USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 35
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The old man had been very wealthy and had about used up his means in keeping out of the army. He had some little left; but now he was en- rolled for the next call to go to the front, as was his boy, and he would have to go the next week to the seat of war in Virginia. Also if he was known to entertain Yankees he would be shot. If he only had his famliy away he would bid farewell to his home, which he had built up and occupied for sixteen years. Many were the questions asked by his kind wife, shed- ding tears for us and offering to give us some clothes; but we would not take any; for we might be taken before we got out of the neighborhood and the clothes be recognized; but our Connecticut comrade Bryson Pad- dock, accepted a pair of shoes, as he was barefoot.
As we had lingered long and rested and fed so well and might be dis- covered, we took the advice of our Carolina friends in regard to the swamp and how to cross the little Pedee river and the swamps we had a horror of, though they afforded us good refuge. Our kind friend remarked that he had lived there sixteen years and shouldn't like to cross the Pedee river except on the bridge and that was guarded. He said, "I shall have to go on duty tomorrow night ; but," he says, "boys, being as you have got away so many times and Yankees at that, you may make it again." Cautioning us not to give him away we were on the moment of starting when his wife gave us eighteen large biscuits and a dozen sweet potatoes, a box of matches and a newspaper. They having bidden us God-Speed, soon we were on the road; but as it was so dark and swamp ahead of us we took into wood close by and there remained till morning. We charged ourselves to remem- ber our benefactor's name, as we didn't wish to write it down and so to imperil him or family; I supposed we could remember it but I must say at
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this writing I have forgotten it and can only remember his wife's maiden name which was Campbell.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
Our lay out in the woods was a wet one as it was raining very heavy ; but we expected to soon reach North Carolina and would likely find more Union sentiment. The morning was very nice and warm. It had cleared all up, and we could hear the songs of the negroes as they were going out to their toil, and the birds singing. We could hardly think there was a cruel war raging in our land. Yet we struck out skulking along, always on the alert : for we couldn't tell the moment when some of us would drop with a bullet from an unseen enemy.
Coming suddenly on a road which we had to cross we began to investi- gate. Soon two women came along. Also a boy passed us, as we lay in the fence corner. A favorable moment arrived and we darted across and into the woods, and late in the afternoon came to the swamp. A heavy rain coming on we waited till it was over. eating our biscuit. The rain being over, we struck out again and soon reached the river bank. The river was very high and running swiftly. The waters looked so cold and inky and we guessed it to be about five rods wide. Looking along the bank and much puzzled to know how far above the bridge we were, and not much time to think. Trotter struck out with his clothes and came back and took some of mine and Paddock's and off again. His good swimming qualities came handy that time : for we two chaps couldn't have made it without Jim's help. As it was, it was about all we could do. Trotter was to come in after 11s if we began to sink. We went in one at a time, and after crossing wrung our clothes out.
FALLING BY THE WAY.
By the time that we had swam the river and dressed again we were very cold : but soon we were on the road; for the swamp on the east side was but a short distance across. Coming very suddenly on the road we came very near being discovered. as a horse and cart were coming along with a man and boy in the cart. So falling on our faces and hugging the ground we let the cart pass and were much relieved when it had done so. We again moved on but came near running into a house in the brush. So we concluded to wait till dark and then to go on the road. Meanwhile we suffered very much from coll. The wind began to raise and rain was blow- ing, while we had to remain quite still ; and we became so cokl that it was with difficulty we could talk. Night came on with thunder and lightning.
From all this exposure l'addock became so done up that he fell down and couldn't speak. So we began to think fate was against us, when one of our number was going to die in such a terrible storm. So we concluded we would drag, carry or any way we could get him to a house, lay him by
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the door, make a noise and skip away, as we couldn't think he could ever get well and perhaps he miglit at least get a Christian burial. Just as we began to start a negro came along, and we found out that he lived but a short distance from where we were. So packing Paddock and gaining the house by the rear way, we soon found ourselves beside a large fireplace. With good amount of rubbing and warm teas he, Paddock, came to in a few hours time : but Trotter and myself too were about as near gone as could be. Jim's shirt had been torn off his back and I gave him mine; for he had no coat, while I had an old blouse. Our trousers were torn in shreds, and very short, and could hardly hold.
