USA > New York > History of the Tenth regiment of cavalry New York state volunteers, August, 1861, to August, 1865, pt 2 > Part 30
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About 9 p. M. we started, with a bright moon to guide us. The night before, while trying to catch our geese, I fell over a stump and hurt my right leg very badly, and it was swollen and pained me very much to travel; otherwise we were in good spirits, for we had meat enough to last through the night comfortably. From our map-a mere sketch from one of Lloyd's maps on a half sheet of letter- paper, but very useful in giving us the right direction to travel-we learned that we were on the North Edisto River, and our best course was to follow it down. For me this was a very hard night's tramp. We followed a kind of a by-road through swamp and deep gullies. At length the moon went down, and we brought up at the edge of a swamp with water three feet deep at every point we could find. After looking about for an hour or more we found a kind of foot-bridge, consist- ing of single logs strung along, resting on the forks of small trees driven in the ground. These logs or poles were about six inches through, and occasionally a rail answered the purpose. On these, with the aid of our canes, we managed to cross a swamp over a mile wide, I should think. Once in about eight or ten rods one or the other would slip off into the water and mud about waist-deep-a very pleasant sensation for any one that likes it. After reaching dry land we lay down to rest and were soon fast asleep, for I was nearly worn out ; and to make a bad matter worse, when we awoke could find no road, and it had become so cloudy that no stars were visible. We took the right direction, as near as we could guess at it, and wandered about until nearly day, when we lay down in the woods and went to sleep again. When we awoke it was daylight. We soon se- cured a safe place in a swamp, and I built a fire while Myers went to the nearest plantation to find a darky and get something to eat as well as learn our location. Myers's trip was successful ; he found a darky whose name was Dick Grant, and by considerable strategy on Dick's part he furnished Myers with some biscuit and sweet potatoes, as well as a small piece of bacon, and promised to come to us after dark and bring more, as well as put us on the right road to Augusta. Al-
PRISON AND ESCAPE-CAPTAIN B. B. PORTER, CO. G. 555
though it began to rain, our spirits revived, and we found that we were forty-six miles from Augusta, Ga., via Aiken, S. C., and that Sherman was but a short distance from Augusta when last heard from. Although it was rainy and I was completely wet through, I slept soundly nearly all day, as Dick told Myers that we would be in no danger where we were, and I was nearly used up. At night I was feeling much better, especially my leg. About 8 P. M., according to promise, Dick made his appearance with a good supper for us and a piece of bacon with a small bag of sweet potatoes to take with us. We were the first Yankees Dick had ever seen, and I think I never saw a human being so well pleased as he was that he could have a chance to do something for a Yankee soldier. " Why," said he, " you is jus' like anybody, only a great deal better." He traveled with us five miles and put us on the right road to Aiken, with full instructions about water, the inhabitants, and where to be the most cautious, " for," said he, " should one of dese fellers get hold ob you Yankees dey hang you on de fust tree, shua." Wishing us a safe journey, with a " God bress you," Dick bade us good-night and we went on our way rejoicing. Being better fed than we had been for months, we were in hopes to reach Augusta in a couple of nights. During the night the dogs annoyed us very much at almost every house we came to, but we made the South Edisto River, and crossed it an hour before day, but were obliged to stop as we heard teams coming on the road. Only a short distance from the road, in a very thick swamp, we camped for the day, but feared to build any fire, as we could hear people talk as they passed on the road. We learned from their conversation that Sherman had passed Augusta. (I may as well remark here that we always carried on our conversation in a whisper, both night and day, for fear that some one might chance to hear us, and I think up to this time we had not spoken a dozen loud words since we had escaped.)
