Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-07-13
OVER THE TENNESSEE.

once pleasant valleys which had so lately been
transformed by the rude touch of war. 1t
was moonlight on the lofty summit of Look
out Mountain, which, at long intervals,
were seen paff5 of smoke and flashes OF flames,
followed by dull, heavy report, and then by
the harmless bursting of shell in or over
the Federal encampment 1t moonlight
on the far-of crest of Missionary Ridge,
where little more than It's dim outline could
be distinguished. 1t was moonlight in the
beleagured town of Chattanooga, and moon
light in the great Federal encampment that
lay stretched for miles along and back from
the river. On the other side. the mooni int
showed the scattered tents of the rebels,
where they were encamped upon the slopes
and ridges, seemingly in purposeless confusion.
To the uninitiated, it would have appeared
easy to throw column suddenly across, and
cut off one of those apparently unconnected
camps; but our leaders knew better. They
knew that every pass was guarded, and that
at any moment order could be educed from
that seeming chaos; they knew that the reb-
els had then no weak point, and that if one
could be found, we were not strong enough
TO strike as yet. They waited, gathering their
strength, as the tiger crouches for a spring
and when they struck we all understand how
the blow told But at that time the town
and camp was beleaguered, our communica-
tons were temporarily cut of-partially, 1t is
true, but sufficiently so to cause much suffer
ing esp ciaIly uiGong the cattIe-the want of
forage being severely felt. Something must
be done 10 extricate Us from the unpleasant
position, and in due time, we know, some
thing was done and that efiectuallv
IL was moonlight on the Tennessee, and a
beautiful night, although a cloud now and
then, came across the face of the moon. On
the other side of the river the rebel pickets
patrolled the bank, and on our side the
IF,,1N r.sr.l-r, Ill
two parties shouting across the stream and
exchanging the usual "chaff," sarcasm and
repartee.
A little back fron the river, out of the
hearing of the laughing and shouting soldiers,
two men were walking and conversing in low
tones. One wore shoulder-straps, and the
gold stripe on his pantaloons indicated that
be was statf-otficer. The other was clad in
the uniform OF private soldier, dark blue
blouse, lght-blue pantaloons, and foraging
cap. lie was rot remarkable man in his
appearance, but his keen gray eyes, solid chin
and compressed lips, bespoke him a man of
shrewdness, tact and determination
: This thing must be done, Cutter" said
the officer, they walked slowly along, 'oy
somebody and in some way but [ must con
less that am unable to say how it is to be
done, or whether it can be done at all. /
don't say that you must do it, nor do | ask you
TO do 1t; for | know the peril and / know
how much you have already done. | merely
tell you what is urgently needed, and leave
yon to do as you think proper"
9 | am not saying that | won't do it, Cap
tain, nor that | don't want TO DO it When /
went into the service l took my life into my
hands, and | am always ready to lose it il the
loss can benefit the cause | was only think
ing whether 1t would pay for the risk; for |
am tolerably cautious before / go into any
thing, and generally count the cost and calcu-
late the profits. Now, / have been all around
them, and through them, too, for that matter
but L havnt been able to get at the heart Of
them, and am afraid the thing can't be done
for they keep everything mighty close over
there"
IT You could contrive to get among them
and stay there awhile, your sharp ears and
eyes might learn something"
8 It's a risky business, Captain but if il
can be done, you may be sure that will do
II, though | don't see my way clear yet. Ii
you don't hear from me again you may con
cude that they have strung me up"
:" hope not, my friend" said the officer,
as he shook the rough hand of the soldier,
for We can't spare you now"
The soldier was Warren Cutter Of Indi-
ana-one OF the most active, Intelligent and
intrepid scouts of the Cumberland He had
often been employed upon dangerous and del
icate business, and had always acquitted him
self bravely and well.
lie walked down 10 the river, where the
pickets and others were engaged in chat
ing each other across the stream. and min
gled with them. They had nearly exhausted
their wordy artillery, and were casting about
for some other amusement
(" Say, Secesh : shouted one, don't YOU
want TO take dip in the river? If You'll
bring me over hunk of tobacco I'll meet
YOU half way with some letter paper"
A llrpgb a..
vet il" was heard fro the other side
Come, boys said the first speaker. "let's
all so IN and have swim" and he began to
strip.
The suggestion was readily acceded to and
the soldiers commenced divesting them
selves of their uniforms, and Their example
being followed by the butternut gentry: and
in a few minutes some twenty or thirty of
both sides were in the river, meeting and
comminglng al the middle of the stream, ex-
changing commodities, talking laughing
wrestling in the water, and splashing about
esch other, as if they never lad been enc
mics, nor expected TO be.
Warren Gutter had thrown oft his clothes
with the rest, and, after speaking few words
IL a low voice 10 comrade, he plunged into
the river. Al first, he swan up the river
and kept AT little distance from The rest.
but when they had become thoroughly inter
mixed, so that friend could not be distin-
guished from toe, he fioated down among
them. After executing few dives and sum
mersets, he swan slowly to the shore on the
rebel side.
: Did you find the water cold, neighbor
asked rough-looking rebel picket Cutter
came painting up.
Not very cold, but am afraid I am GO
ing TO have chill. and must dress as soon as
can, and get back TO camp"
The scout then stepped TO a tree, under
which lay pile of clothes, and hastily DON
ned the tdtternut uniform as if it was his
own.
- wish you would give me the counter
sign" he said TO the picket, as he finished
dressing himself My corsrade out there
has il, but can't wait for him.
All right; Morgan, is the word"
Cutter then hurried away up the road 10
the rebel camps. When he came to the first,
he was challenged, gave the countersign, and
passed on Thus he passed through two
camps, and entered third, where, from the
flag that was flying, he supposed the head
quarters of some general officer TO be situa-
ted. Here he walked on, until he saw some |
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