USA > Virginia > Prince Edward County > Prince Edward County > A history of Prince Edward County, Virginia: from its formation in 1753, to the present > Part 8
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their lives. However, before the way could be cleared, he succeeded in killing two, and wounded three of the boys. Every shot counted and found its mark, and yet the officer who did the shooting was never punished on earth that I knew of, but I do hope the devil got him at last and put him in the North-east corner at the bottom of the bottomless pit, there to remain. So mote it be.
Rations were very nearly as "scase" as wood. Bob and I decided to pie-root and see what could be done along that line. We hunted the camp over but found nothing to lift. We now turned our attention to the bay. About one mile from shore there was an oyster bed, from which large quan- tities of oysters were gathered daily for market. The water over the beds was quite deep and the oystermen gathered them by using long handled tongs. While grappling with the tongs they would loosen a great many, which on account of the tide and restless motion of the water, would float shore- ward. I determined to capture a few of these stray fellows and if possible secure a mess for chum and me. To think with me was to act. I wanted some of those bivalves badly. Mess pork and boiled carrots had about put me through, and a change of diet was about necessary. Here was the chance and I took advantage of it. Calling Bob to book we proceeded to plan the battle. He was in, but not for going into the water. Said he was thin (and he is yet), and that his blood was poor, but that if I would go he would look after all that I caught and threw out. Darn his hide, he was no thinner than I, nor was my blood any richer than his, it was the cold water he was afraid of. But I agreed to lead the advance force, and proceeded to line up for a battle. Re- member, this was the month of December, with the ther- mometer out o' sight. It was so cold that the water for ten feet from the shore was nothing but a perfect loblolly of powdered ice. This pack was about ten feet wide by about four feet thick. Nothing daunted, however, I stripped off
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my clothes and plunged in head foremost. If any man suc- ceeds in reaching the North Pole, and becomes any colder than I for a few minutes after striking that ice, he will, I am sure, be converted into a solid block of northern ice. After getting through the ice, and reaching open water, I struck out swimming, and lay out about twenty yards from shore. I now stood erect and began to tread water, my whole body submerged up to my neck. When an oyster would float by me, I would go under, fetch it up, and throw it to Bob on shore. Thus for an hour or more I have remained in the water, sometimes catching more oysters than a half dozen hungry Rebs could eat. When I came out I would again pass through this slush of ice. On reaching shore my poor little body would be blue and shriveled, my hands half closed and resembling hawk's claws. After dressing I would get in the sunshine until Hootsey B. could boil the oysters, bring- ing me some with hot soup, as he called it, which was nothing but hot water flavored with the oyster. We had none of the ingredients with which to make a stew, so we boiled them. Permit me to say I have never since eaten any I thought half so good. I made many trips in the bay after oysters. Al- though Bob was very much afraid of water, he was not so of the oysters. He would stick to the camp kettle so long as one remained at the bottom. I never begrudged anything I had to him, nor he to me. We were chums indeed, always dividing what we had, yet he had the best of me, poor fellow, his legs were hollow and had to be filled first. Sometimes he would look like a grave-yard deserter, but fill him up with any kind of provender and he was ready to fight the whole Yankee nation, foreigners thrown in.
About the first of December my clothes had become very ragged and I had no shirt on my back. My little rounda- bout was so dilapidated it would scarcely hang on my shoulders. I was in a freezing condition. Many times have I walked about camp bareback, without shirt or coat, with a
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cold north-west wind blowing at the rate of fifty miles an hour, accompanied by snow, hail, or fine sleet. This, falling upon my naked back, caused a smart, tingling sensation, but, strange to say, I did not mind it. I was not very cold and never made an effort to shun the weather, no matter how cold or wet. I don't remember having a bad cold, or being sick in any way while in prison.
