USA > Pennsylvania > History of a cavalry company. A complete record of Company "A," 4th Penn'a cavalry, as identified with that regiment in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, during the late civil war > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
At last, in the eastern heavens a grayish light un- veiled so gradually, that the day dawn was fully be- fore us, ere we anticipated. Through the fierce, wild disorder of the storm, the rain still descending in torrents, we began to have a wider scope of vision, fences, trees, fields even, and at last forests and the curved crowns of hills on hills, defining themselves on
154
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
the far horizon. Pushing still onward, with heavy yet rapid strides, for the light nerved us with re- newed vigor, awakening as it did sharper fears of re-capture, we soon found ourselves entering the ad- vanced line of works, which Mcclellan had thrown up around Harrison's Landing, in 1862. With these I had already become familiar. The locality, with all its bearings, I at once recognized. From this point we immediately took the road to Westover Landing, knowing that if I could meet some of my old colored friends and acquaintances in the neigh- borhood, that we would be taken care of for the time being. I had made many friendships among these, during the first campaign of the war. Shortly after day-light we reached the Landing. Here we con- cealed ourselves in an old, deserted house on the river bank. It was the identical building which had been occupied by negresses, when we were in camp there. These women did the washing for the officers of our command two years before, and were familiar acquaintances of all our troops. We found the house partly filled with corn tops, a crop of corn hav- ing since been raised from the ground we had en- camped upon. Weimmediately secreted ourselves in holes made deep down in the corn-fodder, and being very tired, to say nothing of our famishing hunger, we slept soundly until late in the afternoon. We were awakened by hearing a peculiar noise on the river --- a regular, steady, wheezing, puffing sound as if issuing from some steam pipe. Ou peeping out we discov- ered it to be the flag of truce boat, City of New York, toiling its way from City Point to Fortress Monroe,
1
1
155
AWAITING DARKNESS.
which had been carrying up supplies to be distributed to our prisoners in Richmond. These, however, never reached them, having doubtless been gobbled up by the rebel troops. Frantically throwing aside all caution, we rushed out and down the bank to the waters' edge, where we made signals and every de- monstration imaginable, calling out lustily at the top of our voices. To our utter dismay and keen disap- pointment, the steam puffed out with unaltered regu- larity, and the boat passed on down the river, leaving us to our own fate, and to a most poignant sense of desolation. Through the aid of this boat, we might have been safely quartered in Fortress Monroe that very night. So debilitated had we grown by long suffering in prison, excessive exertion, and this bright hope, which so suddenly appeared, and which was so suddenly blasted, that we could have wept like children. We then gave vent to some bold Saxon epithets against the Captain of the boat. After some deliberation, though, and considering the matter a little, we could not find fault with him, be- cause, sailing under a flag of truce, he had no right to stop anywhere in the enemy's territory. Further- more, how did he know who and what we were ? If, when he saw us on the shore, and heard the faint sounds of our voices at that distance, he turned his glass toward us, he would have seen, in our dress, the rebel gray, and disdained to aid even deserters, as he might have imagined us to be under the circum- stances. Still more, he was a mile or more out in the river, and might not have had his attention drawn to us at all.
.
156
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
CHAPTER XVI.
NEW TRIALS AND DANGERS.
B UT now a new danger was apprehended. We had exposed ourselves, and some one might have seen us or been attracted by the noise. So, we cautiously crawled up the bank again, where I had sat many a day during the summer of 1862, brushing flies away, and meditating on the events then trans- piring. While sitting here, we discovered not far off a boat fastened to a pier-an old, dilapidated projec- tion in the river. We concluded, during the night, to make this our means of escape down the river. Our hunger now began to disclose itself. We were famishing for food, and were fearfully pestered with body-vermin, which still lingered about us from the prison. Having nothing more pressing to do during the remaining hours of daylight, we endeavored to release ourselves from some of these annoyances. Darkness coming on at last, we concluded to secure something to eat, if possible. We, therefore, crawled up to one of the plantation houses, very close even to the main building, and discovered, fortunately, a darkey in the yard. I immediately recognized him,
157
NEW TRIALS AND DANGERS.
