Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-06-28
WHOLE NO. 2ss,

Baker. Didn't you have brother therei
D Il had brother there, but he cam
homo in 49,
J Well said he, turning away, it's al
} right, suppose, but never saw two mel
look so much alike in all my lifo.'
In the meantime had obtained infor
nation of military movements and plans
learned where the enemy had stationee
troops, or were building Notifications, ant
what they were doing at the Tredegal
works. bad obtained tho knowledge foi
which came, aud was anxious to return
North.
Succeeding OF last In getting pass tc
fredericksburg, Baker attempted TO trave
beyond that post, but had scarcely gone
two miles from the city when he met On
officer and soldier on horseback.
TIE officer reined up before me and in.
quircd;
Have you got pass, sirGs
Yes, SIR M
let me sec it.
With tho promptncss Of assurance,
drew forth aud handed him the pass from
Richmond to Fredericksburg. ifable TO
read, hoped he might be satisfied with a
glance at the Iapor, and let me proceed.
He studied il awhile. till his eyes caught
the word Fredericksburg, and then he
said:
Il don't think this will do, sirl'
'Tis all right
well, II may te, but you II have to 60
back with mo to Fredericksburg
Ny locomoton had not been observed,
and, with pi,iful limp, remarked that
IL was hard for lame man TO be compelI-
ed 10 walk that distance; aud that II at
tempted II | must necessarily defer my
journey till another day. made pain.
ful effort.to walk, and 30 far moved tho
compassion Of tho officer that he offered TO
take the pass TO the Commanding General
and leave me in charge of tho soldier.
When he was gone, after little pleasant
conversation, the day being warm, pro.
posed 20 my guard that we 20 into the
shade Of the woods. Tying his horse to
small tree, he threw himself down on tho
grass. llalf al hour was spont in pleas.
ant chat, aud the officer did not make his
appearance.
'Ughr said tho guard stretching, how
sleepy an. | didn't sleep wink last
night
This fact, with the inviting greensward
and shade, disposed him to snatch nap;
and soon he was oblivious TO everything
around him. Ii was no pleasure to me to
subject him to punishment or oven cen.
sure on my account; but the law Of self.
protection necessarily overruled my regard
for tho unwatchful guard and, carefully
appropriating his revolver, unloosed and
mounted his horse. Riding leisurely
along tho path short time, | turned sud-
denly into the woods; but the ground was
rough, aud the bushes almost imfenetra-
bic, making progress distressingIy slow.
AS tho sun was sinking behind the trees,
having travelled half dozen miles, |
emerged into clearing, where white
haired old man, who evidently had reach
ed his threescore years and ten, was max
ing shingles.
With a respectful salutation, inquired:
'Will you tell me the shortest road to
the Potomac?'
The Southern patriarch looked at me
with surprise. said again:
Tho river-the Potomac riyer-which
way is il2'
4 never heard Of it in my life.'
How long have you lived here?
Always; was born here.
'And you don't know where the Poto-
mac river is?'
Il never heard about such a river
He was equally ignorant of the exist
encc Of Aqua Creek, or any Of the streams
or places along The river.
Did you know that the South had Sc
seeded?' | inquired.
We'll WE'LL ~ heard suthing was CO.
ing on, but haint taken much interest in
politics no how since Jacksons time.
Spos6T they are all the time getting up
suthing new
That night lie slept under haystack.
just before the dawn Of the next day,
was startled from my slumber, and, listen
ing, soon learned that rebel cavalry were
IN search Of me, and had surrounded the
house. A dozen horsemen could be seen
through the lattice c-work of hay, moving
about in the darkness. From the dwell.
! ing they went 10 the out houses, and e.
nally came to the haystack. / prepared
for the worst With my head thinly COW
cred, could watch my foes, unseen by
them; while my revolver lay before me.
If discovered, resolved to shoot the sue
ccssful man, and run for dear life toward
tho woods Several times the cavalry
rode round tho stack; then one of the
number disniouniing. began sword OK.
animation of my lodgings. could hear
the thrust Of the blade into the hay, until
it grazed my coat and grasped my six
shooter to SPRING but he passed on say
ing; f
lie niu't ia there boys
Rcmounting, with his comrades, he rode
OF.
At two o'clock in tho afternoon, when
emerging from clump Of bushes, came
in full view of a mau hauling timber, |
could not retreat, aud, changing the coat
hanging on one arm to the other, put my
hand on my pocket, and stood in think
ing posture. | saw that | had an Irish
man to deal with, and not remarkable
bright specimen Of his race.
With the air of one interested, asked:
what is this timber for?'
It's fur the bathery down here, in
course
This answer settled the question of the
proximity of the Potomac, and also appris-
cd mo that forti6cations and plenty Of
rebels were not far off, / walked along a