The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-06-27

seven nOrScS. thrcc others having escaped,
when seemingly within their clutches Ar
irving at Ceder Hill, they were cordially
welcomed by the family and gladdened by
the sight of several young ladies, who had
assembled for dance with their rebel
friends The family had long list of
wrongs to rccite, for the Federal cavalry
had passed by the house during the day,
had searched it, plundcrcd it, eaten up the
Christmas dinner and drank the brandy
The scouts bcmoaucd their hard fate, which
proved not SO bad after all, for the kind
hostess had saved enough to make them
comfortable, including material for an old
fashioned apple toddy and they were soon
seated around a huge Christmas fire, which
roared and cracked in the open fire place,
occasionally sending shower Of sparks
among the merry group, making the girls
scream as they shook them from their
homcspun dresses, symbols of the spirit
which inspired them to bear all privations
for the sake of the cause which their friends
had espoused. Mcrrily talking and sing
ing, with occasional whispers of fond dcvo-
ton, the hours flew swiftly by until the
clock struck II. With a good night glass,
perhaps more than one, for each fair lassie,
the scouts retired and were soon dreaming.
A NIGHT ADVENTURE.
About 3 o'clock the scouts were awak-
cncd by violent knocking at all the doors,
accompanied by a demand to have them
opened or they would be broken down.
'The Yankees have surrounded the house.
Dick ~ exclaimed Claiming springinS out
of the bed. lIurryiug on their clothes,
| they threw a number of pistols under the
| bed, and, taking one with them they stop
ped to the window to listen. The night
was dark, but they soon found that large
force was in the yard and at every door
cutting off all chances of escape from below
The window of their room opened upon the
tin roof of porch, and they concluded
they might possibly escape by getting out
upon it aud by lying close to the house in
order to avoid detection. Noiselcssly rails.
ing the window they stepped upon the roof,
which, being covered with slect, cracked
beneath their tread, revealing their pres
ence to their enemy below. Clck--click,
went inuumcrablc carbincs and revolvcrs
ard Surrender, you ID rebel; if we
hear you move you arc dead man. was
yelled from below. Smith, in response
threw them his pistol, and scramble "a
sued tor it, In the meantime an Off
had entered the bed room, and stepx
back into it the Contederates yielded fnen,!
selves prisoners to the Eight Illinois Cav
airy. Descending the steps they cntei>,
the room which, but three hours bcfory,
had echoed with mirth and irolic, where
they found the ladies sscmblcd-thc mother
and sisters of Lewis being in tears. "Well,
gentlemen" said Smith, lit seems cruel to
50 rudcly awaken us from our oSNsxSt drcItr,
to- 90 out into the cold night -9e\>-os
is the fortune of war;" and bidding\ ~
adieu, the scouts followed their cE
into the yard. 10 their surprise andy
the two scouts found their own horses 81 4
died and prepared for their use Thee
hearts lcapcd to the mouths, for alread :.
they felt irec-both horses being rcmarka-
bic for speed and bottom. Conccaling thnir
delight, however, Smith said: Cant some
of you Yanks give me spur to gougc along
this old rip 1t is a broken down horse
left behind by some Of your cavalry" No
ouc responded and he thea begged some
one from the house to bring him one Ar
irving at the barn they discovered several
companies who had remained there while
their comrades on foot had surrounded the
house. The prisoners were placed about
the centre Of the column, and man was
ordered to ride on either side of them 20
prevent secapc. Aitcr they had ridden
about Il quarter Of II mile, u Yankee reached
out and said to Smith: Johnny, let's
swap hats and before he could reply it
was jcrked from his head and Il ragged one
clappcd on in its place. The scout protested
against the indignity and said he wouldn't
do them so. But in the meantime he had
made up his mind to escape, and that right
speedily. So. after passing Little George
town and getting opposite largo field,
he struck his horse with his heel, who
bounded off like rocket, his rider cxclaim-
ing "Good-night," and flying toward the
mountains, was followed by score of ran
dom shots and curses.
WITHIN AN INCH 0? HIS LIFE.
Gaining rapidly upon his pursucrs, scuG-
ding across a field, he came suddenly upon
a broad, open ditch. Ills horse slipped up
on the CLASSY, ice covered ground and rolled
over, almost crushing his rider. Fortunate
ly he held to the bride, but it was some
time before he could rcmount La the
| H.,