Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-14
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, On which, at long intervals,
were seen puffs of smoke and flashes of flames,
followed by dull, heavy report, and then by
the harmless bursting of she'll IN or over
the Federal encampment. 1t was moonlight
on the far-off crest of Missionary Ridge,
where little more than its dim outline could
be distinguished It was moonlight in the
beleagured townsof 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 moonlight
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-
tions were temporarily cut partially, it is
true, but sufficiently so to cause much suffer
my especially among the cattle-the want of
forage being severely felt Something must
be done to extricate US from the unpleasant
position, and in due time, as we know, some
thing was done and that effectually.
1t 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
Union pickets and soldiers did the same the
two parties shouting across the stream and
exchanging the usual "chaff," sarcasm and
repartee.
A little back from 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
he was a staff officer. The other was clad in
the uniform of a private soldier, dark blue
blouse, ight-blue pantaloons, and foraging
cap. He not Il 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, as they walked slowly along, "by
somebody, and in some way, but must con
fess 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 it; 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"
{" l am not saying that | won't do it. Cap
tain nor that | don't want to do it. When
into no | iDfO nv
hands, and am always ready to lose it it the
loss can benefit the cause, | was only think
ing whether it would pay for the risk for l
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 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 ant
eyes might learn something"
ats a risky business, Captain but if il
can be done, you may be sure that will dc
it, though don't see my way clear yet. l
you don't hear from me again you may con
cude that they have strung me up"
81 hope not, my friend" said the officer
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 ant
intrepid scouts of the Cumberland, He haC
often been employed upon dangerous and del
icate business, and had always acquitted him
self bravely and well. ,aa ..aaE..r
He walked down to the river, where the
pickets and others were engaged in "chaff
ing each other across the stream, and min
gled with them. They had nearly exhausted
their wordy artillery, and were casting abou
for some other amusement.
Say, Secesh!" shouted one, don't vol
want to take dip in the river? If you'll
bring me over a hunk of tobacco pll NEE
YOU half way with some letter paper"
"All right, Yankee, and see that you dom
wet it." was heard from the other side
"Come, bows" said the first speaker, ''let'
all go in and have swim" and he began t.
strip. .--
The suggestion was readily acceded to ant
the soldiers commenced divesting them
selves of their uniforms, and their exampl
being followed by the butternut gentry; an
in few minutes some twenty or thirty 0
both sides were in the river, meeting ant
commingling at the middle of the stream, ex
changing commodities, talking, laughing
wrestling in the water, and splashing abou
each other, as if they never had been enc
mics, nor expectedto be. rE1gEf
Warren Cutter had thrown eff his clothe
with the rest, and, after speaking few word
in a low voice to comrade, he plunged int,
the river. At first, he swan up the river
and kept at a little distance from the rest
but when they had become thoroughly inter
mixed, so that friend could not be listin
guished from foe, he foated down anon.
them, After executing few dives and sum
mersets, he swan slowly to the shore on tn,
rebel side. : s"ts.EA
g Did you find the water cold, neighbor?
asked a rough-looking rebel picket, as Cutie
came painting up. -LG asa -a<.-na
"Not very cold, but an afraid am 90
ing to have a chill, and must dress as soon a
can, and get back to camp" a-.e -.-r
The scout then stepped to a tree, unde
which lay pile of clothes, and hastily don
ned the butternut uniform as if it was hi
own.
az wish you would give me the counter
sign," he said to the picket, as he fnishe
dressing himself 5"My comrade out ther
has it. but I can't wait for him. o. .2..e
aAll right; Morgan, is the word" PIC. 2
Cutter then hurried away up the road t
the rebel camps When he came to the first
he was challenged, gave the countersign, an
passed =on. : Thus he passed through tw
camps, and entered third, where, from tn
flag that was flying, he supposed the head
quarters of some general officer to be situa
ted. Here he walked on, until he saw SOM
Confederate soldiers lounging il front of
rude hut constructed of logs and brush. Step
,,;no IN tn the Init he accOsted them.