The Shasta courier., 1871-06-17
CHARLES MAsoN THE UNION SPY.

Who was Charles Mason, Of Peryville,
Penn sylvaniay OF Mason's origin, aud Of
his life prior to the rebellion, | know moth
ing. All that cab lean of him with cer-
tainty is, that he was hung as spy by the
rebels on the 22d of August, 1862, aud
by the Confederate accounts, performed
service and exhibited coolness-an intre-
pidity heroism-in its performance, aud
in his death, rivaling his celebrated proto-
rype-Nathan Hale-of the Revolution Of
l776. Charles Mason's name, therefore,
should not be permitted to die, nor his
.Zervice- and devotion go uuacknowledged
and uuhonored BY his count, ymen.
Rebel authority describes han as .
"palefaced, determined looking. and quick.
spoken person." with "two defective front
teeth" He was captured on the Rapidan,
near Culpepper Court House, during the
memorable campaign Of 1862, and-in his
"great stoicism"-his holiness, daring and
enterpris seems to have somewhat aston.
ished his rebel captors. His was a peri.
lous adventure, gallantly executed, and
heroically expiated. An Union soldier,
clothing himself in rebel gray uniform,
and boldly throwing himself into the very
center of the Confederate forces under
Lee. Jackson, and Longstreet, he among
his exploits upon meeting courier of
Lsngstreet's demanded: "Whose division
do you belong to?" "Longstreet's" The
courier asking in return: "Whose divi-
sion. do you beIoag Z" Mason replied
jackson s." Learning that the courier
had important dispatches Mason, placing
pistol at his breast, demanded and secured
the papers. 1t W S also charged upon his
court martial that he slew the courier
That be denied He said the man was
shot by party of marauding Texan
rangers.
His intrepid boldness was marvellous.
Riding up to the rebel Gen. Jones, at the
head Of one of Jackson's columns, he said.
General, am the chiet courier of Gen.
Jackson; he desired me to request ycu
to order you column to be reversed at once"
The order was accordingly given. Mason
next rode up to the colonel of regiment
of another column, and gave him the
same order. But the colonel hesitated.
He remarked IL am not in the habit of
receiving my orders from General Jack
son." Mason replied: "Well, sir, those
were my orders from him to you" The
rebel colonel, Lot being satisfied, asked:
Nv hat cavalry are you from ?" Mason an
swered: "1he Hampton Legion" Be-
Ing next asked "ln whose divi>i ion and
brigade is that 2" aud answering hesi:at-
ins.y, he Was arrested and searched
J TN his person besides lieutenant's
shou der straps, were found several papers,
iu shorthand and an abbreviated longhand,
embod, ing valuable information respecting
the rebel armies, and he was ordered be-
fore a drum-head courtmartial. Before
the tribaual he boldly avowed his character
as Union soldier-an Independent scout
of the Union Army. Nor did he deny
that he bad noted and reported to his Cen
erals the movements of the rebel armies
The rebel court martial found him guilty"
sentenced him to be hung, and the sentence
was executed by General Evans in the
presence of his brigade. Says rebel au-
thority: He met his fate with great
stoicism, and appeared perfectly satisfied
with what he had accomplished. Grand
Army Journal.