as one whom I had met during the encampment of the army at Harrison's Landing. IIe at once took us inside, closed the doors, and listened eagerly while we related our recent adventures. He promptly did all that could be done for us, gave us everything he had to eat, consisting of a week's rations of corn meal, and a portion of the bristly shank of a shoulder of bacon. He baked the corn bread for us in the shape of cakes on the ashy hearth. I did not think I had ever enjoyed a meal so keenly, or partook of one so heartily in all my life-never having been so hungry before. The two of us managed to eat his whole week's ration of corn bread and meat, before we could prevail upon ourselves to stop. Making inquiries, we discovered that the boat belonged to him and his wife. He said that he and she had been eighteen years in saving up the odd pence that they would get, in order to buy that boat. His wife, he said, lived twelve miles further down the river, on another plantation, and that they never saw each other, except when he got away on Sabbath to make a call on her. That very Sabbath, she had given him a demijohn of persimmon beer to bring home with him, while he was there. In the fulness of his kind- ly heart, he produced it for our delectation. It is hardly necessary to allude to the fact, that we made frequent and copious draughts upon its enlivening contents, or that it did not leave us entirely empty itself, by virtue of its own prodigious proportions, and not of our delicacy. Edibles and bibibles stand a poor show before prisoners from Libby, when they
14
السن
.
158
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
have not been completely broken down by want and disease. When he told us the story, simple and pathetic, of his boat on the bank, we still wanted it badly, but felt great reluctance, in stealing it. The beer too, which had been transferred to us, as really a compliment and kindness from his wife, was another sadly eloquent reason, which knocked at our hearts, and begged of us not to steal the boat. It was hard indeed, and I shall not tell the reader just yet, whether we stole it or not. Stealing is bad at any time, and ought to be eschewed from good society. It ought to need in bar no tearful tales of half-pence saved from slowly rolling year to year, through eighteen summers and winters, by two fond hearts, united by God, but severed by the infernal vicissitudes of slavery. It ought to need no persimmon beer, even, by way of stimulus to the conscience. But dear reader, you must pardon us, if we tell you that there are occasions in this world, in the military world especially, where life is dear, doubly-dear on account of dangers endured to save it, and that com- pared to its value then, large numbers of boats and half-pence and even demijohns of persimmon beer are as-not exactly nothing, but an insufficiency. Suffice it to say, we inwardly resolved in our hearts that our safety demanded the little craft, and that we would borrow the boat. We did not wish to inform him of our determination, on account either of re- gard for his feelings or else because our certainty in obtaining it, might be in this way enhanced. Wish- ing to secure the oars, also, which we saw standing
1
159
NEW TRIALS AND DANGERS.
in the house, we found it necessary to get rid of him for a few moments. Having informed us that his daughter lived at the plantation residence, and that he could go there and obtain a little milk if we desired it, we concluded, although having refused him before, to send him on this errand. As soon as he was gone, Welton took the oars and carried them out, throwing them down the bank, and returning before our colored benefactor was back again. We drank the milk, thanked him, and bade him a grate- ful adieu. We requested him for his own personal safety, in case we were captured, to retire at once, and not remember anything of our presence around there. We led him to believe that we were going to take the Charles City Court House Road, down the Peninsula towards Williamsburg.
