The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-07-31
Sheridan 1t Winchester.
ICorr espondence Detroit Free Pres

(Corr espondence Detroit Free Press ]
WASHINGTON, July 3.-The COnieder-
ates had it all their own way for y long
time 10 the valley, and Grant was be-
ginning to fear q mistake had been made
in placing Sheridan there. The south.
ern army were massing about Winches-
ter, evidently for another invasion Of
Maryland. Affairs had . discouraging
outlook for the Federal army's march
ing and lighting had ended invariably
in Q retreat.
AN EVENING CALL.
A round moon, warm and golden,
shone on the quaint old town OF Win
chester, Va, one evening IN the mid
die of September, 1864. In the vine
covered porch OF . house, whose broad
broodung roof enveloped it in sOmbre
shadow, sat . brown haired, haze!-ey cd
girl waiting for visitor.
A man sroct and soldierly, wearing .
gray uniform, came up the walk. The
moonlight reburnished the faded gold
lace Of bis ep,uiettes and sword knots
with something Of their pristine splen.
dor as he advanced. They talked OF
the then all-abrorbing topic, the war
that Was blazing Its way through the
lovely valley at their feet with the ashes
Of hOmestexds, the chsrred skeletons Of
mills and forges and foraged lands. The
officer was Q member Of Gen. Early's
staff, Lousianian, farvid with hope
and fierce with desire to drive tho Un-
ION soldiers. back. The girl Was vir-
ginian OF that simple faith which disbe-
Iieves 10 strife and bloodshed, and her
name was Rebecca. 1t WAS another
"Rebecca at the WE'LL" with this differ
ence-tbat che drew out OF the GLIDE
tongued officer the number and position
OF Gen. Esrly's army, their intrench-
ments and batteries on the Oppequan,
and what troops had boon Withdrawn.
This was done in the most NATURAL man.
ner possible, for to know Of these things
Was interesting, and she had no idea Of
making hi.tory or becoming . heroine,
tor the two bad only met few even
ings previous ut social gathering,
when he had sought an introduction
and the privilege Of calling upon her.
This was his FIRST visit, and it proved
bis last. When the young aide de camp
departed that Wednesday night he bad
told so much that he had placed the for
tune o! bis command in the keeping Of
Rsbecca.
TUE BIRD CALL IN THE GRASS.
On the following Friday, while sit
sing on the same porch, she heard q
call, low and iremulous, in the shrub
berry of the lawn. She answered il by
clapping her hands softly, when . man,
~ black "a the shadows che -st in.
came up, and taking something out al
bis mouth, handed il to her ana vanish
ed into the night. Speeding up to her
chamber, she found the gift to be small
roll OF lead foil. such As is wrapped
about various articles, among others,
chewing tobacco. Carefully unroiling
it, email biz Of paper was within, on
which was written:
"Have 700 any definite Information Of
the forces and position OF Gen. Early !
II 40, transmit by bearer. SHERIDAN"
How strange is destiny. She alone
of the few Union.loving sou!s in WIN.
chester knew what the harsssed cavel-
~ commander desired. To put the in
formation down and roll il into the
same receptacle did not require many
moments, when she again appeared up
on the porch clspping her hands The
slave seemed TO rise up out Of the earth.
He hastily placed the tiny packet in his
mouth. and without word or gesture
disappeared.
TAK RATTLE AT WINCHESTER
Before daylight on the 18Th OF Sep
tembsr. 1864, he Cosiedersts picksts
we're charged on the OPpequan, and
Sheridan moved like IN avalanche spon
Winchester. A terrible contest followed.
the two armies advancing and retreat
ing like the sarging biIloss Of the ocean.
The battle never esesed natl saaeoyn.
laas,ne Sheridan tho victor Of the battle
Of the OppsQsas. 4 sss,es Of disasssrs
pursued early. and 90 Ne 18th OF De-
tohev-a HossA iassr-was fought tbs
memorable bastis OF WincAesssr-vhicA
h>o~-ks 1890 A. sh> EallaC 0f the Shen-