Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-02-07
Capt. Farley, theScout on Stuart's
staff.
4 Pen and Ink Sketes Of CIroliRias irlo
should aerer be Forgotten

SHOULD RerT De fOFgONcH.
rJoaa Es.en Cooke in Tie Detroit Free Press
The stories Of scout life and adventure in
the civil war, related by writers of the North
aud South, are often thought 10 be exaggera-
ted. The general impression seems 70 be tha,
they ore too singular TO be true. And ye,
that is not valid method OF reasoning. The
singular was the rule in the late war. Aston
ishing events were of everyday occurrence.--
Aud mems characters were as strange gs their
performances You could not tell from q
mans appearance what be was. The whis-
kered giant, with his clattering sabre and ter
rife Dir OF miltaire aud desperado mingled,
often failed 10 time of need. The uuassumins
youth, with his beardless face aud modest air,
wuuld lead forlorn hope OF dle 10y bis guns.
One Of this latter class, who had passed
through many such adventures as are above
referred 20, was Capt. Farley, Of Gen. Sluarts
staff knew him well, aud looked upon him
as Que # the most anomalous human beings |
have ever met with In character he was
mixture Of the most remarkable contras,s.--
He was so quiet, amiable aud retiring that you
might have suspected he would have shrunk
from scenes OF carnage or any interruption OF
the amenities OF life. In reality he had in
him little or great deal OF The tiger aud the
bloodhound You had only 70 arouse bin.
Farley was a young South CSroluian OF
about 20, who cnieie the war, 10 use tbo ex-
prcssiye camp phrase, ION his own hook -
lie did no; want, and yould no, accept, a
commission when il was offered him. Tho
rou,iuo Of camp life was unpleasant 90 him.
-. A.i ln fhrrf - 10 q
come as O simple scout % The gold braid Of
au officer tied down by prescribed duties to
one spot. No doubt be had what Is called
"ihc wild side" 10 him, and was res,vc under
restraint II person Farley he was only
Captain" by courtesy was very attractive
man. His face was mild and handsomc--hiS
manners quiet and unasshmlng. 4 certain
air of modcsiy aud it:gpdliness made him a
fayorilc. and be was person Of nice literary
taste. His figure was well-made and vigorous.
his hair and Sigh, mousiache black, bis eyes
dark aud peculiarly soft and bright. In bis
demcauor he was easy and unartGcal snd
had no selfasscriion whatever. A child woald
have gone to him. in crowd. as person 10
make friends with-WhO would certainly not
repulse him. lie never spoke Of himself or
Of any scenes IN which ho had been an actor,
unless you directly caicchisod him. and then
under n sort Of protest From q very intimate
acquaintance with him | can say that be hal
no vanity whatever, and was one Of The KIDD
est mcn in the world.
II the above conveys lust idea OF the i'm
preston Farley made upon his associates tho
reader Of this sketch will be hard 10 convince
Of the fact that Farley was n good deal Of
,,b.p /, "a mo a. fgbtfpo Nnf anr1
was the fact. The quiet, friendly, student
like young man was tough cuslomcr" 10
action, ond seemed 10 End bis greatest pleasure
IN desperate nifairs, where there were heavy
ODDS against him coming out alive. /. was 90
doubt the excitement OF such af9irs iht. no
craved. Fighting becomes passion Ike gam
bling 10 sbmo natures. Atcf much reflcc-
ton upon Farley's individuality, aad with q
full knowledge Of the man as one can have Of
another seen night and day. In camp. on The
mach and in battle, should say that bis love
Of hard lighting had this orisin-ihe excite
meui spurred bis quiet mood 20 piersurablo
excitement.
During my intercourse With lin 10 The
years 1862 and 'G3, talked great deal with
him and drew from him by direct questions
accounts Of many Of bis adventures. These
were astounding enough, but il was impossi-
blo 10 feel that he was oyer-coloring lhem
The desire to boast WAS evidently quite foreign
to his disposition. lIo talked about himself
with apparent repugnance-of If not with ex-
act repugnance, with no wish. obviously, Of
painting himself as a hero. or claiming that
be had done anything extraordinary. When
questioned, he replied md spoke in an unassu-
ming and matier-of-fact manner When be
had answered my questions be changed tho
subject or s,rollel away 70 his ,eot 10 90 TO
sleeD