The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-08-25
A RACR FOB A BRIDE.
BY THOMAS A. POPE.

people and watch trading, and retired from dis
sphere of usefulness on this'planet forever.
Notices of the man which have seen since
his death recall to mind bit of history, In the
consummation of which he played an lmpor-
tant part. But let me tell the story from the
first.
Among the Federal officers stationed in Ken
tucky in 1864, was brigadier general who, for
the present, we will call Ripley. This officers
family consisted of his wife and one child, a
beautiful girl of seventeen summers-and as
many winters likewise, I presume-thoug
from her Joyous nature it did not seem as
though she had ever seen anything but sun
shine and flowers. I have said Alice Ripley
was beautiful-she was more--she was attrac-
tive. You could not know her without loving
her. The fortunes of war had made me an in
mate of Gen. Ripleys mansion, and thus had
every opportunity of meeting and admlring
Alice, and, I might add, of loving her, though
fortunately for myself, I never had the audaci-
ty to declare my love. Albeit under the same
roof, our stations were apart. was simply a
soldier and special detective the daughter
of General, who was proud, naughty,
wealthy man.
Alice had many suitors, and, though she
treated all very kindly, she seemed to give pre-
ference to none.
But at last her hero came, and strange to say
he came from the ranks of those who were at
war, if not with her, those most nearly related
to her. He came in this wise:
In September, 1864, a company of cavalry,
which Twas guiding across the county, encoun-
tered small body of Confederate soldiers,
twelve in number, and captured the entire
party. They proved to be a scouting party,
Commanded by Lieut. Scott. Capt. Burns, who
commanded our detachment of cavalry, con-
cluded to take the Confederate soldiers on with
him to Camp Nicholas, and send Lieut.. Scott
back to Gen. Ripley. "Pope," said Burns To
me, "I have no men to spare; will you take
the reb. to Gen. Ripley. It is only 40 miles to
his headquarters, and you know the way" l
announced my willingness to take charge OF
the prisoner. In few minutes was ready to
start. They brought Lieut.. Scott to me. He
was handcufed and tied to his saddle. Gas
you are going by yourself, thought it best to
make your prisoner, who, l am told, is des-
perate fellow, secure" said Capt. Burns, as he
rode away to join his departing company. L
was now alone with Lieut.. Scott. He was a
fine looking soldier, and 1 could see BY his
countenance that he felt keenly the indignity
with which Capt. Burns had treated him by
putting him in irons.
"Well, Lieutenant" said /, IT am commits
stoned to take you to Gen. Ripley. don't
like to see man In irons, and If you will
promise not to try to get away, will free you
from our bonds"
sI promise nothing, sir" said the soldier,
with all naughty Southron's pride.
looked for moment at the man before me,
and then determined to free him. He had re-
fused the promise asked, and I was glad. l
was satisfied he was above treachery.
tThen you," said Scott, 'you are kinder than
that brutal captain, who hope to meet once
more"
This was said with a quiet menace that
boded no good for Capt Burns.
It was about ten o'clock when we took the
highway for Richmond, the headquarters of
Gen. Ripley. Lieut.. Scott soon lost his re-
serve, and we spent the long ride in pleasant
converse. By the time we got to Richmond,
5p. M, we were on good terms, considering
our different positions.
I reported to Gen. Ripley, who Immediately
ordered Lieut.. Scott into close confinement.
"He is spy" said the General, eve will
have to deal promptly with these guerrillas.'
was sorry for the prisoner, but knew that
anything said in his favor would do him no
good; so delivered him to the Provost Mar
did what I could to make his confinement en-
durable. Confinement to spirit like his was
yery irksome. Two weeks after entering the
prison he made desperate effort to escape.
He knocked down the sentinel who guarded
the door, and rushing out seized an officers
horse, and before hand could be raised to
check him, was in the saddle and gone 1t
was broad-daylight, and hundred soldiers
witnessed the act of daring recklessness. A
hundred shots were fired at the fugitive, one of
which struck his horse, though at first it did
not seem to check his speed. Half company
of cavalry were soon in pursuit, and, after
losing three of their numbers, succeeded in
shooting him down. 1t was the only way they
could capture him, as every time they asked
him to surrender he answered with the revol-
yer he had taken with the horse. He was car
ried back to Richmond, and, while insensible,
was again thrown into prison. I now went to
Gen. Ripley and asked, and after some difficult
ty obtained, permission to take him from the
prison to building used as hospital for the
officers of the Federal army. The "Yankee"
ladies in the town often visited this hospital,
bringing delicacies to the sick. One day,
while i was sitting by the bedside of Scott,
Alice Ripley, in company with another lady,
entered the room. Not having seen Lieut..
Scott before, they of course must know all
about him. I told them of his gallant defence
when first surprised, and of his subsequent
daring attempt to escape. Ladies always like
brave men, and the sympathies OF Alice and
her young friend were quickly aroused in favor
of the wounded man. They gave me Literally
of the fruits and cakes they had with them
When Scott awoke presented him what they
had left. and told him who left them.
"Many thanks to them," said he; 'they have
more generosity than / gave the Yankees cred
it for" ,, -.
Two days afterward the same ladies made
another visit to the hospital The first call
thew made was in the ward where Lit. Scott
lay. l happened to be with him again. in
troduced the ladies to him. They conversed q
few minutes with him, and then presented him
basket of wine and cakes. Their story was
brief, and their conversation mere nothing
but when the ladies were gone, l noticed that
the Lieutenant seemed much better than he