Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-29

Thursday, July l8, of last year, is noto-
rious, from the fact that it was on that day
the advance of the Federal force, marching
upon Manassas, attacked a battery on Bull
Run, situated about two miles to the south
west of Centerville, but were compelled to
retire without accomplishing any good.
That night General Schencks Brigade, con-
sisting of the First aud Second Ohio Regi.
ments and Second New York, was ordered
to take up their line of march, and passing
through Centeryille, proceeded on the turn
pike leading to Guinsville and after march.
ing about mile and half, were turned into
a large wheat field to bivouac for the night.
Company D, Zouave Guard OF this city,
Captain Baldwin, were selected from the
Second Ohio, to act as pickets, which was
considered an honor of no little Importance,
especially as the country was strange, pre-.
senting a rugged, bushy appearance, every
shrub apparently concealiBg rebel waiting
an opportunity to pick off the pickets.
The night passed, however, without any
mishap than the sounding the "lo1g roll"
and turning tired and weary soldiers out of
their nests TO form in line of battle. The re-
maiuder of the dark night and morn was
spent by each man sleeping on his gun, and
in q position to Immediately occupy his place
| in rank, should the rebels make an attack.
| No attack was made, and the next day two
members of the Zouave Guard-Thomas Mur-
dock, son of the tragedian, and another
young man well known here, concluded to
| leave camp, and go out on private scouting
expedition. They were mess-mates sleeping
| in the same tent, and strong attachment of
| friendship existed between them so, arming
| themselves each with bowie knife, Colts
navy revolver and their muskets, they
started.
By pursuing q course along a creek which
was ornamented on each side, with thick
short water willow shrubs, preventing any
one from peering through its woven and
tangled depths, the scOuters succeeded in
eluding the camp guard Continuing along
the brook for about mile, they we're sud
denly brought to stand by the sharp click
of lock on a musket, and falling instantly
on the ground they began to consult each
other hurriedly. 1t was agreed between
them that they would not be taken prisoners
and would stand by each other faithfully.
They prepared their muskets for immediate
use, and presently q step was heard in the
thick brush directly in front of them; the
dry rotten twigs cracked and broke in two
and the old leaves which had rested upon
| the ground since the previous fall, Tustled
and warned the listeners of the approach OF
some one but whether friend or foe, they
knew not; presently the bushes we're put
asidegently and the head of man protrudedr
at the same time the muzze of his gun
showed itself at q distance of not more
than thirty feet from where the Zouaveslay
Murdock raised his musket and took
deadly aim on the victim, but before pulling
the trigger, asked his companion off he
should fret" "No," was the snswer-giver
in a whisper; but just at this moment the
heavy tramPing of body of cavalry reached
their ears, and giving up all for lost, con
cluded to fire upon the man who az ye
showed only his head. Again Murdocl
raised his quo, and placed his finger on thu
trigger; but at that instant the man stepped
out of the bush, and catching sight of TIVE
figures on the ground, quickly brought hi
gun to bear upon one of them. He was in
terrupted by cry of alarm, and the twt
400 ZOOS" spraAg to their feet, recognizing
, in the person whom they were about to SEM
to another world a member of their owl
5 company, who, like themselves, was fond o
adventure, and wanted to get within sigh
of the traitors. Pale, breathless, and witt
some degree of nervousness, they ap
= preached, congratulating themselves upo
r the narrow escape of an accident, which, ha
3 it occurred, would have proved serious to th
8 entire party. The tramping of cavalr
: proved TO be rebels, ard had any noise bee
l made. no doubt the three Zouaves woul
Y have been taken prisoners.