New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-29

night before last disturbed the remote and quiet camps
of Georgetown.
Tie moon bid itself just at Midnight, ID II willing TO
render all the natural scenic aid to the circumstance
that might properly be bestowed. The camPgrounds
were unusually Tranquil, the rlmors OF immediate
attack had moderated during The day, and peculiar
sense of security seemed to hover about the country
generally, with special call to Georgetown. The
sentnels who kept watch over the locks and other
appurtenances of the canal were thoroughly at
ease than usual but none the less circumspeet and
alert The absence Of the moon displeased them, and
was speculatvely alluded to as possible rebel scheme
for the cover Of some daring movement. Indications OF
is return were therefore, gladly welcomed and as its
rim peeped round the of bank OF conds, the
sennels fe that their duties their country could be
more comfortably fulfilled.
But the noon, issuing from the bank Of Clouds was
not the only thing that rose. Another object from
another bank, appeared before them. strange and
pald figure Glove tue waters at angle Of the canal
broke slowly into view, and moved toward them IL
was figure radiant, but dripping and, for moment,
of Uncertain form. This the bridge and the
canal is here crooked aud irregular excavation with
steep banks and dusky ndeniations sufficient 10 make
an advance from its depths abundanty mysterious.
The sen.nels were startled. II is dscredt TO their
manness to say An enemys approach would have
affected them cheerfuy perhaps, but this was not the
sort of interview they looked for. As the strange
visitor came more clearly within the moonlight, It's
aspect was more apprecable, but It's nature was as
dubious as ever. 1t certainly splashed vigorously
through the canal, aud ii white II looked like
man on a horse. Perhaps it uds nam on horse.
But why men q borse at midnight, in the George
town Canal, within the lines Of our encampmens?
And, what was more extraordinary, it was unclad
No vesge of garment protected from the water and
the air. Presently, it little upon the bank and
disclosed what could not under ordinary circumstances
he anything but horse, but which was, destitute OF
saddle or trsppiDgs, deemed horribly suspicious and
unreal. Il had very pbantom-like air, thewhoe OF
it. Vague memories of Death and his pale charger
touched the sentinels Or might il not be, as one OF
them was heard 10 ask empbatically, "a goblet Of
water damned" Should they fire on it 1t was 70
hard 10 ire on what might be man without any
clothes. And then, without excess OF supersttlon,
they all had anxious scrupes as to the conse-
quences Of assaulting weird and yapory vistant
la fact they did not assault, but waited for ls ap-
prOach II passed close TO hen 1t gave the counter
sign. If spirit it still spirit OF sound military
principles. Ii shvered, too, and it laughed Tie
SILVER was human, and the laugh not ghosty. The
sentines still were Rustered but the countersgn Was
not 70 be resisted and they only stood aud watched
uneasily, while the form, very damp and very much
uncovered, vanished in tie distance. by the line Of
pckets it was seen TO push RAPIDLY for the camp OF the
Massachusetts, First to enter and to plunge within the
shelter Of tent. And there tue mystery rested.
Next morning it ceased to be mystery altogether,
and this was the solution: The Officer of the Night
member Of the Massachusetts, let II would not for the
world more closely identify him, whore duty it was
10 ride about, touching at each encampment within Il
certain bonndary, and to inspect the guards Of each,
end prove their readiness aud prompness, reached
Georgetown little before midnight. The horse lie rode
noble throughout excepting in the left eye, which
was rarity blind. Moreover, il of pale gray.
The treacherous decivities Of the canal were hall
hidden by the retiring room, ani We're wholly mob-
served by the steed account Of the iuethcieScy OF
eye tefore alluded TO- At the first convenient oppor-
tuny the animal stepped Of the parapet, and skipped
down upon the tow-pah whence, not to make an i'm
perfect thing OF it, be gently srged of into the water,
regardless Of all the gay sccouterments about him
Fluids do not agree with gay Once in
this depraved hOrye appeared to think be had acted
wisely, if not too well for he refused to emerge,
either upon persuasion or comrulsion. In fact, be
liked il. The efforts Of the attendant Orderly were
vain, and for long time those of the Officer of the
Night equally so. In quiet and placid manner,
the beast continued his liquid reve until it EVIL
dent that something positive must be DONE if only to
the trappings. Some ono must enter the canal.
The orderly could not swim. Was il, then, becoming
to the 8nity of the Officer Of the Night to throw him
self into ths emergency The horse however, seemed
suddenly ben, taking passage down to Alexandria
his account so the question of dignity had to
be laid aside. But then another arose. II did not
matter il for the service of the country and other
persons had done similar things Of pure patriotism
Lady Godiya, for example. Lady Godivas hair,
however long, and that Of the Officer of the Night
was closely clipped according to military usage.
There he was at disadvantage, but he nevertheless
showed no hesitation. Uncasling tie welded eagles
of his belt he unclad himself In haste adown the bank
stole on, and. like creeping moonbeam, slid from
pipion into pomme until he reachedin fact until he
reached his object. Announcements dislodged, and
given in charge of orderly, he had only to bring the
reluctant beast TO shore. This not easily accom-
plished but few vigorous Massachusetts struggles
would not be denied, and ct last he rose like Venus
dashed with canal foam, and, though exhausted a
conqueror And this the cause Of the furry of the
Georgetown .entines. The unparalleled spectacle of
ali Officer Of the Night without any clothes on, and
destitute Of equipments, naturally too much for
them. Why should it not be Our army regulations
frown upon bareback riding and it was q expert
ence to them. Give the Georgetown sentnels enc
my, and they are ready; but give them no ghost,