The Shasta courier., 1864-04-23
THE SCOUTS EXPLOIT.
BY FRANCIS C. LONG.

The name of Charles H. Marsh in the
army of the Potomac is as familiar as house
hold words. As brave scout and skillful
detective, his fame at the present epoch is
unrivaled. as@ i .esso w
Some time during the month of August,
1862. when the federal forces under Gen. Pope
were on their second annual skedaddle toward
Washington. Marsh was sent into tie rel Ell
lines, to ascertain if possible, the plan of ,op-
erations being pursued by the confederate
leaders. an undertaking involving great d IN
ger and requiring great courage and caution.
Assuming the dress of confederate citizen,
he left our lines at Bristoe station, following
the Alexandria and Orange railroad
AT Catlett's station he discovered con-
siderable rebel force which he thought pro
per to avoid, so he took to the woods to the
westward in the direction of Warrenton He
stopped at the house of Col Morris, situated
a short distance from Three Mile Station, on
the Warrenton branch road, where he was
Hospitality entertained by the Col S family, as
they had no snspic;on of who he really was
He learned that Stuart. the rebel cavalry
general had occupied the house as his head
quarters only the day previous he had
moved to Bealton Station.
The ladies of the house finding Marsh an
agreeable fellow and an eager listener, took
great apparent pleasure in imparting to him
the conversation they had overheard between
Stuart and his staff, with such other informa-
tion as had come to their knowledge, every
word of which was eagerly noted by the scout
Marsh went to Bealton Station, Auburn and
Warrenton, and spent number of days in
making personal observations of their move
ments. and picking up scraps of valuable in
formation. After becoming an courant in
the rebel programme, he started to return to
our camp, near Manassas Junction, where
he would, undoubtedly, have arrived without
meeting with any adventure worthy of being
recorded had not his inuate love..of mischief
for the nonce overcame his customary caution.
When about ten miles from our lines, he
learned that a ma jor and captain were at
neighboring house taking supper, ana he
recklessly resolved to join them, and if pos.
sible, give eclat to the occasion by bringing
them into our lines as prisoners. Accord
iHgly he approached the house in the most
innocent manner eonceivable, and knocked
boldly at the door for admission
He was admitted and shown into the par.
lor, where he found the two officers CONVEX
sing with the lady of the house. lie introdu.
eed himself as Mr.. Paul, correspondent of
the Richmond Inquirer, in search of supper
and bed for the night. with which the lady
said she could accommodate him. He made
himself very amusing and chatted and joked
with the officers till they blessed the lucky
vivial companion.
After supper. as they were amusing them
selves with pipes and whisky, the major,
who was rather merry from frequent libations
from his canteen remarked to Marsh: "I've
been here ten days, Mr. Paul, and its little
the dulest place ever visited The captain
here and myself have secuted all ever. the
neighborhood and haven't found pretty girl
t. tiirt wita-hem, most duced stupid
place indeed, where there are no pretty girls
to thank fellow for protecting them, aint it.
Mr.. Paul%'
o You don't know where to look for them
major" replied Marsh, laughing and giving
him a knowing wink. Il havesbt en- in tn IS
section frequently. and know almost every
foot of the ground, and must say that some
of the most beautiful girls in Virginia are
living around us, but they are exceedingly
verdant and nRsephisticated and probably do
not suit the taste of one like yourself. who
has been accustomed to the more cultivated
VI ilc hicutnDnu DelleS.
The deuce YOU say, Mr.. Paul" exclaim-
ed the major. raising his canteen to bis lips,
and then handing it to Marsh /" Pretty girls
near and not know it-green and unsophis-
ticated, too! By Joye. Mr., Paul. you must
Introduce me, he continued laying his hand
on Marsh's knee familiarly, wont we have
atime, cap?" tuning to his subaltern. won't
we Richmond fellows make O. sensation amonc
these green country damselsg'
"Of course you'll be irresistible return.
ed the captain. tT
The rank of major ha, musical ring on
a woman's ear, suggested Marsh.
Exactly, replied the major, :. to tell the
truth, my success among the ladies has been
almost without parallel-astonishing. 'pon
my word. Pass the cantesn, cap.. PASS the
canteen. style and knack win the ladies. eh.
Mr.. Paul ?''
Undoubtedly" Marsh returned.
The major took another pull at the ean.
teen and replenished his pipe with tobacco.
"0h, by the way, Mr., Paul. how far are these
pretty feminines from here %
''Oh, only a short ride, say four or FIVE
miles. answered Marsh
. The deuce you say!' exclaimed the major
why, that's beyond our lines.'
Yes" replied the scout, $. but the niekets
are easily hanked. and we are sure TO find
them at home and alone, which would not be
the case II it was within our lines.u
:. Yes. yes" returned the major. hut the
Yankees might make decent upon the house
and capture us. which would be paving pret
ty dearly for our WHISTLE
= | don't think Yankee has been with
in FIVE miles of the place in a month. | al
ways act upon the principle that Faint heart
never won fair lady. Nothing venture and
you will nothing gain you know MAJOR
''Egad, you re right Mr. Paul-how many
are there ?''
- Three, all pretty; aged respectively
twenty-five, twenty, and eighteen" respon-
ded the scout.
''Gad, I'll go-will you introduce US to-
night 80 cried the major excitedly.
Its rather too late, | fsar.'' replied
Marsh.
''Curss the odds" returned the major,
Twill Won 90 with us -