Just at night we heard a negro, who was driving a team, stop in the edge of the woods near us, make a fire, and prepare to camp in the manner that most teamsters do in that country when on the road to and from market. As soon as it was late enough so that we dared venture, we determined to make this teamster a visit and ascertain if he would confirm the news we had heard during the day. As he came from the direction of Aiken, we thought he might possibly know something about it; consequently, between eight and nine o'clock we emerged from the thicket and approached very cautiously. He was lying stretched out full length fast asleep in front of a large fire. I got near enough to touch him with my cane, and he bounded to his feet instantly, nearly scared to death. I asked him if he knew me, and he said that he did not, but thought I looked like some of "dem Yankee prisoners dey had in Aiken." I told him I was a Yankee, and he seemed delighted and offered me a piece of plug tobacco at once. I asked him for something to eat, and he said he had nothing, but would go to the first house near by and get something for us, which we told him to do. We awaited his return, skulking in the bushes some distance from where he left us, but he did not betray us, and came back alone with a dish of sweet potatoes and bacon, which we relished very much. Getting all the information we could, and finding the news of Sherman confirmed, we bade our dusky friend Bill good-night and started on our journey once more. We were eight miles from Aiken. Bill cautioned us to be very careful in passing this village, for there were rebel soldiers there and "'twas mighty bad place." We made but slow progress the fore part
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HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
of the night, for our feet were very sore and chafed. The sand was deep, and, our shoes being full, made it very hard work and tiresome; but we had enough to eat. Our eight miles were very long ones, and it seemed as though we never would reach Aiken. During the night we generally took a rest every two or three miles, and sometimes would both fall asleep and make our rest not very short. To guard against surprise, we left the road to rest behind a clump of bushes or a fence. Before we knew it, in going through a very fine grove, we were in the center of the village of Aiken. It was just the right time-between two and three in the morning-and we passed through the main street and crossed the Augusta and Charleston Railroad without seeing a single picket or guard or any living being. After passing through the town we took the first road we came to that led in the right direction, according to the stars.
Having had no water for a few hours and traveling as fast as we could to get away from this little town, we became very thirsty, but could find no water except at the houses, and we dared not get any at them for fear of being discovered. We traveled on until nearly daylight, but could find none or a good place to hide ourselves for the day. Finally, just at daylight we turned off into an open piece of woods, and lying down between two large fallen trees were soon asleep. The face of the country was a little rolling and very sandy, with no streams. From our position we could see for a half-mile each way. We built a small fire and roasted our potatoes, but they were very dry and added to our thirst. Here we lay all day long, almost famished with thirst. To be deprived of water is much worse than being deprived of food. As soon as it was dark we started in quest of water, but found none, nor did we find any until near midnight, suffering almost intolerably until that time. I was careful not to drink too much at first, but Myers drank too freely and was very badly off, suffering with severe pain for an hour or two, but finally recovering. This night was a very quiet one with us.
Ever since I had been out I had suffered with a very bad cough that troubled me exceedingly, for I had to suppress it all the while for fear of detection. I was taking cold every day or night and feared that it might betray us, which an- noyed me a great deal. It was now the 2d. of December. From our hiding- place, about a mile off across an open field, we saw a negro at work, and being entirely out of provisions, concluded to call upon him if we could manage to get near him. By a long, circuitous route through the woods we got very near where there were three darkies at work. It being out of sight of any house, we thought we would attract their attention if possible; but Myers, crawling down by an old fence while I watched in the woods, had to work a long time before he could coax one of them near him, for they thought he was a Yankee on account of his clothes being different from any they had ever seen before. Myers finally coaxed one of them to come up in the woods where I was, but he was very timid, having never seen a Yankee before, and the rebels had impressed on their minds all over the country that the Yankees would cut their ears, fingers, and toes off and other- wise mutilate them.
This darky's name was John, and he was the most intelligent one we had ever come across. Finding that we would not hurt him, he promised to bring us something to eat and some water, for water was still scarce and we had none but once during the previous night. When John went to dinner he brought us back a splendid meal, well cooked, of corn-bread, fresh pork, and sweet potatoes,
PRISON AND ESCAPE-CAPTAIN B. B. PORTER, CO. G. 557
and both of his companions came with him. They all promised secrecy, and John agreed to bring us some supper after dark. When darkness came John came also, with a good supper for us and some to carry along. This darky could read and write and was well posted. He stayed with us two or three hours, and could not talk or do enough for us. Myers gave him a small Testament that he had in his pocket and he was perfectly delighted. He knew that Lincoln was elected President, and knew very well what the war was for. About 9 P. M. we left him. We were the only white people that he had ever conversed with freely upon all subjects, he said. He gave us the full direction, what road to take, and said that Sherman had passed Augusta, but had not crossed the Savan- nah River. Lame, tired, and almost worn out, we traveled on, fearing we would be unable to cross the Savannah River and join Sherman's army ; besides, we were some days behind him, and it would be almost impossible to reach him very soon. We were also told that quite a large force of rebels were on our side of the river. Our only show was to push on as fast as possible.
