 
 wish Captain Johnnie to take me to Colonel Helton's 
 quarters that I may personally thank him". 
 THE MINISTER'S STUDY. 
 
 With every care we moved Lieutenant Hadley to the 
 new room. It was cheerful and pleasant, with a wood 
 fire burning, on the old-fashioned "dog irons", .There 
 were pictures on the walls, and a. most enchanting view 
 from its four large windows. I'iss Nancy was delighted. 
 There was given her as her maid, a neat, well-trained 
 black girl of about her own age. 
 
 That night I returned to camp and told and retold 
 the incidents of the day to listening ears, and later 
 took my blankets and slept that night under Lieutenant 
 Hadley 's windows. Learning of a sutler who had 
 coffee and other things to sell borrowed all the 
 
 114 
 
confederate money the boys willingly offered, and 
 next morning paid him fifty dollars for two and one- 
 half pounds of coffee. I don't remember what I paid 
 for the rest of the provisions which 1 placed in the 
 hands of Miss Nancy's black girl. Later I called, and 
 found that Lieutenant Hadley had passed a restless night; 
 Hiss Nancy had not closed her eyes. After receiving 
 the thanks of both, she asked me to take her to p&y 
 her respects to Colonel Holt on. He was a picture, as 
 he stood to receive her, with that delicacy and courtesy 
 of the true Southern gentleman. "Not only for Brother 
 Dick, but for myself, let me thank you", she said. He 
 took her proffered hand and kissed it. "Ily child", he 
 said (laying his hand on her head ) "if ever circumstances 
 (I pray God they may never come) find you in need of a 
 friend, promise to call on Colonel Holt on". She looked 
 into his eyes, and I saw the first glisten of a tear 
 drop, as she said, "I will". When we returned to 
 their room, her brother insisted on her takin .Ik 
 in the fresh air. 
 
 DISMANTLED GUN. 
 
 How the soldiers uncovered as we passed by. 1 All 
 had heard of her, and all tried to do honor to our little 
 Yankee guest. We sat in the sunlight on an old dis- 
 mounted gun, and talked with the freedom of children. 
 
"Oh, Captain Johnnie', you are all so different from 
 what I expected. 1 V/hy you all act as though I be- 
 longed to/royalty". I discerned she was a Methodist 
 and very religious. She believed the Bible from 
 cover to. cover. . Going back through the hospital, 
 she several times could' not resist speaking words of 
 cheer to the poor soldiers that cast -their hungry eyes 
 on her. 
 THE TWENTY THIRD ..PSALM 
 
 At the bedside of one who was near death's door, 
 she stopped, and placed her warm hand on his cold damp 
 brow. Looking at her, he asked, "Could you repeat 
 the. twenty-third psalm?" She untied the strings of 
 her bonnet, 'letting it drop to the floor, and fell to 
 her knees. With eyes that seemed .as though they could 
 pierce through any distance, even to the gates of 
 Heaven, she repeated the psalm, in a clear, sweet voice, 
 just as the inspired 1 prophet had written it, Not a 
 soul in that entire building but could distinctly 
 hear every word she uttered, and there was not a dry 
 eye when she had concluded. 
 
 Days passed so swiftly for me. Every day I was 
 with her and her brother, our friendship grew. She was 
 never idle, when not waiting on her brother, 5-he was 
 out in the General/Hospital reading to, or cheering 
 
 116 
 
the soldiers. Twice I found her on her knees praying 
 God to spare a life. I saw her run to get her needle 
 case to sew on a lost button from the shirt the man 
 wore. Love her everybody loved the little Yankee. 
 WISHED TO MM MX CLOTHES. 
 
 One day she said to me, "Captain Johnnie, when you 
 go to bed tonight, if you will hand me your clothes 
 through the window I will mend them for you". She did 
 not know I never took them off when I went to bed, as I 
 had nothing under them. I saw it caused much courage 
 
 in her to make the request. I knew I was dressed like 
 
 
 
 a tin soldier in most ill fitting clothes, and was al- 
 ,1, shamed in her presence, but there was none other 
 to be had, 
 
 So I called up all the courage I had, and related 
 ry incident connected with my clothes and my orders, 
 not omitting the soap. They both laughed and cried. "Oh, 
 you dear, brave boy, and you did it all for us." 
 
 "I saw that you were embarrassed about your clothes 
 when you tore that- gold braid, off and threw it behind 
 the old gun. I racked my brain to find a r,eason for 
 your wearing them, not knowing that you could get no 
 other, \vhy, Captain Johnnie , didn't you tell me?" I 
 think a thousand times more of you now than if you 
 really d I Prince Charmin nee I 
 
 117 
 
know those old things you are compelled to wear will 
 appear to me as made from the finest cloth and that 
 you are dressed in the height of fashion. Isn't he, 
 brother?" The poor wounded man leaned over saying, 
 "Captain Johnnie, give me your hand. Oh, you southern 
 soldiers^ grow ev,ery day, more marvelous and wonderful 
 to me. Naked and starved, you will fight to the last." 
 
 Hours- I spent telling stories. How sweet, pure 
 and free were our associations. I had passed the point 
 where my clothes embarrassed rne , and we could both 
 laugh over my grotesque figure. Her clothes were fine, 
 but very plainly made. We had grown to be chums and 
 good fellows, and I hoped we both looked forward to 
 many pleasant days together. 
 
 One evening, and the last, the curtains were drawn 
 to shut out the light from Lieutenant Hadley ' s cot. 
 THE PARTING. 
 
 is.s Nancy and I were sitting close together on 
 the hearth before the dying embers of the wood fire, 
 when a rap came at the door. I opened it, and an 
 officer handed me an official envelope. I signed for 
 it. He saluted and left. Closing the door, I came 
 back to the fire and took my seat by Nancy's side. "Oh, 
 Captain Johnnie, what is it?" "I don't know", I replied. 
 "Please, let's see, I feel that it is not good news", 
 
 118 
 
she said. I felt the same. "ITancy" , I said, "what- 
 ever it is, remember I will always be your friend". 
 "And I will alv;ays be yours", came the quick reply. 
 
 I tore it open and read: 
 Captain Johnnie Wicker sham :- 
 
 Your Brig* General has sent 3^our name for .hazard- 
 ous service. 
 
 You are relieved from your present duties. Re- 
 port at 10 A. M. tomorrow to Colonel Hill at General 
 Hood's headquarters. 
 
 By order, General commanding. 
 
 Little Nancy's face was white. For minutes thus 
 sat without a word being spoken. Lieutenant Hadley 
 cried out, "Have you kids gone to sleep?" ITancy drew 
 back the curtains, took the order from rny hand saying, 
 "Brother, read and tell us what it means". "My God. 1 " 
 came from the cot, "haven't they men sufficient to 
 do their hazardous work -without calling on a boy?" He 
 called me to him took my hand, and bid me goodbye. 
 "ITancy", he said, "please draw the curtains, and you 
 and Captain Johnnie take a walk. I wish, if possible 
 to sleep". In her prettiest gorm, we started for 
 the old gun under the pine tree. In lifting her upon 
 it, her hair broke loose, and a: ?il of lace hung 
 Id over shoulder and body almost to her knees. 
 
 119 
 
Just then the moon, that was in the height of her 
 glory, broke through the clouds, and v^h her bright 
 rays trimmed the stones of the old church spire, and 
 the tarnished brass of the old gun with silver. 
 were speechless. Finally Nancy cried, "Oh, 1 am so 
 afraid don't you think you can be excused?" ncy" , 
 I said, "I'm ashamed of you. You don't mean what you 
 said. ould you have me branded as a coward?" "ITo. 1 
 No, 1 ITo.'" she said. "ITancy, if this order had come be- 
 fore. I knew your brother Dick and you, I would have 
 hailed it with joy. The only thing that makes me sad 
 is leaving you two, Will you remember Captain Johnnie? 11 
 She replied, "Every night at nine o'clock, and every 
 morning at seven-thirty, I will be on my knees praying 
 our God for your safe return". "I will remember" I said. 
 
 A long while we waited in silence, then I quiet 
 helped her down from the old gun, and v ' ked silently 
 to the hospital. At the door we stopped. I took her 
 face between my two hands and kissed her beautiful hair, 
 I took her hand and said, "Goodbye Nancy". "Goodbye^ 
 Captain Johnnie, and may God keep you as in the hollow 
 of his hand", came her repl But I did not go. 
 Her little hand lay so trustingly in mine, I did not 
 have the courage to let it stood many minutes 
 speechless with eyes on the ground. At last 
 
 120 
 
came to I released her hand and ran out into the 
 
 darkne s . . 
 
 II SliERMAlT'S REAR- 
 
 Others .had received the same orders as myself. 
 Imagine my surprise when I reached the pasture some 
 three miles from Headquarters, to find my brother Jim 
 and twenty- . . commissioned officers from our 
 brigade. Later I learned the coraiiiands from Texas, 
 Louisiana, Ai juri were ordered each to 
 
 detail for "hazardous service" , -twenty-five c or/missioned 
 officers of the rank of captain or under, making one 
 hundred in all.. 
 
 In this pasture were a lot of artillery hotses that 
 were unfit for service in harness. They were not all 
 horses; many were mules, and all had sore necks. We 
 were ordered to catch a horse and select a -saddle and 
 bridle from the pile. ost of the latter were blind 
 bridles. Such a scramble as we had.- I caught one 
 of the best horses, much to the disgust of the Colonel. 
 Hot one of us had the least idea what we were expected 
 to do, or where we were goinr. 
 
 At midnight we started. After leaving the main 
 road we took single file, a dim bridle path that lead 
 us throu. i j.ntainous country. Colonel Kill had 
 the reputation of being the youngest Colonel in the' 
 
Confederate Army. He was detailed by General Hood 
 from his staff, was a West Pointer, and a dare-devil. 
 We made but slow progress on account of the poor con- 
 dition of our horses. 
 
 One night at camp, Colonel Hill made a speech*, 
 he told us that we were selected to perform deeds of 
 valor; that we were now in the rear of Sherman's army, 
 and that" General Wheeler's force being too large to 
 do what General Hood wished done, we -were selected to 
 seriously effect General Sherman's communications. 
 AI ACKWORTH STATION. 
 
 The next night at sundown we mounted and rode, as 
 I learned later, toward Ackworth, a station on General 
 Sherman's line of communication. It was midnight v/hen 
 we halted. In s a -whisper Colonel Hill said, "Count off". 
 The leader started arid down the line I heard, one - two - 
 three - four. When the count reached me I was "three" 
 and Captain Ely was "four". "Each fourth man hold 
 horses. The rest fall in line", commanded Colonel Hill. 
 He rode along the line and spied me with Captain Ely 
 holding horses. He turned and said, "You go and hold 
 the horses and let that man take your place". I told 
 him I would see him in Hades first. He was wild with 
 anger, and started to draw his sword, but the men re- 
 belled and said that if Captain Johnnie had been number 
 
 122 
 
four, he would have held the horses. Colonel Hill 
 saw he had made a mistake, and asked if I would go on 
 picket duty. I told him I would, willingly; mounted, 
 and he led me through the brush and said, "If I pro- 
 mise not to leave you, will you promise to stay here 
 until you see, not hear them?" I replied, "I'll stay". 
 I had no idea what the plan was, but I must have been 
 there an hour when I heard a train coming. In my 
 front on the hillside two-hundred yards away was the 
 enemy's camp; their dim camp fires burning all over 
 the hillside. The train had slowed and was passing. 
 It seemed to be an endless train of box cars. It 
 was between me and the camp fires. 
 I THOUGHT GABRIEL WAS- BLOWING HIS HORN FOR ME. 
 
