The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-03-09
HisbOrough Highland County Ohio Thursday, g.

with some peril, six rounds Of ammunition
we're issued to each man. About 6 o'clocl
the bugler sounded "boots and saddle
We were soon mounted and drawn up IL
line in front of our quarters, when tn
Lieutenant proceeded to explain the objec
Of the expedition, with strict injunction
to secrecy. 1t appeared that information
had been received at headquarters that
young rebel Lieutenant had crossed owe
the Potomac from Virginia, the night be
fore, in a small boat, to visit his mothe
and sisters, who lived about ten miles be
low Us, and near the river. The informa
ton had been brought by one of the slave
from the plantation. Our orders were, Il
proceed to the house that night and max
the daring rebel prisoner. To raw soldier
who had never seen g real live rebel, thi
news was exhilerating, and we were anxious
to be of. The restless prancing and champ
ing of the restraining bits by our horses
attested that they too partook of the sam,
desire. The Lieutenant faced about ant
gave the command. "Attention By twos
to the right, trot, march 20 Away we went
spurs jingling, sabres rattling, and blacl
plumes streaming on the evening breeze
while visions of heroic actions among
bloody conflicts passed before our menta
sight.
After brisk gallop of four or five miles
the light of day had almost faded, wher
we slackened speed and began to feel oul
way more cautiously, keeping a sharI
lookout to the bushes skirting the road
fit hiding-places for unseen, lurking foes
Proceeding a short distance in this man
ner, we soon came upon a white man and
boy, both of whom we at once made
prisoners and kept under guard, to pre-
vent the discovery of our plans. We haC
not proceeded very far before we overtool
negro, with a basket of corn poised OF
his head, whom we obliged, also, to accom-
pany US for several miles, and point out t.
US the most direct road to the house 0
which we were in search, as he appeared
well acquainted with the neighborin,
country. He directed US to a road leadin,
through a dense pine woods, beyond which
we were informed, stood the house in ques
tion. We put spurs to our horses anC
dashed in on the gallop, and were soor
enVeloped in the most intense darkness
The moon had not yet risen, and no ligh
penetrated through the thick pine foliage
which in places nearly met above oul
heads. Not a sound broke the stiffness o
the night except the muffied clatter of on,
horses feet on the dry, feathery pint
leaves that carpeted the road, and occas
ionalIy the clatter of some careless rider.
scabbard against a comrades accountre
ments.
Ten minutes ride suf1iced to carry III
through the belt of woods, and we EN-
erged into open ground, when, at the low
command, "halty" we stopped and dis
mounted to wait for the moon to rise. We
were within few hundred yards of The
house, which was dimIy visible, as were
also two or three negro buts some distance
in the rear of the "great-house," as the
slaves term their masters residence.
council of war being held, it was decided
to send trusty man forward to one of tn,
slave huts to ascertain if our game hat
taken the alarm and broke cover, as vel
as the position of the houses, and Othel
matters necessary to the success of the ex
pedition. Sergeant John Spencer was in
structed to obtain the desired information
while we examined our arms and stood tC
horse, silent as the shadows that now be.
gan to creep around US, as the round DC.
tober moon rose slowly above the dark
tree-tops of the forest. A half hour went
slowly by, when Sergeant Spencer re-
turned and whispered, Gail right, boys
he's there, and no mistake'T A low com
mand was given to mount, followed by
"forward trot, march :" Away we went
on the charge, in fine style, across the
open field, straight for the house, but be
fore reaching it we were thrown into some
confusion by what I took to be at first 6
charge of rebel cavalry, but it turned ou
to be only the stampeding of five or siz
head of horses and mules, who, frightened
from their quiet moonlight ruminations
were scampering here and there witt
heads and tails given to the wind. The
Lieutenant, unable to resist the tempta
ton to possess these contraband articles
was wildly endeavoring to capture them
followed by nearly all the men. kept or
to the house, alone, thought, until
found my friend and comrade, Ross Big.
ney, close behind me, muttering his indig-
nation toward the officer in command. On
arriving at the front gate we hurriedly
dismounted, and hitcbed our horses, de,
termined to surround the house ourselves
as far as we could, and, if possible, rob
the Lieutenant of the laurels of victory. ]
stepped to the front door, while Bigney
went round the house and stood at the
back door. Rapping loudly with the hilt
of my sabre, and bringing it to the posi-
tion of ''tierce point" awaited an answer
to the summons. Presently the door was
opened, disclosing rather good-looking,
middle-aged lady, with a light in her
hand, while timidly peering over her
shoulder was handsome young girl.
Starting at the sight of an armed soldier,
she calmly inquired:
''Nlay I ask the cause of this intrusion
on the privacy Of unprotected ladies at this
unreasonable hour?"
eyes, madam" replied, "our business
is with your son, Lieutenant Sedley Hsslitt,
of the rebel army, and is very urgent. Can
we see him at once?"
ayes, you can see him. Come in, and
will call him. He has retired, somewhat
indisposed. Are you an officer ~
eyes, madam" I replied respectfully,
"High Private, Co. d.
"Who is your officer, and where is hep"
she inquired.
"Lieutenant Moffatt, of Gen. Sickles' es-
cort, +" replied. "He is at present, be-
lieve, out in the field there, trying to lay
hold of some Of your fractions mules and
horses"
"Dear me! What shall I y" she asked
pitifuIly.
"Send for your son." I said, somewhat
out of patience with her temporizing policy,
81 fo.-3v,r- tt,,t al --,. $, - -;obt