The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-06-04

and he then begged some one from the
house u to bring him one. Arriving
at the barn they discovered
several companies who had re-
NAMED 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 to prevent escape. After they
had ridden about quarter OF mile
Yankee reached over and said to Smith:
Johnny, let's swap hats" and before he
could reply it was jerked from his head and
ragged one clappcd on in its place. The
scout protested against the indignity, and
said he wouldn't do them SO! But in the
meanwhile had made up his mind to escape
and that right speedily. So after passing
Little Georgetown and getting opposite
q large field he struck his horse with his
heel, who bounded off like rocket, his RI
der exclaiming, "Good night" and, flying
toward the mountains, was followed by q
score of random shots and curses
WITHIN AN INCH OF HIS LIFE.
Gaining rapidly upon the pursuers, scud-
ding across field, he came suddenly upon
a broad open ditch. His horse slipped up
on the CLASSY ice-coyered ground and roll
ed over, almost crushing his rider. Fortu.
nately he held to the bride, bnt it was
some time before he could remount. In the
mean time the gallant Eighth had almost
gotten up but Smith putting his horse at
an easy gallop, was soon out Of sight, and
in half an hour once more at Cedar Hill
To discover if the coast was clear he whis-
tied softly an air which had been agreed
upon as a signal in their midnight scouts
and soon the the door was opened and
heads peered out into the darkness. Call
ing in low tone they soon came crowding
around with joyful congratulations. But
their joy was mingled with sorrow, for
son and brother was still. in the hands of the
enemy. Feeling confident that Lewis would
manage to escape, his companion did what
he cou Id to comfort them, and sure enough,
in two hours he rejoined his family and
gave this account of himself: "When Smith
bolted from the column Lewis was told that
he would be shot if he moved. But he as
sured his captors that he was too badly Grip.
pied to attempt anything of the sort, having
had his knee-cap shattered by q minnie
ball in the Wilderness. They then started,
with two men riding by him with their PTS
tolls drawn to shoot if he made the slightest
movement that looked to escape. The col
umn proceeded toward the plains and the
Manassas railroad, and upon crossing Broad
Run turned to the right toward Hopewell
Gap. Watching his opportunity, Lewis
spurred suddenly to the left and before they
realized the situation was fifty yards away
moving at speed of AS. Suddenly his
horse floundered up to the saddle-girth in
the mud, vainly struggling to extricate
himself. Finding he would be caught,
with wonderful agility tor cripple, Lewis
rolled off and laid down in the bushes on
the edge of the stream. The horse, re-
lieved of his weight, struggled out and flew
up the railroad. Terrified by the rafting
voleys fired after him, after he distanced
his pursuers-who, of course, thought his
rider was on him, and did not halt until
safe upon Pignut mountain, where he was
found few hours later, none the worse for
his exciting race"
Shortly after this adventure Claiming
Smith was rendered commission in Mos
by's battalion of Partizan Rangers, where
he served to the close of the war.