 With the suddenness of a bursting bomb, the ground 
 trembled and rocked, and the most unearthly, ghostly 
 sound filled the ver}~ air I breathed. The drums of 
 my ears ached. My poor horse was as badly scared as I. 
 He squatted on his haunches, trembled all over, and 
 the sweat poured from him like water. I most surely 
 thought Gabriel had blown his horn, and that my time 
 had come. I learned afterwards that Colonel Hill had 
 a switch, which he attached by clamps, T:O derail trains, 
 but had selected a poor place. There was but a slight 
 embankment and the soil was soft, yellow clay. The 
 
 123 
 
engine turned upside down and by some accident it 
 turned on full speed with the whistle valve, which 
 was down in the mud, wide open; and no human being 
 who never heard it , can in any way imagine the un- 
 earthly noise it made. No sooner had the train 
 stopped than the soldiers in the box cars commenced 
 firing. Troops in the firelight on the hill were do- 
 ing the same, and I, misplaced in the darkness, was 
 between them. HOY/ I longed to go as the minnie 
 balls whistled over me as I lay on my trembling horse's 
 neck. When the troops passed out of the firelight 
 coming down the hill, I could not see them in the 
 darkness. I could see the flash of their guns only. 
 Oh. 1 would Colonel Hil'l never come? 
 
 "Captain Johnnie, are you there?" came the sweet- 
 est whisper' 1 ever heard. "Yes", I whispered. "Come" 
 he said. Bang - Bang - Bang - went their guns, not 
 ten feet away,* Colonel Hill got one of the bullets 
 in the arm, and my horse, one in the neck, From 
 nearly ten miles away we still heard that devilish, 
 ghostly whistle. 
 PRIVATE SOLDIERS. 
 
 Our command of one hundred officers in the capacity 
 of private soldiers, was the finest and oddest body 
 of men I have ever known; from the happy-go-lucky to 
 
 ' 124 
 
the most quiet and reserved. Among them was a Lieu- 
 tenant Sloan from Texas, a most quiet, dignified man, 
 tall and gaunt, and I should think about thirty years 
 old. ITo one ever kzi -im to laugh. The inconsistencies 
 of human nature are exemplified in the friendship, yes 
 love, between him and myself. At my foolishness and 
 chatter he would show laughter only through his eyes. 
 He took much more than a fatherly interest in me. He 
 helped me tend ray horses, divided his 'grub, and saved 
 the choice bits for me until it became a by-word in 
 the command. We were always together; we took prison- 
 ers, but he could not force me to take their shoes or 
 clothes. 
 MX IM X4H1^ CLOTHES. 
 
 One evening we started out together, he saying, 
 "Captain Johnnie, I am going to get you some clothes to- 
 night". After riding some' miles, we tied our horses and 
 crawled close to the railroad tracks and waited, 
 could see the picket walking his beat on the track. They 
 had one every hundred yards to keep us from cutting wires 
 and other devilment. 
 
 We lay in either side of a bridle path, -raiting. 
 Soon we saw some one coming down the path; his arms be- 
 hind him. \Vhen he reached us, instantly Sloan's pistol 
 was in his i>ce: his hands went up. "Take his belt", 
 
 125 
 
Sloan whisphered. Then without a sound Sloan marched 
 him three hundred yards away. He proved -co be an 
 officer of the guard, a young second lieutenant, and 
 not much older than myself. Sloan told him if he 
 spoke above a whisper he would kill him, but that if 
 he obeyed orders, he would not hurt him and would turn 
 him loose, "Captain Johnnie, don't you think his clothes 
 will fit you?" Stand beside him. Perfect", he said, 
 "Yank, skin". He pleaded, but in vain. His boots 
 were the finest I had seen. He stood in his under- 
 clothes. "What kind of underclothes are they?" Sloan 
 asked. "Silk", said the foolish boy. "Johnnie" , said 
 Sloan, "did you ever wear silk underclothes?", and at 
 my reply "ITo" he said, "Yank, I'm sorry, but you will 
 
 have to shed". The boy begged, but to no avail. "Un- 
 
 
 tie the horses", he said to me, and when we were on 
 
 them he begged the Yank's pardon, and we rode away. Can 
 you imagine the soft luxurious feel of that silk un- 
 derwear after I had worn only wool rags for so long? 
 CHARLES AUGUSTUS EBEITEZER. 
 
 Lieutenant Sloan had full federal uniform; we all 
 had later. The horse I was riding captured horse, 
 and a great improvement on the one I started with; but 
 he was unable to run. One morning when the Yanks were 
 chasing us and my horse could not kee ,vith the rest 
 
 126 
 
Sloan stayed with me until r ay. My horse 
 worried him greatly. One morninr we started out 
 and turned into the main road that lined with 
 federal wagon trains, artillery and soldier^. Sloan 
 wore a soft, white confederate hat. He had wet it 
 and stretched it over a stick until it stood up like 
 a dunce hat. The federals joked him over it as we 
 rode along. Coming to a fine old homestead, the head- 
 quarters of some general, with long old fashioned hitch- 
 ing rack filled with, horses, he whispered, "Here is 
 our chance ride slow" , and as we rode up to the rack 
 said, "Tie by the best horse, and mount". It was done 
 in a moment with hundreds of soldiers present. He 
 took a bay I, a chestnut sorrel, and we quietly rode 
 away, got to the brut-; rode like the 
 
 wind. You have heard often of this horse, Sloan 
 named him Charles Augustus Ebenezer. He was the envy 
 of everyone in c The saddle was a beauty and 
 had holsters containing two pistols. On more than 
 one occasion this horse saved my life, 
 STAMPEDE OF FEDERAL HORSES.' 
 
 While on a trip with Sloan, we saw a pasture with 
 only three or four herders tending about two hundred 
 horses. He got ten of us to go with hiri (we all had on 
 federal clothes ). We passed into the federal lines and 
 
 127 
 
rode- around the herd, drew our revolvers, fired, gave 
 the Rebel yell and stampeded the lot. 
 
 V/e reached camp ten miles away with thirty- tv o 
 fine horses. We had many fights, los y men, and 
 did untold damage to Sherman 1 s communications. A 
 force that could whip us, we could beat running. The 
 greatest damage to the enemy was in OLir continually 
 placing the most unique and simple device that could 
 not be seen except upon close observation, a derailing 
 switch, that by a simple clamp made it fast to the rails 
 and rarely failed to throw the engine off the track. 
 The engines, track, and rolling stock, in those days 
 could not in any way be compared with our modern engines. 
 The men enjoyed the danger of cradling up and placing 
 them, although several lost their lives in this way, 
 THE AMBUSCADE. 
 
 On this particular morning the lookout on old ' 
 Ball Knob, signalled, "large command of the enemy approach- 
 ing our rendezvous over the 'Devil's Backbone 1 Road". 
 
 If you had a relief map of our coast range of 
 mountains adjoining the Golden Gate on the north, with 
 Mount Tarnalpias a,s Old Ball Knob, you could form some 
 idea of the topography of the country in which we were 
 operating. The only passage between two ranges of moun- 
 tains was nature's unique, narrow and crooked formation 
 
 128 
 
four miles in length, called the, "Devil's Backbone 
 Road". It had been used by bot ies as their 
 main artery of travel for army trains and artillery. 
 As the road bed had not been re-paired in many years, the 
 deep ruts and holes caused it to be abandoned. It 
 v;as both picturesque and dangerous, for in some places 
 it was so narrow that two wagons could not pass, and 
 if wagon or horse missed the track it would fall hun- 
 dreds of feet over its perpendicular sides. At its 
 greatest height it made a sharp bend that seemed cut 
 from the mountain side, not by nature, but by man, and 
 on one side of this narrow passage for three hundred 
 feet its perpendicular 'rocky side ended in the chasm 
 below. Near this 'place was the only grove or timber on 
 its entire crest . In places, narrow cattle trails led 
 down its sides- to small valleys belc 
 
 "Mount, 111 shouted the colonel. Instantly every 
 man was in the saddle and followed him, Indian fashion, 
 up one of the mountain trails to the Devil's Backbone 
 road, to where the shrubs and trees grew behind the bluff, 
 where the road made the sharp curve over the chasm. V/e 
 reached this point two miles ahead of the advancing 
 federals. We numbered sixty men, and were hidden in 
 the foliage so that the advance guard twenty feet away 
 could not see us. He cautioned us in the charge that 
 
 129 
 
was to follow, to avoid the precipice and keep to our 
 left. The advancing federals, with song and laugh- 
 ter, were leisurely riding along this high divide 
 where they could see for miles on either side, never 
 
 
 
 dreaming that any force would be so foolhardy as to 
 attack them in such a place'. We heard their laugh- 
 ter as they turned the bend. They were riding single 
 file over that narrow ledge of rock. They had three 
 hundred yards yet to come. The rattle of their 
 sabers and jingle of their spurs sounded nearer and 
 nearer. 
 
 "Fire. 1 " rang out the Colonel's command. Sixty 
 revolvers threw lead into the front ranks of the sur- 
 prised and terror stricken federals. "Charge. 1 " shouted 
 the Col oriel. In a moment we were on them. Many 
 left their saddles at our first fire, others wheeled 
 their horses on that narrow ledge; and in their panic, 
 rode -over or forced many of those- in their rear over 
 that awful precipice. It was terrible. Colonel Hill 
 called us. back, and we divided into three groups and 
 scattered to meet at our rendezvous. I happened to 
 be with the group commanded by Captain Ely. 
 THE DEATH RUN. 
 
 After we had fed, watered and attended to our 
 horses, eaten our cold grub and were lying in the shade 
 
 130 
 
discussing the events of the morning, our lookout 
 reported that the federals had changed their course 
 and were returning over the same road. "Let us follow 
 them", said one of the men. Others joined in with 
 "We may get a good horse or two by picking up stragglers". 
 So with one accord, twenty of us mounted and started 
 for their rear. Captain Ely and three men formed our 
 advance, and we, about a mile behind, followed, all 
 talking of the morning's ambuscade. We had traversed 
 almost the entire length of the Devil's Backbone road, 
 past that awful place where we had engaged in the 
 morning's fight and where we could now see, from the 
 bluff, seven dead and mangled horses stripped of saddle 
 and bridle, on the rocks below. Their rear guard had 
 seen our approach. The Federal commander divided his 
 command by ordering five companies to leave the road 
 at a mountain trail, expecting us to keep the main road 
 so that they could get in our rear. He also ordered 
 two men on swift horses to drop behind as stragglers. 
 
 With our guns lying carelessly across the pommels 
 of our saddles we came to the trail where it left the 
 hard rock road, and there saw the fresh tracks of hun- 
 dreds of horses' feet. We stopped and then and there 
 decided that Captain Ely could not have failed to see 
 that the Federals had left the road, and that he had 
 
 131 
 
taker: the brail. After much discussion we turned and 
 fcilc trail. The Federal < 
 
 both surprised and pleased at the report of his look- 
 outs, quickly dismounting and placing in as perfect an 
 ambuscade as was ours in the morning, detailing a hun- 
 dred of 'his men mounted, on the swiftest horses-, saying 
 if any of them are in the saddle after our first fire 
 to charge, and he would have sweet revenge for the morn- 
 ing ' s fight . 
 