After traveling about ten miles we got off our road entirely, but came across a flock of geese and secured two after a hard chase. We then took our direction across the country without any road, but the woods were thick and our progress slow. It began to get cloudy, and we got into a deep ravine with plenty of water, and concluded to camp. In the morning when we awoke it was raining very hard, and we were completely wet through and almost numb with cold. Our place being a very secure one, we built up a good fire and roasted our geese, but it rained all day and we could not get dry. When night came on again we had no stars or moon to travel by, and were very much puzzled to know our right course. We would travel awhile, then rest and watch for the sight of a single star, but none appeared. At length we came to a road and followed it. It was so dark that we could hardly see one another ; still we kept on. Near morning we came up to a darky in the road in front of a house, who halted us. I knew by his voice that it was a negro and marched up to him. He was very much frightened and begged us not to hurt him. His name was Simon. We learned that he had been placed in the road to keep watch by his master, who had all his goods packed and was ready to leave at a moment's warning, fearing that Sher- man was coming, as he was not many miles away on the other side of the Savan- nah River. We also learned that we were traveling in the wrong direction and had not come more than three miles from where we started, although we had traveled twelve or fifteen miles. . Simon also told us of a good place to hide for the day, and that he would bring us something to eat, but he never came.
Sunday, December 4th .- Every pleasant day we spent some time in trying to rid ourselves of vermin, and we were engaged in this active employment when we heard the very welcome sound of cannon about twelve miles off. We were now in hearing of Sherman's army and were much elated at our prospect of suc- cess in reaching his lines and once more sleeping under the folds of our glorious old banner. In the fore part of the night, before we got started, it was very cold, but the moon shone bright, and we were confident of making a good night's march. Our provisions had failed, and we were obliged to forage a little. About 11 p. M. we made a raid on a darky's shanty and found an old negress and her boy, who willingly gave us something to eat without knowing who we were, and gave us directions to go to nigger Jesse's house and he could give us the desired
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HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
information of the nearest road to the river. We found Jesse's house and knocked; was bid come in; called Jesse familiarly by name, and he appeared friendly. We soon told him who we were, but he looked upon us with suspicion, for one negro had been hanged in that vicinity for feeding some escaped prison- ers. However, after becoming convinced, he was willing to assist us on our way, notwithstanding the penalty should he be caught. It appears that he was over- seer on the plantation, and had charge of all the provisions and furnished the same to all the hands. Being assured that we were genuine Yankees, he took us into his meat-house and told us to take as much as we wished to carry. We took a side of bacon and a bag of sweet potatoes, making us a tolerable heavy load. After feeding us well he went with us five miles to show us the way across the fields and save us about ten miles' travel. As soon as we got on the river road he told us we would meet patrols, as the rebels were patroling that road night and day, and were hunting the swamps and the whole country for any stray Yankees that had got on the north side of the river from Sherman's army. We learned from Jesse that Sherman was moving down the river toward Savan- nah. In a few hours after leaving Jesse we came to the river road and found plenty of horse-tracks, showing that we were in the vicinity of cavalry. On this road we had to be very cautious for fear of a surprise, and it necessarily made our progress slow. We were obliged to camp before day and not start too early in the evening, for our course now was a dangerous one.
