The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-07-12

old woman.
"We will go now," said the one who
had spoken first, "that is if you can de-
scribe to US the exact position of the
barn"
"I don't think I.could describe it so
that you could 6nd ID in the dark; replied
the bag, "but as I am villin' to do every.
thing in my power for the confederacy, /
will go with you and show you the place.
"That is right, answered the rebel, land
we'll see that yon are rewarded for your
zeal.
81 don't want any reward for helping
my couutrymen, replied the old hag. |
am always ready to help along the cause"
/ With these words she disappeared into
an inner room, but came forth in few
minutes with gray blanket thrown over
he shoulders.
nI took this out of Yank's knapsack'
said she with short, dIy laugh; "don't
you think it becomes me z"
"Aye, aye,my good woman, very much.
But lead on, if you please, for We have no
time to loose"
The hag then closed the door of the
house.
"Forward march p she exclaimed
initiating the voice of man with strong
lungs. Forward march !! Close up
close up" And she moved along the
road at the slow, ,tottering pace natural to
a person OF her age.
The night by this time had become
very dark. The sky was obscured with
thick driving clouds, and the wind scream
ed and roared among the tall pines that
lowered upon each side of the road
Occasionally heavy branch torn fromits
native trunk would fall into the road
with terrible crash, and more than once
the rebels started back and cooked their
pieces in the belief that the din was
caused by the discharge of some Yankee
rifle.
"Ha! ha! hal" laughed the old hag
upon one of the occasions, "it seems to
me that you are easily startled Don't
you think your commander might have
picked out pair of bOlder hearts than
yours for this expedition 2"
you'd better keep silent tongue in
your head, my good womau, until you've
had az opportunity to witness as many
battles as We have" answered one of the
men; ga good soldier is always on his
guard"
"Aye, aye!" replied the old woman
but be should know how to distinguish
between the crashing Of dry branch and
the ring of riaed musket.
The rebel MD net relish the noise made
by the loud, sharp tones of the female
guide, and, in order to put an end to the
conversation, he controlled himself safi-
ciently not to reply to her last remark.
The party then continued their way in.
silence-whieh was not broken by either
of them until they had gone about three
miles, and loud clear challenge sudden
ly started the rebels
"Halt who comes there ?"
"Friend answered the old woman in a
clear ringing voice "friend with prison
ers !"
"We are betrayed % yelled her com.
panions and, even as the words passed
their lips they were surrounded by a
dozen Federal soldiers, one of whom car.
ried alantern.
As the rays of light flashed upon the
bag the rebels saw the gray hair the blan-
ket, and the female apparel dropped to
the ground, revealing the slight but iron
like frame of q Uni)n soldier in prime of
life.
at is he, by exclaimed the prison
ers, simultaneously, as they glanced to
the long double barrelled rife which he
now held in his hand cit is he-the
scout-the Federal Chameleon I"
"Aye, aye!" answered the latter, as
he leaned upon his weapon, with quiet
smile. "You are trapped, sure enough
thanks to my disguise, which is only one
of many that I carry in my knapsack.-|
allow me to express my thanks to you for
the information you gave me regarding
the position Of your camp and the num-
ber Of your men. I havo already sent
message to my colonel in relation to the
matter, and L perceive that he has COM
menced to act upon it."
And as he spoke he pointed down the
road where the dark outline Of troops
forming into line might be family distin-
guished.
They were soon in motion, and in the
course Of half an hour the booming of
cannon the rattling of musketry, and the
scheers of the Federal troops proclaimed
that the combat had commenced. The
din continued for about an hour, when
the prisoners learned from others who
were brought to share their quarters, that
the Southern troops had been surprised
and totally routed
Gen. Logan says that although he was