Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-05-26
A RUN FOR LIFE.
A Thrilling story Of n Confederate
Lieu1enRBt's Adventure.

Major Mcclellan, Confederate, in Philadel-
phia Times
The Frank Stringfellow, whose
adventure is described in this ex-
tract, has since the war entered the
ministry in the Protestant Episco-
pal church. He was General Jeb
Stuarfs fayorite seryant.-ED.
The Second adventure which /
have promised to relate occurred
when the Federal army occupied
Oulpepper Courthouse, and the
Confederate army lay in Orange
county, Virginia. General Lee de-
sired certain information which it
seemed could best be obtained by an
individual scout, and Stringfellow
was selected for the service. 1t
was necessary he should penetrate
the enemy's camp, remain concealed
as long as possible, and return
when he had collected the desired
information. His operations were
to be conducted mostly at night.
He wished to be accompanied by
two men, one of whom, Parrish by
name, had his home in the imme-
.diate vicinity of the enemy's camps,
and being intimately acquainted
with all the country, could accu-
rately guide him from place to
place in the night as by daylight.
The expedition was undertaken on
foot, as the distance Swas not great,
and conceaIment was Of prime i'm
portance. The men were clad in
their own uniform as scouts, not
spies. The country was a difficult
one for the operations of a scout,
From the long and frequent occu-
patton by both the contending
armies the land had been almost
entirely denuded of its timber, and
only here and there a few thin clus-
ters of trees remained standing.
One day had passed since they had
entered the enemy's lines, and with
nightfall they commenced their
wanderings 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 reaching one Of the clusters
of trees, Of which | have spoken,
they laid themselves down to catch
a few moments rest. A single
blanket covered the three men.
Treacherous, fatal sleep! Their
fatigue was greater and the night
was further spent than they had
supposed, and the sun was shining
bright in their eyes, when a party
of Federal soldiers, with their mus
kets in their hands, pulled away
the blanket which covered them,
and saluted them with a humorous
"good-morning, Johnny Reb! wake
upw Springfellow, lying upon 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 to
be only half awakened, and much
to the amusement of his torment
ors, turned upon his side, mutter-
ing and grnmbling at being awak-
ened, 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 joined in
the attack, and for a few moments
the firing was rapid and fatal.
The Federal soldiers stood then
ground, but at such close quarters
the musket was no match for the
, revolver. There was no time to re
load under the quick eye of String
. fellow, and once discharged the
muskets were useless. A few
seconds terminated the encounter
in which Stringfellow found him
self the sole survivor Of his party
Parrish was killed; his other com
rade had disappeared, he knew no
how. four of the Federal soldier