CAPT. R. A. RAGAN IN 1863.
ESCAPE
FROM
EAST TENNESSEE
TO
THE FEDERAL LINES.
The History, given as nearly as possible, by Captain R. A. Ragan
of his individual experiences during the War of the
Rebellion from 1861 to 1864.
ILLUSTRATED.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
JAMES H. DONY, PUBLISHER.
1910.
Copyright 1910, by
R. A. RAGAN.
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INTRODUCTION.
I lay no claim to literary attainments, but undertake to tellin simple words the story of my experiences, hardships andsufferings, lying out in the cold weather many nights, trying tomake my way across the mountains and rivers to Kentucky,where the Union Army was encamped.
There have been a number of books written since the CivilWar, dealing with the loyalty, heroism and suffering of the Unionpeople of East Tennessee during that period, but few men havegiven their individual experience from 1861 to 1864.
I am, so far as I can ascertain, the only East Tennessee pilotliving. I give the following names of those who piloted Unionmen through the lines: Daniel Ellis, James Lane, A. C. Fondren,James Kinser and David Fry. These men have all died sincethe War, except James Lane, who was killed at the foot of theCumberland Mountain, in Powell’s Valley, while conveying mento Kentucky.
R. A. R.
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ESCAPE FROM EAST TENNESSEE
CHAPTER I.
I was born in Greene County, Tennessee, near the banks ofthe Nola Chucky River. My father moved in 1845 to thebanks of the French Broad River, in Cocke County, Tennessee,shortly after I was born. I was the oldest of the six children,namely, myself, Alexander, Laura, Creed, Mary and James Ragan.My father was a county officer for years—in fact, until the latewar. I grew up in the county, and attended muster.
In 1860 I was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Militia, andin the Fall of 1861 was in the employ of Frank Clark, who fattenedhogs and every year drove them to South Carolina markets.At that time there were no railroads in East Tennesseeleading to South Carolina. When we left East Tennessee therewas no talk of war, but when we reached South Carolina, thepeople were excited and in a state of rebellion. Before reachingSpartanburg, Mr. Clark told me to be careful how I talked.He seemed to know the situation.
After we arrived at Spartanburg I