Savannah daily herald. (Savannah, Ga.) 1865-1866, February 03, 1865, Image 4

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

u. Votf “BIBLE” SMITH. ii* Hi Mr, Kirke’s volume, entitled ‘ Down la Tennessee,” is a very interesting ac , of “Bflke’( William J.) Smith, the scout m Roaecrans’ army. It Mtpears that in November, 1846, Mr. t Jairke, in one of his Southern journeys, i—ught shelter from a storm in Smith's ] %oasei near the little town of Richmond, ‘,,|B cotinty, Tennessee, and sub iriKqne&tiy, in May, 1863, met him at JKarfreesboro’. Thirteen years hadpass- A bet Bmith approached Rirke, as he flighted at the railway depot, and, lay ing his hand on- his shoulder, - accosted a it was ye, I knowed ye the ■dmait I sot eyes oh ye. I’d a knowed je if youy face- had been blacker nyer AjMhig principles.” Regarding Smith as * “representative man” ot the better •lass of. poor whites—who, he states,- •OBiprise two-thirds of the whites of the Mouth, Mr. Kirke gives a full account of *is manner of sise 1 at home, and of his history since the breaking out of the re < hellion. Some of this account is full of humor—as witness “Bible’s” story of his ’Courtship, and of the singular duel he fought with Clingman, the North Caro lina M. C.— and some of it is touched {With the; deepest pathes. In modern biography it might be difficult to find uaany instances of filial devotion like the Mlwing: ■ <Jdihle nad been arrested for his loyalty And taken before the Military Commis sion “settin for Chattanooga.” Escaping from custody, he had reached home, ana Joined by his only son, a lad of eighteen, had started on foot for the Union lines, When*—but the rest we will let the scout tell in his own words. -We traveled all that night through the timber, and just at sun do wn on tiie ne?rt d&y came to a clearin'. We was mighty tired, but 'twouldn’t do ter stop I, thar, fur the trees was nigh a rod asun der, so we luk’d round an on t'other side *v the road, not a half a mile off, seed Tbout a acre uv laurel bush—ye knows 'What them is, some on ’em so thick a alog kam t «ret through ’em. Jake war tiredei’nor I war, an’ he sed to me, ‘Dad let us git under kiver ter onst. I feels ' leike l couldn't stand up no longer. I war foolhardy loike, for the sun warn’t «lar down, but I couldn't bar to see the boy so, an’ agin my judgment we went Mown the road ter the laurels. We lay thar till mornin’ an’ slep so sound that I reckon es forty year; 11- quakes had shuk the yerth, they wouldn't bev waked us. Soon as sun up Jake riz, an’ went ter the edje uv the thicket to toekonnoiter. He hadn't stood thar five i aamutes—right in plain sight, an’ not Bnore’n a hun’red rods from me—atore I , jrerd a shot, an’ seed the pore boy threw 1 iwp'hig arms an’ fall ter the ground. In leas nur no time fifty secesh was on him. I war spritigin’ up ter go ter him when . sathig’ tuk me by the shoulder, belt me back, an’ said ter me; ‘Ye karntdo aothin’ lor him. Leave him ter the Lord. Save yerself for the kentryj It went «gut my natur’, but ’peared - the Lord’s voice, so I crouched ‘ down agin ’ittong J ; the bushes, I never knew what it was thet saved me till nigh a y’ar aterwuds. Then I tack thet leltenant pris’ner—l could kev shot him, but I gave him his life ter repent irij an’ he done it; he’s a decent man now, belongin' ter,.Cunm l 4pjms.ou’s.reg’ment Well, I tuck him, an he bald ter the ‘I was aside uv the pore boy when he war dyirf. He turned bis eyes enter me jest as he were goin’, and he said: *Yd kar n tkotch him Hes out of the bush. Ha! ha!’ He said tiiafeand did. Ter save me, died with a he, oh his lips !” His ein.>tion choked his utterance for a WluKv. When he resumed be said : “At the ettd of a fortnight, travelin’ by day, and livin’ on the darkies when m v fixiu s gdv out, I got inter the Union lines} ( by Nashville.” Mr. Kiike goes on to say, that— Bihjp’s iniimate ; knowledge of the country and acquaintance with the loy -1 w: :, of^he 5 - district ‘enabled him to l>n- rn pi re actual service to the awgiment of men in •/ woods, or cr ting himself,.m the houses of lis ruMts byAay, : be would sally forte bv penetrating far into the rebel flues, frequently gather information of great importance to our army. Often days without food, sleeping out in the cold rain, hunted down with blood hounds, betrayed by pretended friends, way-laid by a whole regiment, the mark of a thousand