L. P. Brockett, The camp, the battlefield, and the hospital: or, lights and shadows of the great rebellion

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[50] the rear of a plantation, and attracting the attention of an aged negro, who, on finding that he was a Yankee soldier, brought him food, procured him a guide, and cheered him on his way. After some farther adventures, in which he confiscated a fine rebel horse and buggy and brought the driver, a stalwart negro, into the Union lines, he reached General Mitchel's headquarters at Huntsville, Alabama. Immediately on his return, he was sent with despatches to General Buell, at Corinth. Though very weary from his previous adventures, he set out immediately, and riding a powerful, thoroughbred horse at the top of his speed to Fayetteville, thirty-six miles distant, which he made in three hours, he procured another horse there, and continued his journey at the same rapid rate, but near Columbia, he was so much exhausted that he fell from his horse insensible, and lay an hour, unconscious, on the ground, but recovering his senses, he mounted his horse again and delivered his despatches at Columbia, from whence General Negley telegraphed them to General Buell. On his return, a negro hailed him and informed him that his master and eight other men were in ambush a little farther on, at a small mill, and intended to kill him. Thanking the negro for the information, he rode rapidly to the mill, and as the miller ran in when he saw him coming, he called him out and charged him with his murderous intention. He, at first denied it, but being told that it was of no use, and that if he did not own up the whole affair he (Pike) would bring a party of cavalry from Columbia and burn the mill, his house — and barn, and carry off all his property, he finally confessed who were his confederates and what had been their plans. Taking down