Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-06-13
A REBEL SCOUpS ADVENTURE.
urprised While Asleep. He Makes
Desperate and Bloody Fighf--A
Strange HidingPIace and Wonder
Gen. Mcclellan in the Philade, phia Times.

Gen. Lee desired certain information
which it seemed could be best obtained
by an individual scout, and St1ingfellow
was selected for the service. It was
necessary that he should penetrate the
enemy's camps remaining 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 immediate
vicinity of the enemy's camps, and being
intimately acquainted with all the coun-
try, could accurately guide him from
place to place in the night as by day
light. The expedition was undertaken
on foot, as the distance was not great
and concealment of prime Importance.
The men were clad in their own uniform
as scouts, not spies. The country was
difficult one for the operations Of
scout. From the long and frequent oc-
cupation by both the contending armies
the land had been almost entirely de-
nuded of it's timber and only here and
there few thin clusters of trees remain
ed standing. One day had passed since
they entered the enemy's lines, and with
nightfall they commenced their wander
ings 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
l have spoken, they laid themselves
down to catch few moments rest. A
single blanket covered the three men.
Treacnerous, 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 six federal soldiers,
with their muskets in their hands, pulled
away the blankets which covered them,
ond saluted them with humorous Good
morning, Johnny Reb! wake upW'
Stringfellow, lying upon his back, was
the first to arouse and comprehend the
situation. Knowing that an open at
tempt to seize his arms would draw upon
himself instant death, he feigned to be
only half awakened, and, much to the
amusement of his tormentors, turned
upon his side, muttering and grumbling
at being awakened, telling them to 60
away and let him alone. But by turn
ing upon his side he gave to himself an
opportunity of placing his hand, unob-
served, 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 mo-
ments the firing was rapid and fatal
The federal soldiers stO d their ground,
but at such close quarters the musket
was no match for the revolver. There
was no time to reload under the quick
eye of Stringfellow, and once discharged
the muskets were useless. A few seconds
terminated the encounter, in which
Stringfellow found himself the sole sur
vivor of his party. Parrish was killed;
his other comrade had disappeared, he
knew not how; four of the federal SOL
diers lay dead at his feet; and the two
others, having thrown down their empty
guns were running for their lives.
But though victor in his fight, perils
multiplied themselves around him. The
trees among which he stood were sur
rounded on every side by open fields
some at a distance, some close at hand.
Concealment was impossible, and he
must run for his life; but run in what
direction he might, enemies would be sure
to intercept his course, for the adjacent
camps had been aroused by the firing, and
the soldiers who had escaped would be
sure to return with others to avenge the
death of their comrades At distance
of few hundred yards little branch
made it's way through the open fields
toward the river. Its banks were fringed
with bushes and while it offered only an
utterly forlorn hope. Stringfellow turn
ed toward it and ran. He was seen by
those who had already started for his
capture; seen to cross the open field seen
to enter the brush On the bank Of the
stream. And now vindictive shouts
announced that the enemy felt secure Of
their prey. But not SO! Entering the
bed Of the stream kind Providence
guided him to the spot where the waters
had followed out for him a hiding place
beneath the roots of an old stump.
Underneath this bank and behind 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 with the
water and the mud, and awaited the
result.
From every direction men were hurry
ing to the spot with the perfect assur-
ance that the daring enemy would soon
be within their power. For long, long
hours did scores of serachers continue to
examine every foot of the brush that
lined the stream. Many times did
hostile feet pass directly over Stringfel-
lows body, and once a man more inquis-
tive than others stopped, while walking
in the bed of the stream, to examine the
very spot where he lay. But the drift
wood which he had skillfully arranged
for his concealment deceived the man and
he passed on without making the discov-
cry. Toward afternoon the search was
abandoned. 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
Rapidian between the pickets, and,
thankful to God for his deliverance,
fOund himself once more amOno his