Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1861-07-16
War Sketches by d Northern Snv
From The y. y. Evening Post,

From the y. Y Evening Post.
i have ialely returned from the
/ South, but my exact whereabouts ia
that region, for obvious reasons II wonI1
not be polite to state. Suspected of
being Norlherner, 1t was often to NV
advantage TO court obscurlty. known
as spy, ''short shrift' and a ready
rope would have prevented the bloujng
u this paper. Hanging, disguised, on
the outskirts or camp, mixing with lis
Idlers, laughing at their Jokes. exam
ming their arms, counting their num-
+ bers, endeavorlng TO discover the plans
OF their leaders, listening to this party
ana pursuing that, Joining IN the chorus
OF rebel song, betting on rebel success.
curslng aboliuonSm reviling Lincoln.
lraduclng Scott, extoIling Bcaureoard,
desplslng Northern fighters, lauohinq
at their tactics and sneering at their
weapons, praising the beauty Of South
ern bellies, aud decrving that Of North
ern, calling New York den of cut
lhroalS, and New Orleans a paradise Of
immaculate chivalry, is bat a small por-
uon OF the practice of my profession as
a SPY. Tins may not seem honorable
or desirable. As to the honor, let the
country that benefits by the inveslira
lions and warnings Of the spy be Judge :;
and the danger often incurred is more
serious and personal than that Of the
battle field, which may, perhaps, de.ract
from lis deslrabIItv.
1t was a dark night. Not a star on
the glImmer. | had collected my quo
tum OF intelligence, and was Oh the
move for the northern line | was ap-
preaching the banks Of stream whose
waters | had 10 cross, and had then
some miles 10 traverse before | would
reach the pIcket> OF our gallant troops.
A feeling OF uueasluesS began 10 creep
over me. | was on the outskirts of a
wood frlnging tie dark waters at my
detected 5ut" foT thee could scara7r aarGurs RS
as they rushed through the gloom. The
wind sighed in gentle accordance |
walked forty or fifty yards along the
bank. | then crePt on all fours along
tie ground, and groped with my hands.
| paused-I CROPPED again my breath
thckened, perspiratlou oOzed from me
al every pore, and | was prostrated with
horror | had missed my landmark,
aud knew not where was. Below or
above, eneath the shelter Of the bank.
lay the skiff | had hidden, ten days
before, when | commenced my opera
Mons among the followers of jefferson
Davis.
AS ! stood gasping for breath, with
all the unmislakabIe proofs Of my call
ing about me, the sudden cry of Il bird
or pIunging Of fish would act Ike
magnetism on my frame, not wont to
shudder al shadow. No matter how
pressing the danger may be, if e man
sees an opening for escape, he brealhes
with freedom. But let him lie sur
rounded 10y darkness imppnelrabie al
Two yards distance, within rifles length
of concealed foes, for what KNOWLEDGE
he has 10 the contrary; knowing, too,
with painful accuracy, that the detection
of his presence would reward him with
a sudden and violent death, and if he
breathes 40 faster and feels his limbs
as free aud his spiruS as light as when
taking faVorlte promenade, he is more
fitted for a hero than | am.
In the agony Of that moment. in the
sudden and utter helpiessnesS | felt to
discover my true bearIngs-I was about
To- let myself gently into the stream and
breast lis current, for life or death.
There was 10 alternative. Tie North
orn pickels must be reached IN safety
before the morning broke, or should
soon swing between heavcn and earth
from soule lImb Of the black forest il
which | stood.
At that moment the low, suIen bay
OF a blood hound struck my ear. ! he
sound was revvluC; the fearful stiffness
broken. The uncertain dread ned ne.
fore the crraln danger. | was sand
ing to my middle IN the shallow bed Of
the river, just beneath the iutting banks.
Alter The pause OF Il few seconds. !
began 10 creep mechanically wand stealth
lily doHu The stream. followed. as knew
from the ruslIing Of the grass aud fr4-
queut breaking OF tWigo. by the inSa-
tlanle brute, although, by Certain uneasy
croWIs. | felt assured he WAS at faull.
Suddenly something struck arains, ny
breasl. could not prevent Il Slight cry
from escaping tne as. stretching out my
hands, gidsped the guuwale Of a boa,