 I was 'riding- my beautiful Charles Augustus Ebenezer, 
 I 'had taken from the hitch rack at the headquarters of 
 some Federal ccinriaiader. In intelligence and affection, 
 he was almost hums. Every line of his body, the 
 glossy silkiness of nib, coat , the grace and symmetry of 
 his head and ears, indicated intelligence and purity 
 of blood. I do not believe he ever had an equal for 
 speed or endurance. 
 THE AMBUSCADE. 
 
 When barely a mile from the old road, a blinding 
 flash as of lightn: let us from two hundred guns. 
 Before we, who kept our saddles, could recover, like 
 a cyclone rushed over and by us, the hundred horsemen. 
 I, on Charles Augustus Ebenezer, and five others who 
 had kept their saddles, wheeled and started up that 
 mountain trail for the Devil's Backbone road. 
 
 132 
 
THE BRUTE IN MAJM. 
 
 Perhaps one of the most singular phases of human 
 nature is shown in a fight. You have seen how, even 
 in a fist fight, when the blood is up, all former train- 
 ing vanishes and is overwhelmed by the brute force in- 
 herent in us. You remember Senator Tildon, in a speech 
 in the Senate, said, "If you prick a negro's skin, you 
 still find the negro". So it is with us. .Tear from 
 us the covering that education, religion and peaceful 
 living clothes us with, and you will find left only the 
 brute. . aore does this force predominate when the 
 struggle is for life or death. Men becorie mad in the 
 frenzy and excitement of combat and while God's name 
 is ever on their lips, it is spoken neither in honor nor 
 supplication. 
 
 The mad rush up that mountain side while they 
 rmecl around us on every side, heaping oaths and curses 
 upon us. 1 They were delirious with it all. I threw 
 myself flat on my horse's neck. The pace at which 
 
 .rig to. , :ith the unevenness of the road, 
 made our shots uncertain. By the time we reached the 
 Devil's Backbone road, we had outdistanced most of our 
 pursuers, many of whose horses had fallen, the rocky 
 mountain side being strewn with horses and their riders. 
 
 To surrender we knew meant death. On we pushed, 
 
 133 
 
digging the rowels of our spurs deeper into our hors 
 flanks. There were now but three of us left when 
 passed that right angle, where we had lain in ambuscade 
 for them. Captain McCoy's horse could not make the 
 sudden turn, and the Captain and many of the -uing 
 Federals leaped into that cruel chasm. were go- 
 ing down the road, and I saw that only Lieutenant 
 McBride and I were left. Three Yanks, who had quite 
 a start of us, were still ahead. Behind were quite a 
 number, and when the road widened, one man on a mag- 
 nificent horse, forcing ' y to my side,- thrust at 
 me with his sword. Our only 'hope of safety was to 
 reach the valley at the foot of the road. ,ad gone 
 only three of the five miles The pace was terrific. 
 Neither Federals nor we "hexl. a shot left, and no man could 
 have loaded at the speed we making and over a road 
 where every step was a pitfall. Gradually the number 
 of the pursuers, grew less and less, as from exhaustion 
 or stumbling, their horses fell, and in many instances 
 rolled over the embankment . Perhaps ther- .ot 
 more than a dozen Federals now following, although to 
 us it seemed as if there .d. Then came a 
 
 level stretch. Charles Augustus Ebenezer could have 
 left them, but Lieutenant He Bride's horse was showing the 
 effects of the race. The Federal on the fine horse 
 
 134.- 
 
reached my side. How he did curse me saying he 
 could have killed my horse but that he spared him as 
 he intended to own him. I made myself as small as 
 possible, fearing to turn so as to throw my weight 
 to his side as the speed at which we were going was 
 so terrific, he might lose his balance over the rough 
 road and fall. The man made a lunge at me with his 
 sword. I thirk Charles Augustus Ebenezer saw his 
 aim, for he sprang forward, tl n lost his balance, 
 and both man and beavt rolled down the mountain side. 
 The horse of one 01 the three riders ahead fell, and 
 he lay in the dust by the roadside. I looked back and 
 there was no one in sight. "Captain Johnnie", said 
 Lieutenant ivIcBride, "Let us try and bluff those two 
 bloody spalpeens ahead of us". "Shall we give the 
 rebel yell?" I asked, "Wait until they have a chance 
 to get away", he replied. When they reached the 
 valley where the underbrush grew thick and rank, he 
 shouted, "ItfovT,". Uyi > Yi > Yi " v/e yelled, and pushing 
 our tired horses forward and flourishing cur empty re- 
 volvers, we charged. They turned into the brush and 
 we passed on unmolested. )on struck the trail 
 leading to our rendezvous, and half a mile from the old 
 road, Lieutenant McBride's horse stumbled and fell dead. 
 We walked the remaining mile and a half, leading Charles 
 
 135 
 
Augustus Ebenezer. When I passed t :.n 
 
 is fashion followed, by Lieutenant MoBride, r 
 his saddle and bridle, and the men noticed my horse's 
 drooping hea.d and bloody nostrils, and the red blood 
 showing through the white foam that covered his entire 
 body where my spurs had dug into his sides, a cry of 
 horror went up. Brother Jim began to upbraid me, and 
 I believe would hav-e struck me had it not been for 
 Lieutenant McBride , To abuse Charles Augustus Ebenezer 
 was worse than a crime, for he vras the pride of the 
 command. What a change came over them when we told 
 our story. 1 I can see now that group of listening men 
 with wonder in their eyes, as Lieutenant IlcBride,' in 
 his Irish brogue, told of that race for life. There 
 was but one hero as he told it, and that hero was 
 Charles Augustus Ebenezer. Never was a horse better 
 groomed. Every hour through that night he was given 
 a little water, and his bed made softer by the wild 
 grass which the men pulled. Colonel Hill himself in- 
 sisted upon taking his turn caring for him. 
 
 The second day, Captain Ely and one man rode into 
 camp* His story was a^- follows: diers 
 
 at a point about where the c . d. one 
 
 Iking and appearing to be endeavor." is 
 
 horse along, while the other r.ian followed ; 
 
 136 
 
to be i v--ing the lead horse to keep him movir; The 
 main body of Federals, half a mile ahead, was just turn- 
 ing the bend. Here, we thought, was our chance, and 
 putting spurs to our horses, charged them. Never were 
 -we more surprised when, while we were yet three hun- 
 dred yards distant, we saw the soldier leap to the 
 back of $3 ritly exhausted -horse and start off 
 at full speed. He ran like a. scared devil.- This, 
 Colonel, is rny only excuse for overlooking the trail". 
 
 ^ r e camped one night with General Wheeler's command: 
 we had won a wonderful reputation and had been proclaimed 
 heroes. General i.er invited Colonel. Kill to dine 
 with him, and sent us word to report at nine o'clock 
 next morning at his headquarters, that he wished to 
 compliment us. In the dense pine forest in which 
 were was a little log cabin. The only opening was 
 a door, and it had a clapboard roof held on by laying 
 pol At the nailed door sat a guard. It 
 
 excited my curiosity, and on inquiring of the guard, 
 learned there a barrel of "moonshine 11 (whisky ) which 
 General Wheeler wished to keep from his troops. I 
 could peep in a crack and see the barrel with a faucet 
 in it . I told Sloan and some of the other men; told 
 them the guard was wild to hear of our exploits, and if 
 
 137 
 
a: bunch of "boys would entertain him, I could climb 
 up and remove the clapboards and get a canteen of 
 whifeky. All agreed. I got in all right, drew the 
 canteen, took a taste which nearly burned my insides, 
 and passed it up to Sloan. He tried it too, then 
 oalled for more canteens; in fact all we had, and 
 still there was whisky in the barrel. I asked for 
 camp kettles and drew every drop into the buckets. I 
 put the boards and poles back, called off our enter- 
 tainers, and we went quietly to our camp. The rest 
 of the men were asleep, but we awoke them and handed 
 them a camp kettle and told them to drimk. I do 
 not remember any more until about 10 o'clock the next 
 morning when I found myself almost drowned in the 
 coldest water ice ever made. on I could open nry 
 eyes, I saw all the rest of the command in the same 
 cold stream, with a thousand soldiers on the bank shout- 
 ing with laughter. It took time for us all to 
 realize it was not a dream. Everyone of us had 
 later the details of how it all happened positively 
 impressed on our minds. 
 
 When we failed to report at General Wheeler's head- 
 quarters, General Wheeler, Colonel Hill, with staff 
 officers and soldiers, rode to our camp to ascertain 
 the cause of our not complying v/ith orders. General 
 
 138 
 
Wheeler could scarcely keep his horse for laughter. 
 Colonel Hill had. spent the evening extolling, not 
 only our bravery, btrb our morals. 
 WE ALL HAD A BA^ 
 
 Colonel Hill did not laugh. They said he turned 
 perfectly whit ^ vith rage, took it as a personal in- 
 sult, asked General Wheeler for a detail, and had our. 
 helpless bodies carried to the bank of the stream, 
 which was ten feet high, and v/ith a one - two - three - 
 threv; us, amid shouts and laughter into the cold water. 
 One by one, like drowning rats, we crawled up the bank, 
 sober. There was not a single one that had a re- 
 semblance of a hero about him. 
 
 Wheeler put his guard in irons. Hill arrested 
 three of our men, and when brought before him in the 
 presence of General Wheeler, threatened to drum them 
 out of the service if they did not confess the details. 
 They would not say one word. Others were arrested, 
 but not one would tell. Finally I was called. I had 
 reason to know he liked me. I started to take a chair. 
 He said, "Stand up, you will never sit in my presence 
 until you tell w s the guilty one". I said, 
 "Colonel, I'm sorry then, I will never sit in your 
 presence, every man you have in the guard house is 
 as innocent as you are". Turning to General Wheeler, 
 
 139 
 
I remarked. "Your guard, is perfectly innocent of any 
 knowledge whatever 11 . He replied, "Is that the word 
 of an officer and a gentleman? " I said it was. He 
 called an aide. "Present my apology to the guard and 
 release him". He turned to Colonel Hill and said, "I 
 am now not only convinced that your men are heroes, but 
 gentlemen. You have had nine officers before you, and 
 not one would betray a comrade. Three would brave the 
 ignominy of being drummed out of the service before 
 they would commit a dishonorable act. I would like to 
 grasp the hand of every -man in your command". The men 
 were released. 
 THE BIG FILL AT 
 
 Our instructions when in Sherman's rear were to 
 avoid, if possible, a conflict with the enemy. Y/e 
 were not sent to do cattle. Orders read, "use every 
 endeavor to destroy and interrupt all railroads, wire 
 and bridge communication between General Sherman's army 
 at Atlanta and the north" . 
 
 Colonel Hill tried to obey orders. Again and again, 
 he would shout, "Run, I tell you, run. Never fight un- 
 less cornered". Had his cororand been composed of a 
 regular detail of one hundred men, ive been 
 
 possible to have controlled them, but not ith his 
 dare-devil lot. Each one seemingly vied with the other 
 
 140 
 
to do the most reckless thing. We were only a few 
 in number, With more Federal cavalry continually on 
 our trail, we were on the move. From mountain peaks, 
 our pickets kept us informed of the enemies' movements. 
 Our advantage was the soallness of our command. They 
 moved against us only in large bodies. The heavy force 
 that protected their wooden bridges (steel bridges 
 were almost unknown in those days ) made them almost 
 free from our attack. I only remember two bridges that 
 we destroyed, -and on one occasion, we had quite a fight. 
 We caught them unaware with our surprised charge and 
 drove them back before they could rally. 
 
