Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-21
NO SO.
Misrcllaneous.
A SOLDIERS STORIES.

l
Michigan Cavalry. was an understood.
quiet-spoken man. and he had that won-
derful nerve which not three others in the
whole brigade possessed. While acting
as scout in the Shenandoah Valley, he
was one day eating dinner at farmhouse.
when in walked seven Confederate sol
diers. They knew him for q Union scout,
and he knew them tor Contederates. A
brave man would have made y rush or
had fight Melrose simply looked up
rs they filed in. smiled over his fix, ami
called out
Say. old woman, put on more dinner
here. and we'll have square meal to-
gethcr."
"lou are my prisoner" said the SER
geant. rs he advanced.
Yes. know it; but I'll pay for din
ner for YOU and your men lust the same,
Sit right down and make yourselves al
home"
His nerve upset the soldiers. and after
moment they took seats at the table form.
ing complete circle around the board.
As soon rs they had begun to eat he be-
gan TO think of escape. II was summer,
aud the window behind him and ten feet
away was open. II he stood up. all eyes
would be fixed on him. and anv excuse to
leave the room was not to he thought Of
The meal was about half finished. and cap.
tors and captive were chatting merrlN.
when Melrose suddenly flung himself
backward. upset his chair. and bounded
through the window. The soldiers ran
out and fired at and pursued him. but he
made good his escape.
In the Laoray Valley. just before the
affair known as .Wyodstock races. Mel
rose and his companions fell out of the
ranks to forage. After securing II supply
of meat they pushed on after the column.
and were riding at Il lively gallop when
five bushwhackcrs. well mounted, came
out of the cross road. about twenty rods
ahead Of them.
I'VE are dead men," said the scouts
companion rs they halted.
Looking back they saw four bush.
whackers climbing the fence to take posi-
tion on the highway. Mclrose viewed
their situation. and finally said:
1--WE will charge them, fall in behind
me, and there will be less danger Draw
your sabre and strike hard
The other dared not try il. though he
was brave man. He therefore kept his
place as the scout dashed forward Mel
rose rode straight at the men with drawn
sabre, and the velley they fired went over
him. He struck the line. sabred Il man AS
he passed, and soon rejoined the column.
His companion was never heard of again
I-probably murdered in cold blood
| In 1864. Melrose and three other yoypp-
ers. were captured in the Shenandoah Val
ley, taken to q small cncampmcnt. and
lplaced in a log house under guard until
their eases could be disposed Of They
talked the situation over. and the bravest
of them could see no hope of escape.
Melrose quietly listened TO their discour-
Laying remarks. and rs quietly replied that
he would be inside of the Union lines be-
fore midnight.
There was circle of sentinels around
the building, which had no door The
sentinels paced within six feet of the build
ing, and the one in front could see the
prisoners through the doorway Melrose
said that if all would rush together, the
sentinels would be confused. and either
hold their fire or fire wild. The three
men had participated in more than twenty
battles, and were known rs brave fellows
but here they wanted nerve and nerve was
what they hadn't got.
"Very well, will go Alone" was the
quiet announcement, and as night came
on Melrose was ready. Standing in the
doorway, he asked the sentinel what time
it was.
"You git back thar" or I'll shoot. was
the prompt reply.
'.Yes, I'm going right back" said the
scout and he dashed upon the man, hit
him stunning blow. and made for the
woods. He had to run across an open
field in full sight of camp, and, though il
was dark, he could be seen quite plainly
for half the distance. More than fifty
shots were fired at him, and then pursuit
began. but he reached the woods and
made his escape.
He was one day scouting up the valley.
having on mixed uniform. when he sud-
denly came upon two Notwithstanding
guerllas while crossing thick wood.
They were seated on a log, back to him.
but at the sound Of his step they sprang
up and covered him with their carbines.
1t would have been bold to bolt and
take the chances Of being hit. Melrosc
never slackened his pace nor changed
countenancc, but walked directly up to
the men and quietly said:
I've got news for the colonel, and I
want you both to go along and show me
the way"
"Who said so ?'' asked one.
1 II u
for this is important news,' he ans
wered
"Who he you ?,'
Come along and ask the colonel"
well, we amt going to tramp clear
up thar. You go down to the road, foller
it for a mile, and when you come to the
old log stable on the. right, turn into the
blind road
''Why can't one of You come along e'f
"Oh, you can't miss the way. We arc
watching here for game
Melrose slouched off in q lazy, tired
manner. He had got about fifty feet,
when he heard them cock their guns. He
did not turn his head nor quicken his
lpace,
Hes Yank-shoot him. called one
OF the men; but the scout walked on.
They were trying him; but he had the
nerve Of a Napoleon, and he kept his
pace until well away from their neighbor-
hood.-DetroH Free Press.
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