Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-01-10
A COURIER,S ESCAPE.
By Q. 0. GODFREY.
From YSall the Banner Of the South and Planters


From the. Banner Of the South and Planters
1t was dark, rainy night. had just
entered my tent, when the sergeant of
the guard came and said that General
Hampton, wanted me. knew that it
must be important business that would
make Wade Hampton call man out of
his tent such night as this. The SER
geant said that the General seemed agi-
tated. On reaching the tent the Gene
raj dismissed the sergeant and we were
alone. ~
Sit down, Pete; have important bus
mess that must be transacted immediate
ly Itis an undertaking Of great dan
gerT-danger; but l knew that 1 could
depend upon you."
b. 20 course you can, General, an
swered /. 6e6tI
II knewlit, Pete, answered he, "and
that is the reason | sent for you The
fact is, there are some dispatches that
must be at D. by tomorrow night.
The distance is fifty miles, and is
through the lines of the enemy. ! tell
you plainly that there is nine chances
ont Of ten that you will be, either killed
or captured, so you can now decide. boo
Gen. Hampton, did you ever know
Pete Veldbinger TO shirk from anything
that pertained tothe good of his coun-
tryY'
I" No, Pete, Inever did, answered he,
grasping me by the hand.
This was one Of the proudest moments
of my life. To be grasped by the hand
by Wade Hamptonl / would not have
exchanged places with the richest man
in the Confederate States. With such
men as the immortal Lee, Jackson, John
ston, Beauregard and Hampton, it is not
strange that the war for the independ
ence of the Confederate States of Amer
lea should astonish the whole world.
"Well, here are the dispatches. You
must start in an hour. May you return
in safety" and taking the dispatches |
left the tent. Getting my six-shooter and
rifle, l fixed my saddle on my horse, and
giving the countersign, | was outside the
Confederate lines.
l made the first twenty miles of my
journey without meeting with any ad-
venture, was now in the lines of the
enemy / determined to stop at the
house Of Bill Reilly. Bill had professed
to have our cause at heart; but did not
side openly with either party. / ex-
pected to get fresh horse here. The
house seemed quiet as dismounted, so
| knocked at the door, which, after being
hailed was opened by Bill himself.
why, is that you, Pete?" exclaimed
Bill.
"Yes, here / am, answered l.
II wish to rest for little time, and
also get fresh horse" #nn,s
"All right" said Bill, "and in the
will send John (his SOM out
to keep watch"
After seeing that my horse was prop
erly housed, l re-entered the room. |
had first seated myself, when John en-
tered the room pale as death
"The Yankeesl the Yankees was
all he could say. ,
How near are they2" asked /.
about q quarter of mile from here"
Quick, in the loftp' shouted Bill,
and he pushed me toward ladder. |
and found myself in kind of
loft. The house consisted of two rooms
below, and the loft extending the whole
length of the house. The floor of the loft |
was covered with loose boards | hadn't |
been in the loft long before there came a |
rap at the door.
eWho is there2p inquired Bill.
"0pen and you viii see, was the an
swer.
Bill opened the door, and seven Yam
KEGS entered the room. They seated
around the fire without any
ceremony. In my haste to get a good |
look at them stepped on loose board,
and was instantly precipitated into the
room below. All was instantly scene
of confusion; but one, quicker than the
rest, pulled out his pistol and fred at
me, but the shot missed me, and, gain
ing my feet, l drew my six-shooter and
fred The man that had fired at me
dropped dead. Firing my other barrels,
rushed out Of the door, and, seizing
one of the enemy's horses, / reached !
D. in safety. / learned afterward
that had killed two and wounded two
of the enemy i1f aaq