 Our detail had placed the gunpowder (dynamite was 
 unknown) under the bridge, lighted the fuse and then 
 scampered away. We saw the bridge crumble and, fall. 
 General Sherman's organization was so perfect that 1>o 
 our great surprise, trains were passing over the bridge 
 next day. Almost every night details were sent to 
 different parts of the railroad to place derailing 
 switches. I do not think we ever failed to throw one 
 or more trains into the ditch at each attempt. 
 H DRAW LOTS. . 
 
 We had all met at our appointed rendezvous, and 
 just before sundown, Colonel Hill ordered the men in 
 line, saying, "Tonight I am going to send ten men to the 
 
 141 
 
railroad to derail trains. I have selected the lo- 
 
 p 
 
 cation for the placing of the ten switches some fif- 
 teen miles apart. As some of "these places are so 
 much more hazardous than others, I cannot force myself 
 to select the men, so I have decided to have 3^ou; draw 
 lots. In this hat on slips are written the ten loca- 
 tions* As I pass down the line I wish every man with 
 closed eyes, to draw a slip from the hat. Those draw- 
 ing a slip on which a location is written will prepare 
 immediately to go alone to the designated place, and if 
 possible derail a train". 
 
 Lieutenant .Sloan had just drawn a blank. I was 
 next. Now although I was ever ready at all times for- 
 any escapade, I felt my pulse quicken when I read on 
 the slip I drev/ "The Big Fill at Kennesaw" . Lieutenant 
 Sloan tried to force his blank into my hand, and to 
 take mine. One who has passed over the Georgia road 
 could not help having noticed that mighty embankment or 
 fill between two mountain ranges. At that time it 
 was known as the longest and highest earthen fill in 
 the entire south. For twenty years after the" war, as 
 the train passed slowly -over it, one could see at the 
 bottom, parts of an engine and hundreds of wheels and 
 twisted iron which the fire could not destroy. When 
 Brother Jim saw what I had drawn he said, "Johnnie, give 
 
 14-2 
 
it to me" . "Hot on your life" , I replied. Had I 
 permitted Brother -Jim to take my place, and had it 
 "become known in the command, I do not believe a man 
 
 Id ever have recognized or spoken to me again. It 
 would have meant disgrace forever. ten, who had 
 drawn the fated slips, got busy preparing for our long 
 night ride. I changed my clothing and to my back was 
 tied the derailing switch. Jim tied his much prized, 
 heavy riding gloves to my belt. They were my salva- 
 tion, as my gloves wer'j worthless before I was half 
 way up the fill. Only one who is familiar with the 
 tropical growth of the south, can appreciate the diffi- 
 culty of that undertaking. This fill or embankment 
 was fifteen years old. Itr, sides were a mass of tan- 
 gled shrubs and vines more impenetrable than a cane 
 brake. The blackberry, like an octopus, had pushed 
 its long tentacles around and through every shrub and 
 vine, and made a barrier -Jiich no man had ever attempted 
 to pa General Sherman ki a body of 
 
 men trying to destroy his communication. . Hence nothing 
 seemed to him i ible for us to attempt. For every 
 hundred .''yards of track acr ill, and on his 
 entire line of cornmunico.tioiis for that matter, one of 
 his pickets walked their beat-. In my opinion t. 
 it very unwisely, as each picket would march a hundred 
 
 143 
 
yards and. meet another, then about face larch back. 
 In this way they left exposed to our attack -rtion 
 of the track when th>: 1 to walk in opposite direc- 
 tions. At sundown I "bid all goodbye. They seemed more 
 impressed than I. I was only a boy and did not have 
 the realization of danger that was *;iven to men. Charles 
 
 Augustus Ebenezer carried me many miles to the base of 
 the fill. I selected the tallest pine tree near to 
 which I might tie him, so that he could the more easily 
 be found. I started with a large corn knife to cut 
 my way to the top of the fill. Fortunately I never 
 learned to swear, or I most surely would have given vent 
 to my feelings. To me the climb was never monotonous.. 
 My mind was continually saying over and over, t: V/hat will 
 I find at the top of the fill?" Throe o'clc 3 the 
 time set for the placing cf all the derailing ow itches. 
 I arrived where I could see the picket ".valkri Ls beat. 
 It was an hour before the time. The briers had torn 
 my heavy clothes in shreds. I was bleeding from many 
 scratches. How long that hour seemed. 1 I took my 
 watch, time and again from my pocket. ten the picket's 
 back was turned I crawled closer and closer through the 
 tangled mass. Now I war. so close I scarcely breathed. 
 The picket was twenty yards away: now I was lying on the 
 track. Before he turned, my derailing sv'itch was made 
 
 144 
 
fast and I fell over the bank and lay motionless, the 
 thorns sticking seemingly into my every pore. en 
 he again turned, I scrambled to my feet and started 
 downward. I had lost the trail I had cut when I heard 
 a train coming around the bend. In my excitement I 
 had not noticed it. Horror upon horror flashed through 
 my brain. On what side of the track did I set the 
 switch to throw the train? For the life of me, I could 
 not remember, but felt sure it was on my side. The 
 thought made me fall twenty feet. I lost my knife, 
 canteen, and all. T\vice I hung suspended by the few 
 clothes that were still left on my body. Down, down, 
 regardless of bruises or briers, was my only thought. 
 The train was almost to the switch. I knew it would 
 not lodge, but go the three hundred feet to the bottom. 
 I felt there was no chance of escape, yet I actually 
 leaped at every chance I had to get away. A crash 
 came like a peal of loudest thunder. Again and again 
 it continued. I felt the great iron wheels crushing 
 me and I fainted. 
 
 It was daylight when my mind grew normal and my 
 senses returned. I lay for some tin? re I fell, 
 thinking it all over. I was in tatters and bleeding, 
 but felt no pain. From this I kru: J : the train had 
 gone over the other side of the fill. Finally I found 
 
 145 
 
Charles Augustus Ebenezer, Aftc.- f forts, I pulled 
 myself into the saddle. hands refused to hold the 
 reins, but the trusty fellow carried me safely to the 
 camp. They took my bruised and bleeding body from his 
 back and laid me on a blanket . It was like the home 
 coming of the prodigal. 
 ORDERED BACK. 
 
 An officer bearing orders from General Hood finally 
 reached us. Colonel Kill, suffering from a recent wound, 
 placed Captain Ely in temporary command with instructions 
 to assemble the company. We numbered twenty-nine for 
 duty, and with the exception of seven, all bore scars of 
 battle. Captain Ely read to us General Hood's orders 
 to Colonel Hill, complimenting him (Colonel Kill) on 
 the gallantry and brilliant achievements of his command, 
 and ordering our return. 
 
 Colonel Kill then requested that his rudely con- 
 structed stretcher be placed in our front, and thereupon 
 addressed us in words both brave and sad. He spoke in 
 detail of the events as they had occurred; told of the 
 brave and daring deeds of both living and dead, not 
 forgetting to mention each and every one who had shared 
 in them. He said he would always feel that no man 
 had been so honored as he, in being the commander of a 
 body of such fearless men, and that he wa,s confident no 
 
 146 
 
offense would be taken if he suggested throe names for 
 special mention when making his report to General Hood. 
 He further stated that he would call such names and 
 leave it to the vote of the command. The names he 
 mentioned were: Lieutenant Sloan, Lieutenant, jtfcBride , 
 and "Our Little Captain Johnnie". The Company showed 
 their L of the selection by a unanimous cheer. 
 Colonel Hill then concluded by saying that his report 
 would contair ;ial mention of the individual deeds of 
 heroism of every one of his hundred men; that he had 
 kept ^ diary of events and found it included the names 
 of all those on its muster roll. He said he would ask 
 General Hood to grant any reasonable request made by 
 Lieutenants Sloan and KcBride , and Captain. Johnnie. 
 WAR TROPHIES. 
 
 Then came the hurry and scramble of gathering 
 together our captured plunder, - from caves, hollow logs, 
 and every conceivable hiding place, the men gathered their 
 trophies of war including pistols, swords, blankets and 
 articles of evei-y description. 
 
 There were four men who were so seriously wounded 
 that it was unwise to attempt to take them on that long 
 journey, so with great sorro- e compelled to leave 
 them behind, From our storehouse we left everything 
 possible for their comfort and maintenance. 
 
 147 
 
Colonel Hill E a letter which was later 
 tacked to a tree on the "Devil 1 ad" , ask- 
 
 ing that humane treatment be given our wounded men 
 by the enemy. The name and rank of each': was' mentioned 
 in the letter. We afterwards learned that tnis re- 
 quest had been royally granted. Both Colonel Hill and 
 Captain Ma-llory were wounded, but they insisted they 
 could keep their saddles, which they did. 
 
 However, it was not so w r ith Lieutenant McBride, 
 who was not able to sit up, but Lieutenant Sloan and I 
 determined he should accompany us. By fastening two 
 poles to the saddles of Charles August u:: or in 
 front, and my roan horse in the rear, fairly 
 
 comfortable stretcher, which we lined my layers 
 of blankets. Colonel Hill then ordered Lieutenant 
 Sloan and myself to take turns daily caring for the com- 
 fort of Lieutenant' McBride. I would have been proud 
 to have had you know him. He had a personality, the 
 most unique and fascinating of any I h; rer encounter- 
 ed. He was a perfect type of the .young Irish dare- 
 devil. Physically, God had been most kind to him, 
 and in his Federal Colonel's uniform, r thout a 
 flower in the lapel of his coat, he alone, in our 
 command was a "beau" . He kept the camp in a continual 
 roar of laughter, with his quaint Ir:> " cries, while 
 
 140 
 
in every fight instinctively we knew he was where dan- 
 ger was greatest. In that long ride back, never once 
 did he utter a complaint. The third day he insisted 
 that we let Charles Augustus Ebeiiezer free, saying, with 
 a laugh, he had more sense than the two of us. This 
 proved to be the truth, for the horse realized his 
 responsibility and selected the best and smoothest trails. 
 OFF FOR ATLANTA. 
 
 Indian fashion, behind our guide, we started at 
 midnight over the mountain trails on that long ride 
 around the Federal Army, to join our army at Atlanta. I 
 will not' tire you with details of that monotonous ride. 
 Day by day, Lieutenant Sloan and I took personal charge 
 'of Lieutenant McBride and finally we reached the suburbs 
 of Atlanta. It happened that day to be Lieutenant 
 Sloan's turn to attend Lieutenant McBride, and he was 
 ordered to push forward- and place hir: charge in the 
 General Hospital; we to go into- camp five miles out, and 
 there to await orders. You cannot imagine hov/ the men 
 grumbled and complained at the dela;; . They were anxious 
 to hear from their comrades, and relate the thrilling in- 
 cidents of our life in the rear of Sherman's arniyl Hot 
 one word in ten weeks had reached us from our command. 
 I, too, was anxious to meet my old comrades, but I 
 believe my desire was greater to see "Little Yankee Nancy". 
 
