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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
