The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-20
War sketches by ~ Northern
Ranger.
From the New York Evening Post.
A SCOUTS ADVENTURE.

From the New ork Evening fost
We had reached the entrance of narrow
pass which led through some rugged hills.
Our party was but small, but its members
were determined men, none Of whom were
novices in scenes of danger. We marched
on in silence, that was broken only by the
murmered whispers of the men, the cries
and futtering OF birds, or the quick plunge
OF some animal through the thick foliage,
which, from the very edge Of the path We
were pursuing, spread amid lofty trees thin
ly scattered on the hills.
Day was near its close. We were distant
some miles f:cm the camp. The enemy
might be in possession of the lefilc in over
whelning numbers TWAS determined that
we should keer in compact order until we
had got well beyond the entrance of the pass
when, as il became more obs,ructcd or tor.
tuous, we, should, taking advantage Of every
bush, rock, or ineqality, advance singly,
ready FOR the foe and reckless of his num-
bers.
The foliage became thicker ss we advan-
ced, and evening fell. On our right was a
dense thicket, which we reached after hav-
ing lost sight Of the entrance to the defile in
our rear. This thicket reached from the
foot of the gorge to its summit. Each step
became firmer, 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, Towering
plants and creepers in wild confusion
spreading over the abrupt sides of dark fan
tastic hills, broken at intervals by huge
chasms that cleaned wildly in the rays Of
the declining sun--on the other side the i'm
penetrable thicket was buried in gloom.
Still steadily and stealthily advancing,
each man with his rife grasped easily in his
hand, glancias quickly to the right and left,
with unwearied energy crept along the glen.
a whistle, quick and clear sent its wild
sound thrilling through every heart and ear.
There was sudden halt in our little troop.
All was breathless SUSPENSE. That was no
birds cry. No throat but b human one ever
gave out note so threatning. "What was
it?' passed in still, rapid whisper among
us. "Guerillas!' "IIpsh r. We listened
long and breathlessly. and warily peered on
every side. Not man of AS visible but to
his fellows. Crouched, with our vesy 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 as
still as though the spot had never known its
Wild solitade broken by the foot Of man, OF
disturbed by his passions his schemes or his
ambition.
''Still we listened but in vain. No fur.
ther sound sound was heard. Why was
there no other signal? Was it some solita.
.ry wanderer who sent that sh,ill cry forth
through the stiffness Gn mere wontonnsss)
and with no other motive than that of break
ing its monotony. Not so. There was .
significance in that sound that breathed wa,
and defiance as plainly as if it had come
from the blast Of trumpet. "Up and mo
wing, menu came, in low tones
from the lips of the sergeant in command =
"Let 'em try it again"
Our march was resumed IS before; but
We estept more stealthily, listened with pain
ful attention, and eisred on every side with
the intensity Of bloodhuunds. The defilt
took an acute turn to the right, and on the
left was naked space extending for soms
yards, devoid Of all Iverdure, but they gray
moss clinging around the gray rsoks
We began, hastily to cross this uncovered
space, when there was report Of man J
pieces, while red flashes from rocks ant
bushes in the. front cleaned savagely and