I wrote again to my good friends, Straus, Hartman, Hoffin & Co., of Baltimore requesting them to send me some clothes. They sent me a nice warm suit and other belongings, among which were two nice grey flannel shirts. I was very proud of the shirts and hastened to put one on. I soon found I could not wear it in any comfort, as my back had been so long without covering it seemed as if the shirt would burn it up. I felt as if a thousand sharp needles were sticking in me. I stood it for several hours then pulled it off and sold it to Davis, one of our tent mates, for the sum of five dollars Con- federate money. I was afraid to try the other one, and lay- ing it away, turned my back out to graze once more, and went about as before. Being out one cold, bitter night, be- tween one and two o'clock, I ran across a hospital steward, who, seeing my back without coat or shirt, called and asked if I had a shirt. I told him no, which was a lie, but an- swered my purpose. I wanted two shirts. He invited me down to the hospital tent and gave me a beautiful percale shirt. I immediately put it on. Being of a different texture it did not worry me as did the flannel. By this means I again be- came accustomed to a shirt and continue to wear one to this date.
You can bet I was always on the lookout for some chance to make my escape and hoping the time would come. It did come, and, as usual, I was ready to try my luck. On about the 20th of December an order came to send out five hundred sick men for exchange, to City Point, Va. Finnigan, a Yan- kee sergeant, who had this business in hand, did not obey the
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order as given. Being a Mason he went among the prison- ers and selected Masons to be sent over. If a Reb with a good roll of greenbacks was found, a bargain was made and the fellow would go. Being too young to be a Mason, and not sick, nor yet with sufficient funds to buy my way out, my only chance was to flank. I determined to come over with that five hundred if possible. I put my wits to work but found it hard sailing, yet, not discouraged, I kept my left eye open. For some cause the exchange boat did not come on time and the men were put back in the pen to be called on the arrival of the boat. As near as I can remember it was between one and two on the night of the 21st. I had not given up, and was out to see what would turn up. Soon I heard Finnigan calling for the five hundred to report at mess house number eleven. I worked my way to that point and awaited develop- ments. Looking on for a while and hearing Capt. Patterson calling the roll, I saw a very small opening for a flank move- ment and at once made my way very cautiously to the de- sired opening. Now was the trying time! Would I suc- ceed? I decided then and there to make the effort, and watching every point carefully, with every nerve strung, I slowly edged my way toward the guard I must pass. He turned his head but for a moment; this was my time and away I went into the darkness! Nearing the outer gate I passed through with the others, and was safe for the present on the outside. While waiting for the whole five hundred to get on the outside, I approached a sentinel who was doing parapet duty and asked him to call R. D. Miller, company B, seventh division. He did so and soon Chum put in his ap- pearance. I informed him in a whisper, through a crack in the fence, that I had succeeded in flanking out, and he must keep mum. We had quite a long talk before all were out of the pen. I gave him all my belongings in camp, and told him to look out for some money I had written for, and when it came to represent me and use it for himself, which he did,
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and enjoyed, while I was in Dixie. I bade him good-bye, told him not to go in swimming for oysters, and if he didn't die, I thought at some time he might see Dixie again. Thanks to a strong constitution and a mean disposition, he did live to get home. I left him with a sad heart. If he could have come with me all would have been lovely; to leave the old. chum was indeed hard to bear. We had become as it were more than brothers. In camp, on the march, or under fire, we were always together. Now, to leave him in prison and wend my way to home and friends, touched a soft place in my nature, and I almost regretted having made my escape. But such is life! Made up of sunshine and shadow, and each to be enjoyed or endured as the case may demand.