SUCCORED BY NEGROES.
The house was soon filled up with curious negroes. Every one would take a good look at the Yankees, and all seemed aware that we were their friends. We were well filled up with corn bread and meat; and the negro who had carried Paddock there gave Trotter a coat. As the old planter began to stir around also the negroes told us he had taken a Yankee pris- oner last night at his house and had sent him to Wilmington. So we thought it time for us to travel. We told the darkies some wonderful tales about our northern country and Mars Lincoln's men and how General Sher- man was coming down and would set them free and give them the land ; but we canitioned them not to tell the white folks at the big house what we said. We parted from our darkey friends with a "God bless de Yankees" and were again on our route through the woods feeling much better but Paddock being rather the worse off.
A SUNDAY BY A CHURCH.
It was Sunday and as we had halted for a rest we happened to be not far from a meeting house. We could see the people going back and forth during the day, and we were afraid to venture forth; for it seemed that the whole neighborhood was out. The children would play around our hiding place and sometimes come right close to us. But we lived well for the darkey friends had given us a good supply, one large loaf of corn bread, a lot of roasted corn, some sweet potatoes. Thought of our home came vividly before us as we lay that Sunday so close by the church hiding like so many animals instead of men enlisting for a good government. Our talk run along in that way and wondering how we would get through our picket line; for we looked so much like the Johnnies with our old duds on and were tanned so much.
As night came on it found us on the road looking toward the North Star in some better spirits ; and we would say that by morning we would be so much nearer the old Union flag, anyhow if nothing happened. As it was Sunday night, we met with several darkies who seemed to be loafing
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around; and when we would tell them we were Yankees, they would be so amazed, but they always promised secrecy and we found out by informing them we were Yankees it was so much the better way. And so too with poor white folks for we discovered a great hatred between the poor whites and wealthy planters. No adventure that night and at daylight we crossed the railroad running to Wilmington, North Carolina.
SOME GOOD ADVICE.
Finding a good retreat in a small swamp, which was close by the rail- road, we could see the trains go by ; and many times during the day negroes and small boys passed by us singing and shouting, and sometimes during the day cavalry would go dashing by. As Drowning river was a short dis- tance ahead we determined to attempt to cross it on the bridge at Lumbar- ton; for we didn't fancy the idea of swimming another river. The water was cold and it had nearly cost Paddock his life swimming the Little Pedee river. So remaining concealed all day, we were very much pleased when night came on and striking out accidentally and fortunately for us we met a citizen. We were going past him, but he came up to us and says, "Boys don't go on the bridge, for if you do you are captured." Trotter stepping up asked him if he knew who we were. He said he thought we were the three escaped Yankees he had heard so much about. Telling him we were Yan- kees Jim Trotter asked him if he had any tobacco and as he had he divided with us. He also informed us he was a good Union man and gave us direc- tions how to flank Lumbarton; for he said it was the county seat and court week and there was a guard on the wagon bridge which is close to town. We had been informed that the bridge was three miles below town and not guarded but that the railroad bridge was well guarded. But the facts were just the reverse. The good friend we met advised us to cross the railroad bridge and watch out for trains. He told us if we could only go to his house we might rest up awhile, but it being five miles away to go there was in- expedient. So thanking him and with a God Speed from our good South- ern friend, we passed out into the brush wondering what would be next to come up.
CHAPTER XXIX.
ROBERT CAMPBELL REACHES FRIENDS.
FED BY COLORED FRIENDS.
After bidding our friend good bye, we were passing a negro hut, and I walked in, telling the negroes that we were Yankees and very hungry, which was a fact. They were very much frightened at the prospect of the master's coming in and finding us Yanks, but we informed them we would skip out if any one should come. They baked all the corn meal they had in the house, though they would themselves do without, as they wouldn't draw for two days, their rations being issued to them as to soldiers.
