The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-11-22
A Scouts Adventure.

VI WUuH were bONlCeS III scenes OF Udn'
ger We marched in silence, that was
broken only by the murmureJ whispers o
the men, the cries and luttering of birds,
the quick plunge Of some small animal
through the thick foliage, which, from the
very edge Of the path we were pursuing,
spread amid lofty trees thirly scattered on
the hill
Day was near lis close. We we're dis.
Iant some miles from the camp. The
enemy might he in possession OF the de-
bile in overwhelming numbers. 1t was
determined that we would keep in COM
pact order until we got beyond the en-.
trance OF the pass, when. as it became
more obsiruc'ed or tortuous. we should,
taking advantage of every bush, rock or
inequality, advance singly, ready for the
foe and reckless OF his numbers.
The foliage became thicker as we ad-
vanced, and evening fell. On our right
was dense thicket, which we reached
after having lost sight Of the entrance 10
the de6'e in our rear. This thicket
reached from the foot Of the gorge to lis
summit. Each step became frmer, but
more cautious. There was no whispering
now and every breath was guarded. We
were far in the glen-on one side gray
rocks. lofty trees, lowering plants and
creepers in wild confusion spreading over
the abrupt side OF dark, fantastic hills,
broken at intervals by huge cbasms that
cleaned wildly in the rays of the declin-
ing sun-on the other side the impene-
lrable thickei was buried in gloom.
Still steadily and stealthily advancing,
each man. with his rifle grasped easily in
his hand, d,glancing quickly to the right and
left, with unwearied energy crept along
the glen. A whistle, quick and clear, SCI
its wild sound thrilling through every
heart and ear. There was no birds cry.
No throat but human one ever gave n
note so threatening. "What was it ."
passed in a still, rapid whisper among us.
"Guerrillas u "Hush |" We listened
long and breathlessly, and YEARLY peered
on every side. Not man OF us was Wis
ible TO his fellows. Crouched with our
very hearts beating on the earth, covered
by the friendly bush, we lay for many
minutes in the hope Of hearing the whistle
repeated. All was still as though the
spot had never known its wild solitude
broken by the foot OF man, or disturbed
By his passions, his scheme or his ambition
SuIl we listened, but in vain. No fur
ther sound was heard. Why was there
no other signal Was il some solitary
wanderer. who sent that shrill cry forth
through the Stiffness Gin mere wsnton-
ness) and with no other motive than that
OF breaking lis monotony Not so.-
There was significance in that sound lha,
breathed war and defiance as plainly As if
it had come from the blast of trumpet.
"Up and be moving, men 70 came in low
tones, from the lips of the sergeant in COM
mand. "Let 'em try it again"
Our march was resumed as before but
we slept more steaIthily, listened wit
painful attention, and g!ared on every
side with the intensity of bloodhounds.
The defie took an acute turn to the right,
and on the left was a naked space, ex-
tending for some yards, devoid OF all YER.
dure, but the gray moss clinging round
the gray rocks. ...
We began, hastily, to cross this uncov.
cred space, when there was a report Of
many pieces, whilst red flashes from rocks
and bushes in front cleaned suddenly
upon US. For moment we were stag
gered. Then with shout we rushed for
ward 10 unearth the ambushed foe.-
Again the fire WAS repeated, with The
muzz'es of their rifles within few eet of
our faces. gazed round for an instant,
after discharging my piece at one fellow,
and with my bayonet trans6xing another
to the soft, sandy rock. against which he
fell, and perceived none of my party by
my side. But the thick smoke and rap.
idly falling darkness, that now ruled, in
conjunction with yelIs, shots and groans
in the surrounding glen. made all invis-
BILE beyond the length OF the arm.
AT that instant felt a sudden pang a
dizziness, blackness, like death, came
over me ; l clutched wildly at the sui
phurous air, reeled and fell.
When recovered my senses, dis
covered that | was lying on my side bleed
ing slightly from flesh wound in the
thigh. l had bled profusely, before re-
iOi WINS III nhiI-COn-
gealed gore. Raising myself on my ell
bow, looked ronnd for my comrades.--
The moon was shining with all the sofIness
OF her beauty on the spot. Icounted five
bodies lying within a compass of almost as
many yards. l endeavored to discover
their uniforms, but could not at that dis
lance. arose slowly, and with much
difficulty reached the nearest He was
dead, with blue hole in the centre Of his
forehead, through which the bullet had
passed, and the blood still slowly ozzcd.
l crawled to the next one he too was
past all earthly aid. So on to the third,
fourth and 9Th. The bullet had done its
full work on all. These had been few
hours before, my comrades, eager TO deal
destruction upon foes and careless of the
fate that met them. | was the sixth and
last of the party.
But where was the enemy, or what had
been the enemy? l Iheard no sound, and
the moonlight falling directly upon the
dead men, and gray, weird-like rocks,
produced an effect that was both sicken-
ing and horrible. remembered the man
| had slain. ! searched for others OF the
enemy, but all had disappeared. There