The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-24
Scout Life.

Scout Life.
AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE PERILs THROUGH
WHICH A BRAVE vIRGINIAN PASSED.
Major Mcclellan In Philadelphia Weekly Times.]
The second adventure which have prom
ised to relate occurred when the Federal
army occupied Culpeper Courthouse and
the Confederate army lay in Orange county,
Virginia. General Lee desired certain in
formation which it seemed could best be
obtained by an individual scout, and String
fellow was selected for the service. 1t was
necessary that he should penetrate the enc
my'S camps, remain concealed as long as
possible, and return when he had collected
thc desired information. His operations
were to be conducted mostly at night. lie
wished to be accompanied by two men,
one OF whom, Parrish by name, had his
home in the immediate vicinity OF the enc
my's camps, and being intimately acquaint-
| ed with all the country, could as accurately
guide him from place to place in the night
/ rs by daylight. The expedition was under
| taken 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 dlfii-
| cult one for the operations OF a scout.
From the long and frequent occupation by
both the contending armies the land mao
been almost entirely denuded OF Its timber,
and only here and there few thin clusters
OF trees remained standing. One day had
passed since they had entered the enemy>s
lines. and with nightfall they commenced
their wandcrings among the hostile camps,
mainly with the purpose of locating the
different 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 lay themselves down TO
catch a few moments rest. A single blank
ct covered the three men. Treacherous,
fatal sleep! Their fatigue was greater and
the night further spent than they had sup
posed. and the sun was shining bright IN
their eyes, when party OF SIX Federal sol
diers, with their muSketS IN their handS,
pulled away the blanket which covered
them, and saluted them with humorous
.'Good morning, Johnny Reb wake up
String1cllow, lying upon his back, was the
first to arouse and to comprehend the sltua-
ton. knowing that an open attempt to
seize his arms would draw upon himself in-
slant death, he feigned to be only half
awakened. and much to the amusement OF
his tormentors turned upon his side, NUT
tcring and grumbling at being awakened,
telling them to 60 away and let him alone.
But by turning upon his side he gave to
himself the opportunity Of placing his hand,
unobserved, upon the handle OF his pistol,
and in another second he sprang upon his
feet and opened fire. His companions
iojned in the attack, and for few moments
the firing was rapid and fatal. The Fede-
raj soldiers stood their ground, but at sucn
close quarters the musket was no match Tor
1 M III
under the quick eye Of Stringfellow, anu
once discharged the muskets were useless.
4 few seconds terminated the encounter, in
which Strinsfellow 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 at his feet; and the two others, having
thrown down their empty guns, were rum
ming for their lives.
RUN FOR LIFE.
But though victor in this fight, perils null
tiplied themselves around him. The trees
among which he stood were surrounded on
every side by open fields dotted thick with
the enemy's tents, some at distance, some
close at hand. Concealment was lmpossl-
Bile. and he must run for his life; but run
| in what direction he might, enemies Wouia
be sure to intercept his course, for the ad-
iacent camps had been aroused by the nrlnS,
and the soldiers who had escaped would be
sure to return with others to ayenge the
| death Of their comrades. At distance OF
few hundred wards O little branch made
it's way through the open fields toward the
river. It's banks were fringed with bushes,
and whileit offered only an utterly forlorn
hope, Stringfellow turned toward 1t and
ran. lie was seen by those who had already
started for his capture; seen to cross the
omen field: seen to enter the brush on the
bank of the stream. And now VlndIctlve
shouts announced that the enemy felt secure
of their prey. But not so! Entering the
bed of the stream, kind OF Providence
ruided him to spot where the waters had
followed out for him hiding place behind
the roots OF an old stump. Underneath the
bank and behind these roots he forced his
b ody, having hastily collected what drift
wood was within reach still further to con-
ceal his person; and there he lay, half
covered by the water and mud, and awaited
the result.
From every direction men were hurrying
to the spot with the perfect assurance that
the daring enemy would soon De "ltn!n
their power. For long, long hours did
scores OF searchers continue to examine
every foot of the brush that lined the
stream. Many times did hostile feet pass
directly over Stringfellow's body, and once
man, more inquisitiye than others, stopped,
while walking in the bed Of the stream, to
examine the very spot where he lay. But
the driftwood which he had skilfully ar.
ranged for his concealment deceived the
man, and he passed on without making the
discovery. Toward afternoon the search
slackened, and by nightfaI it was aban-
donea. But not until the noise OF the camps
was hushed in slumber did Stringfellow
dare to leave his retreat. Then following
for some time the course OF the little
stream, he passed in safety out OF the
enemy's line, swan the Rapidan between
the pickets, and, thankful to God for his
.deliYerance, found himself once more among
bis friends. s-a
SINGULAR FREAK AND CONSEQUENT DEATH
OF AN. INSANE MAS.--Phildde!phia, May
22.-As an engine belonging to the Phila-
delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore rail-
road was standing on the track on Wash
ington avenue this afternoon, and during
the temporary absence OF the engineer and
fireman, an unknown man jumped upon
the engine and startedit at full speed to-
wards the river-front. Two freight-cars
which were attached to the engine struck