December 5th .- Between the hours of 9 and 10 P. M. we took the road down the river, intending to cross lower down if possible. It being cold, it was more comfortable traveling, but we nearly froze when we stopped to rest. In the lat- ter part of the night we saw fires ahead, but found them to be nothing but stumps burning, yet there were plenty of cavalry signs along the road. As we were passing through a small but thick piece of woods the road turned, and we found ourselves in the center of a rebel cavalry camp. They were camped on both sides of the road, and we could hear them talking. We halted and con- sulted for a moment whether it was best to turn back or not, but concluded to pass through. As they had no pickets on the side of the camp that we came in, I thought very likely they would have none on the other side, at least for some distance. The night was dark, and they were lying asleep around their small fires, with a few exceptions. With a cat-like tread, and hardly breathing, we passed through unnoticed and made as good time as possible for some distance. At length we saw a very small picket-fire in front, but as quietly as possible flanked it at a good distance Before morning we camped in a three-cornered piece of woods and had to lie flat on the ground under a tree-top all day, for a lot of negroes were working from daylight until dark within a stone's throw of us. We could hear cannon all day about seven or eight miles from us, show- ing that we were on Sherman's flank.
December 6th .- Started out at the usual hour in a rain-storm. Passed one picket : was completely soaked through and almost numb with cold. Camped in a swamp with water all over the ground; we cut down a lot of alder poles and lay on them. It rained all the forenoon, but we managed to get a fire and get along as well as could be expected under the circumstances. Provisions were this day exhausted, and just at night we moved up to the road to reconnoitre for a negro and something to eat. We did not wait long before one made his ap-
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EXPERIENCE OF CAPTAIN B. B. PORTER, CO. G.
pearance, and we hailed him. He had a two-quart tin pail with him filled with chicken and some kind of sweet bread that he was going to take home to another plantation to his wife and three children." We let him know who we were and he immediately gave up his dainties that he was carrying to his little ones and went back to his shanty for some sweet potatoes and a few ears of corn for us to take along with us. His name was Fred, and he had never seen a Yankee before. Like all the rest, he was highly delighted to do something for us, and would have risked his life in our behalf. He was so anxious to talk with us that we had to send him away for fear of detection, as he had informed us that a "heap " of soldiers on horses had passed just at night going the same way we were, and he gave us considerable information concerning the road, streams, etc. It was a dark, cloudy night, and it was evident that we were among the rebel soldiery. Fred told us there were plenty of pickets along the road. It was rather cold and we knew that all the pickets would have fires. Soon after we were on our way we found a picket just ahead and flanked him. While we were flanking this point a rebel passed us as we lay between the furrows of a newly-plowed field.
We pushed on, though very sore and lame, and my cold was worse for being wet the night before. After midnight we came to a large camp of cavalry, and as they were up we had to be very cautious in flanking it. It being cloudy, we had no stars to guide us, and coming to a road, which we supposed to be the right one, followed it for about a mile, when we came to a row of tents with large fires in front of them and a number of rebels and negroes standing about the fires. A short distance farther on we discovered a picket-fire. We undertook to flank them on the right. The first thing I knew I went heels over head down an embankment about four or five feet, and Myers came tuinbling after. We lay still for a few moments to see if we had attracted any notice. then got up and surveyed our position, and judged from the works that we were in the ditch of a fort. We soon got out and went back and commenced flanking on the other side. An impassable swamp compelled us to go very near the tents. On our hands and knees in the mud and water we crawled and passed them safely, but we still had the picket-post to flank. In trying to do this we came to a stream of water, which at first we supposed was only a pond, but soon found that it was the Savannah River. We came to the conclusion that we would try and cross it. As we were slowly walking along the bank a guard on the works at the ferry (as this proved to be) sang out :
" Halt !"
We halted.
" Who comes there ?" said he.
We gave no answer, and, being sure that he would fire, I dodged back, but Myers stood still, and "bang !" went a shot-gun.