rifles, and with the gal lows ever before him, he went orThis perilous work with a single-hearted de votion to his country, and an earnest, child-like reliance on God that would do honor to the best names in history. His scouting adventures would fill a volume, and read more like a romance of the middle ages than a matter-of-fact history ot the present time. On one occasion, when about five miles outside the lines, he came late at night upon a party of rebel officers, making merry at the house of a wealthy 'secessionist. Riding coolly up to the mounted orderly on guard before the door-war, he pinion ed his arms.gthrust a handkerchief into his mouth, and led him quietly out of hearing. Then bidding him dismount, and tying him to a tree, he removed the impromptu gag, and leveling a revolver at his head, said to him : “Now, tell me, ye rebel viilun, what whisky kags was you a watchin’ thar ? Speak truth, or I’ll guv you a free pas : sage ter a hot kentry.” “Nine ossifers,” said the trembling rebel; “a cunnel, two majors, a sar geon, two captains, an’ the rest leften ants.” “Whar’s thar weapons ?” “Thar's swords in the hall-way.— None on ’em haint pistols ’cept the sur geon—he mought haye a ’revolver.” “What nigs is they round ?” “Nary one, I reckeu, more A an old man thar (pointing to the kitchen buil ding) an’ the gals in the house.” “Wall, I’ll let ye go fur this es ye's telled the truth. Es ye hain t ye'd be better be a sayirf yer pr-yers ter onst, for the Lord won’t here ye on the t’other side uv Jurdan.” Fastening his horse in “the timber,” and creeping up to the house, he then reconnoitered the kitchen premises. The oid man—a stout, stalwart negro of about fifty—sat dozing in the corner,and his wife, a young mulatto woman, was cooking wild fowl over the fire. Open ing the door, and placing his fingers oil his lips to enjoin silence; Bible beckoned to the woman. She came to him, and looking her full in the eyes for a moment he said to her: ‘ I kin trust ye. Wud ye an’ yer old un loike ter git out o the claws uv these darned secesh ?” “las, yas, massa,,’ she replied, “we wud. AVe’s Union! We and loike ter git way, massa!” Then awakening her husband, Bible said to him—“ Uncle, wud ye risk ver life for yer freedom?” 3 Lt dar s a chance, massa, a right smart chance. This darkey thinks a heap oh bis life, lie does, massa. It ‘in bout all hem got.” “Yas, yas, I know; but ye shall hev ireedom. 11l see yer ter the free States, es ye help tuck them secesh ossi ters.” “Help tuck dem, massa! Why dar's a dozen on ’em ; dey’d chaw ye up in no time,” exclaimed the astonished African. No, thai; hain’t a dozen on 'em; thai s only nine; but ye’s a coward ” replied the scout. > I l uo coward, massa; but chance 8 ”^ 6 c^ance ’ raassa > a right smart Bible soon convinced the negro that he would have a “right smart chance, and he consented to make the hazardous strike for his freedom. Entering the house, he returned in a tew minutes to the scout, confirming the sentinel's re port; the weapons were reposing quietly m the hall near the doorway, and the officers, very much the worse for liquor wer • carousing with his master in the dining room. Selecting three of the best horses from the stables, Bible directed the yellow wo man to lead them iato the road, and to briug his own from where it was fasten ei m the woods. Then, with his sooty ally, the scout entered the mansion Re- ? rmS fr,m th( ' h ~1 > walk ed into the dining-room. “Gentlemen,” Pjmting his pistols—one in each hand— at the rebel officers, “ye is rav pn?oners. Surrender yer shootiu’ iron./ or yeruead men.” “Who are you ?” exclaimed one of them, as they all sprang to thei r feet. “Cunnel Smith, uvtlie Fust Tennessee Nigger reigment—one old black man an’ a yaller ’ooman —” coolly replied the scout. “Go to ,” shouted the surgeon, quickly his revolver, and discharging it directly at Bible’s face. The ball grazed his bead, cut off a lock of hair just above his ear, and lodged in the wall at his back' The report was still sounding through the apartment, when the sur geon uttered a wild cry, sprang a few feet into the air, and fell lifeless to the floor. The negro shot him. “Come, gentlemen, none o’ that,” said Bible, as coolly as if nothing bad hap pened ; guv me the shootin’ iron, and surrender, or we ll sot the rest on ye ter his wuck—rakin’ coals fur the devil’s furnace—in less nur a minnit.” Without more hesitation the rebel colonel handed the scout t ie fallen mans pistol, and then all followed by the sqout and the negro, marched quietly out of the door. The mulatto woman, holding the horse, was standing in the highway. “Hitch the nags, my purty gal,” said the scout, “an’ git a coil. An’ ye, gen tlemen, sot down, an’ say nothin’— cept it-mought be yer prayers; but them, I reckon, ye hain’t larnid yet..” Tnenegrcss soon returned with the rope, and while Bible acd her husband covered thm with their revolvers, she tied the arms of the prostrate chivalry.