DROWNING RIVER.
Away again and coming on the railroad we traveled it very cautiously and arrived at the bridge, which was a covered one and very dark. We thought about our capture on the bridge of the Great Pedee river and hesi- tated ; but we must go. So we went in crawling on our hands and knees for it was so dark we couldn't see one another. Several times we came near going through, as the ties seemed so far apart. Once we thought the cars were coming, but happily it was a hand car and section hands. At last we were over; and taking a north course, by morning we had flanked Lum- berton and were across Drowning river.
Again there was a heavy rain, and we had just got off the road into the woods when we discovered a rebel and a Yankee, the latter being nearly naked. Soon two more cavalry went dashing by: and we very quickly took through the woods and lay down in the grass. As it was still raining we couldn't course our way very well; but night coming on and being very dark, we got onto the road again and made very good time and be- lieved we had walked twenty miles by daylight.
COMING TO CAPE FEAR RIVER.
We knew we had to cross the Cape Fear River, which a negro had in- formed us was well guarded and further was navigable. Our aim was
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to cross at Fayetteville, which was in our direct course; but finding out that it would be certain capture to go that way, it being morning and we in considerable of a settlement, we lay by all day in a corn field, eating raw corn and pumpkins. We were watching for some negro to go by so we could find some way to cross the river, for it was quite wide. Night came at last and I crawled up to reconnoiter a negro but and hailed the black man, who was very much alarmed and would look around. 1 asked him what he was looking at, and he told me he was looking for his master to come every moment, and if he did he would take us and nearly kill him. This negro had no meal in the house and by looking down the road I espied the master coming. So out on the road again.
We were in hopes we would be able to cross the river before morning. It was so well known that we were escapes and so many after us, that we knew we must get across the river. Traveling all night along the banks and looking for boat or skiff, during our search we came near being dis- covered. Cape Fear River was about one quarter mile wide ; and as l'ad- dock and myself were poor swimmers, we couldn't think of trying it on the swim, though Jim could have made it. So we undertook to make a raft. We had no ax or knife, but a raft must be made. So packing some pitch pine cord wood down to the bank and lashing sticks together with bark and grape vines and our suspenders we had one ready, and we were to shove it off. Jim was to guide it, and we to hang on behind it. swim- ming as well as we could. Laying our clothes on we shoved off the bank, but the raft began sinking. The pitch pine would not float, as it was like a water soaked log. So we gave up that plan and tore the raft to pieces, layed the wood back and obliterated every sign of Yankees being there.
FRIENDS BY THE WAY.
While we were at work some negroes came along on the opposite side and luckily we were not discovered. Concluding that we would have to inquire and that even if the risk was great it couldn't be helped, we pro- ceeded up to a house which was only a half mile off. I inquired of an okl lady who came to the door where the ferry boat was and how we could get across. She told us where the boat was and then I told her we were escapes and asked for something to cat ; for we had been eating corn and pumpkins out of a field all day, which made us feel rather sick. She was deeply affected and with haste entered the house and brought out some good corn bread also flour cake and meat beside sweet potatoes. Well. it was a good meal to anyone and more particularly to us starved escapes. The good old soul was so kind and sympathetic ; and her husband coming up extended his hand in a friendly way. He was a very old man and preacher, too old to be drafted or conscripted into the army. 1 think he had no desire to go anyhow. We informed him who we were and that we were aiming for Newbern, North Carolina. He says, "Boys. I am sorry
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for you and hope you get there and if you get there tell them that Wm. Hollingsworth is all right and I want you to write to me."
As we were about to start from him, what was our horror to see three soldiers advancing and we were so close to them that it was useless to run. I discovered one had a navy by his side. Looking toward the old man he gave us the hint to make the best of it. I spoke to one remarking about the weather, and one gave me the wink; so, bidding good day, we started off but oh! we listened for the word "halt!" and the old summons "surrender." We had gone but a short distance when we met with two more soldiers who were uniformed. Merely nodding to them and passing on we gained the river, and lucky for us the negro ferryman was there.
