In The Woods. — How does that sound for a location to date
from? Yesterday long toward night our train started from its abiding place and
rolled slowly toward its destination, wherever that might he. When near
Savannah, not more than a mile this side, David Buck jumped off the cars and
rolled down the bank. I jumped next and Eli Buck came right after me. Hastily
got up and joined one another, and hurried off in an easterly direction through
the wet, swampy country. A number of shots were fired at us, but we were
surprised and glad to find that none hit us, although my cap was knocked off by
a bullet hitting the fore-piece. Eli Buck was also singed by a bullet. It
seemed as if a dozen shots were fired. Train did not stop, and we ran until
tired out. Knew that we were within a line of forts which encircle Savannah,
going all the way around it and only twenty rods or so apart. It was dark when
we jumped off, and we soon came in the vicinity of a school house in which was
being held a negro prayer meeting. We peeked in at the windows, but dared not
stop so near our jumping off place. Worked around until we were near the
railroad again and guided by the track going south—the same way we had come. It
was very dark. Dave Buck went ahead, Eli next and myself last, going Indian
file and very slow. All at once Dave stopped and whispered to us to keep still,
which you may be sure we did. Had come within ten feet of a person who was
going directly in the opposite direction and also stopped, at the same time we
did Dave Buck says: "Who comes there?" A negro woman says “it’s me,”
and he walked up close to her and asked where she was going. She says: “Oh! I
knows you; yon are Yankees and has jumped off de cars.” By this time we had
come up even with Dave and the woman. Owned up to her that such was the case.
She said we were her friends, and would not tell of us. Also said that not
twenty rods ahead there was a rebel picket, and we were going right into them.
I think if I ever wanted to kiss a woman, it was that poor, black, negro wench.
She told us to go about thirty rods away and near an old shed, and she would
send us her brother; he would know what to do. We went to the place designated
and waited there an hour, and then we saw two dusky forms coming through the
darkness, and between them a wooden tray of food consisting of boiled turnips,
corn bread and smoked bacon. We lay there behind that old shed and ate and and
talked, and talked and ate, for a full hour more The negro, “Major,” said he
was working on the forts, putting them in order to oppose the coming of the
Yankees, and he thought he could get us through the line before morning to a
safe hiding place. If we all shook hands once we did fifty times, all around.
The negroes were fairly jubilant at being able to help genuine Yankees. Were
very smart colored people, knowing more than the ordinary run of their race.
Major said that in all the forts was a reserve picket force, and between the
forts the picket. He said pretty well south was a dilapidated fort which had
not as yet been repaired any, and that was the one to go through or near, as he
did not think there was any picket there. “Bress de Lord, for yo’ safety.” says
the good woman. We ate all they brought us, and then started under the guidance
of Major at somewhere near midnight. Walked slow and by a roundabout way to get
to the fort and was a long time about it, going through a large turnip patch
and over and through hedges. Major's own safety as much as ours depended upon
the trip. Finally came near the fort and discovered there were rebels inside
and a picket off but a few rods. Major left us and crawled slowly ahead to
reconnoitre; returned in a few minutes and told us to follow. We all climbed over
the side of the fort, which was very much out of repair. The reserve picket was
asleep around a fire which had nearly gone out. Major piloted us through the
fort, actually stepping over the sleeping rebels. After getting on the outside
there was a wide ditch which we went through. Ditch was partially full of
water. We then went way round near the railroad again, and started south, guided
by the darky, who hurried us along at a rapid gait. By near day light we were
five or six miles from Savannah, and then stopped for consultation and rest.
Finally went a mile further, where we are now laying low in a swamp, pretty
well tired out and muddy beyond recognition. Major left us at day light, saying
he would find us a guide before night who would show us still further. He had
to go back and work on the forts. And so I am again loose, a free man, with the
same old feeling I had when in the woods before. We got out of a thickly
settled country safely, and again await developments. Heard drums and bugles
playing reveille this morning in many directions, and “We are all surrounded.”
David Buck is very confident of getting away to our lines. Eli thinks it is so
if Dave says so, and I don't know, or care so very much. The main point with me
is to stay out in the woods as long as I can. My old legs have had a hard time
of it since last night and ache, and are very lame. It's another beautiful and
cold day, this 13th of December. Biting frost nights, but warmer in the day
time. Our plan is to work our way to the Ogechee River, and wait for the Stars
and Stripes to come to us. Major said Sherman was marching right toward us all
the time, driving the rebel army with no trouble at all. Told us to keep our
ears open and we would hear cannon one of these days, possibly within a week.
The excitement of the last twenty-four hours has worn me out, and I couldn't
travel to-day if it was necessary. Have a plenty to eat, and for a wonder I
ain't hungry for anything except things we haven't got. Dave is happy as an
oyster, and wants to yell. Where they are so confident I am satisfied all will
be well. As soon as it comes night we are going up to some negro huts less than
a mile off, where we hope and expect that Major has posted the inmates in
regard to us. The railroad is only a short distance off, and the river only
three or four miles. As near as we know, are about twenty miles from the
Atlantic coast. Tell the boys it may be necessary for me to stay here for two
or three days to get recruited up, but they think three or four miles to-night
will do me good. Don't like to burden them and shall try it.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
136-8
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