The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-12-22
VOL. Il:
How Bible Smith Captured the Rebel
Officers.

In Mr. kirke's new volume, aDown
in Tennessee, he gives an interesting
account of "Bible' Smith, representa-
tive of the better class of poor Southern
whites, whose adventures as a scou. IN
the Union service, read more like TO.
nance of the middle ages than matter
of fact history of the present time. - 81. "
On one occasion, when about FIVE miles
outside of our lines, he came, late in the
night, upon party ofrebel officers, max
ing merry at the house of wealthy Sc,
cessionist. Riding coolly up to the
mounted orderly on guard, before the
doorway, he pinioned his arms, thrust
handkerchief into his mouth, and led
him quietly out Of hearing. Then bid
ding him dismount, and tying him to a
tree, he removed tho iinpromtu gag, and
leveling a revolver at his head, said to
him:
"Now tell me, ye rebel villun, what
whisky kags wuz ye watchIn thar p
Speak truth, or III guy ye free passag
TO hot kentry."
"Nine ossifers," said the trembling
rebel "a kunncl, two majors, a sargeon,
two cap'ns, and the rest leftcnants."
"Whar s-thar weapons p
"The swords is in the l.way. None
on them hain't no pistols, except the
sargeon-he mout hev a 'volvcr."
"Whot nigs is they round -
"Nary one, reckon, more'n Old
man thar, (pointiug to kitchen build
ipg) an the gals in the house,
"Wcll, I'll let ye 20 fur this, il yes
tcllcl the truth. Ef ye haiu't, ye'd be
a sajn yer prayers ter onst, fur the Lord
won't ycre ye on the t'otbcr side Nv Jur
eau
Fastening his horse in ''the timber,'
and creeping up to the house, he then
rcconnoitered the kitchen PREMISES -
The old mana stout, stawart negro Of
about City sat doing in the and
his wife, a young mulatto woman, was
cooking wild fowl over the fire. Opening
the door, and placing his finger on his
lips to enjoin silence, Bible bcckened to
the woman. She came to him, aud, look,
ing her full in the f2cc for moment, be
said to her:
II kin trust yc. Wud yc an yer old
'un like ter git out o the claws Nv these
burned Secesh =
"Yas, yas, Massa," she replied, eve
wud, Wc's Uuion We'd lOike ter git
way, Massr y
Then awakening her husband, Blble
/ ,.;J hin, II yT,,l, ,ynl r;.lr
life fur yer freedom -
"Ef dar's a chance, Massa. right
STUART chance Dis darkey ti,nks hear
OBJ his life. he does, Nlassa 1t IN bout
all him got
ayes, yes, l know; but yc shil hev
freedom. I'll see yer ter the Free States
eff yell help tuck them sccesh ossifers."
"IIolp tuck dem, Massa. Why dar's
dozen on EN-; dcy'd d chaw ye up in nc
time exclaimed the astonishcd African
ono, thar amt dozen on 'em; thar.
only nine; but yes coward repllee
the scout.
Ono, I hain't no coward, Massa; but
loikcs chance, Massa, ri ght smar
| chance"
Bible convinced the negro that h
would have fright smart chance an,
he consented to make the hazardou
strike for freedom. Entering the house
he returned 10 few moments to The
scout, confirming the scptincl's report
the weapons were reposing quietly IN tn
hall, near the doorway, and the officer
very much the worse for liquor, wer
carousing with his master in the dinin
room.
Selecting three of the best horses fror
the stables, Bible directed the yclIo
woman to lead them to the road, and
bring bis own from where it was fasten
ed n the woods. Then, with his SCOT
, ally, the scout entered the mansion
Removing the arms from the hall, !
then walked boldly into the dinin
room. "Gentlemen, he said, poiutin
his pistols-one in each hand-at Il
rebel officers, eye is my prisners. SUI
0 render yer shootin' irons, or yes dat
+ men" -#.
"Who are you p exclaimed one
= them as they all sprang to their feet.
"Cunnel Smith, Nv the Fust Tenncs
see Niger regiment--one old black me-
an yaler 'oomap," cooly replied Il
scout.
- "Go to -" shouted the surgco
!. quickly drawing his revolver, and dl:
IS charging it directly at Bibles face. T.
>. ball grazed his head, cut off lock
V hair just above the ear, and lodged
# the wall at his back. The report W
y still sounding through the apartmet
d when the surgeon uttered wild CT
ri sprapg few feet into the air, and +
5, senselcss to the fcor The negro h
il if shot him.
>"Come, gentlemen, none o thet,' s.
Bible, as coelly as if nothing had h.
pencd, "guv me the sheotin' iron,
:. surrender, or we'll sot the rest on yer
= wuck-rakn Goals fur the devils furn;
in less nur minnit.'
Without more hesitation the rel
c, colonel handed the scout the fallen ma
On pistol and then all, followed by the sec
and the negro marched quietly out
:. the front door. The mulatto WON