All the Rebs for exchange were now outside the pen and were formed in two ranks and marched to the wharf, put aboard the steamer "City of New York," which now weighed anchor and steamed away for Fort Monroe. Here we remained for an hour or two, then steamed for James river. Entering this beautiful stream we made our way up to City Point, where the exchange would take place. On our arrival we found the Confederate exchange boat had not yet put in its appear- ance. The "City of New York," now cast her anchor in mid-stream to await the Confederate boat. None of us were permitted to land. Maj. Mumford, the Federal agent of ex- change, went ashore in a row boat to ascertain what detained our boat. He soon calme aboard again and informed us, our boat, on its way down, had hung upon some obstructions placed in the river by our own government to prevent the Yan- kee gunboats from ascending. Owing to this it would not reach us until the next day. We did not relish this much and wanted him to land us at City Point so we might march to Richmond. This he said he could not do. The boys got mad and informed him we would consent to remain on board until ten o'clock next day, and if by that time our boat had not arrived, we would land by force if necessary. At this he
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threatened to weigh anchor and take us back to Fort Mon- roe. He was told we would not submit to that; we were now in old Dixie, and would die before we would go back to prison. We meant what we said. Fifty men were detailed to guard that anchor during the night, with orders to give the alarm should any attempt be made to lift it. Major Mumford did not expect to be delayed in making the ex- change, consequently there were not rations enough on board to feed the men. Being hungry, and seeing no other way to get something to eat, the Rebs broke into the ladies' cabin where many good things were stored to be sent to the Yankee prisoners at Libby prison, and such a feast as we had you never saw. Ask Ned Erambert to tell you of what some of those things consisted. I understand he got some of our leavings after they were put aboard the Confederate boat. Nothing happened during the night to disturb us. Bright and early next morning we were up casting anxious eyes up the river for our boat. About nine o'clock we discovered a column of black smoke ascending far up the river. We were informed this was our boat. Sure enough, the smoke came nearer, until finally we saw the old boat, with a lighter eith- er side of her, slowly approaching us. You hear us talk about the rebel yell ! You ought to have heard the one given by those five hundred, as our boat came along-side the Yan- kee steamer ! It fairly made the steamer, "City of New York," tremble. Our boat was very small, so all the Yan- kees were transfered to the "City of New York" before we could leave. As the last Yank stepped aboard the "New York," I jumped from the top deck, a distance of twelve or fifteen feet, to our boat. Thus, though a flanker, I was the first Reb on our boat !
All my fears were now at rest. I was safe at last ! Here I found Ned and Jimmie Erambert, who had come down from Richmond as guards on our boat. We soon cast off and headed for Richmond, where we arrived after dark. After
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landing we were placed under guard and started for Camp Lee. The guard succeeded in getting very few to camp; the boys were making their escape all along the line. I did not reach Camp Lee until near day-break. I had right much money with me, flanked the guard early in the start and, taking a young fellow named Wilks with me, we pro- ceeded to hunt up a bar-room, or restaurant. We soon found one, and after taking on several eye-openers at the price of five dollars a smell, I called for the best grub they had, and we proceeded to fill the vacuum in our rebel hides. After doing this we again went for the eye-openers, and suc- ceeded in storing away several more, which began to make us feel good. We were now in good trim to see the town. You can bet your last cent we saw it all over before Camp Lee saw us.
I had now been from my home and people for more than nineteen months. I went to General Winder, who was in charge of us, and stated my case to him, telling him I had made my escape from Point Lookout, and had not seen my people for so long, and asking him to grant me a furlough to visit my home before again reporting to my command for duty in the field. He listened to my statement very patiently, and said he would look into my case, and if I had made my escape as stated, he would grant me a furlough for thirty days. I guess he found out my statement was true, as in a few days Captain Patterson, in charge of Camp Lee, handed me the furlough, and I left for home. I was not prepared for the change I found in old Farmville. It looked like a dead town. No business going on, nobody at home except the ladies, old men and boys, too old or too young to enter the army. The Yankees said we had robbed the cradle and the grave to fill our ranks. I must say it looked very much that way. Of course I was very glad to be at home with my dear mother, father, and the children, but the town was too dead for me. I remained several days, then putting on a
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"biled" shirt, and the best I had, I struck out for my company, now doing provost duty in the city of Petersburg. I re- mained with them to within a few days of the expiration of my furlough, then returned home to make my arrangements to rejoin the army for duty in the field, of which I shall, with your permission, have something to say later on in another communication in your paper.
Thanking you for placing before your readers all I have so far, in my feeble way, written, I remain, yours very truly.
