stance it passed through woodland, with but
little underbrush. I decided, as the country outside of our lines was
infested with rebel scouts and guerillas, to ride rapidly through the
open country, but to walk through the wooded part, as it was so dark
there that I could not see. If I walked, I could use the sense of
hearing, and so be warned of the approach of either friend or foe.
Should I hear advancing steps, I could easily ride out of the road into
the woods out of sight, as there were no fences that bordered the road.
I met with little adventure. Once, just as I was passing a farmhouse, a
voice in the rear, near the house, called out in a loud tone, "halt." I
did not obey the order, but touched lightly the flank of my thoroughbred
with my spur and he left the house behind like the wind. Two or three
times I thought I heard approaching footsteps in the woodland, and I
rode a few rods out of the road and waited for a few minutes in
expectation, but it proved to be all imagination, and I returned to the
road, scratching my face more or less in the branches of the trees.

I had calculated that I could make the ride of thirty miles in about
four hours, but in consequence of the slow progress through the woods,
it took me much longer, and it was some time after midnight that I
discovered several hundred yards ahead of me a fire just outside of the
road, partly screened by bushes. I knew that it ought to be a Union
picket thrown out by our troops in Knoxville, but I deemed it best to
make sure. Most of the way on this road there were few stones, large or
small. It was generally a dry loam, and hence a horse though shod, upon
the walk would make but little noise. I walked along slowly upon one
side of the road towards the fire, ready to turn and race down the road
if it should be necessary for my safety. Some additional fuel was cast
upon the fire, and it lighted up so that I could distinguish a soldier
in our uniform, and I at once went boldly forward. I soon was observed
by our picket and duly challenged. After I had given the countersign and
shown my pass to the officer in command, I was taken to the picket
station and well entertained. Early in the day I reported to General
Burnside. When I was about to leave, he questioned me about my journey
from Loudon, and instructed me to return with a column that would leave
for Loudon that afternoon. I returned to our camp the next day about 2
P. M., in fair condition.

On Oct