The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-09-23

crawl from the water and up the bank Oh
all fours. Had there been picket on the
bank, l should have been captured then
and there, for could not but help cry out
as my knees came in contact with the
sharp stones. However, got over the
bank, crawled under small tree, and in a
few minutes had donned my clothing
Quite sure that there was no one in the i'm
mediate vicinity, 1 danced up and down
until my blood got to circulating again,
and then was ready to move forward.
The reader will have noted that meant
to play the role of Confederate officer.
Knowing that I might be asked the loca-
tion of my regiment, and for what reason
I was travelling around, had written my
self the following pass
s.g1l3 tsa su. "April 10th, 1864.
g Pass George M. Chaplin, 1st Lieutenant
Co. b., 10th Virginia Infantry, to Rich
mond and return. Good for thirty days.
Lieutenant Chaplin is hereby assigned to
duty in the Quartermaster's Department
at the headquarters of General Long
streets division, and will report at the ex-
piration Of his leave Of absence"
had seen the signature of General Lee
several times, and put his g. fist'' to the
document with grand flourish. had
also taken care to write the pass in a
cramped hand, so that l was hardly able to
read it myself when finished. Of course
the document was informal, and drawn up
altogether unlike regular furlough Oh
leave of absence, but depended almost
altogether on the influence which the sig
nature would have with pickets, sentinels,
or any one else who had authority to de-
mand my document. On similar pass
signed by General Grant, could have
made the round of the Union army, and
passed every picket. Much more would
depend upon my conduct than the sight of
the pass.
l was ready at last to proceed on my
way, and stepped off in the darkness
toward the town. knew that the village
was held by strong force, there to guard
the ford, but / plodded along with the step
of a soldier safe within his own lines, and
soon entered the eastern outskirts of the
village, without having encountered sim
gle person, as there were no pickets out in
that direction, or l was lucky enough to
pass them, if any were there. Getting into
the town, found plenty of soldiers and
civilians abroad. The hotel was full Of
men, there was a saloon or two where SOL
diers were drinking, and ran across them
at every point. Passing by the hotel two
or three times, and seeing that the bar
room was crowded, and hearing the men
talking in loud tones, as if arguing some
matter, I concluded to go in. There was
nothing hazardous in the project, for it
was not likely that any one would give me
particular notice SO long as was listener
and not a disputant. Waiting near the
door until saw two soldiers about to pass
in, joined them, and we all went in to-
gether. The room was full of tobacco
smoke, nearly every one was drinking, and
took a seat by the stove, without attract
ing any notice.
"The war" was the topic of conversa-
tion with every one. Some believed that
peace would soon come, others that the
South was getting badly worsted, and must
quickly submit, and some of the disputants
displayed considerable temper. A little
ragged darkey stood near me, and l sent
him to the bar for some cigars. When he
returned offered one to sergeant OF
cavalry who sat next to me, and after we
had commenced smoking conversation
began He addressed me as "Lieuten-
ant" and had not the least suspicion that
was other than Confederate officer.
However, my face was new to him, and he
presently inquired:
"You are from up the road, are you
not ] do not remember of having seen
you down here before"
eyes" Ireplied, "my regiment is in
quarters near Old Tavern, and am, on a
furlough. Do the Yanks over the river
bother you much this winter ?"
mot much, but we look for lively times
next month. 1t seems to be generally m
derstood that Grant will try to go to Rich
mond by this route when tho campaign
opens, and If you have just come down the
road, you saw what preparations have been
made to defend the route. was up at
Mine Run few days ago ON furlough, and
think the Yankees will have hot work
when they come this way"
II was evident that the Confederates
realized the necessity of holding every
foot of the road, and tho sergeant's talk
led me to believe that 1t was being forti-
fled, and the number of defenders increas-