USA > Indiana > The Forty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers : an historic sketch of its career and services > Part 5
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comrades. The reader can better imagine our feelings than I can express them. Johns wanted to kill him and his squaw but Fisk and Whitridge gave him motions of dissent, for they well knew it wouldn't do. We bade the Indian family a friendly good-bye and pursued our journey. The 34th day we happened upon a public road, which from its course we decided led to Dardinele, on the Arkansas River. After crossing the Red River we had been careful to avoid all roads, but thirteen days of constant travel over rocks and mountains had so completely fatigued us, that we de- cided to lay through the day and travel by night. We hid in an old cabin, which was surrounded by tall weeds, thus affording an excellent lurking place. Here we remained until the mountains were shrouded in darkness. We were constantly growing weaker, for we had not had anything to eat since we left the old Indian, except acorns. Yet we were full of hope and bright anticipations, thinking that surely a night or two more would bring us to the Federal lines. We had not traveled over a mile upon the road, when to our great surprise we found ourselves in a rebel camp, with Rebels on all sides of us. We were within a few steps of where they were engaged in getting supper. The road curved around the base of the mountain, and they being located near the base, we did not discover them until it was too late to retreat. The question now arose, "how we were going to get out of this dilemma?" It being unsafe to speak above a whisper, we used our canes as telephones, and held a council as to the best plan to escape detection. Captain Whitridge and Fisk were in favor of passing on through the camp. Johns was in favor of capturing the whole outfit, about 30 in number, and parole them. He said that we could send one in and ask them to surrender without bloodshed, and state to them that they were. con1- pletely surrounded. We decided, however, that there
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would not be very much fun in trying to handle so many Johnnys, who were well armed, so we decided to move on through the camp, and if possible, escape unnoticed. We soon found ourselves in among their horses through which we passed unnoticed, gaining the road, considerably re- lieved. We did not go far until we met two Rebels; our first impulse was to run, but knowing that would not do, we spoke to them and passed on. One of them said to the other, "the boys are going to the chicken roost". We then consulted as to the propriety of taking to the woods instead of the chicken roost, but finally decided that we would re- main in the road. We had gone but a short distance when we came to a place where the road lay between the base of an abrupt mountain and a small creek. Across the road was a small pond of water. Just as we commenced wading in, we heard the tramp of horses on the opposite side. Johns and I stepped to the right and were hidden by the underbrush; Whitridge and Fisk stepped to the left and sat down. When the Rebels were within a few feet of us their horses turned suddenly and started back. After the use of some peculiar profanity, they succeeded in getting their horses to pass us, after which, one of them swore he would like to know what frightened their horses; the other replied, "it's a stump, I've seen it a thousand times." We were glad on this occasion to be called stumps. Our anxiety had been so great for two or three hours, that we decided to leave the road. The remainder of the night was spent in rapid traveling. The 39th day found us so worn out that we determined to venture to some house, and if possible, procure some food. We were so starved that death seemed preferable to life. We soon came within the sight of a house, where we found the family at breakfast. I, having been chosen spokesman, asked for the head of the family and was informed the lady was a widow. I then asked if
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we could get something to eat. She replied, "certainly." The family gave us their places at the table, and while we were eating we told her who we were and the place of our destination. She informed us that our lives were in danger every moment, the neighborhood being full of bush- whackers, who came to her house nearly every day. The bushwhackers had killed her husband, who was a Federal. She promised, if we would trust her, to send us to a place of safety, where we could procure food and rest for a few days. We were only too glad to consent to the proposition. Mrs. Berry, for that was the woman's name, called her little boy and girl, aged about ten and twelve, telling them to go with us to Mrs. James, who lived about six miles. distant. The children were to travel the road, but we were instructed to remain a short distance, so we could easily conceal ourselves if necessary. If danger was near, the little girl was to give the signal by taking off her bonnet and throwing it across her arm, then play along the road until the