The next morning Mr. Parson drove up two nice, seal fat beeves,--to get
rations was a quick performance, and the meat was devoured before it had
time to get any of the animal heat out of it, some ate it raw, others
stuck it on the ramrod of their gun and held it over the fire, in the
meantime biting off great mouthfulls while the balance was broiling on
his improvised cooking utensil. Mr. Parson also brought us some meal,
which being made into dough was baked in the ashes, and thus we all had
a square meal and some left to carry in our haversack.
Mr. Parson was tolerably well to do, he owned some land, raised his
truck, had a small apple orchard, and indulged in stock-raising. He
owned several horses and some of the officers bought of him. The writer
feeling badly jaded, also concluded he would buy himself a horse, and
paid his price, $95.00 for a horse, but Major Thompson, being of a timid
nature, was afraid that too many horsemen might attract attention,
refused to let me ride by the wagon-road, so Mr. Parson said there was a
mountain path that I could follow that would lead in the big road some
few miles beyond, but that I would have to lead the animal for about a
couple of miles, when I would be able to ride. Dr. Whitaker, a worthy
member of my Company, and a good companion, offered me his services to
get the animal over the roughest part of the route. I accepted his
offer, and promised that we would ride by turns, so I took the horse by
the bridle and led him, Whitaker following behind, coaxing him along.
The mountain was so steep I had to talk to keep the horse on his feet,
but nevertheless he slipped several times and we worried to get him up
again. We made slow headway; the column had advanced, and we lost sight
of it, and were left alone, worrying with the horse, who finally lost
foothold again, and rolled over. The writer was forced to turn loose the
bridle to keep from being dragged along into the hollow. The horse
rolled over and over, making every effort to gain his feet, but to no
avail, until he reached the bottom, where he appeared no bigger than a
goat. I felt sorry for the poor animal, so I went down, took off his
saddle and bridle, placed them on a rock, and left him to take care of
himself. I rejoined Dr. Whitaker. Relieved of our burden, we followed
the trail made by the column. About sunset we caught sight of them, just
as they crossed Green Brier River, a wide, but shallow stream. At that
place the water was waist deep in the center, running very swift, as
mountain streams do, over slippery moss-covered rocks. When center of
the river, I lost foot hold and the stream, swift as it was, swept me
under, and in my feeble condition I had a struggle to recover myself. I
lost my rations, which were swept down stream, a great loss to me, but
undoubtedly served as a fine repast for the fishes which abounded in
those waters.
The column continued its line of march, passing a settlement, the first
dwelling I had seen in five days. I called at the gate; receiving no
answer, I walked into the porch; the door being ajar, I pushed it open
and found an empty room, with the exception of a wooden bench, and an
old-fashioned, home-made primitive empty bedstead, with cords serving to
support the bedding that the owners had hurriedly removed before our
arrival. I called again. Presently a young woman presented herself.
After passing greetings of the day I asked, "Where are the folks?" She
said, "They are not here," (the surroundings indicated a hasty exit). I
said, "So I see. Where are they?" She said she did not know, undoubtedly
not willing to divulge. "Who lives here?" "Mr. Snider." "And you don't
know where he is?" "No, he heard you all were coming, and not being in
sympathy with you all, he left." "Well, he ought not to have done so,
nobody would have harmed him or hurt a hair on his head. He is entitled
to his opinion, as long as he does not take up arms against us." So I
recounted the accident that had befallen me, and wanted to replenish my
provisions. I asked if I could buy something to eat. She said, "There
are no provisions in the house", "Well, I hope you would not object to
my making a fire in this fire-place to dry myself." She said she had no
objection. It must be remembered that the fire-places in those days were
very roomy indeed. I found wood on the woodpile, and soon had a roaring
fire. It was late in the evening, and I intended to pass that night
under shelter, for I was chilled to the bone. In moving the bench in
front of the fire, on which to spread my jacket to dry, I noticed a pail
covered, and full of fresh milk, "Well, you can sell me some of that
milk, can't you?" She said, "You can have all you want for nothing." I
thanked her and said I wish I had some meal and I could well make out.
She said, "I will see if I can find any", and presently she returned
with sufficient to make myself a large hoe-cake. I baked the same on an
old shovel. While it was baking my clothes were drying on my body,
affording a luxuriant steam bath. I had a tin cup. I drank some of the
milk and had a plentiful repast. I handed her a quarter of a dollar to
pay for the meal, which she accepted with some hesitancy. All at once
the girl disappeared and left me in charge. It was most dark, when
someone hollowed at the gate; recognizing the voices, I found them to be
two men of my Company, viz., G. A. Tarbutton and J. A. Roberson. I met
them and invited them in. To tell the truth, I did not much like the
mysterious surroundings of those premises, especially as the girl asked
me not to divulge that she let me have some meal.
My comrades and self took in the situation; we conferred with one
another and agreed to spend the night under shelter in a warm room, a
luxury not enjoyed in some time and not to be abandoned. They had
informed me that the Column had encamped less than a quarter of a mile
beyond and they had returned to this place in search of some Apple Jack.
We concluded to take it by turns, while two of us are asleep, the third
will stand guard and keep up the fire, for the reader must know that
notwithstanding the season, the nights were very cold in those mountain
regions and were especially so with wet garments on.
The following morning my comrades left, but before leaving we disposed
of the milk in the pail. I remained in the hope of again seeing my
charming hostess, and induce her to sell me some provisions for my
journey along. I saw in the woods, some old hens scratching, and I
thought I might persuade her to sell me one. Presently she came with a
plate of ham, chicken and biscuits which she offered me. I accepted, and
not wishing to embarrass her, did not ask any questions. Presently, old
man Snider appeared. He was a fine looking specimen of manhood, had a
ruddy complexion and appeared physically Herculean. After exchanging a
little commonplace talk, he followed me to where the boys camped. He was
seemingly astonished to see so many gentlemen among the so-called savage
rebels. I asked him if he could induce his daughter to bake me a
chicken, he answered, "I suppose I could." "What will it be worth?"
"Half a dollar" he guessed. I gave him the money and he said he would
bring me the chicken, which he did, and it was a fine one, well cooked.
The people in that thinly populated section of the country lived a very
primitive life, they were mostly ignorant. They did their own work, had
plenty to live on, owned no negroes and were very kind-hearted after you
got acquainted. They had strange notions about the Rebels, thinking we
were terrible fellows. The original settlers of Northwestern Virginia
were Dutch, a very simple and hard-working honest people.
At about three o'clock in the afternoon, having had a long rest, we
again took up the line of march by short stages, still under the
guidance of one of our guides, and from that day on, we continued our
march, passing Cheat Mountain, Allegheny Mountains, until finally we
reached McDowell. Coming down Cheat Mountain, the boys were treated to a
strange sight, especially those who were raised in a low country and who
had never seen any mountains, for in those days there was not much
traveling done, and the majority of the people did not often venture
away from their homes.
The little village of Huttensville lies just at the foot of Cheat
Mountain, a mountain of great altitude. The houses below us did not
appear to be larger than bird cages, but plainly in view, first to the
right and then to the left, as the pike would tack, the mountain being
very steep. It was a lovely day, the sun had risen in all its splendor,
when as if by magic, our view below us was obscured by what seemed to be
a very heavy fog, and we lost sight of the little village. Still the sun
was shining warm, and as we were going down hill it was easy going, and
as we approached the village, the veil that had obscured our view lifted
itself and the people reported to have experienced one of the heaviest
storms in their lives, the proof of which we noticed in the mud and
washouts which were visible, while we who were above the clouds did not
receive a single drop.