Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-05-22

night TO all, lett the VesSefS side TOR
the shore in company with the other
boat. / landed my boat, and sending
her back TO the ship, started along
the road with Captain F. toward the
house, l noticed thai half dozen
sailors, armed with 8 Fngfeld mus
kets and navy revolvers, accompanied
us, but said nothing. On the road
we met a negro approaching from the
house, and to our query whether his
master was at home" he replied in
the affirmative.
The house was situated in large
yard, enclosed by fence, and so soon
as We arrived at the gate leading into
it, my companion said, "We will have
to part here. l am going in the house,
and when you see nae come out again,
90 at once to the stable, wherever it
is, and / guess you will find an ami
NAL there to suit YOU" The captain
then, with his squad of men, left me,
entered the house, and shortly after
reappeared, having a tall white man
with them, evidently prisoner, while
l quietly crept away towart! the rear
Of the house in the hope of
FINDING THE STABLE.
By the light which had been brought
to the door with the prisoner, 1 dis
covered couple Of negroes, who, 50
soon as their master-for it was he
had left, came in my direction. When
close to me hailed them, and though
considerably startled, they at once
came to me. told them that l was
an officer of the Union gun-boat at
harbor in the river, and desired q
horse to ride over to the Charles City
road and, as l did not know the
road, would like to have guide,
whom l would pay for his services.
One of the darkies, Passion by
name, said: eve only got leben
mules in the stable no hoss only
one, and dat's mare dat belongs TO
NASSAU, Nobody else dars ride him.
But I'll show you de road, sahl'
We went into the sable, ard Pas
sion, without scruple, soon had the
marc saddled for me, and throwing q
bride over tie neck of mule, we
both mounted, the other negro join
ing the crowd Of blacks who had been
attracted 10 the stable by the noise of
the conversation. We left the yard
and entered upon the road, but had
scarcely done so, when he came sud-
Denly across u negro riding u tremcn-
dous black mule, between whom and
Passion a whispered conversation con-
menccd. but which I summarily
checked by telling Passion to move on.
"Dis niggah will go long, NASSAU.
lie knows de road berry good
''Better than you?" l asked.
eyes. sab -
eco ahead, then and, mark you,
no deceiving me, or I'll bring you
down with this !'' and laid my hand
on my long navy revolver, drew it
from the holster, and pointed it at
them.
No more was said, and we Journey
ed on. AS we progressed
ALONG TIE ROAD
we met occasionally a man, some
times white, sometimes black, who
was travelling to see friend or nei gh-
Dor, to discuss the news and the ru-
mors of au expected battle 10 take
place the next day (Sunday), and tc
advise as to the course TO pursue.
The battle was to occur near Charles
City, and was to lie commenced by
the Confederatcs making an attack
upon our lines at that point. In two
or three instances windows were
hoisted, and females looking out,
would inquire of us as we passed
sswhat news? Will the battle take
place Tomorrow" Passion, who ap-
peared to be acquainted with every
body, would answer as he thought
best or according to my dictation
and there was SO much of this talk
about battle that as we neared oul
journeys end, l was much more
watchful, and paid especial attention
to the topography of the country
which, by the pale light Of the moon
just rising, 1 noted on paper, to be
handed to the Union commander, il
| got within the lines
SUDDEN ENCOUNTER.
We had traversed distance o
nigh fifteen miles, without encounter
ing single uniform of either color