coast was clear, when she would replace her bon- net on her head, which to us meant, "come on". We had not traveled far until the little girl carelessly threw lier bonnet across her arm. We concealed ourselves and pre- sently saw a company of rebels going in the direction of the Widow Berry's. Presently the bonnet was replaced, and we moved on. Within a short time the signal was repeated. This time there were but two Johnnys. In this manner we were escorted to within a short distance of the house, when we were requested to wait until the little girl went into the house. In a few minutes she returned, accompanied by Mrs. James, who, on approaching, asked what we wanted. Giving her a brief account of ourselves, we explained our wishes, to which she replied, "I'll see about it." We bade adieu to the faithful children who had rendered us such valuable service, and were left in charge of Mrs. James,
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who directed us to remain in the thicket at the rear of a small field until she could procure some food. Pointing to a large trough in front of the door, she said, "if I see Re- bels about I will hammer upon that trough as if I were splitting wood, then take to the woods as fast as you can." Just after dark Mrs. James came with our supper, and while eating she told us that she was a widow, but was willing to do all she could for us. After we finished our meal we sug- gested going on but she would not consent to it, saying that she was looking for a company of mountain federals, and if they came she would send us word, so we could have pro- tection through to the Federal lines. Just at daylight she brought our breakfast, informing us that the Federals would be at her house about noon.
At noon she appeared with our dinner but it was not until some two hours later that a lad came running toward us, bringing the welcome news that the soldiers had come. Our great source of anxiety now was whether they were Rebs or Yanks, but mustering all our courage we approached the house. What was our surprise when we seen neither. Mrs. James met us with a hearty laugh, saying, "you're all right, I merely wanted to satisfy myself you were not rebel spies. She then narrated the death of her husband as follows : "My husband was a Union man. One day a squad of Confed- erates came, claiming they were Union men until they had gained his confidence and he had expressed his sympathy for the North. Then they told him it was their duty to kill all union men, and shot him 22 times. There, she said, is the very spot on which he fell. Imagine my feel- ings on seeing my husband murdered in cold blood. You can now understand why I was suspicious of you. Had I found you to be rebel spies you would never have left the place alive. I am thoroughly satisfied you are genuine, and I always like to meet those whose hearts beat in
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unison with mine in a common cause. I can never do enough for the Union soldiers, neither can I ever fully avenge the blood of my murdered husband. The interest- ing narrative of her husband's death, was brought to a sudden close by the arrival of the widow Berry, who was previously mentioned in befriending us. She had a painful story to relate. The morning after we left lier house, the noted rebel bushwhacker, Captain Hogue, and his band, went to her house and ordered breakfast. While she was preparing it they were attacked by a band of mountain federals, and in the fight Hogue and several of his men were killed and the rest routed. The next morning the rebels returned burning her house and contents to the ground, not even allowing her to remove their clothing. They further showed their brutal dispositions by shooting her milch cows and horses. She asked us when we reached Little Rock to inform her sons (who were in Fort Smith under Gen. Blount) of her destitute condition. The fol- lowing is in her own language concerning the murder of her husband : "In 1862 Capt. Hogue wanted my husband to join his company in driving all federals out of western Arkansas. He refused to do so and Hogue told him 'that he favored the Union cause and that he must take his choice, leave the country, or die'. So my husband went to the mountains, and we got his food to him the best we could. One day, about a year ago, my little girl was dying and I sent for him. He came and stayed by her side until she was dead, and then went to work on a box in which to bury our little darling, and thus while at work, under the shed at the back of the house, Hogue and his men road up. Hogue said, 'Ha ! we have caught you at last.' My hus- band replied that he was making a box in which to bury our little Katy. Hogue replied, 'darn your old soul, you had just as well make one big enough for yourself, for I
