The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-09-12
War Sketches by Northern Ranger.
A NIGHT ADVENTURE.

War Sketches by a Northern Ranger.
A NIGHT ADVENTURE.
| was invited by soldier of tho regi
ment OF the Fire Zouaves" to acconpa.
ny him 10 one of those private adventures
which were SO popular among the men o
bis corps, during our recent movements
upon the banks of the Potomac.
This kind of expedition always carrie:
with it charm infanes the imagination
of the volunteer to degree unknown iu
the more precise movements of a regular
force. The individual courage of the
man -eems lot in comparison among a
couce ntrated mass which depends for its
success not so much upon personal Prov
ess as upon a mechanical enactment in
its evolutions.
+ Men Of the description of my adven-
turous friend are generally despisers of
sti f coil red coats and close drill, and es-
pecial admirers of a loose jacket and a
"free fight" With thea a meriment,
unless be prove fighter, is simply an a.
domination.
In few words, acco npanied by some
mysterious gestures, my friend H in
formes me that, through the disclosures
OF deserter who had just arrived from
the rebel lines, he had learned that a
uantity of ammunition. consisting of sew
eral thousand ball cartridges for musket
use, had been concealed in an upper roo m
of a house belonging to noted secession
ist aud suspected spy This house was
distant about three miles from our en-
campment, and the cartridges which we're
concealed therein bad been packed in
small canvass bags; these bags the dar-
ing fellow proposed. with the assista nee
of myself, to capture or destroy. His
plan was this: We we're to obtain, By
some means, a horse and wagon. to be
ready at a certain point, short distance
from the camp, at sunset, and each pro-
ceed thither by different routes. in order
the better to avoid observation, aud as
soon as darkness fell upon the scene. drive
cautiousl to within few hundred yards
of the dwelling containing the conte mi pla
ted plunder. Then, hidiog the wagon in
a neigbboring clump of trees, some dis.
tance from the road, we were to proceed
in such manner as circumstances would
permit. In answer to my inquiries as
to the feasibility ofprocuring the wag-
on, and the possibility of our ever be-
ing able to load it even if we succeed in
coming in contact with the coveted am
nuuition bags. | was greeted by a sig
niGcsnt wink and two or three slow suc-
Oessive aods of the head, which, if not
productive of much intelligence. were
quite indicative of the Zouave's determin.
alton to carry out his design
The sun was declining when | started
Oh my journey, taking somewhat cir.
cuitous path to the place of rendezvous,
and walking in an irregular strolliDg
manner. the better to escape the observa-
ton of the comrades of my friend, who
were always on the alert for any adven-
ture. Behind a rising and we'll wooded
piece of ground soon discovered my
friend H, coolly seated in oae
horse wagon, smoking short pipe, and,
a: Intervals, philosopbically lecturiDg a
ragged son of Africa upon the propriety
of bis meeting US at this same spot on the
following night, in order to receive his
horse aDd vehicle, and the desired re.
muneration for the use Of them. After
many doubtful scratches of bis woolly
head and singular expressions Of dissatis-
faction-all of which were met by great
disgust and heavy threats on the part Of
the Zouave of marvellous punishment
to be dealt out to the mutinous "darkey"
if be presumed to dog our path-he per-
mitted us to depart, aud we left him. ev-
identity in thick fog as to the fate of the
property SO iucousiderately entrusted to
the safe keeping of a stranger.
After a short drive, during which but
few words were spoken, We arrived at the
spot where be had agreed to conceal the
horse and wagon. This aperstion effec
ted, we next proceeded to calculate chan
cea. After few parting pufs H
shook the ashes from his pipe, thrust it
into the pocket of bis jacket, and drawing
lOTGn IroW tuc WHSou d COii VI nuo ioPes
which be hung round bis neck, gave the
word to advance. 1t was DOW pitch dark;
the distance from the place of our desti-
nation two hundred yards, according to
my comrades estimate. A solitary light,
cleaning red amid the darkness shaad Of
US. betrayed the spot where stood the
building " bich contained the object of
our expedition. With this light for our
guide we cautiously advanced 10 silence,
unbrokeD save by the occasional snappiDg
of some dried twigs beneath Qua feet and
the q uttered malediction bestowed upon
it BY my companion.
ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE OF OPERATIONS.
At length we came into close proximity
to the house. Everything seemed 10 be
buried in deep stiffness. Not sound
could we hear Not the warning growl
of dog gave notice of our approach
No light was visible but the one which
bad hitherto been our guide, and this still
shown from the half closed easement of