The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-08-24


tain Burns, as he rode away to join his
departing company. l was now alone
with Lieut.. Scott. He was a fire look
ing soldier, and could see by his coun-
tenance that he felt keenly the indig-
nifty with which Captain Burns had
treated him by putting him in IRONS
"Well, Lieutenant" said ], "I am COM
missioned to take you to General Rip
ley. I don't like to see man in irons,
and if you will promise not to try to
get away I will free you from your
bonds" .Isaal
~ promise nothing, sir" said the sol
der, with all a naughty Southron's
pride. -.s..
looked for a moment at the man
before me, and then determined to free
him. He had refused the promise !
asked, and I was glad. was satisfied
he was above treachery.
"Then you," said Scott, "you are
kinder than that brutal captain, who l
hope to meet once more"
This was said with quiet menace
that BODIED no good for Captain Burns.
1t WAS about ten o'clock when we
took the highway for Richmond, the
headquarters of General Ripley. Lieut..
Scott soon lost his reserve, and we
spent the long ride in pleasant con-
verse. By the time we got to Rich
mond, S P. ~, we were on good terms,
considering our different positions.
I reported to General Ripley, who
Immediately ordered Lieut.. Scott into
close confinement.
''He is a spy" said the General, eve
will have to dec] promptly with these
guerrillas."
Twas sorry for the prisoner, but knew
that anything said in his favor would
do him no good so l delivered him to
the Provost Marshal. visited him Of
ten in his prison, and did what ! could
to make his confinement endurable.-
Confinement to spirit like his was
very irlsome. Two weeks after enter
ing the prison he made desperate eff
fort to escape. .
He knocked down the sentinel who
guarded the door, and rushing out seiz-
ed an officers horse and, before hand
could be raised to check him, was III
the saddle and gone. 1t was broad
daylight, and hundred soldiers wit
messed the act of daring recklessness. -
A hundred shots were fired at the fugi,
tive, one of which struck his horse
| though at first it did not seem to check
his speed. Half q company of cavalry
were soon in pursuit, and, after losing
three of their numbers, succeeded il
shooting him down. 1t was the only
way they could capture him, as every
time they asked him to surrender he
answered with the revolver he had ia
ken with the horse. He was carried
back to Richmond and, while insensi
BILE, was again thrown into prison.
now went to General Ripley and asked
and after some difficulty obtained, per
mission to take him from the prison +
a building used as a hospital for the of
ficers of the Federal army. The cyan
keen ladies in the town often yisite'
this hospital, bringing delicacies to til
sick. One day, while l was sitting b.
the bedside of Scott, Alice Ripley, il
company with another lady, eatere
the room. Not having seen Lieut.
Scott before, they of course must lsno'
all about him. / told them of his gal
liant defence when first surprised, an
of his subsequent daring attempt to es
cape. Ladies always like brave mel
and the sympathies of Alice and he
young friend were quickly aroused
3 favor of the wounded man. They CAV
: me literally of the fruits and cake
, they had with them. When SEQ
| awoke presented him what they ha
: left, and told him who left them.-
: ''Many thanks to them," said he; ''the
: have more generosity than l gave IL
e Yankees credit for" "Alice Ripley
: an angel" 1 replied. Two days afte
q ward the same ladies made anoth'
:, visit to the hospital. The first ca
they made was in the ward where Lieu
h Scott lay. happened to be with hi
7 again. I introduced the ladies to hil
They conversed a few minutes wi
him, and then presented him bask
= of wine and cakes. Their story W
" brief, and their conversation me
= nothing; but when the ladies we
y gone, l noticed that the Lieutena
seemed much better than he was befo
81 their visit. "That Miss Ripley is
S. beautiful girl" said he to me. "Y'
y and as. good as she is beautiful" l
/ piled, and then began to give him
: catalogue of her many good qualities.
y The Lieutenant looked at me wi
IN smile, and said: "Stood, Pope, OF
l. shall think that these presents We
he for my nurse instead of me-" ste
TO ped confused for l thought he saw IL
tt loved the lady that had pleased b