The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-12-16

loUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
Or1posrs, lSsAa FAIRvAx,J !


iine. and the roads rs good rs they ever are
either in summer or winter. No objections
could now be offered for not lighting, on the
score of bad roads, for they are in excellent
condition for the use OF artillery and for the
transportation of army stores. As there Is
nothing in the shape of war matters to en-
pioy my pen. will give yon the story of
REDMOND BrRKR, THE SCOUT,
who was captured by the Fedsrais at the
battle OF Lewinsville, and recently escaped
from their clutches by scaling the walls of
the Jail In Washington While Gen. J. f.
Is. Stuart, then Col. Stuart OF the LIST Nirgi-
MA Cava!ry, was In the army of the Sheps n
doah, he was Joined by Burke and his two
sons, all of whom enlisted in the cavalry !;
but the elder was retained rs special escort
and guide to Col. Stuart through the noun
famous country of Northwestern Virginia.
After coming into the Army of the Potomac
Burke was retained in the same capacity,
and did some good service while our forces
in the saddle, aud kept the Colonel hen in
command OF the outposts, well posted IN re-
gard to the movements of the enemy, and
watched every advancing party with cat Ii Ike
yigilance and stealthiness. Perfectly fear
less, and yet possessing the requisite GOODNESS
ior successful scout, ne soon became great
favorite with Col. Stuart, and when the
latter was made Brigad,er, Burke was at
idthed more C.useiy - his person, and be-
eanie his constant companion in the Skin
mshes with the enemy, at that time OF al
most daily occurrence.
Daring the battle OF ieWin> vii lie, on the
25th OF September, Gen. Stuart sent Burke
a a p ~; in an t,ip
wood near ~, where some meu had been
seeA, and ascertain whether or not they were
the eaeny. Being perfectly confident they
Were our men, Burke rode up TO it without
the proper precauuon, aGd ran into an am
bu&cade, where some fifteen or twenty men
| lay hidden. They spraug up and pointed
| their guns at him; but still supposing them
| friends, lie cried out, - Don't shoot me,
know you" They then gathered upon him
| aud Burke, seeing IL was no TO struggle
| against so many, gave himself up. A that
| moment section OF the second company
of the Washington Artillery, under Cap.
| tain z. l.. Rosser, came into the fields
| and placed their guns IN battery. Burke
| who had frequently seen the gallant Captain
| shoot, had no idea of risklng his life by stand
| ing before his howitzers, and so begged to be
| taken TO the rear. They took him back across
| the fields 10 a spot near Gilbert's house, and
there he was met by the Colonel OF the New
| York Seventy ninth, who ordered him &c
| dismount.
That is a fine horse you have" said the
Colonel.
Yes WAS the reply; he is worth -,
more than on the day got him
| Where did you get him p
Down heIe in Prince william county
SAD Burae.
What did you pay for him 80
"Nothing; | took him from your people
at the battle OF Bun Run-the saddle, too"
Burhe showed them the mark, I. =, on the
| hoof, and also the name on the saddle. The
| Colonel was rather Eplussed, but took his
horse ard arms and sent him 10 Gritlin's bat
terry After the fight he was taken upon a
| caisson and carried to Gen. Smiths head
quarters. Here he was closely questioned by
| an officer.
why did you come out 10 tigh,?" was
| asked him.
For liberty" said Burke.
Il have come TO the conclusion - said the
officer, That you are fighting merely for the
sake OF ii ghtiHg
II don see how you could come to such q
| conclusion rs that said BGrke.
well, what were you fighting for -
| ITO repel the invaders from my State"
Which is your State -
u am an Irishman by birth, bat Nirgi.
MAN by Adoption
| The officer turned TO his writing, giving an
| order TO turn him over 10 the Provost Mar
| shall, and a sentinel came in with pair OF
| handouts.
Are you going to pat those Oh me 2: asked
| Burke.
"Ies :"
| 81 thought We took all those from you al
| Bull Run. We never put them on the mean
est OF your priyates, and l protest against
| having them put on he -
| The handouts We're put on, notWi Ia stand
| ing the protest, and lie was then confined in
| the guard house. The next morning an Off
| Ger took the handouts from him, aud said
| they had been put contrary to orders
| The officer inquired particularly for Gen
Stuart and said he had known him well il
| the Old army.
In the morning Burke was taken to the
| Provost Marshai's Office.
who are YOU said he.
Redmond Burke, Aid to Col. Stuar.."
"But Colonel is not entitled to an Aid -
az don't know what the rule may be in your
| army, but it may be in ours"
They would not believe the story, because
| Burke had Il red flannel shirt on, and looked
rs rough As 4 ditcher.
| "Wheye is your uniform - asked the
| officer.
"We don't go i'll n uch for uniform, said
| Burke we don fight for uniform either
Some of the highest officers in our army are
| dressed III cit1en's clothes.
While in the Prov ost- Marshall office he 50
| by the window reading Il newspaper. A
| crowd soon gathered around the house to see
| the rebel prisoner, and one fellow looked al
him ilercely and s. id, oh you, / should
| like to shoot you" Burke replied that he
| had no doubt OF it, but II they would give
| him d chance, he should have fair fight
| either on horseback or otherwise. Insulting
! remarks were madSuko him by the crowd IN
/ ii. the officer in thevroom became ashamed
of such treatment TO a prisoner, and ordered
the crowd dispersed. While at the head.
| guar tiers of Gen. Smith he met a man by the
named OF Burns, orderly sergeant of General
| Stuart's old company OF United states Ora
| goons. who made very particular inquiries
| about Stuart, and regretted he could not be
! VITA him AGAIN Burns said he had recognized
| Gen. Stuart on the battle feld of the 2lst,
| and that his love for him was SO great that
he could not fight well against him. If he
had an opportunity he could not hurt hair
| OF his head.
| The Iext morning Burke was taken before
| Gen. Mcclellan, who said he wished to have
| little conversation with him. Burke re-
| piled that Ii would please him very much.
| Il want TO ask you few questions" said