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intend to kill you', drawing his revolver he shot him down like a dog. He then put two balls through his head, even after he was dead. He told my boys, who were then at home, if they remained to bury their father, he would sure- ly kill them, so they were forced to leave. I buried my husband and child as best I could. My heart is almost broken. I was glad the other morning when Hogue was killed. He was killed under the same shed where he so brutally murdered my husband, and I felt that justice had overtaken him". When she had finished her heart rend- ing sketch, we promised to carry out her wishes if we ever reached the federal lines. She now took her leave, and as she was disappearing in the twilight, Mrs. James resumed her conversation, by saying that it was time for us to be traveling, and that she intended to escort us to our new quarters. After we had got fairly started she informed us that she had made arrangements for us to have a pilot, and that if we would do as she directed, she thought that all would pan out satisfactory. We traveled until about eleven o'clock when we reached a building which we soon saw was a commissary store, containing bunks of ammuni- tion and guns. She told us this was the headquarters for the mountain federals and that Dr. Allen would call for us at one o'clock, and for us to ask, "who comes there"? and that the reply would be, "Allen". It was now midnight, the hour for Mrs. James to return to her family. She shook hands with each of us, and implored the Divine blessing upon us, and asked Him to care for and safely de- liver us to our friends. She then disappeared, to be seen by us no more. Just at 1 o'clock we heard footsteps, and after the question and answer agreed upon were given, we admitted him. Dr. Allen was a man of 60 years of age, tall, portly, and of more than ordinary intellect. He was well versed on the current topics of the day, and said that
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CAPTAIN JOHN W. COOPER, Contractor and Capitalist, Indianapolis, Ind.
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he considered it his duty to kill all the bushwhackers he might overtake. He informed us that he had been sent by the mountain federals to look after us, and that if we were willing to trust him he would see that we were cared for. We agreed to accept him as leader. He then instructed us to prepare some food, which we soon dispatched. We then began to shorten the distance between this and the point in view, which we reached a little after sunrise. The Dr's cabin was situated in a deep gorge with lofty mountains on each side. It appeared to be entirely secluded. He said to us, in rather a jocular style, "make yourselves at home boys, there are no rebels about here, they don't know of my whereabouts". His wife soon had breakfast prepared, which consisted of corn bread, sweet potatoes, and bear meat. While we were eating his wife told him they were about out of meat. "All right," he replied, "I'll patch up some old shoes for the Yankees and tonight we will go and catch a bear." The afternoon was spent in conversation, and we learned from him that he had emigrated from Ken- tucky in 1848 and that he had been successful in business matters. At the commencement of the war he owned a good farm, had it well stocked, and because he would not sympathize with the Southern cause, his buildings were burned, his property confiscated, and himself and family driven to the mountains in destitute circumstances. They had killed his only son. In talking over his troubles he would become so angry and swear that as long as he was permitted to inhabit this mundane sphere, he would seek revenge ; that he had partly avenged the death of his son, but was not satisfied. After supper the Dr. handed each of us a gun and some ammunition, called his dogs, and away we went in search of meat. After a tramp of several hours we heard the clamor of the dogs. "Ah, boys," said he, "they are close to it." To what? asked Jones. A bear, he
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replied. They will tree it in twenty minutes. On reach- ing the dogs we found they had old bruin quartered on a leaning tree near the summit of Blue Ridge, as the Dr. called it. He proposed that we all fire at once to prevent a dispute over who killed him. They agreed to this and we fired simultaneous, but did not get the game. The bear came down the tree and a fierce fight ensued between him and the dogs. Finally the Dr. got a shot at the bear, and he ceased to annoy the dogs. We only desired the hams, hence it was only a small job to dismantle the animal and disconnect those parts wanted. A good night's rest gave us a relish for breakfast, after which we received directions for our next movements. It was 40 miles to old Father Avaunt's, the next or nearest Union man. Dr. Allen out- lined the country carefully, gave us a written recommenda- tion, and supplied us with two days rations. We then took leave of the family, whose kindness will ever be remember- ed by the little "band of four". We made good headway the first day without having met anyone. At night we built a fire by which we lay until morning. We felt sure that we would reach Avaunt's by evening. Late in the evening we crossed a foot log which Allen had mentioned as being near the Avaunt residence. We were met at the door by Mr. Avaunt to whom we briefly stated our purpose there, to which he replied, "all right, come in, supper is ready." The kitchen reminded us of home; there were about 12 or 15 women who had come to take supper. Our minds recurred to the wool pickings in old Hoosier Land, We enjoyed our supper first rate, for it was the best we had had for long montlis. After supper we were told to go to the woods, as it would not be safe for us to remain at the house, since the rebels were liable to come in at any time. He said he would send our breakfast to us and have us go to a safer place to remain until next evening, by whichi