After a little circuitous movement, however, we returned like foxes to our point of departure-to the boat. We regretted the necessity, but the dangers pressing around us were so great, and we were so fearful of again being incarcerated in that living se- pulture at Richmond, that we determined to accept the much better chances which water transit would present. Our poignant scruples of conscience and of honor, were accordingly smothered. We found the boat locked, and experienced much difficulty in loosening the chain. Welton took a large stone, and proceeded to break the lock, while I stood up, shiver- ing with fear and cold, with my head above the edge of the bank, watching lest the noise might startle its owner, or somebody else. A rather noisy dog at the
-
Ki
160
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
house, having scented burglary amid the falling dews, or smelt piracy from the door step, made a great fuss, yelling and barking furiously. It would have been at that moment very nice for us, but very bad for the car, if he had been near enough. Welton, stone in hand, declared that he could break the lock, with one tremendous blow, or two at the farthest. I told him to proceed, while I stood shivering be- tween doubt and fear, hearing seventeen distinct and heavy blows. I counted them with a sensitive ner- vousness. Every one cut into the quick, trampled on a corn, scorched like a hot iron, or knocked at the heart dolefully, like the funeral knell of a cher- ished friend. But the last blow was now dealt, and when Welton, with an exultant and whispered screech, sang out "all right !" we were not long in shoving out and gaining the centre of the river. We soon found that not only were our oars mis-mated, but that the handles were too long. The row-locks being opposite each other, we were continually peel- ing off the skin and making bruises on our knuckles. We found out, furthermore, when we had rowed well out into the river, that the boat leaked very badly. We regretted that we had not had the precaution to pick up an old tin oyster-can, among the many which lay on the shore, army debris, that we might have used for a scuttle. But, having nothing else, we were compelled to resort to our caps, in order to re- move the water. This, though, was good enough daty for a rebel cap. It, however, left our heads exposed to the heavy, chill dews, and cutting winds
161
NEW TRIALS AND DANGERS.
of November, on the broad surface of the James River. Thus, with our feet drenched in water, our heads dishevelled by the sharp winds, and sparsely dressed, we wielded the ponderous oars with weary regularity, and silently pursued our course. We were seeking a liberty, which we had once lost, but now had only partially regained. We were yet in the stern thraldom of impending dangers. We pro- ceeded cautiously down the James River, occasion- ally observing the camp-fires of the enemy, faintly glowing in the distance-the river here being two miles wide. The water, not having any current whatever, and the night being very dark, it was im- possible for us to tell in which direction we were going, most of the time. It only appeared to us, that we were in a lake, surrounded on all sides by land. This was caused by the bends in the river. But Providence guided us in this, as IIe seemed to have done, when other and worse dangers were im- minent. Through all this long and dreary night, we kept our course towards the ocean-the water faintly echoing the steady, heavy sound of our row-locks, or now and then plashing and seething in the winds, while we shipped oar, and lay back for breath and rest. Becoming fearfully fatigued and worn-out, towards morning we approached the bank, feeling satisfied that we must, by this time, have passed the most of our dangers, and must be near our own out- Posts. We went ashore at a point near the mouth of the Chickahominy, as we afterwards discovered, having made about forty miles during the night. Af-
14*
162
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
ter floundering around in swamps and morasses, and over a great expanse of country, we failed to find a residence of any description, and were reluctantly compelled to return to our boat. We had failed to secure it when we left, having merely pulled it up on the strand. The tide, having risen, had carried it off, and to our sore disappointment, it was gone. It was yet dark, and we could see nothing of its pres- ence along the bank. We had nought else to do, however, but to sit down and wait for daylight. The waves were rolling up wildly, and dashing against the swampy beach with a mild but ceaseless roar, and the winds, keen and chill, came moaning and wailing over the crested waters, as if the very spirit of deso- lation possessed them, and sent them to breathe des- pair into our ears. We sat down on the cold damp shore, and huddling together, shivered as if we had both been seized with congestive chills. Our thin attire, no shoes, wet feet, soaking caps, the spray-covered banks, miry river slope, bitter winds, long, wide stretch of dingy river, with the dark grey clouds above, the leafless trees, and stinted brush on shore ; our past sorrows and trials, our present dilemma, and the pall-like curtain on the future-all conspired to weigh down the heart with profound and indescribable grief. We still sat and shivered, while the faintest token of returning dawn, gleamed low down in the eastern horizon. We thought the very teeth would drop from our heads, as the cold tremor agitated every bone in our bodies. Encircling each other with a deeply fraternal feeling, which only
سلم الم
1
163
NEW TRIALS AND DANGERS.
