Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-15
NO 14O
Gales ano Skettbes.
HOW DAN PLAYED rNE FOOL.

One Of the most singular men l ever
meet with was the private soldier in the
Twelfth New York infantry, which regi-
ment brigadcd with a second and third
Michigan and second Massachusetts dur
one time you would saw Dan Harrison
had blue eyes Five minutes afterward
YOU would make oath that they were
black. as indeed they were.
Dan also had wonderful control over his
voice. lie could mimic the Voice of any
in the brigade lie could bark like dog
bray like mule. whistle like bird. and
was the wonder of the camp. On one oc-
casion our wagon master was asleep In
his wagon. and his six mules roped near
by. Dan crept behind bale Of hay and
brayed long and loud. The wagon master
awoke and jumped down and pounded
the nearest mule, growing out as he re-
entered the wagon;
There, blast ye-I guess you'll feel
humble for whilcr'
Ia about two minutes Dan repeated the
words. The voice was so exactly the
same that dozen Of us, who were hiding
near by, thought it was the wagon mas
ter again. The latter Individual stuck his
head out. looked around ia surprise, aud
then said:
We'll, it took that echo long time to
get around this wagon''
There were vet other reasons why Dan
was considered greater than menagerie
He could drop one shoulder three inches
lower than the other. lie could work his
ear like a horse. lie could cramp his
hands until they seemed to have been
drawn all out of shape by rheumatism. lie
could walk as if one leg was shorter than
the other. He could make il appear that
he had squint in either eye. and he could
raise his eyebrows clear up into his hair.
He was farmers son, genial. brave. and
good-hearted, and he was never tired of
doing something TO amusc us.
Soon after Ilcintzlcman made his recon-
noissance in front of Alexandria down
towards Centerville. he sent for Dan Har-
rison. and the result OF the interview was
that Dan was engaged rs a spy. His cu-
rious physical structure and his natural cool
ness and bravery fitted him for such dan
gerous work. and | may say here that for
three years he was accounted the most
successful and daring spy in the service.
just one more curious trait about him,
and then | will relate an adventure of his
which cost him a bad wound.
A dozen OF us would sit in circle
around him. and somebody ask:
"Dan. what is the name of the Colonel
of the third Mainep''
He would close his eyes for perhaps
three seconds. and then, eight times out
of ten, would give the true name. How
it came to him he could not explain but
he seemed to divine things intuitively.
have seen HIM stand in front Of the guards
Just being dismissed, and all strangers to
him, and cali off the first names Of four
out of five. At Fort Michigan, in the
winter of 1862, he made wager of &l0
that he could give the Christian names of
20 out of % men in the line before him.
A sergeant of my company went over in
to another regiment and brought over the
men, and crowd of more than 500 gath
cred to see the wager lost or won. Dan
won it, Passing slowly along the line he
called 22 of the 25 men by their right
names. The three whom he missed were
named Hezekiah, Philetus and Joshua,
and Dams excuse for missing them was
that he was not fully up in Scripture.
One lonely, rainy night. in the begin
ming of 81. Dan Harrison set out to work
his way into the Confederate intrenchments
around Centreville. charged to see every
thing that might be turned to value in the
Federal cause Dan had no particular
makeup except the dress of Virginia
farmer, and no story to tell except that
he was (when he got there) within the
Confederate lines TO secure some sort Of
compensation for three horses seized by a
party of Confederate raiders. Circum-
stances might alter his plans and his story (;
but if so, he would have something else
at his tongues end.
The spy left the Federal outposts and
headed directly for Centreville. lie met
with no adventure that night. lay in the
woods all the next day. or advanced un-
der cover of them. and at dark again took
the highway. He knew that danger lurk-
ed in every fence corner for one who
skulked along. and he therefore put a
bold face on matters and walked briskly
forward, passing quite a number of ne
groes and several white men without be-
ing disturbed. Just then many slaves
were irving to reach the Fedora! lines,
and this tact got Dan into trouble,
About o'clock, as he stepped briskly
along, a patrol consisting OF three men
sprang from the bushes and confronted
him, supposing him at first TO be a negro,
uuuiug was q "HitO hs"", VIC
leader of the patrol began asking leading
questions and insisting on prompt replies.
For some reason. Dan thought best to
change his plans. Dropping his left
shoulder and humping up his back. he re-
piled to their questions in a whining,
drawling voice. in imitation Of half
wit.
Laid for nigger and captured fool y
growled the leader, as Dan began to ask
silly questions and dance around.
"Whar' do you live?" asked one Of the
others.
.In-ze-moon.' drawled Dan, laugh
ling as loud as he could.
GLOW did you get down here?"
"On--a-string-h ha! hal" And
he jumped around and cliuckled as If HI
had got off good joke.
well, suppose we'd better give him
kick and let him co. remarked the
leader. "He's no niger. don't know
enough to be soldier, and we'd bettel
hurry along"
II don't know about that" remarked
the third man, who had all along beer