Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-05-03
3fiscellamu.
An Impromptu Spy.

The thought of being spy, being de-
tected and executed had always been
terror to my mind. When my COM
manding general desired me to enter
the enemy's camp and discover their
position, it was some time before l could
consent to SO hazardous an undertaking.
At last, through love of adventure, |
consented to act as an inlpromptu spy
Our army was at the time of which |
write, lying within few miles of Mems
phis, Tennessee, and / was thoroughly
acquainted with every square mile of
country, between us and the rebel army.
Procuring a complete disguise, l sue
ceeded in making my way inside the
rebel lines, though not without consider
able difficulty, and being within hairs
breadth of detection hundred times
The three days / was compelled to stay
in the enemy's camp, seemed like so
many centuries to me. Each moment
| knew might be my last; but l sue
ceeded better than / expected. AL
though l found suspicion occasionally
aroused, managed to ally it. With
an innumerable amount of difficulties, /
succeeded in making plot of the rebel
army and concealed it in the loose sole
of my boot. Then by stratagem, pro
cured pass mounting my horse, left
the camp, which to me had proved a
terror.
1t was early in the morning when l
left, and all went on well until toward
evening. when a squad of seven rebel
cavalry galloped down the road in my
advance. felt all my hopes sink as
they came up and demanded a halt /;
but was compelled to obey.
When asked who | was, and where
was going, / simply handed them my
pass from the commanding general of
of the Southern army.
"This may be all right, stranger"
said the leader, giant, black whiskered,
savage looking guerrilla; "but we
must search you nevertheless"
demonstrated against this, but a
pair of carbines were leveled at my
breast, and / was ordered to dismount.
Kno wing that resistance would be use
less-although l once grasped my re-
volver for that purpose-I sprang from
the saddle.
They first took of my hat and coat
In the pocket of the latter they found a
flask of brandy. which afterwards prov
ed very beneficial to me. When my
clothing had undergone a thorough in
vestigation, was commanded to draw
off my boots. Had they not deprived
me of my revolver, / should have re-
sisted the whole squad but as l was
disarmed, l could only submit. With
great reluctance / drew them of. The
chieftain thrust his hand in one, and rip
ped out the false sole, drew forth the pa
per that knew was my death warrant.
"A spy!" he hissed, and in an instant
could see the fiery glance of his men
turned iercely on me. say his men,
mean all but one, he, a youth of twenty
looked ON me with glance of pity rath-
er than hatred.
From that moment l knew my doom
was sealed. 1t seemed hard that one in
the bloom of youth as l was, should
meet with the horrible fate of spy
All the scenes of my past life flashed
before my mind. thought of home,
parents, brother and sisters, and what
would be their feelings on hearing of
my fate, and in spite of myself, groan
burst from my lips.
YOU'D ort to "a thought of that be-
FORE" growled the leader, doubtless con-
jecturing my feelings.
"Kill him Hang him p chorused
three or four of the most hostile. "a
spy's fate is death, and let him receive
the DOOM"
In an instant the fierce guerrillas
gathered about me- In tones of calm
ness that have ever puzzled me, | cried !:
"Hold on gentlemen Can you exc