such mutual dangers and terrors can create, we lay down close to the roots of a tree, in still increasing misery and suffering. We could not check or palli- ate the chill, but still shook as if its terminus were certain death. Through fatigue and untold exer- tions, however, slumber came upon us, and with the enchanter's balmiest wand, bid all our sorrows depart. They silently left. Deep sleep seized the heart, and held its pulsations in happiest trance. We were wafted into sunnier regions-into the realm of dreams. We were at home among loving friends again, with abundance at our command-luxury all around about us. The summer skies bent over us in their serenest and most beautiful azure. The fields were ripe with grain, and the reaper was cheerily singing while he swept the glittering scythe in the sunlight. The forests were vocal with the minstrelsy of wren and throstle, and flocks of happy school children played and shouted on the green and flowery swards. There was no war in the land, no battle-fields, no loathsome dungeons, for fraternal love reigned among all the people, North and South, and prosperity smiled on every peaceful and happy home. But the sleep was not refreshing, and our dreams were idle phantasies. We awoke to a yet keener sense of our sufferings and dilemma. It had been a painful slumber, from which we soon after- wards awoke to find the sun, bright and clear, shining down full upon us. On attempting to re- saine the erect posture, we found it almost impossi- ble, we had become so stiffened and benumbed. I could not even relax my hands, which were still in the
164
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
position of grasping an oar. I was forced to open them finger by finger, slowly and painfully. In this con- dition we almost despaired of regaining our lines. Upon looking in the direction of the river, we were suddenly thrilled with delight, by beholding our boat, floating close to the shore, against which the winds and waves had been urging it all night, for our ben- efit, practically, if not intentionally. It seemed to be offering itself to our service; and to be adding another proof to the truth of that axiom, by which the celebrated author, whoever he may have been, of "life is short," and " circumstances alter cases," im- mortalized himself and pedigree, when he wrote :- " It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good !" We were not slow in availing ourselves of the invita- tion, although we had to wade into deep water in order to reach it. I myself went out until the waves ruffled my neck, bareheaded and barefooted, but suc- ceeded at last in drawing it to the bank.
" My boat is on the shore, Our lines are toward the sea, But I'd row the ocean o'er, Before I'd yield to thee" --
that is to the vigilant and inveterate rebel, whom we think we showed some disposition to avoid on occa- sions like the present. On the battle-field, however, we did not fear the sight of rebel bayonets or legions, as we believe our record bears us out in saying, but in his own country and with all the advantages on his side, he proved himself to be a most brutal and inhuman master.
:
165
SHOT AT BY REBEL PURSUERS.
CHAPTER XVII.
SHOT AT BY REBEL PURSUERS.
TE again entered the boat, and concluded to follow the course of the river until the first residence we came to, when we decided we would run our risks and pull ashore. We gradually approached the middle of the stream, rowing lustily, until turning round a bend which opened a new vista, we discovered a fine large white mansion, embowered by trees, and with all the accessories of wealth and refinement. It was located on the north bank. Fear at once seized us, and, instead of carrying out our programme, our greatest anxiety now was to get safely past the house, rather than to run ashore. Before passing it, how- . ever, and while almost directly opposite, we saw parties on the roof of the mansion, signalling to us. We could distinctly see them, and observed that they were dressed as private citizens-and not in the familiar garb of Union soldiers. Not understanding their signals, but feeling satisfied that they were the regularly agreed upon and preconcerted signs of rebels, we concluded that the only secure plan was to move away as fast as possible. To this task we bent
166
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
.
our little remaining energies, keeping steadily on down the river as rapidly as practicable. The parties, however, having divined our object, came down from the house, took a little boat from a cove on the shore, and four men entering, gave us a quick chase. We were by this time quite a distance below the house, and observing that our pursuers gained upon us, we were hurriedly making toward the shore-which ap- peared to be heavily timbered. They followed us at a lively rate, and the sun now shining brightly on the bosom of the river, we could see the quick flash of their oar-blades as they rose and fell in the sunlight. This looked very brilliant, but very formidable to us, in our exhausted condition. Knowing that our strength could not hold out long, our only chances for escape, if any there were, lay in running ashore. We ac- cordingly pulled frantically for the bank of the stream, and only reached it as they began to pour whistling rifle-balls close about us, calling us deserters, as they no doubt supposed we were. As soon as we reached shore, some unknown and latent strength appeared to possess us, and to nerve our wasted bodies to re- newed exertions. We hastily clambered up an almost perpendicular bank thirty feet high, and dashing frantically forward in through the timber, took as much of a zigzag course as possible. We crossed every slough and morass and bayou we could find, seeking the most difficult and objectionable places in order to debar pursuit and cover our tracks. In this manner we evaded our pursuers, until nature giving out, we both literally dropped at the same moment,
.