The shot flew around us like hail. I asked Myers if he was hit. He said no, and we ran as fast as our legs could carry us down the river until we came to the intersection of the river and swamp. It was one of those cypress swamps, with the water from three to four feet deep, and there was no telling how large it was. Here we disputed about the direction we should take. Myers was for push- ing right through the swamp, which seemed to me like madness. He said he should go anyhow. I told him he would go alone then, for I was going back to the river road. He finally followed. In going back the same way we came we
الـ
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HISTORY OF THE TENTH REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
had to pass very near the same sentinel who had fired upon us, and it seemed quite an undertaking, as he was now on the alert, and perhaps the whole camp also, and we expected every moment 'to hear the dogs on our track. On our hands and knees, and a portion of the way flat on the ground, through mud and water, we crawled like a couple of snakes. It was hard work, but liberty was the reward. I was in front, and after getting past the sentinel rose to my feet, but could see or hear nothing from Myers. I thought he must have turned back, and I feared to speak or make any noise for fear of attracting the notice of the senti- nel. After waiting some time I concluded to go on alone until I was in a more secure place and then wait for him. After walking, creeping, and crawling for a long time I reached the road near where we had left it, and, hiding myself, waited for Myers. After a long time he came, minus his bag of sweet potatoes and corn, which he dropped when the sentinel fired. As fast as we could go we went back to where we flanked the cavalry force. (I might state here that the road which led from this cavalry camp to the river, about one mile, was through an other- wise impassable swamp, and should we have met any one on the road we could only have lain flat on the ground in the road or got down in the water at the side of it.)
Finally, we gained the main road again without meeting any one. The night was very dark, and we were congratulating ourselves on our escape, when some one spoke immediately in front of us, saying, "Get up!" Quicker than I can tell it we were flat on the ground just outside of the wagon-tracks, and a rebel soldier, who was riding one horse and leading another, passed between us. I could have taken hold of the horses' legs as they passed. The darkness of the night saved us from capture. It was a very sandy soil, and a horse made no more noise approaching than a cat would on a carpet. Again we started and wondered what next would come to pass. We pushed on as fast as possible until we came near a small place of three or four houses, named Robertsville. Just before we reached the place we saw a very dim fire, and suspected that all was not right. The bushes were very thick, and before we knew it we were within six feet of a rebel picket, fast asleep, holding to his gun, sitting on the ground and leaning up against a sapling. As carefully as possible we passed on and found ourselves again in the midst of cavalry, but they were only on one side of the road, so we turned off the road to flank them, and when we reached the road again were greeted by some one singing out, " Whoa !" not thirty feet off. We dropped flat on the ground, and it appeared that we had not passed the whole troop yet, and I should judge that this rebel's horse had slipped on him, for he swore roundly at it. We crawled along the fence for a long distance until we were entirely clear of this cavalry, then took the road again, concluding that we had got into rather a tight place. It was nearly morning when we discovered a large camp-fire ahead and another picket-fire a short distance from us. It was a very chilly night, but we had had plenty of warin work and were getting so tired that I could hardly move. The country was open, and we had to seek the shelter of a piece of woods or be retaken. With all the energy we could muster we pushed on. We heard people talking in front of us, and, for the want of a better place, lay on the ground tight against the fence and awaited their coming. It proved to be three darkies, and they passed so near me that I could have caught hold of their legs. As soon as they were out of the way we went on. A short time after
EXPERIENCE OF CAPTAIN B. B. PORTER, CO. G. 561
we came as near a picket-post as we wished to venture, and turned out to flank it. In doing so we passed through a small strip of woods. Being almost en- tirely exhausted we lay down and went to sleep not twenty rods from the picket.
We slept soundly until some time after daylight, then got up and made a reconnaissance of our position. Finding it a dangerous one, we took a round- about course along a fence in plain sight of a planter's house, and not many rods distant from it, to reach, as we supposed, a large piece of woods. In looking for a secure place, we came nearly back to the road again, and concluded to stop for the day. Gathering some dry oak sticks, which made but very little smoke, we built a small fire and roasted what few sweet potatoes we had left and ate them. While doing so we heard the hounds coming on our track, and thought certain that we were seen in passing the house and they had put the dogs after us. On they came, nearer and nearer, taking the same course we had taken. I shall never forget my feelings at that time. However, we determined to keep them off if possible. Myers took a heavy cane that he had and I took a brand of fire; both backed up against a large pine-tree and awaited their coming. On they came furiously ; there was no mistake-they were surely on our track. The foremost one came very close to us and increased his barking. I flourished the brand of fire at him and he dropped his tail between his legs and made off. The rest of the pack silently followed their leader. In a short time, just as we were thinking ourselves safe again, a man on horseback about thirty rods off sang out to the dogs, urging them on again. Again we thought ourselves in a precarious situa- tion, but we kept still and saw no more of man or dogs that day.
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