The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-01-19
A COur1er's Escape.
BY c. o. GODFREY.

ID - W. OOOE AAD
From the Banner of the South and Plan
ter's journal.
1t was dark, rainy night. l had just
entered my tent, when the sergeant of the
guard came and said that General Hamp-
ton 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 sergeant said
that the General seemed agitated. On
reaching the tent the General dismissed
the sergeant and we were alone.
"Sit down, Pete; | have important
business that must be transacted immedi-
ately. 1t is an undertaking of great
danger-danger; but rknew thatI could
depend upon you"
"Of course you can, General, answer
ed 1.
81 knew it, 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 out of
ten that you will be either killed or cap
tured, so you can decide"
"Gen. Hampton did you ever know
Pete Veldbinger to shirk from anything
that pertained to the good of his coun-
try%
''No, Pete, 1 never did," ans wered i,
grasping my hand.
This was one of the proudest moments
of my life. To be grasped by the hand
by Wade Hampton! 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 l
left the tent Getting my six-shooter and
rifle, fixed my saddle on my horse, and
giving the countersign, l was outside the
Confederate lines.
/ made the first twenty miles of my
journey without meeting with any adven-
ture / was now in the lines of the enc
my. / 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. 1 expected to
get fresh horse here. The house SEEM
ed quiet as dismounted, SO / knocked at
the door, which, after being hailed, was
opened by Bill himself.
"Why, is that you, Pete ?" exclaimed
Bill.
eyes, hereI am" answered I.
-o=@ Co. l.ffIo tina op1 81
so get fresh horse"
"All right" said Bill, sand in the
meantime will send John (his SOM out
to keep watch"
After seeing that my horse was proper
ly housed, reentered the room. / had
just seated myself, when John entered
the room, pale as death
''The Yankeesl the Yankees!" was
all he could say.
Chow near are they ?" asked I.
''About quarer of a mile from here. "
"Quick, in the loft !" shouted Bill, and
he pushed me toward a ladder. / as
cended, and found myself in a kind of
loft. The house consisted of two rooms
below, and the lofi extending the whole
length of the house. The floor of the
1O1t WIS COVereQ Win loose DOarQS. i
hadn't been in the oft long before there
came laundering rap at the door.
"Who is there 2 inquired Bill.
"Open the door, and you will see, " was
the answer.
Bill opened the door, and seven Yam
KEGS entered the room. They seated
themselves 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 vas instantly q scene
of confusion but ore, quicker than the
rest, pulled out his pistol and fred at
me, but the shot missed me, and, gain
ing my feet, drew my six-shooter and
fred. The man that had fred at me
dropped dead. Firing my other barrels,
rushed out of the door, and seizing
one of the enemys horses, I reached
D. In safety. / learned afterward
that had killed two and wounded two
of the enemy.