Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-22

Ial hiCi ltiltu III "oshJ
' hen the federal army occupied Culpep-
pei eourt house and the army lay IN Orange
county, Virginia, Gen Lee desired certain in
formation which it seemed could be best OBJ
tanned 10y an individual scout, and String
fellow was selected for the service. 1t WAS
necessary that he should penetrate the enc
my camps remaining concealed as long as
possible and return wien he had collected
the desired information. His Jperahoris
were to be conducted mostly at = /. He
wished to be accompanied by twes .den, one
of whom, Parrish by name, had his home III
the immediate vicinity of the enemy's camps,
and being intimately acquainted with all the
country, could accurately 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 MS scouts, not
spies. The country was difficult one Tor
the operations of the scout. From the long
and frequent occupation by both the contend
ing armies the land had been almost entirely
denuded of its timber, and only here and
there n few thin clusters of trees remained
standing One day had passed since they
had entered the enemys lines, and with
nightiall they commenced their wanderlngs
among the hostile camps, mainly with the
purpose of loca ing the diff, rent corps and
OF ascertaining whether any troops had been
detached from the amy of the Potomac.
The night had been nearly consumed in this
way, when, reaching one of the clusters of
trees of which l have spoken, they laid
themselves down to catch few moments
rest. A single blanket covered the three men,.
Treacherous, fntal sleepl Their fatigue was
. l.a, tttttl han.
they had supposed, and the sun was shining
bright in their eyes, when party of six fed
eral soldiers with their muskets in their
hands pulled away the blanket which covered
them, and saluted them with humorous
Good morning, Johnny Reb, wake up!
StrinGfellow lying on his back, was the first
TO arouse and to comprehend the situation.
knowing that an open attempt to seize his
arms would draw upon himself instant death,
he feigned 10 he only half awakened, and
much to the amusement of his tormentors,
turned upon his side, muttering and grum-
bling at being awakened, telling them to go
away and let him alone.
BY turning upon his side he gave to him
self the opportunity of placing his hand, un-
observed. upon the handle of his pistol and
in another second he sprang upon his feet
and opened fire. His companions Joined IN
the attack, and for a few moments the firing
was rapid and fatal The federal soldiers
stood their ground, but at such close quar-
tiers the musket was no match for the reyol-
Yer. There was no time to reload under the
quick eye of StrinGfellow, and once dis
charged the mushets were useless. y lew
seconds terminated the encounter, i'll which
Stringtellow found himself the sole survivor
of his party Parrish was killed; his other
comrade had disappeared, he knew not how;
four OF the federal soldiers lay dead ut his
feet, and the two others, having thrown down
Their empty guns. wtlc running Tor Their
lives. But though the victor i'll this fight,
perils multiplied themselves around him.
The trees among which he stood were sur
rounded on every sipe by open fields dotted
thick with the enemys tents, some at II dis
tance some close at hand. Concealment was
impossible and he must run for his life; but
run in what direction he might, enemies
would lie sure TO intercept his course for the
adjacent camps had been aroused by the firing,
and the soldiers who had escaped would he
sure to return with others TO avenGe the
death OF their comrades. At a distance OF a
few hundred yards, IL little branch made its
way through the open fields toward the river.
Its banks were frinCed with bushes, and
while it offered only an utterly forlorn hope.
Stringfellow turned toward 1t and ran lie
WIS httl Nv tnooe WIO nhl hlltdhE Nlhitth
Tor his capture; seen to cross the open heid;
seen to enter the brush on TIE bank Of the
stream. And now yindictiye shouts an
nounced that the enemy felt secure OF their
prey. But not so, Entering the bed oi the
stream a kind Providence guiding him to the
spot where the waters had followed ont for
him a hiding place, behind the roots OF an
old stump. Underneath this bank and be-
hind these 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 10y the water and
the mud, and awaited the result. From every
direction men were hurryIng to the spot with
the perfect assurance that the daring enemy
would soon be within their power. For long,
hours did scores of sturchers continue to eX-
anime every foot of the brush that lined the
stream. Many times did hostile feet pass
directly over Stringfellow's body, and once a
man more inquisitive than others. stopped,
while walking in the bed of the stream, to
examine the very spot where he lay. But
the driitwood which he had skilliullv
ranged for his concealmcnt deceived the man.
and he passed on without making the discuv-
ery. Toward afternoon the search slnckcned,
and by niGhtmll it was abandoned. But not
until the noise Of the camps were hushed IN
slumber did Stringfellow dare to leave his re-
treat. Then following for some time the
course OF the little stream, he passed III safe
ty out of the enemys lines, swan the Rap-
dan between the pickets, and, thankful to
God for his deliyerance. found himself once
more among his friends. [Stringiellow Is
now au Episcopal clergyman, of Virginia.