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In the beginning of this article, permit me to say, I do not wish what I shall write to be misunderstood at any point. It will not be an attempt to blow my own horn, nor yet to silence that of another, but merely an honest effort to state facts and incidents as they occurred in my own varied experi- ence in four years of war. In order to do this, of course the little "I" must necessarily show itself often at the front, but not in an egotistical way, and I trust my readers will not view my articles from that standpoint. Again, I say, remember I am not attempting to write a history of the war, but merely that part in which I was an humble participant. "Nuff sed." Now for the article !
In my last communication I stated that I remained in Petersburg with my company, to within a few days of the cx- piration of my furlough, then returned home to make ar- rangements to rejoin the army in the field, for duty. Dur- ing by absence my dear mother had been hard at work mak- ing for me the very best clothes to be had, from the materials to be found at that time. To my surprise and delight, on my arrival at home, I found a nice new uniform, some under- wear, and a pair of coarse shoes. The shoes I put on at once. Being new and very rough, they soon had all the skin off my heels. I paid very little attention to it at first, and the consequence was my heels became running sores; I could scarcely walk at all. Notwithstanding this, I determined to report to my command in time. So, at the expiration of my furlough, I reported to Dr. Taliaferro, whose office was then on the second floor of the old two-story frame building standing on the ground now occupied by the new brick store- house owned by Mr. George Richardson. Here I asked for transportation, which was furnished by the government to all soldiers returning to their commands in the field. While the clerk was preparing my papers, Dr. Walton, who was then stationed here, came in; he was the first surgeon of my regi- ment. Seeing me there he wanted to know my business. I
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told him I was on my way to rejoin my company. About this time my papers were ready, and I walked across to the clerk's desk to get them. The doctor now discovered the con- dition of my shoes. I could not bear to have them touch my heels so had "slip-shod" them and pushed my feet in. He made me take them off; examined my heels, and told me that I could not go back to the army in that condition, as I was not fit for duty. He said I could remain at my home, but to consider myself a hospital patient and to report every morn- ing and he would report my case to the captain of my com- pany. This was law, and I of course, had to obey. I re- mained under his treatment for twenty-one days, and again made application for transportation, which was granted.
I knew my regiment had been ordered to North Caro- lina, but to what point I did not know until I reached Peters- burg. Here I ascertained it was near Goldsboro. I then se- cured transportation to that point, via the Petersburg and Weldon railroad. On my arrival I found they were in camp about one mile north of the town. On my way out to camp I passed the quarters of our head surgeon, Dr. Gaines; he too noticed my feet, which were now again in "slip-shod" shoes. He call to me to come by. I told him I was anxious to see the boys first, and to deliver letters and other articles, sent by me, to them. The boys were all glad to see me back in the ranks again. After chatting with them a while, I reported to Captain Morrissette for duty. He instructed Ser- geant Elam to get my war harness. This consisted of musket, cartridge-box, cap-box, and about sixty rounds of ball cart- ridges. I now remembered my promise to Dr. Gaines, who had always been my good friend. I went up to see and shake hands with him. After some conversation, he, like Dr. Wal- ton, referred to my feet and examined them. He at once wanted to know if I had reported for duty. I told him yes. He said, return to camp, tell Sergeant Elam to put you on the sick list, get your belongings, and report to me here; you
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are unfit for duty; your heel is in very bad condition, and needs attention at once.
Law again and another rest in view! But this time I was with the boys and satisfied. The doctor had two very fine iron-gray horses, and one of which he turned over to me for my own use. This was a big thing for me; no duty, and when the boys marched in the mud and sand, I rode my iron- gray at their head! I also used the horse in my pie-rooting trips. The doctor's mess, of which I was one, lived high while my heel was sore, and I rather think he was mad when it was well. Sometimes I would be five miles from the marching column, and secured everything in reach that was good to eat.
