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


WERE CAPTURED by THE YANKEES AND
ESCAPED AFTER A BREAK-NECK RACE
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET OF FEDERAL
BULLETs-oNE OF THE BIGGEST LIES OUT
Capt. John Scot. In the Philadelphia Weekly
Times.
A division Of federal cavalry, returning
from raid IN the direction Of Gordonsville
encamped for the night in and around War
renton, Va. Richard Lewis, Ed. O'Bricn
(of Mosby's command) and Claiming Smith
started to meet them, hoping by keeping
near their line of march to pick up few
stragglers and secure q remount for them
selves, their horses being badly in need OF
rest. A heavy sleet covered the earth with
a solid armor of ice, so thick that man
could skate upon it, while dense fog shut
out from view objects at distance OF hun
dred yards. Hearing the advance OF cav
airy they posted themselves near the road
from Warrenton to Bethel, and could hear
the men laughing and talking. Soon they
were discovered and shower Of bullets
whisted harmlessly over their heads Then
began an exciting steeplechase in which
the scouts outdistanced their pursuers, who
gave up the pursuit in disgust
Thinking the command had pretty
we'll passed, they again struck down
the road and soon came face to
face with four or five Yankees leading Two
horses Gobbling them up, they were turn.
ed over to Q, Brien to carry to the rear, and
Lewis and Smith galloped or down the
road. About three miles from Warrenton
they met three cavalrymen finally mounted,
one of whom was negro. At first they
showed fight, but the scouts dashing upon
them and firing as they drew near, they
turned and ran for mile over the hills,
across the the fields, sweeping over bitches
and fences, their horses feet ringing upon
the ice-bound earth. Hurrah! They are
gaining upon them. See their horses be-
gin to show signs of fatigue, their sides
heaving, nostrils expanded, and in vain
did their riders belabor them. Smith shout
ed to the negro to halt, that he did not
want to to kill him, and at every step gain
ing upon him, while Lewis was rapidly
overtaking the other two. At distance Of
about two feet Smith fired shot after shot
but still the negro kept on, though repeat
edly struck. Just as he was overtaken, and
his pursuer had reached out his hand to
take his horse by the bride the animal
slipped on the ice, breaking the girth and
rolling in heap. Scrambling to his feet
just as the negro rolled, MORALLY wounded
into swamp, Smith saw Others
disappearing over the hills,
and Lewis riding back toward HIM. think
ing him badly hurt by his tall. Saddling
up and securing the captured horse, beau
tiful sorrel mare, they again started in pur-
suit. AT Maj. Saunders house, near Chest
nut park, they discovered two blue-coated
cavalrymen in front of them on the other
side Of a pair of bars. A demand for sur
render was met by an oath and pistol shot.
While pulling down the bars a bullet
passed through the neck of Lewis horse,
and the scouts went at 'em.' As the man
turned to fly Lewis captured him, but the
other made his escape after Smith had
emptied his pistol at him. Just then 100
cavalrymen were seen approaching.
Having turned over the two prisoners the
two rebs rode in the direction of Lewis
house, only half satisfied with their spoils-
seven horses, three others having escaped |
when seemingly within their clutches. |
Arriving at Cedar 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 recite, for the federal cavalry had
passed by the house during the day, had
searched it, plundered it, eaten up the
Christmas dinner and drank the brandy. The
scouts bemoaned their hard fate, which
proved not so bad after all, for the kind
hostess had saved enough to MAKE them
comfortable, including material fo1 an old
fashioned apple toddy, and they were soon
seated around 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 home.
spun dresses, symbols of the spirit which
inspired them to bear all privations for the
sake of the cause which their friends had |
espoused. Merrily talking ana singing,
with occasional whispers of fond devotion,
the hours flew swiftly by until the clock
struck twelve. With goodnight glass,
perhaps more than one for each fair lassic
the scouts retired and were soon dreaming.
A NIGHT ADVENTURE.
About three o'clock the scouts were
awakened by violent knocking at all the
doors, accompanied by II demand to have
them opened or they would 'be broken
down. "The Yankees have surrounded
the house, Dick" exclaimed Claiming,
sprlnging out Of bed. Hurrying on their
clothes they threw number of pistols un-
der the bed, and taking one with
them, stepped 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 chance Of escape from
below The window Of their room opened
upon the roof of II porch, and they concluded
they might possibly escape by getting out
upon it and by lying close to the house in
order to avoid detection. Noislessy raising
the window they stepped upon the root,
which, beng covered with sleet, cracked
beneath their tread, revealing their pres
ence 10 the enemy below. Click-click,
went innumerobe carbines and rcvolvcrs.
and surrender, you id rebel; if we hear
you move you are dead man," was yelcp