Note B — Historical Memoranda.

Note.—On morning, Sept. 3d, we followed company to Bridgeport, arriving just as command was starting to cross the river. Being wearied by the tramp, James T. Maudlin, Henderson Goodwin, William Martin, and myself were again left in temporary hospital. Next morning, feeling much refreshed, concluded to apply for passes to go on to company. We were disappointed, myself in particular, as that date, Sept. 4, 1863, marked the end of my twenty-first year. About noon, a long wagon train began crossing the river, and while at dinner we conceived the idea of getting across, under the guise of train guards. So, striking the train at a little distance from the river, we distributed ourselves at intervals, among the wagons, loading our luggage, except gun and bayonet. The scheme worked; and on getting across, we repossessed ourselves of our luggage, and passed ahead of the train. We diligently pressed forward until sunset. We then located a camp, got roasting-ears from a field to our right, an iron pot, and water at a house to our left, and in due time feasted, chatted, and retired for the night, not knowing how near we might be to enemies, or how far from friends. After midnight a terrible racket, to our front, awakened and frightened us. Imagining the commotion was produced by a dash of the enemy's cavalry, we arose in great haste, scattered our fire, gathered our traps, and hied us away to the brush. The disturbance ceased, our excitement subsided, and we resumed our former position. After breakfast next morning we started, and on going one-fourth of a mile we came to a lot, of say three acres, in which were a dozen or more horses, colts, and cows. Up to nearly noon at least, we attributed the racket to the stock. Keeping steadily on, and not meeting or overtaking any troops or trains, and the road showing less indications of any having passed, we began to feel lonesome. Just before noon, after passing a house on our left, we stopped, and sent one of our squad back to inquire if any troops had passed that morning. Comrade soon returned with information that a small body of cavalry had passed, going south, about two hours before. Signs in the road, and on either side, seemed to confirm the report, but as our scout had failed to ascertain the character of the cavalry, he was sent for further information. In answer to question as to whose, or what cavalry had passed, our man was told it was "we'rn." Further inquiry established a probability that it was a detachment of Roddy's Confederate cavalry. For certain reasons we did not go back past the house, but kept straight ahead, as though it was our business to overtake that detachment. Fifteen minutes later we were following a road in an easterly direction. Going at a "quick" gait, and being about to pass a bunch of pigs, averaging about sixty pounds weight, we concluded we wouldn't pass all of them. It was very quickly done, as we dare not fire a gun, or allow a pig to squeal much. The choice parts of the pig were appropriated to our own special purposes. After dinner we pursued our way, and soon discovered intersecting roads, and evidences of the passage of troops and trains. Later our suspense was ended, and before dark, of Sept. 6th, we had reached the company. Return to [B]