The National tribune., 1881-10-22

time reached Fairfax Court House without incl
dent worthy of note At that point we learned
that the pickets which had been stationed at
Centreville and beyond were withdrawn, having
been called in the night previous, and the officer
in charge of the post advised US against proceed
ing further as Mosby's men were known to be
about We held an amateur council OF war, and
as result of our deliberations continued upon
our Journey Being well provided with heavy
army revolvers-we could muster forty-two shots
collectively without reloading-we considered
ourselves able to cope with any stragglers chanc-
ing in the way. OF course we secuted the idea
of any considerable force Of the enemy being in
that region in such close proximity to troops,
no demonstration having been made for some
considerable time that near. Reaching Centre
vile, we rode boldly through the main street
until we had nearly left the tumble-dOwn hamlet
behind us, when, happening to cast my eye to
to the left, saw stacked up in one corner of the
veranda of house standing little back from
the road some twenty or more firearms, a motley
collection of carbines, shot-guns, and muskets.
Iquietly directed the attention of my comrades
to what l had discovered, and we were on the
point of beating 3 hasty retreat when a man
came out of the hotel, as it appeared to be, and
walked leisurely across the road just in front of
our horses He was in his shirt-sleeves had on
gray SLOUGH hat, which was rather the worse for
wear and looked a fair specimen of the average
Virginia farmer As he approached he saluted
us in friendly way, and in answer to the ques-
tion if there were any "Johnnies" about, replied
he hadn't hearn of any, but thar mought be over
by the Gap" which, by the by, was far enough off
to give concern.
The sergeant asked him to whom the guns we
saw belonged, and said they had been picked up
at odd times, and he reckoned " they didn't have
no regular owner" We were not altogether salts
fed but, not liking to show the white feather in
the absence of danger, and fearing that if danger
existed any signs of suspicion on our part would
precipitate it, we concluded. as if by tacit con-
sent, to proceed, which we did, after informing
the stranger, in response to query ON his part,
of our point of destination and the object we had
in view.
AS we left the town a slight turn in the road
enabled us to get good view to the rear of the
house we had just passed, and there to our great
surprise we saw full score of horses saddled,
bridled, and hitched to the fences, evidently
awaiting their riders.
Well, things began to look like business, and it
required but little exertion on our part to realize
that we were probably in for an adventure, and
that not of the most pleasant nature.
Before we had ridden far a sly glance to the
rear showed us several men standing in the road
apparently watching our movements. We there
fore continued steadily ON our way, intending so
soon as we were screened from observation, to
change our course and strike for the protection
of the old Flag without delay.
But the screening business did not operate ac-
cording to expectations-not by any means.
We found that when we descended into valley
a grey rider would canter up to the high ground
behind or upon one side where he could over
look us; and thus it was for at least two miles.
Then we lost sight of our uncomfortable shadows
Without checking our horses we held another
council, and concluded that, having ridden thus
far, we would at least ride over the battle field,
and there map out some new course by which to
return. 1t was well on toward three o'clock
when we reached Sudley's Spring, and after
spending an hour in its vicinity and in riding up
to Groveton we headed for home in the midst of
heavy rain storm which had meantime, set in
It was our intention to return by the pike to
near the point where We had lost sight of our
guerrllas, as we had concluded them to be- and
then strike southwark through a narrow valley,
well hidden from sight on the east, and passing
around Centreville, strike the main highway at
or little beyond OF to the eastward of Fairfax
This route was suggested by one of the dragons
who had passed over it ON one or two occasions
while out scouting. We hoped, and in fact more
than half expected that the heavy storm would
drive those from whom we feared molestation
under cover. But it didn't.
We reached the turning-off point in safety, and
had travelled some little ways through the fields
in fact were just beginning to congratulate
ourselves over our fortunate escape-when a shot
upon our left drew all eyes in that direction,
where we beheld horseman riding rapidly along
the ridge lying between US and the town, evil
IDENTIFY intent upon ntercepting our retreat.
Presently another and then and another rode
into view, until we counted a dozen stretched
out at intervals like skirmsh line.
There was but one chance for us to escape and
that was to run for it. We saw at glance that
we must pass Centreyille ahead of our foes, or
good bye, john" One thing was slightly in
favor. We had comparatively smooth sail
ing, while the guerrillas owing to the nature of
the country, were obliged to travel over ground
very much broken and INSTRUCTED with fallen
timber and chapparel of pine. And as the course
Id H.