 149 
 
"Captain Ely" , i : cried, "if you will give me permission 
 to ride to the. General Hospital, I v/ill give you my 
 wprd of honor that I will just say 'howdy 1 to Miss 
 Hancy and run my horse all the way back". "Sorry, 
 Captain Johnnie", he replied, "I'm expecting orders any 
 minute to move, and I cannot disobey. instructions 
 are to hold every man in camp". Oh, the misery of 
 those three daysi 
 
 A! LAST; 
 
 ' At last came the order "Disband and return to 
 your -commands. Assemble the following Sunday at 10 A. 
 at General Hood 1 s headquarters for inspection". I waited 
 to hear no more. Charles Augustus Ebenezer was already 
 saddled, and -with a "Goodbye boys", I gave him rein and 
 we were soon flying towards the General Hospital. I was 
 so proud and happy. My clothes were so fine, my 
 trappings burnished, a flower in my coat, What would 
 she say when she saw me, was. the uppermost thought in 
 my mind. I tied my horse to the old dismantled gun 
 and entered. No one greeted me, the faces were un- 
 familiar. I caused comment as I walked do T ,vn that 
 long aisle, only (?) by my Federal clothes. I rapped 
 on the door of the minister's study, but no answer 
 carae. , I turned' the knob and walked into an empty room. 
 I sat on her couch my disappointment was the greatest 
 
 150 
 
I had ever known. My old friend, the surgeon, came, and 
 I was so ashamed, for he saw I had been crying. "Lieu- 
 tenant Hadly" , he said "improved rapidly and four days 
 ago was exchanged. His little sister went with him. 
 They left many messages for you". But I could not 
 stay there to hear them. I found my horse and slowly 
 rode to my command. Enthusiasm and pride were lost in 
 the realization that "Little Yankee Nancy" and I would 
 never again see each other. 
 MY COKMA1D. 
 
 I tied my horse where the shells of the enemy could 
 not reach him and walked down the trench until I came 
 to my command. It was like the homecoming of the 
 "Prodigal"; many of the men in their joy, embraced me, 
 but I was in a frame of mind that could not appreciate 
 
 their welcome. Others who had arrived there before me 
 
 i 
 
 had told many incidents of our raid. Older men love to 
 magnify the deeds of a boy, and when the stories had 
 been retold half a dozen times they were exaggerated 
 similar to the fisherman's story regarding the size of 
 the fish that got away. There were but nine of us 
 returning, out of the twenty-five who had left, and 
 when we learned of the many friends and iness-mates who 
 were lying in the trench just back of us, we could not 
 keep back the tears. Many of my most intimate friends 
 
 151 
 
were among those who had met death during our absence. 
 The boys assured me of how they 'had kept their promise 
 to see that "Little Yankee Nancy" and her brother had 
 every comfort possible while I was away told of a 
 soldier in an Alabama Regiment who had received a box 
 of cakes and dainties from home, and of how they had 
 stolen the box one night and had given it to 1-Iiss Nancy's 
 black girl, Mary; and how Miss Nancy instead of keeping 
 the delicacies for her brother Dick and herself, had 
 distributed all to the sick and wounded soldiers in the 
 hospital. "V/e never saw her 11 , they said, "out she asked 
 'Have you heard from Captain Johnnie 1 ". 
 LOVED ONES AT HOI/ffi. 
 
 When the word reached the boys of the compliment 
 of Colonel Hill and his promise, all cried - "Are you 
 going to leave us?" "What do you expect?" "\".'hat do 
 you want?" asked one. "Not a single thing," I replied. 
 "I am perfectly happy as I am". "Say Captain", suddenly 
 cried one, "wouldn't they let you off to take our mail 
 to St Louis?" Then it was all bedlam. All gathered 
 
 around me saying, "You could do it". "Haven't heard a 
 
 
 word from home in three years". "Home sweet home" was 
 
 the thought of every man, and .there was not a dry eye, 
 as they told of their longings; those scarred, ragged, 
 veterans. 
 
 152 
 
'-d into the yearning, pleading faces, and 
 said,' "Boys, I'll do it if they will let me". The 
 men took me in their arms, while the news like wild- 
 fire, spread through our brigade. Others came-, and 
 they acted like men bereft of reason at the hope' of 
 hearing from loved ones at. home. They did not ques- 
 tion or doubt but that I would be given permission. 
 They organized and Dinted committees, one to see 
 that the letters \vere short, and another to gather all 
 the Pe money that was in camp. The money was 
 absolutely valueless wi-ch us. Even if there was anything 
 to sell, no southern man would take a Yankee f s money for 
 it. A committee of ten men was selected to provide me 
 with citizen's clothes. This was the most difficult 
 task of all, as our . army at this time was in such dire 
 straits, that every male, from youth to tottering age, 
 was in it . 
 MY CITIZEN'S CLOTHES. 
 
 In the conscript camp they saw a handsome youth 
 with v/ell fitting homemade clothes, end. by intrigue and 
 falsehood, they enticed him away; blindfolding and carry- 
 ing him to our trench, where he was stripped of the 
 coveted suit of home spun, and in exchange, given old 
 ragged garments. The boy, nearly frightened to death, 
 and still blindfolded, was conducted in a roundabout 
 
 153 
 
fashion before he was turned. Ice? ,en I next cane 
 to camp I had to try the stoler. on, Ithough 
 ar. trifle large > it was pronounced satisfactory. The 
 boys then, instead of calling me Captain Johnnie now 
 shouted, "Sonnie, your mother was just here looking for 
 you. You had better run home no do the chores". 
 Almost every soldier possessed greenbacks. They 
 kept them merely for the pretty pictures stamped on them, 
 or to gamble w it h. How many thousands of dollars I 
 carried, I never knew. - I did not even think of count- 
 ing them. Men from other camps, hearing of my pro- 
 posed mission, contributed their share to my collection. 
 GENERAL HOOD. 
 
 
 
 Sunday morning Colonel Kill led the way to the 
 parade ground in front of General Hood's headquarters 
 at the head of the band of thirty-one men, all remain- 
 ing of the hundred who had left Atlanta ten weeks 
 before. Both the staff and escort of General Hood were 
 in confederate uniform and poorly mounted, v/hile our 
 uniforms were of Federal blue with much gold braid and 
 tinsel,, and our mounts, the very select of those captured 
 during the raid. As- we approached headquarters, with 
 the band playing "Dixie", those stirring and thrilling, 
 though unfamiliar strains of music, seemed to startle 
 our horses almost into a panic, and when to this was 
 
 154 
 
added the Rebel yell, given by more than a thousand 
 throats, the animals were practically uncontrollable, 
 much to the enjoyment of the spectators. It was an 
 odd sight to see our little command in their fine 
 Yankee uniforms in the midst of that array of ragged 
 and faded gray. Colonel Hill read his report, which 
 was frequently interrupted by applause. He mentioned 
 the personal gallantry of his men, giving in detail a 
 history of our life in General Sherman's rear. Finally, 
 ordering Lieutenant Sloan, Lieutenant McBride, and 
 Captain Johnnie to ride forward, he turned to General 
 Hood, and said: "I promised these 'three men that, with 
 your approval, they should be granted any. request in 
 reason. This I do by the unanimous vote of my command". 
 Following this, he spoke in detail of the various ex- 
 ploits, etc. etc. General Hood made a most gracious 
 and complimentary reply, and stated that each member 
 of the command should receive promotion. "Lieutenant 
 McBrid-3, what is your desire?" he asked. "General", 
 answered the Lieutenant, "travelling in a saddle on 
 the -back of -a good horse is much more to my taste than 
 riding my two feet". a jor licBride" , said the 
 General, "the cavalry needs more just such gallant 
 officers as you. Report in ten days to General Wheeler" 
 "Major Sloan, what can I do for you?" "General", he 
 
 155 
 
replied, "my desiro is to be transferred to the 
 cavalry". "It gives me great pleasure to grant that 
 wish", said General Hood, for I have in my hand a 
 letter from General Wheeler, asking that I transfer to 
 his command any and all of Colonel Hill's command so 
 desiring" . 
 PERMISSION 
 
 Turning to me he said, "Captain Johnnie Wicker- 
 sham, what is your pleasure?" What can I do for you?" 
 "Nothing for myself", I answered, "but the men of our 
 brigade, not having heard a word from home in years, 
 have begged me to ask your permission to carry their 
 letters and make inquiries of their families in St. 
 Louis". "V/hat", said General Hood, "do you mean you 
 only \vish permission to take the mail to St. Louis?" 
 "Yes Sir", I replied. He turned to our beloved 
 Brig. General saying, "can this boy accomplish such a 
 thing?" "Yes", was the answer. General Hood then 
 summoned Colonel Hill and they engaged in convers'a- . 
 tion for some time, and when they concluded he addressed 
 me saying, "Captain Johnnie, do you understand, do you 
 realize that you will have to travel many miles through 
 Federal territory and that you are liable to be hanged 
 as a spy if apprehended?" "General, I promised the 
 boys I would try to do it, if you would grant permission 
 
 156 
 
finally, the General, after some hesitation, using 
 the pommel of his saddle as a rest, wrote the order, 
 giving me an indefinite furlough, and asking assistance 
 in my behalf of all Confederate troops. Soon after 
 we were disbanded. 
 THE BAHQ.UET . 
 
 Before I started on my long journey, Colonel Kill 
 made me the guest of honor at a dinner given by him to 
 General Hood's staff and various officers. The banquet 
 took place in a beautiful mansion then vacant, and 
 around that table sat many white haired officers in 
 Confederate uniforms. Looking back, it seem ludicrous 
 to think of that little boy in home spun jeans occupy- 
 in,-? the place of honor at the head of the board. At 
 their repeated requests I gave a recital of the events 
 of our raid, mingling the comic with thei serious, not 
 forgetting to relate, to the evident amusement of the 
 party, how I got the moonshine whisky. The hilarity 
 faded in the exchange of good-nights and goodbyes, and 
 the eyes of Colonel Hill glistened as he held my hand 
 for the last time. 
 
 My preparations for the trip north consisted in 
 having the mail entrusted to me concealed as effectually 
 as possible on my person, which ta^k was confined to a 
 tailor, who proved himself a veritable artist in this 
 
 157 
 
regard: and .liy. sewed the letters., one on 
 
 another, distributing the entire mail in this manner 
 over the inner side of my undergarments, which, suit, 
 by the way, was a part of my Federal plunder. When 
 all had been attended to, and with the goodbyes, and 
 good wishes- of my comrades ringing in my ears, I 
 mounted Charles Augustus Ebenezer and with no luggage 
 but my trusty revolvers, rode away on my long journey 
 toward St. Louis. I decided to endeavor to enter 
 the Federal lines at Memphis. The distance by rail 
 was 466 miles, birc on account of the necessity of 
 avoiding the Federal armies "between those points, this 
 distance was doubled several times before I reached 
 Memphis. I -shall not give in detail the history of 
 this solitary journey, which had almost entirely tc 
 be made:: at night 'time so" as to avoid travelers, and 
 over roads unknown to me with no guide but my compass. 
 The highways I shunned for the same good:, reasons. It 
 seemed to me the very woods were filled with Yankee 
 soldiers, and although I knew if aaught , and the mail 
 discovered upon me I would be hanged as a spy, still 
 I did not seem to realize the gravity and peril of my 
 situation. ., After reaching Federal territory I spoke 
 to no one with the exception of an old man, the keeper 
 of a country store. After locating the store I 
 
 158 
 
watched its entrance for nearly an entire day from 
 a safe distance "behind some brush, and when I was con- 
 vinced it was little patronized by the soldiers, I at 
 last ventured to get some supplies of bacon, crackers, 
 cheese, sardines, etc. of which I was in need. As 
 the old store-keeper brought the packages out to me, 
 he remarked, "Why Sonnie, you are riding the most 
 beautiful horse I have ever seen". "Yes", I replied, 
 "Father, who is a big officer, loaned him to me to 
 ride here for these things". 
 
