CAPTAIN BURKHALTER'S ADVENTURE.
On the
morning of the 20th of August, 1864, while our army was besieging Atlanta,
General James D. Morgan’s division was ordered on a raid to cut the Montgomery
and Atlanta Railroad. Our brigade, the 3rd, left its baggage in the rifle pits,
leaving a sufficient guard with it. The skirmishers were also left on duty under
the command of Capt. Burkhalter, the subject of our narrative.
Sometime after the division had gone, the Captain
became lonesome and anxious to know what the division was doing, so he attempted
to follow and see the fun. He followed it very well until within three or four
miles of the railroad, when a heavy rain overtook him; he stopped under the
shelter of a large tree until the storm had somewhat subsided, then mounting his
horse pursued what he supposed to be the right road, but the pelting rain had
obliterated every vestige of our course, and he in consequence was in a dilemma
as to what was best. It did not seem well to turn back after having gone so far,
so he determined to follow in the probable course of the column until he found
more evidence one way or the other. On be went in a musing mood, doubting as he
went.
Having now gone a long distance without any favorable
signs, he had about concluded to return, when on a sudden a stalwart reb, armed
to the teeth, stepped out from behind a tree and commanded the unwary Captain to
surrender. A complete surprise. What could he do; he had left his sword and
pistol in camp, not dreaming of this adventure.
He stopped instanter, obeying the summons of his
captor, for there was no other alternative; he was powerless. The next demand
made of him was his watch and pocket book.
The rebel, for a short distance, marched the Captain a
few paces in front, following close in the rear with a cocked gun, and leading
the horse by the reins; but this was not getting along fast enough, for the
horse would not lead good. He now ordered the Captain on horseback, still
walking close behind and directing the course of the prisoner by proper military
commands.
They had thus traveled about two miles when a horseman
was heard to approach on a keen trot from the direction of their front. This
horseman was supposed to be a rebel cavalryman, but on coming closer he was
discovered to be a Yankee. The rebel leveled his gun on him and commanded his
surrender; but saying nothing, the Yankee threw the reins loose on the horse’s
neck and approached to the rebel's gun as if to give up, but seizing it thrust
it to one side, when off it went, hurting no one.
The rebel was now at their mercy, if they could catch
him, for he took leg-bail. Both the Yankees pursued and finally captured him.
The Orderly---for the last character was the Captain's Orderly---tried to shoot
the fugitive, but his pistol would not go off.
Having captured the rebel, the Captain loaded his gun
and demanded back all that had been taken from him. The Captain soon after found
the column, bringing his captive with him, rejoicing---the rebel fighting mad.
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Updated October 5, 2005