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time he would have us two guides in the persons of Ezekial Golden and Thomas Bledsaw, who had been acting as Union scouts for some time, and who were well acquainted in the country between there and Little Rock. Only 60 miles lay between us and the federal lines. We spent a pleasant night, for we had been well supplied with blankets, which kept off the cold of November. We were awakened at early dawn by Father Avaunt with "good morning boys, how did you spend the night? I have brought your break- fast". He then told us that his two daughters would ac- company us to a new situation farther from the house, and would bring us our dinner and inform us of what arrange- ments he had made. We went about two miles into the woods, and were left with orders not to move about until they returned with our dinners and some other persons. We spent the forenoon in trying to unfold the mysteries of the future. About noon dinner was furnished us by the Misses Avaunt, who were accompanied by four other ladies who had come to see us and bring us some clothes and shoes, which were thankfully received, for we were not much better for clothing than Adam was after his marriage with Eve. The ladies informed us that Golden and Bled- saw would be there by 2 o'clock and would approach us by themselves. For us to have no fear, for they would take us through in safety. They related many blood curdling incidents that had occured in their neighborhood. While exchanging thoughts, Miss Avaunt remarked that Major Reed had lain in concealment two weeks in the same grove in which we were then conversing. On investigation we found that he was the same brave Major who had made so many unsuccessful attempts to escape from Camp Ford, he having escaped from the stockade four times, only to be chased down by the bloodhounds, and to be brought back to endure the severe punishment incident on such occasions.
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On being brought back the first time he was compelled to stand on a barrel without shoes or hat, food or drink, in the scorching sun, from morning until night. He endured his punishment without a murmur, but was no sooner released than he was planing for another trial for liberty. The fifth time he succeeded in deluding the dogs, and after weeks of hardship and privation reached the Avaunt resi- dence, sick and destitute. It being unsafe to remain at the house he was taken to the thicket, where he remained for two weeks in charge of the Avaunt family. One of the girls said that either she or her sister were with him until he was able to travel. After some time passed in conversa- tion they bade us a long and lasting farewell. About 4 o'clock we saw two men approaching on horse back, each carrying a rifle and a pair of revolvers. Within a short distance of us they halted and asked our business, but after some jesting they made themselves known, and said that Father Avaunt had requested them to call on us, and that they were now at our service, ready to render any service in their power. We told them that we desired them to pilot us to Little Rock, to which they replied that they would try, and that if necessary they could do a little shoot- ing. They informed us that the route would lay principal- ly through the woods. They said that they would escort us as though we were prisoners, one of them riding in front and the other in the rear, and if we were encountered by the rebels, and they were compelled to surrender us, we were Confederate soldiers, whom they were taking to the federal lines. We were also told to impress our captors, if we were taken prisoners, that we were from Missouri, say- ing that we would be well treated. We started on our march about 6 o'clock, and just at 12 our guards halted on an eminence near where Golden said he used to live and where his wife still holds forth. He told us to remain here
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until he signalled his wife. He disappeared in the dark- ness and within a few minutes we heard him hoot three times like an owl. This was his way of rousing his wife. She responded to his call, after which he returned to us and said that Mrs. Golden would soon be there with our sup- pers. While we were eating Golden gave us an account of a tragedy which occurred in which his life was placed in a balance. I shall give it as nearly as I remember the way he gave it:
