Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-02-27
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men, and returning Tyler was lighting his
pipe, and already for a start, so We sailed
out together. 1t was fine starlight eve
ming and none too cold for such q tramp.
We were challenged at the three posts
which We bad stationed on the turnpike
and after giving the countersign at the
last one, we passed out into the tract Of
country which lies between the outposts of
the two contending armies. We had pro-
ceeded a short distance in silence, when
the scout asked if l knew how to drop
quickly if we should meet any one advan-
cling. Upon being assured that did, he
admouished me to have my revolver in
readiness; and then I noticed that he car
ried bis IN bis hand.
Some distance passed in lively convelsa-
tion regarding the movements of the army
and The incidents of several recent scout
ing expeditions; but as we reached the
summit of a high hill, he requested silence
and the walk was continued as quiet as
possible, the scout stopping several times
and leaning his ear toward the ground to
listen for footsteps or voices. The first
sound which broke the stiffness was the
the loud barking of a dog, which the scout
hushed by a low whistle, continuing until
the dog stood by bis side. A few mo-
ments after, approaching house, he said
he would find what news was there, and
we entered without knocking, and was
introduced as Lieu. Smith. There were
three females, apparently mother and
two daughters, present, and two rather
ragged boys. The scout said good eve
ming and placed chair by the fire for me,
and another by the table for himself, then
took up pair of shears, snuffed the candle,
cut couple buttons off his coat, and re-
marked that it was a pleasant evening.
Durir the stop here, Tyler Smoked
with The mother and purchased pipe of
her, which he praised highly; joksd with
the daughters, engaged the oldest in repla-
cling the buttons upon his coat which he
bad cut off, and keeping up with the whole
family a running conversation, rather light
and lively, but apparently of no use for In
formation; but the visit was ofgreat value
and the scout obtained much information
without asking question or appearing to
take the slightest interest in the matter.
A social smoke with the mother and few
attentions TO the daughters were better TO
him than all the questions he could have
asked; so after call of half an hour, he
started on again, and we were well on the
road he said;
"Tbal's valuable family TO me, so keep
in with the mother aid court the daugh-
tiers. They like it because it's pleasure
like it because it's business"
During the evening we stopped at two
other houses. at both of which my COM
panion made himself perfectly at home
laughing and joking with the females of
the family, with all of whom he seemed
to be quite favorite which fact l could
not account for, as he was by no means n
handsom man, but rather the reverse.
After we left the third place, l spoke to
him regarding that point.
"Oh," he replied, II keep in with the
woman by talking great deal, and by
hearing all they have to say. 1 laugh
and joke with them, and keep my tongue
running when theirs are not, and in this
way get all the news from them and they
don't know they have given me word.
Then kind word and an occasional six
pence to favorite child, or little spark
ing for a grown daughter, adds great
deal to the friendship of family.
When we were some four or five miles
outside of our lines we advanced cautious
ly and in silence, frequently halting in the
deep shade and listening for several min
utes, and then proceeding again. should
judge we were eight miles from our line Of
pickets when we stopped in thicket, and
my companion, directing me to remain
quiet for few moments, crawled off on
bis hands and knees. The moments SEEM
cd long that he was gone, and l just be-
gan to feel my situation lonesome, when
he returned, as he went. He crawled
close to where lay, and placing his face
near mine whispered to ask if l felt the
least frightened. Of course, exclaimed
that 1 did not, and he said, in the same
low tone.
"We are quite near them, crawl low
and close to me, if we are challenged,
make no response, keep as quiet, as death; {;
should they approach US, wait till you can
see them distinctly, if there be only one,
leave him TO me if two, or more, you take
the right hand one from you, unless too
far off; make sure work if you fire, and re-
tire Immediately, being prepared for an
other attack. Keep cool now be added,
as we crawled out of the thicket with our
revolvers IN our hands. We had gone in
this manner, perhaps, fifty rods, when n
loud, prompt challenge of "who comes
there!'' greeted our ears. l laid as snug
to the ground as possible, and tried to be
very quiet, but it seemed as though never
breathed so loud before; my heart beat
quite distinctly, and it was with the great
est efforts that l repressed desire to cough
and continued to enjoy the pleasures Of a
tickling in the throat; but the pickets did
not discover our whereabouts, and after
lying quiet until we were chilled to the
bone, l followed my companion back in
the same manner that we came, to re-
spectful distance from the guard; then
walking along the road short distance
from the guard; we attempted to ap-
proach them in a second place, with the
same result.
Retreating a second time, we moved
some ways before again approaching, and
then in very cautious manner, and we
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