OVER CAPE FEAR RIVER.
The negro ferryman at first refused to take us over the Cape Fear river, telling us it would be death to take us over, as he had his orders; but we coaxed him and told him big yarns about what the Yankees would do for him ; also we gave him a ten cent silver piece we had found in the road; and we were soon across. We admonished him never to tell anyone he had taken us over ; and we were much relieved when we struck for the woods. We kept a good look out for we were not quite safe, having met so many soldiers. We couldn't make out what it all meant. Perhaps they all thought we were Johnies except the one who winked at us. No one could tell by our uniform which side we were on. Maybe our good old friend put them off the track.
After traveling eight miles all night in the brush, daylight came on and found us in a sweet potato patch, and having plenty of corn we struck for the brush again. And finding a good retreat we soon had a little fire started. Roasting corn and potatoes was the order of the next few hours and soon from the effects of our good meal we thought about sleep. So two would sleep while one would stay awake. Night coming on nothing happened to mar our secluded retreat, and we started out again, traveled all night and met with no opposition. Yet our course was difficult ; for we kept in the woods and being weak had to halt and rest. At one time we fell asleep and think we put in a good time without any guards out ; but we didn't aim to do that way. When morning came we proposed to travel all day, as we had to cross a railroad soon. We thought we should come to it, and as we heard the howl of blood hounds during the night it was policy to get out of that country as soon as we could. Coming up to the railroad at noon and waiting for a favorable chance we were soon across and had another great relief for our minds for we had been afraid of the patrols on the road.
A FRIENDLY REBEL.
We went two miles beyond the railroad and lay down till dark, when a heavy rain came on ; and we all concluded to go to a hut or house and hunt
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for something; for by our constant exposure and hunger we were beginning to fall away very fast. Remarking to one another that if we didn't soon reach our lines we could not make it and must do our best, we went up to a house which was a small neat one. On going in what was our surprise to discover a rebel soldier but there was no use retreating. He appeared to be sickly, so we made up our minds at a glance we could fix him if he under- took to capture us. A woman coming in and also a boy we asked for some- thing to eat. At first she hesitated and hoped we came with no intent to burn them out or steal anything; for she had heard so much about escaped prisoners that she couldn't help being frightened.
Being assured, however, of our good intents, she prepared us some sup- per and then turning around we soon found out our rebel soldier was a con- script and home on a sick furlough. He gave us a great deal of information, saying if it was known that we were in that country and at his house he would be hung. Soon supper was ready and as usual corn bread, the bread being scarce but plenty of potatoes, also a glass of brandy, which did us much good. As his house was on the road and he might be found out we got ready to leave, though the old lady informed us we might stay longer and rest some more, as it was raining so much. Before leaving we took a good look at the map of North Carolina which was the first map of any kind we had seen in any house and they gave us a box of matches and a newspaper, the Raleigh Standard. The soklier sent his boy across a field with us and put us on the direct road or route, the rain still falling in torrents.
OFF THE TRACK.
We had gone perhaps six miles when the storm ceased and the sky cleared up so that we could see by the stars that we had branched off on a wrong road and were going in a south cast course, As our strength was giving out fast we couldn't afford to take the back track. But no help for it, we struck across a field looking for the North Star, and after going a mile or so we struck on a road that was running northeast. We fol- lowed this till morning when we halted.
We laid by that day until dark and going into a negro hut called for something to eat. As we told them we were Yankees we were soon fur- nished with the usual corn bread, sweet potatoes and meat, also with a few watermcions. The negroes posted us as to the route and advised us also that there was a planter a mile from there who had a large pack of hounds and followed the business of running down Yankee escapes and runaway negroes. He had captured some Yankees the night before and we would have to go through his plantation.