"I was always a Union man, and wanted to get along without any trouble. Having been frequently threatened, I remained at home as long as I deemed it prudent, and finally took to the woods, as a last resort. One night, last winter, the weather being extremely disagreeable, I ven- tured home hoping to remain with my family undisturbed. I had only come to the conclusion that I would have a night's rest when the house was surrounded by armed men who asked me to surrender. I informed them that I would defend myself and family at all hazards, but that I wanted to avoid bloodshed if possible. They replied that they would have me dead or alive, so I opened fire on them and the battle raged in earnest. My wife had our little babe in her arms. A ball from some rebel gun killed the little darling and struck her in the breast. When I saw what they had done I determined to sell my life as dearly as pos- sible and killed five of them and succeeded in holding the fort. The dead were left in my yard, and when I viewed their lifeless forms I knew them all-my neighbors. For- tunately my wife received only a flesh wound. We buried our baby. The next day the families of the dead Rebels came and took charge of their bodies. Since that time I have been on the scout, and I see my wife only occasion- ally. When supper was finished, Mrs. Golden took leave of us, and we resumed our journey. Just at day-break we
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reached Bledsaw's where we ate breakfast, while he and Golden stood guard. When we had finished eating we took their places while they ate. We then resumed our journey. We pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and at noon when we stopped to eat our lunch, Golden informed us that we had just 15 miles before us, and that we could reach our destination that afternoon. It was just at twilight when we beheld the old flag, for which so many of the boys had lost their lives on the bloody sands of that battle field. We gazed upon it earnestly although our eyes were dimmed with tears of thankfulness. Our hearts leaped for joy, and . at the same time silent supplications were breathed forth to that Omnipotent Hand that had ruled our journey. No poet's pen or painter's brush, much less the uncertain mind of man, could do justice to the feelings of the little "Band of Four" as they gazed upon "Old Glory," her stars and stripes unfurled over Fort Steele.
Once in the presence of the outer pickets we were soon ushered before General Steele, at his headquarters. He received us with hospitality and immediately gave us an order to the commissary, where all our wants were supplied. Having dawned new clothing, we spent two days with Gol- den and Bledsaw, after which we bade themn farewell, sent word to the Berry boys of their mother's condition, and started for Indianapolis, which place we reached the 12th of December. Here we found the survivors of the 43d and were glad to grasp the hand of those from whom we had been parted so many dreary months. After a few days with the boys we obtained permission to visit our friends at home. Now that the clash and clamor of battle was over, the shrill note of the clarion of war no longer to be heard floating out on the midnight air, calling the weary soldier from his slumber-calling him into battle array-to face the winged messenger of Death -the Dove of Peace, as well as
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the Eagle of Victory, having perched upon our Country's standard, we, with thousands of otliers, were honorably discharged, and permitted to return to our homes. At the time of my discharge I was suffering from sore eyes, con- tracted while in the U. S. service by exposure, incident to camp and prison life. I was after that time left in total blindness, but, went to Cincinnati and was under the care of the best physicians, where my eyes were a little in11- proved, but I despaired of ever having them fully restored. In 1865 I made application for pension which was allowed. I continued to draw my pension until 1877 when I was re- ported to the Commissioner of Pensions as a fraudulent pensioner. Just here let me say a few words about the whys connected with the reporting of my case, and pass in brief review before the eyes of the public, the blackness of that dark, atrociously villainous act. If the darkness of the lives and characters of those persons who reported my case to the department be compared to the darkness which prevailed in the land of Judea at the time of the crucifixion of Christ, the darkness of that occasion would shine as the noonday sun.
When the tocsin of war was sounded throughout this country, calling for volunteers to aid in striking down the hydra-headed serpent, rebellion, that was entwining itself around the body politic of the Nation, those same villainous scoundrels, dastardly like, scringed and shivered before the blast of Civil War, crouched and cowered like menials, hundreds of miles from the scenes where two mighty armies were swaying to and fro like the surging waves of the driving deep. If these would be child robbers, who attempted to rob my companion and children of their bread by trying to take from me the pension, which was bought with my eyesight, while in defense of their homes as well as the homes of others, were tremulously suspended in the
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