Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-03-04
A sOLDIER's ADVENTURES.
The Nerve and Daring Of Private John
MesrOse.

JOnn MeIrOse, q trooper IN the Otn MlCnl-
gan Cavalry, was an undersized, quiet-spoken
man, and he had that wonderful nerve which
not three other men in the whole brigade
possessed. While acting as a scout in the
Shenandoah Valley, he was one day eating
dinner at a farm house, when in walked
seyen Confederate soldiers. They knew
him for Union scout, and he knew them
for Confederates. A brave man would have
made rush or had fight. Melrose simply
looked up as they filed in, smiled over his fix
and called out
''Say, old woman, put on more dinner
here, and we'll have square meal together -
"You are my prisoner!" said the Sergeant
of the squad as he advanced.
Eyes, I know it but Ill pay for dinner
for you and your men just the same! Sit
right down and make yourself at home"
His nerye upset the soldiers, and after a
moment they took seats at the table, forming
complete circle around the board. AS soon
as they began to eat he began to think of
escape. 1t was summer, and the window be-
hind him and ten feet away was open. If he
stood up all eyes would be fixed on him and
any excuse to leave the room was not to be
thought of.
The meal was about half finished, and cap
tors and captive were chattering away 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 madegood b is
escape.
In the Luray Valley, just before the affair
Iro tWnnNctn0k oil
companion fell out of ranks to forage. After
securing supply of meat they pushed on
after the column, and were riding at gallop
when five bushwhackers, well mounted,
came out of the cross road, about twenty
rods ahead of them
'sWe are dead men" said the scouts COM
panion, as they came to halt.
Looking back, they saw four more BUSH
whackers climbing the fence to take posi-
ton on the highway. Melrose calmly viewed
their situation, and finally said:
1--WE will charge them! Fall in behind
me, and there will be less danger. Draw
your saber and strike hard ]"
The other dare not try it, though he was
brave man. He therefore kept his place as
the scout dashed forward. Melrose rode
straight at the men with drawn saber, and
the yolley they fired went over him. He
struck the line, sabered a man as he passed,
and soon rejoined the column. His compan-
ion was never heard of again, probably being
murdered in cold blood.
In 1864, Melrose and three other foragers
were captured in the Shenandoah Valley.
taken to a small encampment, and the four
placed in Lighthouse under guard until their
cases 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 discouraging remarks, and
as quietly replied that he would be inside of
the Union lines before midnight. There was
a circle of sentinels around the building,
which had no door. The sentinels placed
within six feet of the building, 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 as brave fellows,
but here they wanted nerve, and nerve was
what they hadn't got.
Very well-I will 60 alone!" was the
quiet announcement, and as night came on
Melrose was ready. Standing in the door
way, 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, as he dashed upon the man, hit him q
stunning blow, and made for the woods. He
had to run across an open field in full view
Of camp, and, though it was dusk, he could
be seen quite plainly for half the distance.
More than fifty shots were fired at him, and
hen pursuit began, but he reached the woods
and made his escape.
n
having on mixed uniform, when he sudden
v came upon two ferocious- looking guerrillas
While crossing thick wood. They were
seated on log, backs to him, but at the
sound of his step they sprang up and cover
ID him with their carbines. 1t would have
,een bold to bolt and take the chances of be-
ng hit Melrose never slackened his space
,or changed cSuntenance, but walked direct
Y up to the men and quietly said
"Pve got news for the Colonel, and l
want you both to 20 along and show me the
way"
.iWho said so ?" asked one of the men.
'sIf miss the way, therell he row, for
his is important news, he answered.
"Who be you ?"
"Come along and ask the Colonel"
seWell. we amt going TO tramp clear up
har' You 90 down to the road. foller it for
mile, and when you come to the old log
table on the right, turn into the blind road"
''Why can't one of you come along 2,
"Oh, you can't miss the way. We are
Watching here for game"
Melrose slouched off in lazy tired man
er. He had got about fifty feet when ne
eard them cock their guns. He did not
urn his head nor quicken his pace.
"He's Yank-shoot him !" called one OF |
be men but the scout walked on. They
we're trying him; but he had the nerve OF .
Napoleon, and he kept his pace until well
uuau from their neirhhOrhO0d.