r
167
SHOT AT BY REBEL PURSUERS.
and lost all consciousness. We had lain down, as luckily happened, in a rather secure hiding-place, among a net-work of wild-vines and amid thick clusters of underbrush. Having fallen immediately asleep, we did not awaken until the sun was setting in the evening. But on arousing from our deep slum- bers we discovered ourselves to be in a most pitiable condition. Having just before lying down, waded through some deep sloughs of black mire, and in one instance having been submerged to our arm-pits in dingy, fever-making mud, and having lain all through an unusually hot day, exposed to the sun, we found this clay fairly baked on our bodies all over, which were also blistered in many places. The stains on our persons from this mud and mire were not effectu- ally effaced, for several months. We were also terri- bly swollen, parched with thirst and weak from hunger. We were in a truly sorrowful plight- feverish, restless, and tortured with pain. On en- deavoring to rise we found it almost impossible-we were so stiff and ached so sorely. But we knew our only security lay in reaching and entering our own lines that night, so we arose and started, looking about for some road. Taking a direction by the setting sun, that we thought would lead down the peninsula towards Williamsburg, we soon struck an old road, that wound sinuously out through the woods into an open country. In a large clearing hard-by we found a towering butternut tree. Immediately, from sheer hunger, we set to work and ate many of these nuts, which refreshed us very considerably. Night gather-
一
163
HISTORY OF A CAVALRY COMPANY.
ing around us her protecting mantle, we proceeded slowly and painfully on our way. On emerging from the field, we struck a good road, shortly came to where it forked, and found a mile-post at the forks, one side of which pointed in the direction of Williams- burg, five miles distant. This was very agreeable intelligence to us, as we supposed our troops holding Williamsburg; their pickets were posted in the vicini- ty of Burnt Ordinary, about twelve miles from the town We accordingly came to the conclusion, that we were certainly inside of our own picket lines already. Our feet were by this time so sore and swollen, and we were so stiff and worn-out, that it took us five long hours of agony to travel these five miles ! We did not meet any of our pickets until approaching close to the town, but met several citi- zens, the first of whom apprised us, that our line of outposts was only in the suburbs of the town, and that we were yet five miles within the rebel territory. These citizens informed us, that they were taking no part whatever in the war. Supposing us to be descr- ters from the rebel army, they told us we had nothing to fear from them, as they had been living more under the rule of the Union armies, than under that of the rebel forces. They really interested themselves on neither side, they said. We were, however, a little alarmed, and were inclined to make them go back with us, but they gave us such reiterated and positive assurances that they would not molest us, and we being, at any rate, in their power from absolute exhaustion, we concluded to let them pass on, and
:
-
£
169
SHOT AT BY REBEL PURSUERS.
risk the danger. We had no arms with us, but had our pockets filled with stones, and grasped in our hands formidable cudgels, with which we had limped along. We proceeded but very slowly, and in most excruciating torture. I seemed to be the most fa- tigued and debilitated, being, in particular, compelled at short intervals to sit down andrest. I often descended on hands and knees, and crawled along the road ! My wound, too, had been so irritated and inflamed, that it was now a running sore, sloughing off matter continually. On the way to Williamsburg, we found several bridges burned across little streams, and ex- perienced much difficulty in managing to cross them. Finally, after a long-to-be remembered journey, and most intense sufferings, we found ourselves in the vicinity of the town. When we came close to the suburbs, we were suddenly startled with the old familiar "Halt! who goes there ?" Our answer being, "friends !" the guard replied, " Advance one !" Welton, being in rather the best condition, walked towards the picket, and told him who we were. He then permitted me to advance also, and held us there until the relief came around. A genial glow of joy thrilled through our worn-out bodies, and lingered and fluttered warmly at the heart, as the sense of safety became realized. We were secure at last ! O the feelings of that moment ! O the " recoil of the o'er- straine I spirit !" Vague and swift impulses agitated our weary minds, the sharp rebound of exultation tempered by almost mortal debility. The long, long- deferred hope, crowned at last with complete fulfil-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.