— When this was done, the scout affixed a long rope to the waist ot the officer r n either flank ot the column, aud taking one in his own baud and giving the ether to the negro, cried out: “Soldiers of the Fust Tennessee! Mount!” The regiment bounded into the saddle, and in that plight—the planter and the eight captive officers marching on before, the self-appoinU and “cunnel” and his chief officer bringing’up the rear, and the rest ol his command—the yellow woman— astraddle ot a horse between them— they entered the Union lines. Here Mr. Kirke ends this incident, but we have heard that on Bible's arrival within our pickets, Colonel (now Gen eral, Stoughton demanded of him the delivery of his'prisoners. Tiie scout re fused, saying : “Idoant report ter no small try like ye is, cunnel, tictilarly when ye's only a regiment, and I hes a boll division. I doant deliver iny corps ter nothing short of the general himself.” As he did not. At half past three o’clock in the morning he marched his “corpse "up to headquarters, aud made an orderly awake the general. Rose crans came to the do<>r in night apparel, and, on learning the real state of things, went into explosions of laughter. The noise attracted members of his staff, and when a dozen or more thinly clad gen tlemen had gathered round him the Gen eral composed himself enough to accept the delivery of the prisoners, and to ap poin Bible commander-in-chief of all the black trbops in his department. IVAR DEPARTMENT. Office. of Director and General Manager Military Railroad, U. S. „ , T „ „ Savannah, Jan, 21. ISCS. Gol. J. Co.ndit Smith : Colonel—-You are hereby appointed Superin tendent m charge of United States Miltary Rail roads, terminating at Savannah, Ga. Respect iully, Y T our obedient servant, D. C. M'CALLUM, , _ Brevet Brig:. Gen. Director and General Manager M. R. R.. U. S Official: J. Condit Smith, Snpennter nt U. S. Military R. R. Advertising^ We respectfully call the attention of busi ness men to the value of the SAVANNAH DAILY HERALD as an Advertising Medium. Onr connections are such that we are sure of large editions each day. We have agents at ail important points, aud all arrangements completed lor an extensive general circulation. 'I he limited space we accord to advertisements renders its use especially valuable, and we be heye our terms to be very reasonable, compared with the high prices which rule in other llhes of business. To ADVERTISE LIBERALLY. Is the true policy of business men,, and we be lieve that they cannot find a better medium >br th.s city and army, or the Department of the South, than the SAVANNAH DAILY HERALD N EWS-DEALERS AND OTHERS DESIRING oJ Savannah Daily Hkhald at Wholesale a e requested to send in their order as early in advance as practicable. J 8. W. MASON & CO. Headq’r’b Mil. Div. or the Mississtppl In the Field, Savannah, Ga., Jan 14, Special Field Orders,) " No. 12. / TT being represented that the Confederate A army and armed bands of robbers actimr professedly under the authority of the ConfWl!? rate Government, arc harrassing the peoDle kr Georgia and endeavoring to intimidate them in the efforts they are making to secure to them selves provisions, clothing, security to life ami property, and the restoration of law and ec!r£ government in the State, it is hereby ordered and made public: u let. That the farmers of Georgia may bring into Savannah, Fernandna or Jacksonville Florida, marketing, such as beef, pork, mutton! vegetables of any kind, fish, & c ., as well as cot ton in email quantities, and sell the same in oDei> market, except the cotton, which must be sold bv or through the Treasury Agents, and may invest the proceeds in family stores, such as ba<xm and fionr, in any reasonable quantities, ries, shoes and clothing, and articles not contra band of war, and carry the same back to their families. No trade store will be attempted in the interior, or stocks of goods sold for them! but families may/lub together for mutual assist ance and protection in coming aud going. 