The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-08-11

!
Those aoAo acantto continue naustreneao before ae
piration Of their time. -s .s
EXPERIENCE OF A SCOUT GOING IN
TO AND COMING OUT OF VICKsBURG.
On the 24tho of May, General Johnston Dispatch
ed Lamar Fontaine, the "hero upon crutches," with
a verbal message to General Pemberton, in Vicks-
burg He carried forty pounds of percussion
caps, besides his blanket and crutches. The mar
rative of the dangerous adventure published in
the Mobile Adrertiser, is very interesting, and
we give portion Of it:
He crossed Big Black river that night and the
next day got between their lines and the division
of the army which was at Mechanicsburg. He
hid his horse in a ravne, and ensconced himself
in fallen tree, overlooking the road during that
day. From his hiding place he witnessed the re-
treat of the Yankees who passed him in considera
BILE haste and confusion. After their columns had
gone by, and the night had made it safe for him
to move. he continued his route in the direction of
Snyder's Bluff AS he entered the telegraphic
road from Yazoo City to Vicksburg he was hailed
by picket, but dashed by him. A voHey was
fired at him by the Yankees. He escaped unhurt,
but Minnie ball wounded his horse mortally The
spirited animal, however, carried him safely to the
bank of the Yazoo river, where he died, and left
him afoot He lost one Of his crutches in making
his escape. This was jerked from him by the limb
of tree, and he had no time to pick it up.
With the assistance Of one crutch he carried his
baggage and CROPPED along the Yazoo until he pro-
vidential'y discovered small log canoe, tied by
rope, within his reach. He pressed this into his
service and padded down the river until he met
three Yankee gunboats coming up to Yazoo city.
He avoided them by running under some willows
overhanging the water, and lying concealed until
thew passed Soon afterwards he foated by Sny-
der's Bluff, which was illuminated, and alive with
Yankees and negroes participating in the amuse-
ment of grand ball Of mixed races He lay fiat
in his canoe-whch was nothing but hollow log,
and could hardly be distinguished from piece Of
driftwood-and glided safely through the gunboats,
transports, and barges Of the amalgamationists.
HI reached the back-water Of the Mississippi be-
fore day, and in the darkness missed the outlet Of
the Yazoo and got into what is called "Old river"
After searching in vain for pass into the Missis
spp, day dawned and he discovered his mistake
He was forced to conceal his boat and himself and
lie by for another day. He had been two days
and nights without food, and began to suffer the
pangs Of hunger.
At night he padded back into the Yazoo and
descended it to the Mississippi, passing forty OF
fifty of the Yankee transports. Only one man
hailed him, from the stern of a steamboat, and
asked bim where he was going. He replied that
he was going to his fishing lines. In the bend
above Vicksburg, he foated by the mortar feet,
living fiat in his canoe. The mortars were in full
heat bombarding the city. The next morning he
tied white handkerchief to his paddle, raised
himself up in the midst of our picket boats at
Vicksburg, and gave loud huzza for jeff Davis
and the Southern Confederacy, amid the civas of
our sailors who gave him joyful reception, and
assisted him to Gen. Pemberton,s quarters
After resting day and night in the city he |
he started out with dispatch from Gen Pember-
ION to Gen. Johnston. He embarked on his same I
canoe, and soon reached the enemys feet below
he city He avoided their picket boats on both |
shores, and foated near their gunboats. He pass
ID SO near one of these that through open port
lole he could see men play cards and hear them
,onyerse. At Diamond Place he landed and bade
,dieu to his faithful "dug-out" After hobblng
through the bottom to the hills, he reached the
residence of man who had been robbed by the
avages of al! his mules and horses except an old |
worthless gelding and half broken colt He gave
aim the choice of them, and he mounted the colt,
out found that he travelled badly. ProvidentiaIy
1e came upon very fine horse in the bottom, tied
~ blind bride, without a saddle. As basket
md old bag were lying near him, he inferred
hat negro had left him there, and that Yankee
lamp was not far distant. He exchanged brides,
added the horse and mounted him, after turning
oose the colt.
After riding so as to avoid the supposed position
f the Yankees, he encountered one of the thieves,
Tho was returning to it from a successful plunder
ne excursion. lie was loaded with chickens and
bucket of honey. He commenced catechzlng
.amar in true Yankee style, who concluded it
est to satisfy his curiosity by sending him where
e could know all that the devil could teach him.
With pistol-bullet through his forehead, he left
i'm with his honey and poultrydying in the path
o excite the conjectures of bis fellow thieves.
He approached with much caution the next set
lement: There he hired guide for fifty dolos
o pilot him to Handkerson's Ferry on Big Black
liver. which be wished to reach near that point
Without following any road, The fellow he bred
royed to be a traitor. When he got near the
erry Lamar sent him ahead to ascertain whether
ny Yankees in the vicinity. The converse
ion and manners of the man had excited his sus
eions, and as soon as he left him he concealed
himself, but remained. where he could watch his
eturn. He remained much longer than he ex-
ected, but returned and reported that the way
Fas open, and that no Yankees were the ferry.
After paying him he took the preeaution to avoid
he ferry, and to approach the river above it. in
tead of following the guides directions By this
e ianked force of the Yankees posted to inter-
ept him but as he entered the road near the
iver bank, one of them, who seemed to be on the
ight flank of long line Of sentinels, suddenly =