Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-07-16
OVER THE TENNESSEE.

1t was moonlight on the Tennessee 1t was
moonlight not only on the dark and rapid
river, but on the dark and wooded hills and
once pleasant valleys which had go 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 shell in or over
& the Federal encampment IL was moonlight
on the far-of crest of Missionary Ridge,
where little more than Its dim outline could
be distinguished. 1t was moonlight in the
beleagured town Of Chattanooga, and moon
flight 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
andridges, seemingly in purposeless confusion.
To the uninitiated, it would have appeared
easy to throw a 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 we're temporarily cut partially, il is
true, but sufficiently so to cause much suffer
ing, especially among the cattle-the want Of
forage being severely felt Something must
be done 10 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
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 staff-Oficer. The other was clad i'm
the uniform Of private soldier, dark blue
blouse, light-blue pantalOOns, and foraging
cap. he was not remarkable man in his
appearance, but his keen gray ewes, solid chin
and compressed lips, bespoke him a man of
s'rewdness, 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, OF whether il can be done at all |
don't say that you must do il, nor do ask you
to do it; for know the peril, and I know
how much you have already done. | merely
tell you what is urgently needed, and leave
yOn to do as you think proper"
Z" am not saying that l won't do il, Cap
tain, nor that don't want to do it. When
went into the service | took my life into my
hands, and / am always ready to lose it if the
loss can benefit the cause. I was only think
ing whether it would pay for the risk; for
am tolerabiy 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 havn't 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"
fyou could eontriTe 70 get among them
and stay there awhile, your sharp ears and
eyes might learn something"
= SITS risky business, Captain; but if it
can be done, you may be sure that / will do
it, though don't see my way clear yet. If
you don't hear from me again you may con-
/. clude. that they have strung, me up -
81 hope not, my friend" said the officer.
as he shook the rough hand of the soldier,
for we can't spare yOn now"
The soldier was Warren Gutter, of IndiS
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. .Hi- as
He walked down TO the river, where the
pickets and others we're engaged in "chaff-
ing" each other across the stream, and min
al xrifh than L., L. =,
their wordy artillery, and were casting about
for sumo other amusement. ~
A = "iSay, Secesh ]" shouted one, "dont YOU
want 10 take a dip in the river: If you'll
bring me over hunk Of tobacco I'll meet
YOU half way with some letter paper.n4 l..
!. ( All right, Yankee, AMI see that YOU don't
wet it, !" was heard from the other side
Come, boys" said the first speaker, s9et's
ali go IN and have swim, and he began To-
strip. p ei~i 81 hH $500 u
The suggestion was readily acceded TO and
the soldiers commenced divesting them
selves OF their uniforms, and their example
being followed by the bGtternut gentry: and
in few minutes some twenty or thirty of
both sides were in the river, meeting and
cOmmingling at the middle of the stream, ex-
changing commodities, talking,--laughing,
wrestling in the water, and splasIiing about
each other, as if they never lad been enc
mics, nor expected to be. .
Warren Cutter had thrown off his clothes
with the rest, and, after speaking a few words
IN low voice TO a comrade, he Ilunged into
the river. At 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 beydistin-.
guished from foe, he hoated 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, heHhbor /? .
asked rough-lOoking rebel picket, as Cutter
came painting up. -, =
Not very cold, but am afraid am on.
ing to. have aiehill, and must dress a. soon a.
i can. and get back to camp ~
8 The scout then stepped to tree. under
: which lay pile of clothes, and hastily don
ned the butternut uniform asif IL was his
own. .15s4 6 rsE .fio8ssl4
81 wish you would give me the counter.
sign" he said to the picket, as he finished
dressing himself Ny feomrade out there
has II, but can't wait for him. ~.
All right; Morgan, is the word.n
utter then hurried away up the road TO
he reDei camps When he came to the first.
ne was challenged, gave the countersien, and
passed on. Thus he passed through two
camps, and entered third, where, from the
nag that was flying, he supposed the head
quarters OF some general officer to be situa-
ted. Here he walked on, until he saw some
confederate soldiers lounging in front of a
RUE nut constructed of logs and hrush gtan