The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-06-22
4 RUN FOR LIFE.
A THRILLING STORY OF a CoNFEDERATE
LIEUTENANT's ADVENTURE.

tThe Frank Stringfellow whose adveu-
ture is described i'm this extract has, since
the war, entered the ministry i'm the Pro
testant Episcopal Church. He was Gen.
Jeb Stralt's favorite servant.-ED.
The secoud adventure which | have
promised to relate occurred when the Fed
eral army occupied Cupepper Court House.
and the Confederate army lay in Orange
county, Virginia. General Lee desired ceI-
tain information which it seemed could
best be obtained by individual scout, and
Stringfellow was selected for the service.
it was necessary he should penetrate the
enemy's camps, remain concealed as LONG
as possible, and return when he had CO.
lected the desired information. His oper-
ations were to be conducted mostly a.
night. He wished to be accompanied by
two men, one of whom, Parrish by name
had his home in the immediate vicinity OF
the enemy's camps, and being intimately
acquainted with all the country, could ac-
cufately guide him from place TO place in
the night as by daylight. The expedition
was undertaken on foot, as the distance
was not great and concealment was Of
prime Importance. The men were clad in
their own uniform as scouts, not spies,
The country was difficult one for the op-
erations of a scout. From the long and
ing armies the land had been almost en-
tirely denuded of its timber, aud only here
and there a few thin clusters of trees re-
manned standing. One dav had passed
since they had entered the eiieinl' . lines,
an0 with nigbtfall they commenced their
wanderings among the hostile camps, tnains
Iy with the purpose of locating The differ
ent corps, and of ascertaining whether any
troops had been detached from the Army
of the Potomac. The night had been
nearly consumed in this way, when reach
ing one of the clusters of trees. of which !
have spoken, they laid themselves down
to catch few moments rest. 4 single
blanket covered the three men. Treacher-
nus, fatal sleepi Their fatigue was greater
aud the night was further spent than they
had supposed, and the sun was shining
bright in their eyes. when party of six
Federal soldiers, with their muskets in
their hands, pulled away the blanket which
covered them. and Saluted them with hu-
humorous Good morning. Johnny Rebi
Wake up " Stringfellow, lying upon his
back, was the first to arouse and to COM
prehend the situation. Knowing that an
open attempt to seize his arms would draw
upon himself instant death, he fcigned to
be only half awakened and much to the
amusement of his toiinentors turned upon
his side, muttefed and grumbled at being
awakened, telling them To . away aud let
nltb alDbe- DnI pN turning upon MS SlGe
he gave to himself the opportunity of plac-
ing his baud, unobseryed. upon the handle
of his pistol, and in anuther second lie
spraug upon his feet and opened fire. His
com panions Joined in the attack. and for a
few moments the firing Was rapid and fatal.
The Federal soldiers stood their ground,
bnt at such close quarters the musket was
no match for the revolver. There vas no
time to reload under the quick eye of
Stringfellow, aud once discharged the mus
kets were useless A few seconds termin-
ated the encounter, in which Stiingfellow
found himself the sole survivor of his marty.
Parrish was killed /; his other comiade had
disappeared, he knew not how four of the
Federal soldiers lay dead at his feet and
the two others, having thrown down their
empty guns, were running for their lives.
RUN FOR LIFE.
But though victor in this fight. neriis
multiplied themselves around him. The
trees among which he stooJi were surround
ed on every side by open fields dotted quite
thick with the enemy's tents, some close
at hand. Concealment was quite impossi-
bic, and he must run for is life but run in
what direction he might. enemies would be
sure to intercept his course, for the adia-
cent camps bad been aroused by the firing,
and the soldiers who had esca ped would be
sure tn return with Others to avenge the
death of their comrades. At a distance of a
few hundred yards, little branch made its
way through the open firlds toward the
river. Its banks were fTinged with bushes,
aud while il offered only an utterly forlorn
hope, Stringftllow turned toward it and
ran. He was seen 10y those Who had al
ready started for his capture seen to cross
the open field seen to enter the bush on
the bank of the stream. Ana nov vindic-
tive shouts announced that the enemy felt
secure of tleir prey. But not So Enter
ing the bed of the stream, a kind Provi-
dence guided him to a spot where the
waters had followed ont for him hiding
place, behind the roots of an old stump.
Underneath the bank ami behind thoss
roots he forced his body, having hastily
collected what driftwood was within reach
still further to conceal his person and
there he lay. half covered with the water
and mud and awaited the result.
From every direction men were hurry
ing To the spot with the perfect assurance
that the daring enemy woud soon Toe with
in their power. For long, long hours DID
scores of searchers continue to examine
every foot Of the brush that lined lie
stream. Many times did hostile feet pass
directly over Stringfellow's body and once
man. more inquisitive than the others,
stopped, while walking in the bed of The
stIeatn, to- examine the very spot where lie
lay. But the drift wood which he had skill
fully arranged tor his cnucealment deceived
the man, anG he passed on without maxi
ing the discovery. Toward afternoon rhe
search slackened, and by nightfall it was
abandoned. But not until the noise of the
camps was hushed i'm slumber did String
feluw dare To leave his retreat. Then fol-
lowing for some time The course of the
stream. he passed in safety ont of the
enemy's line, sNam the Rapidan between
the pickets aud. thankful to Cod for his de-
liverance, found himself once more among
his friends. -Aajsr McCieltan, Conjeler-
dfr, in Phiia. Nee@ig fines
y DANBrES couple hare hice liiile