American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-04-15
THE spy OF THE VALLEY.
BYAiFEDRRAL OFFICER.

lsitj BY A FEDERAL OFFICER.
IT was stationed at Winchester, Va,
as oneaof the officers of the post. The
commandant was a genial gentleman of
the volunteer force. He had been
brought up in mercantile life, and of
course had but little experience in mill
tary affairs. = His intelligence in general
matters was fully equal to the average,
and his courage was undoubted, for,
young as he was,i he had been several
times under fire, and had always be-
.haved gallantly. Il r-ff7sT q is,.,E
/ .sItwas known'that Stonewall Jackson,
with a,considerable body of cavalry and
infantry, and very large supply Of artil-
lery, forithat section, was on his march
up the valley. We could hear from him
occasionally at various points. Now and
then reports reached us of his successful
dashes. fises lsiii'75 .ilaeE5 g Iaf
r. We were placed, unfortunately, under
Ethe, disadvantage Of being surrounded
| by citizens to whom jackson was the
acknowledged hero and idol. He was
almost .worshiped by sinner and saint
alike -, -, - ,.. - -.
sswaait till Jackson comes,'' said one
old graybeard, as he leaned on hiscane.
Jackson's got God A'mighty's ear,
and you may depend ont, he's bound
to conquer. - -.
| !, !" They threaten to burn Winchester, -
was the news brought in one day by one
| of our soldiers. $50, zs.i ...-.z ...-...-.
+, $ They can't do it while Stonewall
jackson lives" was the quick reply OF
a bystander. t.a .~rlt- ss.sss.s.
"Why notP, r4.s +s.~s.-t5,s
ellis prayers will save u.s."
And that is the sort of hero he was
mighty in prayer-and 1. believe the
people thoughtmore of that than they
did of his battles. They seemed to have
perfect faith in his Christian character,
as indeed they well might, for, leaving
entirely out of the question his power
4 as a military leader, he was good
man. .fa -
The great want of our army at this
point was artillery. We had muskets
enough, sabers enough, horses and men
enough for immediate defense. But in
long-range guns we were lamentably
! deficient. 80 '@
|. We knew that if jackson should sweef
up the valley with his large park of Ma
poleons, our infantry, unprotected by
any Notifications, would be at his
mercy. Every movement we made was
likely to be discovered, and the infor
nation of it quickly furnished to the ad
vancing General. Even the pretty, deli
cate, boarding-school misses were
ready to do dangerous duty, and il
some cases did good service to theil
i cause. rs. ~. .s.-t
1t was glorious day when one morn
ing I. sailed from my quarters. Win
chester was full of gardens, and thu
trees were bright with birds, who sang
unchecked by any fear of approaching
danger. Very leisurely l went to thu
!; office of the commandant of the post
Every thing was arranged according t.
the usual military precision. The office
was seated at his desk in his inne
room. Opposite him sat stranger, I
beautiful young lady, dressed for {
) journey, and who was evidently using
, all her destinations TO attract and hole
; his attention. By her side was ayouth
5 Unlocking oficere-in the Union dress
who evidently was schooling himself t,
composure. My suspicious were a
once aroused that he was not what h
> seemed. -tr.
: The appearance of the lady was yer
striking. She was gesticulating grace
j fully as she continued her conversatio
with our commandant. Over her hand
: some face fitted bewitching smiles. Blu
there was 6xedness of purpose in he