Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-08-20

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position or whether they should retire until suf
fcient force was gathered to Withstand the attack
It was finally resolved to hold the position as ont
as there remained hope of aid, to watch the en-
emy closely, and should he come down upon them
in force, to fall back to Swift Creek, line some
three miles in their rear, and endeavor to hold i
at every risk. In the meantime, it was determined
to send out scouts to ascertain every fact in regard
to the enemy that might be attainable. >,
Full instructions were given to Captain CarberTy
in regard to detailing scouting party and furnish
ing them with directions for their guidance, and
the officers withdrew to their several posts - g.
Half an hour Afterwards, small party of men,
accompanied by Captain Carberry, might haye
been seen stealing; like shadows, from the camp,
and advancing along theturnpike towards the quar-
ter where the enemy lay. The line Of pickets was
soon reached, and giving the couutersign for the
night, the Captain conducted his detachment along
the gloomy road, until passing a small streamlet
and ascending high hill, the party came to q
broad and open plateau, where the solemn trees nc
longer covered them with their dense shadows.
Here Captain Carberry, who had orders to return
to camp halted the party and gave them their 6nal
instructions. =.
This scouting party, thrown out to ascertain the
position of the enemy, consisted Of old acluaint,
ances whom we have met before, Volunteers
readily offered themselves for this dangerous ser:
vice, but Captain Carberry assigned the duty'to
members of his own company, whom he well knew,
and upon whose zeal and fidelity he could implicit
" rely. To Sergeant Haley was assigned the COM
mand Of this party, which consisted of Giles Short
er, Robin Lssiter, Victor Garnett and Harry
Prescott. >.1 -
1t was delicate and hazardous duty, hut one
which it was necessary should be performed BY
men Of courage and intelligence, who, to a good
knowledge of woodcraft joined that shrewdness Of
intellect which enables one in circumstances OF
danger and peril to turn every incident to profit.
able account. -. -. -.
"Now, boys, will leave you here" said Cap
tain Carbery, halting under the shadowy trees on
the hill top. "Ihave given all the instructions you
require, but again, I Will press upon you the fact
that you cannot be too cautious Scouting in this
region to night is as tcklish business as would
like to be engaged at Keep your eyes and ears
open. You may run into the midst of the enemy
where you least expect it.. You viii, perhaps; find
parties Of them encamped in the darkness, without
even watch-fre to give you warning Of then
presence. Be careful you don't fall into their
hands"
1--WE can tell, easy enough, when we get in their
neighborhood, Captain" answered Robin Lassiter,
''if the wind only be fair.
'If you had the nose of hound, you might,
Robin, replied his Captain "but you don't pre-,
tend to that gift, presume?"
'Look here, Captain, replied Robin maybe
you'll remember it as well as I do, the night the
Yankees charged our lines in front Of Battery
WAGNER, we knew they was q coming long before
we saw them or heard sound. Dontyou lemern-
Der that?' - 51f. q. <s'']r - 90
II do not remember it, Robin" replied his
Captain.
"Well, maybe there is good reason you don't, "
responded Robin, with grim smile, that passed
unseen in the darkness; "but that night the wind
came up fair from the South. where the enemy
lay, and brought with it a smell Of whiskey, that
got stronger and stronger until We could hear the
clatter of the enemy's muskets, and hear them
marching like herd of bufaloes. They found us
oil ready that time thanks to the whiskey."
IT have heard several of the boys speak of it,
Robin, but I did not remark the smell Of whiskey,
myself" replied the Captain.
'Maybe you had taken little yourself, Captain, y
replied Robin, with low chucke, when of course,
you couldn't smell it on others I've stood a
charge from the enemy more than once, and every
time, when the wind was fair, and the work be-
fore them was hard, they had spliced the main.
brace 50 often that you could tell which way il
was swinging round, even in the dark."
"WeI, Robin" rejoined Giles, ''as for us poor
fellows, we are like does in the yeaning season-we
don't leave any scent on the wind We are milk
and water set, on compulsion, but if only had a
chance at some choice old Bourbon it would be
well for us to run against the wind tonight, other.
wise the Yankees would smell whiskey strong be.
fore we travelled far
1T is well, then you have it not boys, " suggest
ed the Captain. "You need cool heads tonight,
and senses wide awake. Sergeant, you can move
on, according to instructions Should you be lucky
enough to escape the pickets of the enemy, and
find your way back to camp, awake me to hear
your report, as soon as you come in. Good night,
and success attend you"
Thus saying, Captain Carbery returned on his
way to the camp, whilst Sergeant Haley, respect
fullv salutinp his commander nut his sunad m mo-
ton, and was soon lost in the darkness