BLOODHOUNDS FOLLOWING,
It was quite late when we started, perhaps midnight, so that all might be in bed and ourselves less liable to be seen flanking the plantation. We
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discovered near morning that we were on the wrong road. So soon we were going through woods and at last came on a road that was leading northeast. We had gone but a short distance when our blood was chilled by the howls of blood hounds on our track. The planter had found out someway that we were in the neighborhood. I remarked to Jim and Byron that we were gone up the stump this time; but we tied on an antidote for the dogs which the old colored friend had given us, onions and asafoetida. Having done this we again struck out over brush and timber into the swamps. We were aware that the dogs were gaining on us, and we couldn't have gone over a half mile we stopped and laying hold of a sapling made ready to climb. I says, "Jim I don't think I can ever get up this tree." "You will when you see the dogs coming over across that field," he re- marked. Just then they seemed bothered, and we again lit out for the swamp; for when the Yankee-hunters would come, they would get on to tracks again. We concluded our good darkies' scheme was a good one and saved us from capture.
FOLLOWING THE NORTH STAR.
Having gotten away from the dogs, we moved on till noon and then lying down took our sleep by turns. Night coming, found us rested, and we made another start for the "North Star" through the swamps and woods. We found out we couldn't go very fast, as we could see that our endurance was not so good as when we first lit out from the Johnnies. Jim seemed to be going down in strength but his will power was the best of any of us; also his instinct for going through the swamp was much better than Paddock's or my own. I must acknowledge I was poor at this; though I aimed to make up in scouting around the houses for ra- tions. We felt like giving up, only for Jim, who would remark we had better perish in the swamp than go back to Andersonville or Florence or be hung by the Rebs for having gotten away from them so many times.
Moving on, very early we came to a house in woods. I walked up care- fully and all seemed so still that I looked into the window. The corpse of a woman was in a coffin under the window and I got a glimpse of some people in another room. I was not long in getting away from there and informing my comrades of what I saw. We then struck out on a road that seemed to be unfrequented; but we suddenly met two men in a buggy. One of them appeared to be a soldier, and we thought a wounded one. He eyed us and rather held up his horse for a talk, but just nodding to him we passed along and when they got out of sight we made for the swamp and censured ourselves very much for taking the road in daylight. We rested awhile and put out again, but on no road that time.
ENCOUNTERING A SPIT-FIRE.
We moved on till late in the evening and came to Black river and were bothered to know how to cross. Going up to a house we made in-
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quiries of an old lady, and a young woman came out and informed us but we knew well enough wrongfully; and she gave us a piece of her mind saying, "Oh! Yes, you are smart fellows but you can never get to New- bern for all the cavalry in the country is after you." She wanted to know how we had got over the various rivers, mentioning the names, and being rather inquisitive as well as a rank rebel. There was one red apple on the tree by the door, and I asked her for it as nicely as I could. The old lady said, "Yes take the apple." but the young one told me to let it alone as they wanted it for their own boys. So bidding them good day we got out as fast as we could and not wiser for the parley.
IN A POTATO PATCH.
When out of sight of the house we took another direction from the one the young woman had told us to the bridge, and were lucky to find our crossing place. Going over by night we found a potato patch, and we got what potatoes we could carry in a haversack that we made of a towel we took off a line. We here again came near being captured; for as we got up a dog discovered us and kept up a racket and too we were only a few rods from the house; but the man or soklier came out and gave him a kick and made some remark about sleeping. So after we thought he was sound asleep we lit out. I suppose the dog got another kick when the man found out some one had been in the "tater paten "
CAVALRY VERY NEAR.
Coming to a lane and going on a short distance we came to a road running north and one northeast. We were at a loss to know which one to take. As a well was at the road side we took a good drink of water and had just made up our mind to take one road, when Paddock whis- pered. "Cavalry are coming." and sure enough there they came pell mell. and no time to dash into the woods. We just lay down and the horses threw sand on us. As they dashed by we counted them as well as we could, and I thought there were about sixteen of them. One said, "We will take them in at Mareton's Station." The fact that they were riding so fast accounts for them not seeing us.
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