andersonville-第123章
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These terebinthine stores were the property of the plantation lords of
the lowlands of North Carolina； who correspond to the pinchbeck barons of
the rice districts of South Carolina。 As there； the whites and negros we
saw were of the lowest； most squalid type of humanity。 The people of the
middle and upland districts of North Carolina are a much superior race to
the same class in South Carolina。 They are mostly of Scotch…Irish
descent； with a strong infusion of English…Quaker blood； and resemble
much the best of the Virginians。 They make an effort to diffuse
education； and have many of the virtues of a simple； non…progressive；
tolerably industrious middle class。 It was here that the strong Union
sentiment of North Carolina numbered most of its adherents。 The people
of the lowlands were as different as if belonging to another race。 The
enormous mass of ignorancethe three hundred and fifty thousand men and
women who could not read or writewere mostly black and white serfs of
the great landholders； whose plantations lie within one hundred miles of
the Atlantic coast。
As we approached the coast the country became swampier； and our old
acquaintances； the cypress； with their malformed 〃knees；〃 became more and
more numerous。
About the middle of the afternoon our train suddenly stopped。 Looking
out to ascertain the cause； we were electrified to see a Rebel line of
battle stretched across the track； about a half mile ahead of the engine；
and with its rear toward us。 It was as real a line as was ever seen on
any field。 The double ranks of 〃Butternuts；〃 with arms gleaming in the
afternoon sun； stretched away out through the open pine woods； farther
than we could see。 Close behind the motionless line stood the company
officers； leaning on their drawn swords。 Behind these still； were the
regimental officers on their horses。 On a slight rise of the ground； a
group of horsemen； to whom other horsemen momentarily dashed up to or
sped away from； showed the station of the General in command。 On another
knoll； at a little distance； were several…field pieces； standing 〃in
battery；〃 the cannoneers at the guns； the postillions dismounted and
holding their horses by the bits； the caisson men standing in readiness
to serve out ammunition。 Our men were evidently close at hand in strong
force； and the engagement was likely to open at any instant。
For a minute we were speechless with astonishment。 Then came a surge of
excitement。 What should we do？ What could we do？ Obviously nothing。
Eleven hundred； sick； enfeebled prisoners could not even overpower their
guards； let alone make such a diversion in the rear of a line…of…battle
as would assist our folks to gain a victory。 But while we debated the
engine whistled sharplya frightened shriek it sounded to usand began
pushing our train rapidly backward over the rough and wretched track。
Back； back we went； as fast as rosin and pine knots could force the
engine to move us。 The cars swayed continually back and forth；
momentarily threatening to fly the crazy roadway； and roll over the
embankment or into one of the adjacent swamps。 We would have hailed such
a catastrophe； as it would have probably killed more of the guards than
of us； and the confusion would have given many of the survivors
opportunity to escape。 But no such accident happened； and towards
midnight we reached the bridge across the Great Pedee River； where our
train was stopped by a squad of Rebel cavalrymen； who brought the
intelligence that as Kilpatrick was expected into Florence every hour； it
would not do to take us there。
We were ordered off the cars； and laid down on the banks of the Great
Pedee； our guards and the cavalry forming a line around us； and taking
precautions to defend the bridge against Kilpatrick； should he find out
our whereabouts and come after us。
〃Well； Mc；〃 said Andrews； as we adjusted our old overcoat and blanket on
the ground for a bed； 〃I guess we needn't care whether school keeps or
not。 Our fellows have evidently got both ends of the road； and are
coming towards us from each way。 There's no roadnot even a wagon road
for the Johnnies to run us off on； and I guess all we've got to do is
to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord。 Bad as these hounds
are； I don't believe they will shoot us down rather than let our folks
retake us。 At least they won't since old Winder's dead。 If he was
alive； he'd order our throats cutone by onewith the guards' pocket
knives； rather than give us up。 I'm only afraid we'll be allowed to
starve before our folks reach us。〃
I concurred in this view。
CHAPTER LXXVIII。
RETURN TO FLORENCE AND A SHORT SOJOURN THEREOFF TOWARDS WILMINGTON
AGAINCRUISING A REBEL OFFICER'S LUNCHSIGNS OF APPROACHING OUR LINES
TERROR OF OUR RASCALLY GUARDSENTRANCE INTO GOD'S COUNTRY AT LAST。
But Kilpatrick； like Sherman； came not。 Perhaps he knew that all the
prisoners had been removed from the Stockade； perhaps he had other
business of more importance on hand； probably his movement was only a
feint。 At all events it was definitely known the next day that he had
withdrawn so far as to render it wholly unlikely that he intended
attacking Florence； so we were brought back and returned to our old
quarters。 For a week or more we loitered about the now nearly…abandoned
prison； skulked and crawled around the dismal mud…tents like the ghostly
denizens of some Potter's Field； who； for some reason had been allowed to
return to earth； and for awhile creep painfully around the little
hillocks beneath which they had been entombed。
A few score； whose vital powers were strained to the last degree of
tension； gave up the ghost； and sank to dreamless rest。 It mattered now
little to these when Sherman came； or when Kilpatrick's guidons should
flutter through the forest of sighing pines； heralds of life； happiness；
and home
After life's fitful fever they slept well
Treason had done its worst。 Nor steel nor poison：
Malice domestic； foreign levy； nothing
Could touch them farther。
One day another order came for us to be loaded on the cars； and over to
the railroad we went again in the same fashion as before。 The
comparatively few of us who were still able to walk at all well； loaded
ourselves down with the bundles and blankets of our less fortunate
companions； who hobbled and limpedmany even crawling on their hands and
kneesover the hard； frozen ground； by our sides。
Those not able to crawl even； were taken in wagons； for the orders were
imperative not to leave a living prisoner behind。
At the railroad we found two trains awaiting us。 On the front of each
engine were two rude white flags； made by fastening the halves of meal
sacks to short sticks。 The sight of these gave us some hope； but our
belief that Rebels were constitutional liars and deceivers was so firm
and fixed； that we persuaded ourselves that the flags meant nothing more
than some wilful delusion for us。
Again we started off in the direction of Wilmington； and traversed the
same country described in the previous chapter。 Again Andrews and I
found ourselves in the next box car to the passenger coach containing the
Rebel officers。 Again we cut a hole through the end； with our saw； and
again found a darky servant sitting on the rear platform。 Andrews went
out and sat down alongside of him； and found that he was seated upon a
large gunny…bag sack containing the cooked rations of the Rebel officers。
The intelligence that there was something there worth taking Andrews
communicated to me by an expressive signal； of which soldiers campaigning
together as long as he and I had； always have an extensive and well
understood code。
I took a seat in the hole we had made in the end of the car； in reach of
Andrews。 Andrews called the attention of the negro to some feature of
the country near by； and asked him a question in regard to it。 As he
looked in the direction indicated； Andrews slipped his hand into the
mouth of the bag； and pulled out a small sack of wheat biscuits； which he
passed to me and I concealed。 The darky turned and t