My feet again in good condition, I reported to the com- pany for duty. We had now reached Tarboro, and camped for several days. When orders came to march we formed column and head for Kinston and on arriving there, marched through its main street, which was knee deep in sand. We continued the march and crossed the Neuse river and went into camp about one mile from the bridge. Here we re- mained for some time, with nothing to do but camp duty, which was very light. Old Bow Harvey (who has since died in the Soldier's Home in Richmond), and I, had become chums, "Hootsey B" being still in prison. Bow and I, employed our time in fishing and in visiting some gunboats in course of construction at this point. I don't think they were ever completed, but blown up at the approach of some Yankee soldiers.
I will here state that the 8th, 19th, 28th, and 56th, Vir- ginia Regiments of my brigade were still doing duty in Virginia, we, the 18th, having been detached and ordered to report to General Corse, otherwise known to the boys as "old puss in the boots." The old general was a heavy-set, short legged man, and wore boots reaching far above his knees, hence the pet name of "old puss in the boots." The old man
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was as brave as the bravest, and not only loved by the men of his own brigade, but by the whole of that grand di- vision of Virginians.
General Pickett, who was now in command of this military department, was concentrating a small force in and around Kinston for the purpose of making an attack on Newberne. Everything being ready, on May the 3rd, orders came to break camp, and we commenced the march for Newberne. During the 3rd the roads were good, consisting mostly of soft sand, and very hard to march over. On the 4th we began to reach the lower country and here our troubles commenced. The whole country looked like one vast swamp; water stand- ing all along the road from six inches to four feet deep where the creeks crossed our path. At first the boys began to coon the logs put up by the people to cross the deeper water. Our commander soon found this to be too slow, so he ordered the pioneers ahead to pull the logs down, which was done. Now the boys had to take it as it came, deep or shallow, in you go, out you come, clothes and all on! Our horses were very poor and could not get the wagon train along fast enough. A detail of men was made to help get the wagons ahead. Tucker Paulett, otherwise "Legs," and myself, were put with our ammunition wagon. Our duty was to assist the horses in getting through the swamps by shoving at the hind wheels. At first we would, on arriving at a swamp, pull off our clothes, jump in and get the wagon over, dress, and follow on again. We had two extra mules but no harness, so Legs and I rode them when we were not pushing the wagon.
Right here permit me to relate an incident that happened on this trip. The swamps had become so frequent, to un- dress and dress at each was too much trouble. So I pro- posed to Legs that we strip, put our clothing in the wagon, and go it blind and stark naked, to which he agreed. The country was sparsely settled, so we ran little risk of being seen by many who wore the calico. At the next swamp we
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stripped off every rag and put them in the wagon. This . proved to be a short one and we soon had the wagon over. We then mounted our mules and followed after the train. I admit it was a queer sight and created much fun for the boys, but Legs and I were as happy as a dead pig in the sun- shine. The next was a very long swamp, something over a mile wide. We got down and tied our mules and helped to get the whole train over. To do this we did not go quite to the end, as the ground was firmer on that side. The last wagon out, we returned to deep water, washed the mud off ourselves, mounted our mules, and started across. Just be- fore reaching the opposite side we heard much talking and laughter. Not being able to make it out we halted and lis- tened. It did not take long to discover, from the musical tones, and silvery laughter, that much calico was in that crowd. It seemed that all the women and children in that neighborhood had selected this point to see our army pass. How to get by them in our condition was the question. On either side of the road the bamboo briers were as thick as rabbit tracks in the snow, and no way to flank. So there was nothing to do but put on a brave front and charge straight up the road. I put my arms around the mule's neck, hung on, Indian fashion, on the off-side, gave him the stick, and shot past the crowd. They were astonished, failed to make me out, and no doubt thought me a strange com- pound, part mule and part man. But Legs was yet to come. He was afraid to do the Indian act, but with a yell he came charging up the road, sitting bolt upright on that mule! If the devil himself had come out of that swamp those people could not have gotten out of the way any faster. 'Legs did not even have time to say, "Just tell them that you saw me" before the last one was out of sight. I could not help but laugh when I thought of an old saying, heard many years ago: "Scatter, Sal; scatter, what the devil do you keep me now for." When Legs caught up with us he said, "Bones, we
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