2d. The people are encouraged to meet to. gether in peaceful assemblages to discuss meas ures looking to their safety and good government and the restoration of State and National au thority, and will be protected by the National army when so doing ; and all peaceable inhabi tants who satisfy the commanding officers that they are earnestly laboring to that end, must not only be left undisturbed m property and person, but must be protected as far as possible, ent with the military operations. If any farmer or peaceable inhabitant is molested by the ene my, viz: the Confederate army or guerrillas, be cause of his friendship to the National Govern ment, the perpetrator, if caught, will besumma ly punished, or his family made to suffer for the outrage; but if the crime cannot be traced to the actual party, then retaliation will be made on the adherents to the cause of the Rebellion should a Union man be murdered, then a Rebel selected by lot will be shot—or if a Union family be persecuted on account of the cause, a Rebel family will te banished to a foreign land. In aggravated cases retaliation will extend as high as live for one. All commanding officers will act promptly in such cases, and report their action after the retaliation is done. By order of Major General W. T. Sherman. L. M. Dayton, A. A. G Ufai quarters U. S. Forces, Savanaab, Ga., Jan. 22, ISC6 Gen err at. Order) No. 2. ( I IST LIEUT. JOHN H. CHARLOTTE, R. Q. • M., LlUth N. Y. Vois., is hereby announced as Relief Commissioner of the City of Savan nah, arid will re' ort in person to the Bv’t. Maj. Gen. Commanding for instructs ns. 11. Capt. M. Benedict, lSiith N. Y, Vols., A. C. M. 2d Division, is announced as Provost Judge of the City of Savannah, the duties o which office he will assume in addition to thos of his proper office. 111. Capt. Albert Stearns is detached from his Regiment and is announced as Street Com missioner of Savannah. and will report in per son for instructions to the Bv’t Maj Gen. Com ru an ding. IV. Capt. 8. S. Starr, A. Q. M. 2d Div., 19tb A. C., is detailed as Rost Quartermaster, and will, for the present, perform the duties of that office in addition to his present duties. By command of Bv’t Maj. Gen. GROVER, Edward G. Dike, A. A. A. G jan24—7t WAR DEPARTMENT, , Aimutant General’s Offick Washington, February 18, 1864. General Orders, ) No. w. ; . REFUGEES AND REBEL DESERTERS. Whenever refugees from within the Rebe lines, or deserters from the Rebel armies, pre sent themselves at U. S. Camps or Military Posts, they will be immediately examined by the Provost Marshal with a view to determine their character, and the>r motive in giving themselvee up. If it appear that they are honest in their in tention of forever deserting the Rebel cause, care will be taken to explafn to them that they will not be forced to serve in the U S. Army against the Rebels, nor be kept in confinement. The President’s Proclamation of December 8, 1863, will be read to them, and if they so desire, the oath therein prescribed v ill be administered to them. They will then be questioned as to whether they desire employment from the Uni ted States; and if so, such arrangements as may be expedient will be made by the several Army Commanders for employing them on Govern ment works within their commands. Those who .come to the Army of the Potomac will be for warded to the Military Governor of the District of Columbia, at Washington, with reports in their cases, that employment may be g ven them if desired; or, if not, that they may be sent aa far North as Philadelphia. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND. Assistant Adjutant General. Official ; W. L. M. Burger. Assistant Adjutant Genera VHeadquarters U. S. Forces,) Savannah, Ga., Jan. 26,1606. ( General Order,) No. 7. / A LL pers* ns having Ammunition in their pos- V- sessi&n-oron the premises < empied By them vili be held responsible that they rep«rt the same immediately to the lr»»v<M ;vi.-md who will seize the sunie and turn it over to the Depot Ordnance Officer. To insure security of property, any p<rw» knowing of any Ordnance secreted, are invited to n port it to the Pro.wt Marshal By command of _ _ _ Bv’k Major Gen. C. Gl: OVER. F. G. Ihu, A A. A. G. ,aiuiO