The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-03-15

ing down the right hand road. imme-
diately extinguished my light, but not
soon enough-it had betrayed me. By
the time 1 could mount my horse I was
surrounded by q dozen or more men.
OF course, in the darkness, it was i'm
possible for me to tell whether they
were Union men or Rebels. I could
only guess.
sWhat have we here p demanded the
leader roughly. 'Who are you, and
what are you doing here p
Not too many questions at once. my
FRIEND remarked, as quietly rs posi-
BILE. Il am trying to find out which Of
these roads shall take. Perhaps you
can tell me-
I think very likely I can tell you
which you will take when you answer
my question, he remarked significantly;
who are you, and what is your bust
ness?'
1 hoped this might be a Union SCOUT
ing party, but was afraid they were
Rebels; and conse quently thought best.
in the darkness, to play Rebel, as L
much preferred being taken prisoner by
Union scouts. So l answered:
4 belong to Carter's brigade knew
this brigade was with them, as we had
fought it only two days before
Oh! indeed ? / have the honor to
belong to that brigade, too. To which
regiment do you belong?'
sTo the Nineteenth Texas answer
ed promptly. I knew this regiment
was in that brigade, as we had some
prisoners from it; but l knew could
not stand questioning, as they evidently
Ill 1rin Ia and I
did not, and they would soon catch me.
So prepared to make desperate effort
to escape I had found out that they
were Rebels, and knew the best thing
I could do would be to get away from
them as soon as possible To effect this
was dangerous undertaking; but pre-
terred to run the risk rather than be
taken prisoner. I did not know, in the
darkness, the exact position of my
enemies around me, or how many Of
them there were; but I felt as if the
road to my left was open and clear. As
they had they had come down the right.
hand road and as / was standing near
the thick woods that run to the very
forks of the road, they had, most OF
them, halted at my right and the rear
It was evident, also, that the right>hand
road led to the Rebel camp, and the left
hand was the one for me to take. These
things flashed through my mind instant
ly, between the questions OF my lnter>
rogator.
TO what company ?
i belong to Company D but may
ask to what regiment and company do
you belong?
Yes sir I am Captain of Company
NJ, Twenty first Texas. I was sent out
here partly to intercept any dispatches
that might be passing to the Union
Army and partly to communicate with
Major Tappan, who is somewhere in the
enemy's rear. Have you seen any one
on the road between here and Jackson ?
Yes sir. A man passed me not five
minuets before met you, going toward
Jackson. I heard him coming and turn.
ed into the bushes and let him pass
l hoped might induce them to push
on after this imaginary man and leave
me. But there was no such good luck.
Are you an officer in Company D 2
Yes siI !; Sergeant
sWill you give me the countersign,
Sergeant P
This question stalled me little, but
Immediately replied:
Il have no countersign. l have been
scouting for three days, and have not
been near the camp. have important
information for Gen. Marmaduke and
must not delay. Will you tell me the
road, so l cannot miss the way? Does
this right hand road lead TO our camp ?
Yes SIR
How far is it?'
About eight miles
Il must bid you good night, Captain. as it
| is i'm portant that should reach General Mar.
maduke's headquarters as soon as possible
4 guess you are all right, Sergeant; but
believe it is my duty to send you to head
quarters under guard; and if you prove your
self what you seem to be, it will te all right.
and my men will only be company for you.
Here, Sergeant Morfrid.' he continued, speaks
| ing to one of his men, Take five men and escort
this man to the headquarters of General Mar
maduke as soon as possible, and see to it that
he don't get away from you.
| All this time he had been holding my bride.
rein in one hand. Had it not been for this
| think should have put spurs to my horse
and trusted to his speed to carry me out o.
danger before this time; bat felt that now
was my time never. If | allowed mysel
| to become prisoner, my chances of escape
| would be less.
Sergeant continued the Captain to me, 'as
we are compelled to take you to camp as q
prisoner, you will deliver up your arms and
| su bmit to a search
All right answered. Here is my pistol,
and as l thrust the muzze Of it against his
hand, fired As soon as | fired his hold on
my bride loosened, and, putting spurs to my
horse, dashed down the left-hand road. fol-
lowed by volley of balls, and the shouts and
curses of tho entire party they came thun-
| dering after me.
had the utmost confidence in the superio,
speed and bottom of my horse, and felt almost
safe so long the road was clear and none o.
the flying balls struck me or my horse.
They kept up running fire. and their balls
whistied unpieasantly near. had not gone zoe
yards before felt stinging sensation in my
left shoulder and in a moment more my left arm
dropped powerless by my side. Still urged
my horse forward, determined, if possible, tc
escape. I could tell, by the firing and nois<
behind, that was rapidly gaining ground.
Suddenly the Whitewater River ap-