 My packages were already tied to my saddle when 
 two soldiers rode up. I started down the road while 
 they talked to the store-keeper, but had not gone but 
 a short distance when the soldiers started after me. 
 By talking gently to Charles Augustus Ebenezer I managed 
 to keep him at a walk as I was not yet certain as 
 to their intentions. Then one of the men yelled 
 "Halt" and fired his pistol in the air. At this my 
 beautiful horse showed them his heels, and I was not 
 long outdistancing them, but knowing I could not keep 
 the road without the fear of meeting others, I made 
 a sharp turn as soon as out of sight of my pursuers, and 
 dashed into the shelter of the brush. Dismounting, 
 I whispered to niy beloved horse, and he stood im- 
 movable until I saw them pass. Then taking an opposite 
 
 159 
 
direction I rode on through brush and timber. With- 
 out doubt my salvation was in a great --ure due to 
 the knowledge gained while in the raid in the rear of 
 Sherman's army. Many were the incidents that occurred 
 during the three weeks of lonely travel, skirting towns 
 and camps, many times entirely at sea as to my direc- 
 tion, and added to this the discomfort of the almost 
 continuous rains from the time of starting to my 
 arrival at Memphis. ' While I slept my horse's hitch 
 rein was secured to my wrist and more than once when he 
 heard a strange noise would awaken me by putting his 
 nose to my face, and at other times he would play- 
 fully bite my hand and enjoy my caresses. You cannot 
 understand how we loved each other. 
 
 I began to surmis-e that I must be in the vicinity 
 of Memphis, but could not assure myself of this by 
 making inquiries, so hearing army wagons passing on 
 the road, I tied my horse to a tree and crawled to the 
 main road where concealed in the brush I watched and 
 listened as the big army train passed, and at last 
 was rewarded by hearing a driver say he would be in 
 Memphis by the following night. I then found I had 
 passed Memphis, and was some thirty miles northeast of 
 it. 
 
 Then new fears assailed me, and if you had seen 
 
 160 
 
me as I mounted and rode off just at dusk, 3^ou would 
 have scid, "There is surely the saddest "boy in all 
 the v/orld" , for I had just realized that if I con- 
 tinued my journey to St. Louis I should have to 'part, 
 and I knew forever, with my dearly beloved Charles 
 Augustus Ebenezer. I held a night long council of 
 war with myself, as I knew no one with whom I could 
 leave him, and the fact was forced upon me that I 
 could not ride him into Memphis, for on his left 
 shoulder was the telltale brand "U.S." I felt sure 
 
 boy dressed as I was - riding such a magnificent 
 horse would be compelled to prove ownership, which 
 would result in my being jailed for horse stealing. 
 Then cane to me the greatest sorrow I thought 
 could come to mortal and I gave way to my grief. 
 Having decided that nothing remained for me to do 
 but abandon the good friend who had shared my trial 
 I led him to a small creek where the grass was fresh 
 and green, too 1 " off my saddle and bridle, and kissing 
 the faithful beast I left him and ran towards the 
 main road. Before I had covered half the distance 
 I saw he was following me, I turned in another direc- 
 tion and hid behind a fallen tree hoping he could not 
 find me, but before I had scarcely wiped away my tears, 
 I looked up into the face of Charles Augustus Ebenezer. 
 
 161 
 
In the frenzie of my anguish I struck 3, 
 ashamed as. I am to write it, I threw* rocks 
 and drcve him away from me, leaving h: :ne . 
 
 shelter or master. I bathed my- tear-stained face 
 in the creek and walked boldly into the road along 
 which was passing an army wagon driven by a jolly Irish 
 fellow who shouted to me "Get aboard kid", and I rode 
 all the afternoon by his side. Without direct ques- 
 tions, I gained some idea as to my whereabouts from his 
 casual remark that it was nine miles from Memphis. 
 on reaching Memphis I felt free and happy as a lark, 
 The city was filled with soldiers, and I noticed' many 
 boys dressed similar to myself. I think it was the 
 third day after my arrival that I took passage on the 
 Steamboat ." Suit anna ", and, notwithstanding the fact 
 that I had probably funds sufficient to purchase the 
 entire steamer, I was cautious enough to purchase only 
 a- deck passage to St. Louis. Hew good the grub tasted, 
 and how I wished the boys in the army could share such 
 a- ; feast with me, yet the passengers.; were continually 
 grumbling. Nothing of especial interest happened on 
 the trip except that I remember w 3 were four days 
 aground, which did not dampen my spirits, for every- 
 thing was new to me. How we did whip the rebel? dnr . 
 
 that trip. 1 
 
 162 
 
ST- LOUIS. 
 
 Well do I remember when the boat whistled at 
 St. Louis, and how the Mate drove me back from the 
 front end of the boat, I had no luggage of any kind, 
 not even a pocket hanker chief, and before the boat 
 was tied up I wasrs ashore and climbing the cobblestones 
 of the levee. I felt like shouting for I knew every 
 foot of the old city over whose streets and byways I 
 had often ridden Father's horses. How beautiful the 
 stores looked, clothing stores especially. I stopped 
 in front of their inviting windows, and gazed and 
 gazed at their contents, but more than all was I as- 
 tonished at the unexpected sight of a horse-car* I 
 had not seen one' since Father left St. Louis. After 
 gazing at the fascinating displays of several cloth- 
 ing stores, I at last entered one and ordered the best 
 suit of clothes in the house, together with shirt, linen 
 collar, tie, shoes and socks. The salesman took them 
 all to a little dressing room, and offered to assist 
 me in dressing, but for very good reasons I refused his 
 assistance, and when he asked me about underclothing, 
 I said I did not need any. Well, my boy, you can't 
 imagine the pleasure I experienced as I looked into the 
 mirror at the dude I was transformed into. I gave the 
 salesman a fifty dollar bill, and told him to keep the 
 
 163 
 
change, requesting that he have my old clothes tied 
 up to be called for later. I immediately .re- i.ir- 
 I had made a mistake in telling him to keep the change, 
 for I saw.' he believed I had stolen the money, but his 
 good judgment told him that he would lose the sale if 
 he had me arrested. I spent the rest of the afternoon 
 and early evening looking in the show windows, and 
 mingling with the crowd. I invested in a pocket knife, 
 of the variety containing the -picture of a woman in the 
 rivet. As the evening advanced I made my way to the 
 hor.e of Henry Ashbrook, southerner and friend of my 
 Father. My ring of the bell was answered by a negro 
 servant of whom I inquired for Mr. Ashbrook, refusing 
 to give my name. After some delay he came tc the door, 
 and I said to him, "Don't you know me?" It took me 
 quite- a while to convince him of my identity, and when 
 I was finally ushered into the house he said, "What 
 in the name of Heaven are you doing here?" "I came 
 with the mail from our brigade", I answered. "Oh. 1 ", 
 he exclaimed, "You have letters from my boy", but- I 
 had to tell him that his son had fallen at Vicksburg. 
 The scene which followed is too sad to relate, "I 
 have a letter from your nephew",' I told him. "Give 
 it to me", almost shrieked the wife. "The mail is 
 fastened to my underclothing for safety, and has not 
 
been removed since I left camp", I said. They un- 
 derstood, and. I was taken to the bathroom where- the 
 letters were ripped from their hiding place, and with 
 the assistance of the negro and fresh garments I felt 
 like a civilized being once more. 
 
 I trust no one \vill have occasion to pass through 
 such a night of misery as I, a boy, witnessed' that 
 night at Henry Ashbrook > s. I knew every 'man in our 
 command, and it devolved' upon me to relate to parents, 
 friends or relatives incidents of camp life, or to 
 tell of ho\v some dear one had lost an arm, or a leg, 
 etc. All that night long the faithful old negro 
 would come and go bringing Mothers, Fathers and friends 
 through the alley and up the back stairs to the attic 
 where by the light of a coal oil lamp. I told my tales 
 of woe, for if living, at 'best I could but tell them 
 of those dear ones as gaunt, starved and ragged, but 
 in spite of all this, never did their lips breathe 
 the words, nor their eyes express the desire to "Give 
 up". 
 
 These meetings continued for three days and nights 
 until the number of callers began to cause comment, so 
 we arranged for the' delivery of my mail, and I left 
 
 . Ashbrook's house with many blessings- and prayers 
 for my safety. 
 
 165 
 
Next cioor to where we had lived in St. Louis 
 had dwelt a boy of my own age named John Bright. We 
 had never been able to agree very well and had often 
 settled our differences in hand to hand encounters. 
 Wandering into a theater after leaving 'Mr, Ashbrook's 
 house I had sat through the first act, thoroughly en- 
 joying the entertainment, when to my surprise and con- 
 sternation, the same John.- Bright greeted me with hands 
 extended, saying "Isn't this Johnnie Wickersham?" Quick 
 as a flash I answered, "Never more mistaken in your 
 life". My name is Doyle, but pleased to meet you." 
 As my stuttering had been the cause of most of our 
 boyishes differences, I now felt the absolute necessity 
 of hiding this defect, and succeeded. He left me and 
 returned to the seat he had formerly occupied, but re- 
 peatedly looked in my direction. I hated to leave 
 the show, but I saw he was watching me, so I waited 
 my opportunity, and slipped out* 
 
 The following day I visited my Father's brother, 
 Hawkins Wickersham, \vho was very wealthy, and a strong 
 Unionist, The consternation could not have been more 
 complete if a bomb had exploded in their midst, as I 
 entered unannounced. The family were at dinner, but 
 Uncle gave me no welcome, only wringing his hands and 
 begging me to leave at once, as my presence, if sus- 
 
 166 
 
pected, would place him and his family in imminent 
 peril. Aunt i.iary kissed me, and my cousin John, a boy 
 of about the same age as myself, showed much boyish 
 admiration for me as one who had figured in many ad- 
 veritures. I remained only about an hour as Uncle 
 kept repeating that they would take his property from 
 him for harboring a rebel, and that he knew I would be 
 hung , et c . 
 BARlTUli ' S CIRCUS, 
 
 During one of my -rambles on the tenth day after my 
 arrival in St. Louis, attired in a new and different 
 suit to that which I bought on the first day,- I ran 
 across the .cCall girls, v/hose father, as I have 
 mentioned previously, had been literally cut to pieces 
 in the fight with Fremont ' s Body Guard at Springfield. 
 They were indeed glad to see me, but after asking 
 many questions they begged me to leave the city, in- 
 forming nie that some of my mail had been captured, also 
 that John Bright had reported having seen me, and that 
 a reward of five thousand dollars was offered for my 
 capture, dead or alive. We were just then passing the 
 tents of Barnum's Circus, and the natural cravings of 
 a boy to see a circus could not be resisted. I told 
 the girls I was sure no one would know me in my new 
 suit, and promised to use every endeavor to- leave town 
 
