The Dispatch Carrier and Memoirs of Andersonville Prison

t, and just then Jim

orning." I explained what was wanted, and he expressed a desire to go. I went up to headqu

the Colonel, "it may b

readers who never traveled south, I want to explain. All the houses if ever so small, have a porch in front. The double log houses are built separately, about ten or twelve feet apart, the roof covering the whole building. The chimney is built on the outsid

of course

They had husbands who were in the rebel army, but every time any of our forces were around they would claim to

of similar questions. All the time she was getting dinner her tongue was running. She told us that she had a large farm, was out of debt, and if she could get some real good man she didn't know but that she might be induced to marry

hree of the logs had floated out. If by accident our horses should get in the swamp, it would be almost impossible to get them out. You could take a ten-foot rail and push it the entire length in the mud. We got down from our horses and after about two hours' work, got the logs back to their places. Away off in the timber we heard the distant sound of thunder. The air was stifling. The tree

Sure enough we were over the s

or two whole hours the storm raged. In all my experience I do not think I ever saw so much water fall in so short a time. It began to get lighter a

work of a second. We always carry our pistols in our saddles, and consequently I did not have mine with me. The dogs kept just out of reach until one made a jump at me and almost got me by the legs. I br

Jim, "those dogs would

was looking out of the window all the time,

et us bo

. An elderly man, probably fifty, sat in a chair, and a y

ou do, st

not call of

, and they were kept on purpose

ws as we want to stay here all night, and would like to have the young lady get

r to see what he had to say. Th

es gentlemen and forc

an and stand and see your dogs tear a man to pieces? There is only one thi

id the girl, "

well get them something to eat, for if y

ame in. It was

out and see how things look around here. Don't let hi

close to the timber were two negro sha

in,

itting around, from a little baby to an old, wh

r; will you sit do

n. I would like to know if there are any

place, and habn't been for two weeks, and da

master is a Unio

army; and, sir, as soon as he found out that you were here, he made me go let the dogs loose. Dem

h obliged for your infor

rd's sake, don't tell maste

nding by the door, watching every move t

you eat," said I, and we sat up to th

here to-night, and if we see any treachery on your part your life won't be worth

e call. The girl could not restrain a smile at his snoring. The old man sat smok

k you are going to sit there and bulld

st as soon as you please, but

aughter sleeps, and I want you

you will stay just

d said, "I will not do i

rought it to bear on

re a dead man. And, mi

s a sheet and dropped back into

can do is to keep quiet and not a

uld not be playing any games on us. I went to bed and to sleep, and did not awake till sunrise. There was an old negro woman bustling around getting breakfast. We told th

dearly for las

chance to inform your confederate friends. You know this is a

breakfast table without waiting for an invitation. Jim asked the old man if he w

fore I would ea

ike saucers, and she said, "May

ay. We finished our breakfast and started for the door, w

The logs had floated out and left great gaps in the road so it was impossible to go back the same way we came. We finally came out to a more thickly settled portion of the country, and found the roads a great deal better and the people seemed to be more communicative. They told us the man, Smith, lived only a short d

s,

couple of govern

s,

are to come to Jacksonport and our quar

want any pay, that he wanted to do something for Uncle Sam. He called on an old dark

be able to get back all right." He told us of another way to go back that would take us around t

fast, but luckily a plantation house came in view and we just reached it as the rain began to fall. The owner of the house came out and told us to come in, which we did, leaving our horses in the care of a darkey. Although the man was a rebel from the top of his head to the sole of his foot, he told us that we were perfectly welcome to his house and that we were just as safe there as if we had been in our own camp. I must say that he used us well; we hadn't been there over half an hour before supper was announced. The man int

a company out to look for you, as we be