The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-01-08
In am Ont sAf the Rebel Ga mp.
Coreesp ondence Boston Trapscript.

early in the sum:n;r of'Gl, IIarpcr's Ferry
was occupied in force by the rebels, and the
government was desii Gus to obtain know
ledge of the status. of affairs there-an OBJ
ject not easily accomplished, on account Of
the constant AMI watchful care of the enemy
and the sharp severity accorded by the foe
towards any one suspected as spy in their
camps. A young New England volunteer,
Harry B presented himself one morning
to high military functio1ary in Washing
ton, anil proposed to un;lertake to learn
what was going on at thus place.
1T is hazardous operation. said the pff-
cial, gravely.
4 am aware of that responded the youth
but take the chances. rIsfa#
Your success shall be amply colnpenSa-
ted" said the other. If you are discovered,
however, do you know the penalty?'
Death : replied the youth firmly.
you are right, young man. Go, then
and return assured Of reward, if success
ul' .......
The young volunteer received his instruc
tinns, went To camp Mt the Relay House,
and at dark he sailed forth, in citizens
dress, passing the outer pickets with the
countersign and cheerful good night =
| At dav break he reached the station from
which the cars run by the Ferry; and, oc-
cupying himself till aftern ,oa, took ,he cars
as a through passenger. Arriving at IIar-
per's Ferry the train did not stop. lie
watched his opportunity, as the cars moved
slowly round the curve, and dropped from
the rear platform upon the roadside and
crept into the woods. The night was cloud
Y, and Harry had been crouching beneath a
thick fir-iree few moments, calculating
what he should do next. when he heard
fontsteps approaching. 1t was the rebel
came directly to the side of the tree where
he lay concealed. But it was very dark
He felt safe. a.eer.aa .--....r. asp
| Hold on, Barker said Que. Give US q
light Harry tremhled perceptibly Ham
monfs come up to-day -..
'Ofthe Third 2 asked another
Yes, old Gcorgy's alive, and the Thirds
out yorder, at the f'ot Of the lane .. t...
A match was lighted-ihe glare fell upon
the tree. through the branches of which
Harry could plai lly see the rebels features
but he held his breath. and his presence
there was not suspected ..so--
Got the countersign, Barker q .,,.-..
Yes, Old Dominion forever : said his
companions; and they moved on and passed
out of sight. Harry had the password =
Thus armed, our volunteer fastened down
the lane determined to see Hammond,
whoever he was .a...t
Halt Who goes there? shouted sen
tnel a..g
A friend.' replied Harry
advance friend, with the counterSgn.' a
old Dominion said Harry, promptly.
Right. Pass on friend was the cheer
ing answer (which way
I'm looking for Hammond He's down
here somewhere learned nGat HgE2
'Of the Georgia Third 2 ga ag
,o'Yes,' said Harry, yes. gs raa. q
Half mile on you'll find the camp. -
Good night. urT @ a7T,@5 s't
He passed the guard safely, and soon
found Hammond. Some mistake said
Harry. at a loss for other subterfugs. Had
you a relative p a 1ec : Is a,
Edward said the rebel. n i
Yes, Ned, we used to call him. i
AT Savannah 2 3r H
yes gIlSp @ raaH .4aarE 3
Did you know poor Nedy' seaa caU
AS we'll as did my own brother
Harry never had brother. t)I
He's soperr "A
Dead y exclaimed Harry.
Killed at Vienna
Poor Nedv
Il would have liked to have seen him,
continued Harry, poor fellow
.Well, come in insisted secesh. You
were his friend-be mine. Come in. And
into the little tent Harry pushed behind his
new acquaintance, who was very anxious to
do the honors to his brother's friend. What
might call you--'
Smith, said Harry, (helieving that he
might as well be called by this rs by any
name E eEtFae eEfs 81 fu ~
Stopping long here, Smith p
Mono, replied Harry Indeed, he in
tended to get away as soon as possible.)
Take drink-here's TO poor Ned
To poor Ned said Harry, gulping down
the whisky And then he pumped his
friend Hammond, discreetly, until he ascer-
tanned the strength Of the enemy in that
stronghold, who was in command, what was
the artillery and field force, wha. were their
designs at that time, how. they were dispos-
ed, and what was their grand plan--and
then he bade Mr, Hammond Of the Georgia
good night inviting him to call upon
him at the village next day. Harry passed
the guards again safely, crossed the bridge,
walked three hours before daylight next
morning, met the return train, came down
towards the Relay, and, on the second eye-
ming after leaving, reached our outmost
pickets, withouta scratch. Next day he
proceeded to Washington. waited on the
Secretary, laid before him the facts he had