Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-02-02

pack oi tne envelop. L read, "9. 10
lP. NJ. The bearer will ride at full
Ispeed.'' Placing it carefully in my
pocket l was leaving the room when
the officer stopped me by saying, "Lest
you should be captured or in the event
of your losing the dispatch, it may be
as we'll to tell you its contents. The
gunboats will make an attempt to run
the enemy's batteries as soon after II
as possible. There are any quantity of
guerillas on the road, and you may be
shot; then, of course you are not to
blame; but should they by any means
get the dispatch without you, why then
you can tell General P what is in it.
Good night, sergeant, swift journey
and u safe one to you" "Now," 1
thought, as l sprang on my horse, "now
is the time to try your mettle, Punch
thirty miles, my boy, in three hours,
with prospect of being shot on the
way" But l did not think the road a
very dangerous one to travel, for up to
this time | had never had chance of
facing any of the "Butternuts" s"-as we
used to term the Confederate soldiers
in the field, and l had before me the
prospect of winning the generals favor
if | was only successful that night. so
here goes for death or glory thought /;
and in a hand canter l did the first
mile of the route, leaving behind me
our pickets, and getting into a low,
marshy, but open country, with every
now and then farm house layins on
either side of the road. Sometimes, as
the INN ates heard the tramping of my
horse FLASHING through the mud, win
dow would be thrown open and head
popped out. Then again, I'd pass
farmer hanging round his outbuildings,
looking with suspicion, and evidently
having no kindly feelings towards me.
The night wind blew chill, the pace
was good, and the excitement was some,
thing rather pleasant to feel for one who
for weeks had done nothing but listen
to the booming of the guns of the fleet.
So at last l got weary of taking any
precautions against class of men whom
[ thoroughly despised and grew the
more careless as thick black line ahead
told me | was nearing the woods. Once
there l should be safe from the coward
ly dogs, and only run the risk of being
captured by the rebel cavalry. Just on
the borders of the timber there was a
light, too high up for picket fire. 1t
was another house, perhaps the head
quarters of some of the "Butternuts'
out on scouting expedition. No mat
ter what it is, it must be passed. So l
swung my little horse on the green
sward by the roadside that the sound of
my coming should not be heard until l
was close to the building. The precau-
tion was an idle one if there were any
watchful opponents in my front, for
their practical ear would detect the long
heavy tread of my gallant little steed.
If they we're only thick headed Missouri
farmers, why, perhaps they would not
hear me. "Seen, by Jove !' NUT
tered half aloud, and plunged the spurs
into my horses flank, who bounded
away at racing speed. A window
banged down, and as I flew past the
spot the door opened. and man with a
rifle in his hand which l could distinct
ly see by the candle held by woman
standing behind him, rushed into the
front. Then came the click of the
weapon and a second after bullet whiz-
zed over my head. For moment my
blood was up, and I'd have given any
thing to have ridden up to him revolver
in hand and squared accounts. but I
had gained the cover of the timber and
I knew that my errand was more i'm
portant than revenge. So Stacking my
pace again 1 continued on my dreary
way. !
l lay close to my saddle until l knew
that | bad left him far in the rear, for
there was more to fear from these peo-
pie than from dozen of the enemy's
cavalry. A shot in the dark and all is
over; but let the worst come to the
worst with the rebels, if you could not
fight them or get out of the way, why,
they would take care of you and treat
you tolerably well as a prisoner JEFF.
Thompson was bold daredevil guer-
lila, but neither he or any of his men
would jill use captive On the other
hand, we had abundant evidence of the
treachery and cowardice of these sneak:
ing, holding farmers of southeast
ern Missouri. When our army advanced
a telegraphic wire was laid, connecting
the headquarters Of our corps with those
of Cairo. Hardly night passed away
but it was found cut. Mounted guards
patroled the whole route, and yet were
unable to prevent the mischief. A cav
alryman passing acertain spot would
return in half an hour to find the wire
cut or some posts pulled down. The
general at last, determined to stop this
maneuver, issued short dispatch stat
ing that Sin case the telegraph was
damaged, the nearest resident to the
place where such damage was done
would be taken and hung without trial"
The cavalry were recalled from their
duty as guards, and never after this
order was issued had we the slightest
cause to complain of our communication
being injured. Knowing the antece-
dents of these gentry, | was naturally
very suspicious of them, and as mile
after mile was got over, house after
house passed, 1 began to wish that l
was in the timber and away from this
kind of danger.