 167 
 
that very night if they would accompany me to the 
 circus. They finally consented, and the show proved 
 wonderful beyond all description. Nothing I have 
 ever seen since has in any way compared to those few 
 hours passed under the tents of Barnum's circus; and 
 the clown he was the funniest man, I thought, in 
 all the world, and I laughed at his antics as only a- 
 boy could, and completely forgot for the time, those 
 years of battle and privations. Suddenly I. felt some- 
 one pulling at my trouser leg, and a voice whispered, 
 "Johnnie, John Bright has brought the police and sol- 
 diers here to catch you". I thought surely my girl 
 companions- would faint. I seemed to leave the joy and 
 laughter of the previous moments miles behind me as I 
 asked the unknown friend in lowered voice if I could not 
 drop down and so gett out under the canvas. "No", he 
 replied, "There is a regiment of soldiers surrounding 
 the tents' 1 , I looked into the white faces of the 
 girls and thought of the flattering things they had 
 said of my share in the recent events and then and 
 there resolved that in this emergency I should not prove 
 myself a coward, so gathering all my courage and wits 
 together, I said', "Girls, if I am caught, you will be 
 to blame, for your tears and white faces will give me 
 away. How let's all brace up. They will be looking for 
 
 168 
 
a scared boy, and will not think to find their prey 
 in the midst of a happy crowd 1 '. So I laughed,, but 
 this time there was no mirth in my laughter, and the 
 pleasure and glamour of the afternoon's entertainment 
 were gone. At last the circus was over. "Laugh, 
 girls, laugh", I urged. "Let's mix in the thickest 
 of the crowd". Actors they surely proved themselves, 
 for we had to pass out through files of soldiers, but 
 we walked so closely together, the girls talking and 
 laughing. The privilege of writing these reminiscences 
 today, was perhaps owing to the fact that girls wore 
 more clothes in those days than they do now. My new 
 suit happened to be near the color of their dresses. I 
 held their skirts so they completely enveloped the lower 
 part of my body, one parasol was forced down over -ray 
 drooping head, while the other flitted frommsi'de to side, 
 completely hiding me from. view. ; Mohn Bright " , one 
 girl whispered, "was there", but, \ve did not see each 
 other, and I passed out unnoticed. Two blocks away 
 one of the girls fainted. I. wanted to stay, but the 
 other only repeated, "Go, Go, Go", and I left, stopping 
 at my Uncle's for the suit of clothes which I that 
 morning had asked Cousin John to take care of for me, 
 There was all excitement and terror, for the soldiers 
 had been there and rcmsc-c"<ie every portion of the house 
 
 169 
 
in the hope of finding me. I lost no time in securing 
 my bundle, and was soon out on the streets making my 
 way toward Northern St. Louis. 
 I PADDLE MY OWN 
 
 It was then getting dusk, and quite dark -by the 
 time I reached the river. After examining the bank 
 carefully I discovered a boat chained and locked, and 
 walking back up the levee I loosened some cobble stones 
 with which I succeeded in breaking the lock-. There 
 were no oars, but in the drift I found a good piece of 
 board and so seating myself in the boat, started to 
 drift down the river steering to the Illinois side in 
 order to keep out of the reflection of the city lights. 
 After passing the city and using the board as a rudder, 
 I swung out into the swift current, a happy singing 
 boy, and landed at the break of day on the Illinois 
 side where I cast my boat adrift and started off on 
 foot. Before long I came to a little store where I 
 stopped to purchase some eatables, and then continued 
 my journey until I struck the railroad track which I 
 followed for some miles until it landed m'e at a small 
 station. There I purchased a ticket for Memphis, and, 
 after waiting some hours for a passenger train, I jumped 
 aboard, and was soon curled up in a seat and fast asleep. 
 
 170 
 

 I spent several days at Memphis contriving how to 
 get through the Federal lines to our army, when one 
 day, to my great surprise, I met Mrs. Mary Davis, wife 
 of an officer in our brigade, she had slipped through 
 the Federal lines to '-.rnuggle clothing to our ragged 
 comrades, and we immediately entered into partnership. 
 Her Aunt, who lived six m-i-les out of town, lad ?. Federal 
 pass for herself, daughter and driver, and Mary Davis 
 had been taking the place of the daughter. She in 
 company with her Aunt would go to town every day, 
 wearing as few clothes as possible, and upon their 
 return home would wear the smuggled cloth which had 
 been made up into petticoats by Southern friends in 
 Memphis, who acted in conjunction with them, buying 
 the material and preparing it for them. I assumed 
 the position of servant and acted as coachman on 
 their frequent trips to town. 
 II PRISON. 
 
 Everything worked smoothly until one day a full 
 company of Provost Guard, with, company front, like dog 
 catchers on a big scale, started out to corral every 
 male, from sixteen up, I was captured, and with the 
 others placed in the "bull pen" where we were informed 
 that if we took the oath and joined the Home Guard, we 
 
 171 
 
should "be set free. ny having exemption papers, were 
 set free, and most of the boys and men took the oath and 
 went their way. 1 refused and was pub in prison. It 
 was a grieat shook to Mary Davis on learning that I was 
 in prison, and after, in many ways, endeavoring to se- 
 cure my release, she, as a last resort, appealed to a 
 distant relative of mine named Wicker sham, a bachelor 
 of means, and a Unionist, who, although we had never 
 met, had heard much of me. She begged him to go and 
 see me, which he did', not only once, but many times. 
 He brought all the arguments that good horse sense could 
 suggest to prove to me the South was beaten, that our 
 armies were starving, and that our last hope was gone. 
 "Take the oath, Johnnie", he would implore .Tie again and 
 again. But he might as well have argued with a stone 
 wall as with that foolish, obdurate boy. Wo grew to 
 like each other, however, and he was deeply interested 
 in my stories and experiences of the war, Tha last 
 time I ever saw him he took my hand in his and said, 
 "Johnnie, I am an old man with no family, and few 
 relations, if you will take the oath, I will this day 
 adopt you as my son, I will love you and educate you, 
 and make you my heir"". But 'I only answered, "What 
 would you think of me if I betrayed the trust of those 
 I love?" "You would call me a deserter, and would be 
 
 172 
 
right in doing so". I told him I would rot in prison 
 before I would take that hated oath. That same night 
 a bribed prison guard set me free, and before morning I 
 was at the home of Mary Davis 1 Aunt. 
 SMUGGLING. 
 
 By this time we had accumulated a full wagon load 
 of clothes and medicine, the latter mostly quinine. The 
 question now was how to getr it to our army. Luckily, I 
 still had an abundance of greenbacks, and succeeded, by 
 the offer of an exhorbitant amount , in hiring a Ger- 
 man with his wagon and team to haul the goods to our 
 line. We had learned that there was a force of Con- 
 federate Cavalry thirty miles south of Memphis. \Vith 
 the goods safely loaded the German and I started over 
 the rough unt raveled roads, practically trails, avoid- 
 ing the highway, making very slow progress until brought 
 to a complete halt by a stream swollen very much by 
 recent rains. The ford on the main road was guarded, 
 and the German rebelled, declaring he would go no fur- 
 ther. I unhitched one of the horses, knowing he could 
 not get away with but one, and mounting the horse en- 
 tered the river. We swam from one side to the other, 
 searching the banks for a possible crossing point, which 
 I did not locate until we had crossed and recrossed many 
 times. Having discovered a spot where I thought we 
 
 173 
 
night cross :.n safety, I returned to the German who 
 flatly refused, to make the attempt, /as obliged 
 to force him to drive at the point of my pistol. \Ve 
 reached the opposite bank without mishap and made all 
 the speed possible through the remainder of the night. 
 Just after daylight we were overtaken by a company 
 of Confederate cavalry who pulled both the German and 
 me from our seats on the wagon, tied our hands behind 
 us, and sent us, both mounted on the same horse, under 
 guard forward to their command, where we were regarded 
 as smugglers, and placed in the "bull pen" with a 
 number of other prisoners, team and wagon and its con- 
 tents being confiscated. The following day I learned 
 from afguard ; that a friend of both Brother Jim and 
 myself, Colonel Basil Duke, was in command. I managed 
 to send him a note, 'and it seemed but a moment before 
 he had me by the hand listening to my story. thout 
 loss of time men were sent in every direction, and by 
 morning all my goods were restored to me, but the 
 wagon and team, the Colonel explained, he would be ob- 
 liged to hold. Out of courtesy to myself, the German 
 was given a pass through our lines, and I paid him all 
 he asked in compensation for his loss. His demand 
 was not modest, and being granted he went away content- 
 ed. The next day I and my goods were safely conducted 
 
to the railroad many miles distant, and there all my 
 plunder was loaded in a box car, and I, in charge, 
 started on that weary ride south to our army. 
 BACK TO THE ARMY. 
 
 Finally my car reached Meridian, Mississippi, and 
 was placed on a side track. I locked the car door, 
 and started off to find my command. It was after sun- 
 set before I located it. My regiment, the picket told 
 me, was that group of tents on the hillside yonder. Oh. 1 
 could it be possible that that was all there was.-- left 
 of the nineteen hundred and sixty men whose names had 
 been on its muster roll? I inquired for Company "E" , 
 of which my brother Jim was Captain. I found the tents 
 all situated with their backs to a steep hill, into 
 which they had excavated, making most commodious win- 
 ter quarters, with fireplace and chimney. It happened 
 that many of the regimental and company officers were 
 spending the evening with Brother Jim, smoking and tell- 
 ing stories. I learned afterward that I had been the 
 subject of their conversation. How plain to me still 
 is the picture of that scene, as I drew back the blan- 
 ket that served as a door, and stood in the opening. 
 Instantly conversation ceased. A light fall of snow 
 lay on the ground outside, and my eyes, partially 
 dazzled by its whiteness, could not at once adjust them- 
 
 175 
 
selves to the dim obscurity of the room. Finally I 
 discerned through the clouds of smoke a group of men. ., 
 as at a command arose, then Brother Jim carae into view, 
 leaning against the rude fireplace , pipe in mouth. NOT/ 
 these were brave and tried soldiers- every one, but no 
 ghostly apparition ever struck such terror to the human 
 heart as did my sudden and unlocked for presence as I 
 stood in the opening quietly facing them. The pipe 
 dropped from Brother Jim's lips, his face turned ashy 
 white-, and he would have fallen had a comrade not rushed 
 forward and caught him. My sudden appearance had 
 stricken them dumb, but when I finally spoke, and they 
 realised I was flesh and blood, and not my own ghost, 
 they gradually recovered. They had all believed me 
 dead as my absence had covered many months. Never 
 before, nor since did Brother Jim kiss me, but that 
 night he folded me in his arms and kissed me as a mother 
 would her child. There was no sleep for me that night, 
 nor for many following nights, as the anxious inquiries 
 had. to be answered, although some of the messages I 
 brought came too late, and the ears that were to have 
 received them were deaf forever to human tongue. It 
 was a sad return. Many of those dear comrades from 
 whom I expected the warmest welcome xvere not there to 
 greet me, and I should never see them more. The list of 
 
 176 
 
dead and wounded had grown very long during my absence, 
 and -the knov/ledge of their sufferings and privations 
 filled my heart with sorrow, but in spite of all this, 
 no note of discouragement was uttered. I had presents 
 for all, cloth for suits, pocket knives and trinkets, 
 Llany went to the new comrades who had taken the places 
 of those who were gone. 
 
 "Pali in", rang out the bugle. The remnant of 
 that once great army, in battle array, started on its 
 last race with death, its ranks reduced over eighty 
 per cent during the past year by the ravages cf war. 
 Physically unfit, yet still undaunted, undisc our aged, 
 brave unt o de at h . 
 
