The Van Buren press., 1871-11-21
Gen. Lee and His Troops.

battle around Richmond, which ended il
McClelan's retreat 10 the James at IIar
rsons Landing, had business at head
quarters, then established about thre'
miles out of Richmond On my arriva
! | learnsd that Gen. Ice had been called
to tswn by President Davis, but woult
return about noon. BY the time he cam,
half dozen generals we're waiting FOL
him. He saw them one at time, ant
dispatched their business, and they de
parted My business required me tt
wait till written order could be prspar
ed me. During this time fine looking
stalwart soldier came in, dressed in /
dirty shirt and trousers, and with al ole
slouch hat in his hand. The Genera
accosted him thus:
"Well, my man what can do fo
youi"
| General, have come straight (,
headquarters 10 ge, 'hs3dgh for feg
days
The General said Dout you kuop
have ISSUED general order that no fur
| loughs eau be granted ST this time p
Yes; that order was read at dress
parade last night, and that's the reason
have come to you, for l knew it was nc
use for ms to apply through my captair
aud colonel
"Then do you expect me to be the frs
to disregard my own orders y
"Yes, General and II you will lister
to me. think you will do it. "
~ ell, let me here what you have tc
say.
"You see, General, | am from Tho
eastern shore of Maryland ! left my
wife and children there last GUNNER or
my farm with plenty OF 'uiggers' TO sup
port them well, and came over and vol
untsored for the war. have been in al
the fights, and have never been absent q
day from duty. got letters from home
now and then, and everything has been
going on well tiIl lately Here is letter
from my wife, brought over lately by
soma scouts, and she says since the Yam
KEGS have got TO scouting about there,
the negroes are doing badly, aud she
thinks they will run away, Now, Gen
eral, am in for the war, and my wife
backs me in it, butyou see, il lose them
'niggers' it will leave my wife and chill
dren in a mighty bad fix. want fur
lough for about a week. know
where ] can get a boat aud some help,
and I'll 60 over there some dark night
and bring the niger men over here and
hire them out to support my family. My
,,,ini vpill than ha and III
ask for another furlough. Now, Gener-
al, take the thing home to yourself, and
you can't refuse me. know.
The General directed him to wait on
the porch outside, and he would think
about it. The man retired and the Gen
remarRett 10 'lihgonF .Sayeral times. and
hard case The mao is evidently honest
and truthful, and am sure he is a good
soldies. and the poor fellow is in great
trouble But | cant violate my own or
ders and give him furlough" After
some reflection, he remarked, 81 have
it, and called to one of his staff and
said, Ascertain that mans name, com
pany and regiment, and make an order
detailing him for secret service across
the Potomac for ten days" lie then in
formed the soldier what he had done,
and directed him to cross the river to
procure all the information he could. and
before his return he might make his own
arrangements about his negroes; and
when he came back to report any infor-
nation he obtained from the enemy at
headquarters.
1t was this sort Of interest in his men
that endeared him so much II them. At
the time Of this incident his mind wa
occupied with the great events OF the
two preceding weeks, and, With his Gen
erals and the Cabinet at Rtchmond, he
was doubtless absorbed with The gsryest
public question, and yet he took time to
here a soldiers story of family troubles,
and actually to invent was to relieve
him without imparng his discipline
Imboden in The GALAXY.