The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-06-20
TIE MAlOEN'S RUSE.
- TALE OF THE Rebellion.


While the various divisions of our army Ia,
confronted by the victorious rebel hordes be
fore Missionary Ridge and Lookout Noun
tain, like the separate limbs of an immense
cable that only needed the finishing blow OF
the artisan to weld them together and crush
rebellion within its coils, it often became nee
essary to obtain communication between the
various bodies, and as it could only be done
by means of personal daring and bravery,
many were the instances Of herosm display
ed, and escape from death made, one of which
It's proposed TO recount.
W2en gallant "Old Joe Hooker" and his
force were encamped below the Thousands of
rebels thu defiantly and in fancied security
looked down upon them, and patiently await
ed the time 10 strike the blow tn at would rem
der them ever remembered, ard inf1ict NOR
Lai blow upon trease2, ii was found to be very
important that's despatch be sent to an officer
IN command OF force separated from him,
n order that his communications be kept
open, and TO enable them to act in concert
when the time for action arrived The gen
eral accordingly sent for the commandant
OF one Of his most distinguished regiments,
and inquired of himif there was a man in
his command who would be apt to be success.
tul IN the undertaking.
Yes" was the reply, after moments re-
Election; send for Captain Delaney. He will
'GGS, II II can be done"
"What sort OF person is he?" inquired the
General
~ nan Of fine, soldierly appearance, brave
and resoute as well as cautious, modest and
unassuming," was the reply.
Upon being summoned to headquarters,
Capt Charles Delaney signified his utmost
urill Ia, l., hat raJ
Ofhim and after receiving his dispatches and
what instructions could be given him in re-
gard 10 the course that he was to pursue,
mounted upon trusty horse, he started upon
Liz dangerous mission.
Upon careful deibcration he concluded
that be would gain nothing by attempting to
disguise himself for he doubted his ability to
appear Ike traitor under any circumstances,
and ii lie fell, he wished 30 do so in his true
character Of soldier of the Union.
Carefully aud cautiously he wendell his
way through the dense forest through which
MS route lay, for his only chance Of success
lay IN avoiding the open country. He felt
that the chances were against him. for the
country was filled with bodies of rebel
troops both regular and guerrilla but resolv-
ca 10 use his best endeavors to accomplish
his design.
For several miles he proceeded safely, al
though often hearing rebel scouting parties
passing upon both sides of him. About half
the distance 10 his place of destination was
passed over, when as he was going through
dense growth Of small timber, he was sud.
denly startled by the rising of band of men,
while score OF rifles were pointed at him.
anu me voice OF the leader of the gang sum
moned him 10 surrender.
Inc ready blade of Captain Delaney was
az once in his hand; but, although as brave
man as ever drew a sword, he saw that II,
had lallcn INTO an ambuscade and was com
pletely surrounded. There was not the SLIGHT
est chance 10 escape, and he realized tina
resistance would be useless; so he made
virtue OF the necessity that existed, and su,
rendered his sword and pistols, which wer
at once taken from him, his arms frmi
bound, and horse led TO where those Of n
captors had been fastened
The appearance Of the rebel ,roops that
had seen was such that he supposed he WI
surrenderlng to body of their regularly q
gained troops; but he soon found that iii,
were al least acting as guerrillas, for they
once commenced debating what dispositi,
they would make of him His death m.
were all agreed upon, but divided in opini,
as TO whether he should be shot or hance
A number Of them proposed to bind him
q tree for the sake of having some target rr,
tice, but were overruled by their leader, wl
declared
shooting is too good for the occurs
Yankee"
"Blt we have no rope TO hang him Will
interposed one
Il propose" saldanother, who appeared
be second in command, "that we ride over
Dayenports with him. We csa procure
rope there, and one Of those trees in his ff,
yard viii do well to swing upon; and tn
again his daughter will undoubtedly best
her smile OF approval upon you for yC
bravery in capturing this fellow, for rep