 General Lee had surrendered, but as yet we were 
 unaware of this, and the rumors- which floated through 
 our command were to the effect that General Lee had won 
 a great victory; that Major General Kirby Smith, with 
 a large army, was making forced narchos to get in the- 
 enemy's rear, and so we fought on. The long and weary 
 marches through 'the days and nights of that last re- 
 treat are to me the most cruel pages of the history of 
 our war. The enemy, like "blood hounds, were ever at 
 our throats,, overwhelming us completely by the number of 
 their forces. Curtis, some day, wheh you are older, 
 you will hunt the deer, and the hounds will trail the 
 
 177 
 
wounded by their blood. So it was with us. In the 
 wake of our army, not only was our trail marked with 
 blood of the dead and wounded, but by the bodies of 
 the sick and exhausted men who could withstand no longer 
 and so fell by the wayside. We kept only our guns 
 and ammunition, and were compelled to abandon all 
 baggage and commissary wagons. Still we fought on. 
 We were told that Major General Kirby Smith would on 
 the morrow get in the enemy's rear, and so capture the 
 entire army, and the next day it would still be "to- 
 morrow 11 ., but that "tomorrow" never came. They had 
 killed the horses and captured all our artillery with 
 the exception of six guns. Then the third day before 
 the last , large force suddenly charged our weakened 
 left flank, killed the remaining horses and gunners 
 and took from us those guns, but not for long. You 
 cannot realiz.e, nor can I picture to you the diabolical 
 frenzy of man when driven to desperation. \7e were 
 starving, exhausted, haunted, sick, and the future 
 was a blank, holding out no promise to us. We had 
 been hounded and driven until death had lost its 
 terrors and rather stood to us for rest from all this 
 strife and bloodshed. 
 
 A shout filled the air, not the famous rebel yell 
 that is mentioned in all history, but one that seemingly 
 
 178 
 
came from the throats of demons in their last death 
 struggle. It was so sudden, so appalling, so 
 desperate, it struck terror to the Federals, and like 
 maniacs, we were at their throats in hand to hand 
 conflict, V/e succeeded in driving them back and re- 
 captured our beloved guns. 
 
 Those tired, sick and barefoot men pulled the 
 guns by means of ropes through the twelve miles, ankle 
 deep in bog and mire, until v/e carne to some old breast- 
 works General Beauregard had built during the early 
 years of the war. 
 THE LAST BATTLE. 
 
 r, here is a picture which can be e raced -only 
 by deeti . The exact location I do not know, but oil a 
 hill to our right the enemy had planted a battery 
 and the next morning began to pour grape shot into our 
 thin ranks while solid lines advanced in our front. We 
 repulsed them, at nine o'clock the battery on the hill 
 ceased firing and there ensued a calr:. on looked 
 into each other's faces with wonder and amazement. One 
 man said, "Boys, Kirby Smith has gotten in their rear, 
 and they are in full retreat". All that afternoon not 
 a shot was fired, and how long that night seemed to 
 those men watchful and sleepless. e only sound to 
 be heard was the steady tramp of the sentinel. 
 
 179 
 
could sleep under the roar of artillery and rattle of 
 musketry, but what meant this deathly stillness? Un- 
 consciously the men spoke in whispers, and the question 
 that passed from lip to lip was, "What does it mean?" 
 
 The stillness was yet unexplained when the next 
 morning some one mentioned he had not seen "Big officer" 
 lately. Just then we saw our gallant Colonel riding 
 toward us on his emaciated horse, and a moment later 
 the bugle rang out the command to fall in. 
 THE SURRENDER. 
 
 It seems to me too pitiful to write that on that 
 day those of our regiment .answering for duty numbered 
 much less than a company. "Color bearer:? ten pa.ces to 
 the front. About face". These were the Colonel's 
 orders, and his next "Present arms". Stopping a moment 
 he looked at us and then slowly turned and rode down the 
 hill. "Look at the Colonel, he's drunk. See, he 
 can't keep his saddle", said the men. The Colonel 
 checked his horse at some distance and beckoned the 
 bugler to approach. A moment later the boy came running 
 back, and with tears streaming down his face, said, 
 "Boys, the Colonel says it's all over. You will have 
 to ground arms" . 
 
 No tongue, or pen can ever describe this scene. 
 Our eyes involuntarily turned in the direction of that 
 
 180 
 
beloved, battle fla.g which had. never known dishonor 
 or disgrace, and we thought of the many, many heroes 
 who had died under it, and with one accord we struggled 
 to obtain a scrap of it. I cannot write more. 
 
 The war was over, and we had lost. God only knows 
 the price we paid. 
 TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 We were paroled and sent to the Mississippi River 
 and promised transportation to St. Louis. The war at 
 a close, and the necessity that had kept us blind to 
 our own condition, removed, our neglected bodies suffered 
 an almost total collapse. Physically, we were in a 
 worse condition than when we surrendered at Vicksburg, 
 and much more exhausted from the strenuous marching, to 
 which was added the disease that was 'rife among us. Our 
 clothing would scarcely cover our bodies, and we were, 
 almost without exception, shoeless. 
 
 Without regard to commands we were loaded on every 
 passing steamboat- in much the same manner that cattle 
 are loaded in a box car, and on the little steamboat on 
 which I was packed there was not room for the men to 
 lie down, while, at almost every stop some poor, sick 
 fellow was shoved, from the gang plank. The crew was 
 composed oi men too cowardly, to fight with the army, 
 but brave enough now that the war was over, to curse and 
 
 131 
 
abuse us. Lly exhaustion became so great that I could, 
 stand upright no longer. The boat was landing at 
 Helena, Arkansas-, when the mate spied me lying on the 
 deck, - he ordered two brutal negro deck hands to 
 carry me off, and the boat pulled off, leaving me lying 
 there on the levee bank. A negro woman found me and 
 took me to her cabin. Poor woman, she .had nothing but 
 corn cake and dried. pumpkin, but she gave me freely of 
 it, and would go with me when I became able to walk, tc 
 the landing place, and as boats landed would plead with 
 them to take me aboard, only to be refused. I had no 
 money, and no hope. 
 HOME COMING. 
 
 After weeks of her motherly nursing I felt much 
 better, and one day told her I was going to walk to 
 Missouri. "Ho, honey, don't try it. You sure will die 
 if you do", was her advice. .However, with a big hoe 
 cake, the only provision which she had made for me, I 
 started on that long, weary tramp over a country that 
 had been ravished by both armies, and in which not a 
 building or so much as a fence, or head of stock remained. 
 During the ninety miles I covered I did not see a 
 white person. It seemed as if some terrible scourge 
 had destroyed every living thing. I met several parties 
 of negroes, some hunting their former master or mistress, 
 
 182 
 
and others going North for that "mule and forty acres". 
 Without exception they shared their scanty provisions 
 with me, -and one very kindly tied up my sore feet, as 
 only a darkie knows how. I must have been a pitiful ' 
 sight, for I won the sympathy of all I met. At last 
 I came to a wide, se'eningly endless prairie. How 
 hot the sun was, and how hard it was to drag my poor, 
 sore feet and weary legs .over that rough and overgrown 
 road. It was more than twenty-four hours since the 
 last bit of my hoe cake had been eaten, and sick, -dis- 
 couraged, and exhausted, I dropped on the grass, and 
 feeling myself now thoroughly beaten, I prayed that I 
 might die. Nothing seemed 'to matter to me now but to 
 be at peace. 
 THE LIGHT. 
 
 I must ha-ve lain there hours, for when I .partly 
 aroused myself it was dark, then I saw to my great 
 amazement and surprise, in the timber to my left, a 
 light. It was the first indication of life or 'habita- 
 tion that had crossed my vision in that long and we; 
 struggle I had made against exhaustion and deat . 
 lay there pondering somehow it seemed the light 
 said "come on", but my poor weakened body refused to 
 obey my mind's command. The dew had fallen, and the 
 chill of the night air had so encompassed me that I 
 
 183 
 
was only able to get on my hands and feet to ir 
 moment fall. It seemed, someone said "What * a- the 
 use, by morning you will be at peace" -- but more 
 persistent came a pleading voice, "Come on, come cn :i . 
 The light seemed to haunt me, and I resolved to make 
 one more effort. I got on my feet, and with the aid 
 of my stick took a few steps. The light seemed to 
 keep saying, "Come on". I reached the clearing, and 
 saw two log cabins with a passageway between. There 
 was no fence or outbuildings. The .-ageway was 
 raised. I was just about to knock .-sound, of 
 voices reached my ears, 'and I realized that family 
 prayer was being held within. I heard the voice of 
 an old man praying for Dick, Jim, and Little Johnnie, 
 and then I recognized my Father's voice. -It seemed 
 the most natural thing in the world to me, as I rested 
 against the side of the wall, fascinated by the latch 
 
 ' i 
 
 on the door, and wondering in a vague sort of - 
 they put it on the outside of the door. It never 
 occurred to me to interrupt the prayer, but I mentally 
 wondered if he would ever cease. My sensibilities were 
 numbed and nothing seemed unusual. I never questioned 
 as to why he was here in this log cabin in such a. God 
 forsaken country. At last, came the "Amen" , and I 
 knocked. A woman's voice said "Come in", and I opened 
 
 184 
 
door. There was a fire on the hearth where they 
 had cooked their evening meal. On a shelf on the 
 wall a candle was burning. And there, all three stand- 
 ing, were my old Father, sisters Sarah and Mary, brother 
 Dick's wife. Instinctively I had known who would be 
 there before I opened the door. They stared at me 
 with wondering eyes. Something held us all speechless. 
 I was groping blindly irmay mind for words. Finally 
 they came - "I've come home", I said and collapsed. 
 Sister Sarah caught my tottering body and helped rne to 
 a bench. "Something to eat", I managed to say. Sister 
 
 _-y ran to start the fire and put' the bacon in the 
 skillet and the rye in the coffee pot. My old Father 
 supported me while Sarah brought me a drink. They knew 
 I had been a Confederate soldier, although none recog- 
 nized me. It was no wonder, for since leaving Memphis 
 nearly a year ago, I had scarcely seen a piece of soap. 
 I was now almost nineteen years of age with only 
 sufficient flesh to cover my bones. K To whet command 
 did you belong", asked my Father, but to all his ques- 
 tions I could only The fryi. n had 
 all my attention. Thank God, Mary was placing it on 
 the table, and Father and Sarah were taking me to the 
 bench in front of it. My bey, I was as unaccustomed to 
 eat with a knife or fork, a accustomed to th 
 
 185 
 
us?, ten zliey piaced me at the table I seized the 
 bacon in both my hands and. devoured it like an ani- 
 mal. ; y was at the other side of the table with 
 her chin resting on her hands watching me, when 
 suddenly she gave a scream and cried, "It is Ji 
 (Jim was my next oldest brother). They gathered 
 around me embracing me .between their tsars, and when 
 I could sufficiently control my voice, I told that -I 
 was Johnnie. My Father brought the water and they 
 all helped to bathe me, My sisters that night made 
 me underclothes from their skirts. : ;ks after I 
 learned that Father and rny Sisters, knowing that the 
 war was over, and unable to wait longer for news 
 of us, had started South with a pair of horses and 
 carryall, or light spring wagon, loaded with provisions 
 and supplies. On reaching that lonely place robbers 
 had captured the horses, wagon and all they had brought, 
 and had left them stranded in that little cabin. 
 
 186 
 
THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW 
 
 X 
 
 AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS 
 
 WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN 
 THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY 
 WILL INCREASE TO SO CENTS ON THE FOURTH 
 DAY AND TO $I.OO ON THE SEVENTH DAY 
 OVERDUE. 
 
 APR 19 Ifr 
 
 LD 21-100m-7,'40 (6936s) 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY