Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-31
=" surry of Eagles Nest. f"

we copy from cutiy VI i1aSiS o
Nest new war novel, by John Esten
Cooke, of Virginia, the following amusing
account of an adventure by the hero of
the novel, Major Surry:
To come to the actual occurrences of
that time--I was with the cavalry ear
guard between uarrisonburg and Cross
KEYS, some miles from Point Republic,
at which point the infantry was concen-
trating, when a dust rising upon the
flank attracted my attention, and 4 told
Ashby that / would go and ascertain
what it meant u..t sa,,,
Take care, Surry," was his reply !;
"the enemy is close behind us, and you
will be captured. e
Il reckon not ifu-g
"Well, keep a good look out. The
Federal advance guard is commanded by
Sir Percy Wyndham, an English officer,
who has sworn, am informed, that he
will bag me. should be sorry to have
him catch one Of my friends.
II defy himi' i''
And, with that spirit of pride which SO
often precedes fall, put spurs to my
horse and went at full speed in the direc-
ton of the dust, following a narrow for
est road.
Unfortunately Ashbys fears were
speedily realized | had not gone a
quarter of mile, when a detachment Of
cavalry fankers debouched quietly into
the road behind me, and leveling their
carbines, ordered me to surrender.
1t was the coolest and most business
like affair | had ever witnessed, reader
No illbred hurry-no excitement-no
violent language" or unpleasant COLI
sion. Within twenty steps OF me were
twenty carbines, cooked and aimed at my
breast 1.-THE officer at the head of the men
commanded Surrender, or you are
dead and, with bitterness in my heart,
| surrendered
lyon are an officer, sir2' he said, rid
ing up. io Hoilhiiiil iih3l5
Il am.
"What commando .f--4 -..al
"The Confederate States army.
Rather considerable force IN our
front. Lieutenant" said the officer, who
seemed to be something of humorlst ;
send the prisoner under guard to Col.
Wyndham.
The Lieutenant touched his hat-I re-
member he was villainous looking iel-
low-and three men separated themselves
from the column and took charge OF me;
Kill him ii he tries to escape, sad
the humorous officer.
The men cooked their carbines, and
rested them across their pommelsi and
with this pleasing escort, | was con
Quoted, by a winding road, which had
remembered passing on the previous
evening tIft
Here superbly equipped horses were
seen tethered to the boughs and fences
couriers went and came-and my escort
conducted me into the presence OF SIR
Percy Windham, commanding the cav.
airy advance-guard of the Federal
forces
found myself in the plain sitting
room of a small farm house. On table
we're spread maps and papers; and a
bottle of wine raised its slender neck,
1anked by glasses.
Lolling in a split-bottomed rocking
chair was tai, fine looking parsonage,
clad in superb uniform, and wearing
sabre with magnitcently chased hilt,
which ratified against French cavalry
boots, decorated with enormous spurs.
The countenance of this officer was ruddy
handsome, and full Of pride. His hair
was light, long, aud worn in curls. twas
a military Adonis saw before me in the
person of Sir Percy.
When / entered, he was talking with a
sleek parsonage, clad in citizen s dress,
who had on his knees portfolio IN which
lay some loose sheets of paper covered
with writing. Upon my appearance this
gentleman seized pen, dipped II IN The
ink, and held it poised above his paper,
with the air Of a man who is going 70 re
port a public speech
7" A prisoner, Colonel, said my escort
The Colonel wheeled round in his chair
and looked keenly at me
When were you captured
Half an hour ago
"You are an Officer Major, l see
what command
Il have already replied TO that CUES
ton
' To whom