The National tribune., 1881-08-20

the weather was exceedingly hot and sultry, thus
adding to the general discomfort and increasing
the other difficulties which of themselves were
not easy to be overcome. For the last mile or
two it seemed scarcely possible for any headway
to be made. The troops were greatly tatigued,
burdened with l<napsacks overcoats, and the like,
and, owing to the noxious exhalations from the
swamps, the intense heat and want of air, which
the dense forests seemed to completely shut out,
appeared to be upon the point of giving out en-
tirely. AS the vanguard appeared in the edge
of the slashngs, the enemy's cannon opened, and
the booming of the guns told that there was work
ahead.
Just at this iuncture an officer of one of the
leading regiments, the Thirteenth n. Y. Vols,
struck up a. John Browns Body" tune then
known only to few, but afterwards famous as
the marching song of the Army of the Potomac.
Others, catching the rythm, joined in with him.
The music operated like a charm. The wearied
forms grew erect, the marching men took up the
strain, and beneath the bursting shells and to the
accompaniment of the deep double bass Of cannon,
the ranks cadencing their steps to the inspiring
melody, debouched upon the plain, deplOyed, and
were arrayed face to face with the foe. 1t is be-
lieved that upon that occasion
John BROWNS BODY"
was first sung in chorus by any considerable
number of soldiers, and that never before had it
been sung under similar circumstances, or for
like purposes. 1t became the marching song of
the Army almost from that day.
So fast as the regiments could advance from
the timber, they were assigned proper positions
in line. In front of the Second Maine and Thir
teenth New York, growing upon slight eleva-
ton, stood large wild-cherry tree, which was
speedily utilized by a dozen of the men as look
out station.
From its branches the rebel works were plainly
visible. While the boys were seated upon conve-
nent limbs, taking observations, a large shell
whistled through the foliage above their heads,
and no orchard of over-ripe fruit ever witnessed
windfall like that which ensued.
Down tumbled the Blue Coats, some dropping
from branch to branch like wounded squirrels,
others sliding down the trunk, but in rather
precipitOus manner, and in the twinkling of an
eye there was any amount of room from the top
downwards, but which no one in that vicinity
seemed disposed to occupy. Fortunately, save
few bruises from falling all who had previously
ventured escaped injury.
Meanwhile, upon the left of Porter's line, in the
direction Of Wynn's Mills, sharp artillery con-
test was progressing between the rebel batteries
and some of the Union field-guns stationed near
the angle of wood, along the further edge of
which ran narrow road nearly parallel to the
course of the Warwick, and but few hundred
yards from the rebel works.
1t being deemed essential to know the exact
lay of the country beyond, as well to ascertain
the exact location of the enemys line of defenses
at that point, detail was made from several regi
ments, to act more in the capacity of scouts than
Two of these met with quite
SERIES OF ADVENTURES
before returning between two and three o'clock
the next morning, to their command. They
started out about four o'clock in the afternoon,
entering the timber nearly opposite Wynns
Mill if anything little to the left of it. Before
far they found themselves involved
in genuine Virginia swamp, the water and mud
of which reached at times up to their knees, even
when the most favorable pathway was selected.
1t was only through the utmost exertiOn that
they succeeded, little before sundown, in reach
ing the roadway already mentioned although the
distance travelled was probably not over a mile.
A brief investigation which was then instituted,
developed the fact that not fifty yards to their
right was narrow tongue of land averaging not
more than dozen feet in width, which appar-
entity led through the swamp almost parallel to
the route pursued by them. Making mental
note Of this, they crawled across the thorough
fare, through an intervening fence, into ditch,
and in few minutes had succeeded, under cover
of the weeds and bushes, in getting near to the
enemy's Notifications that they were enabled not
only to see them distinctly but also TO hear the
of the officers, and even loud conver-
sation carried on by the foe on the opposite side
Of the Warwick, which at that point was bat
narrow stream, a mere creek.
1t was nearly dusk when they started to re-
trace their steps; but upon arriving near the
road they found it occupied by the rebels who
Judging from appearances, were about picketing
it for the night. They had evidently crossed
above, and the presumption was that no chance
Of retreat existed for the two
VENTUREsOME SCOUTS
except through the line to be which had already
been established. They had eaten nothing since
had left their haversacks with the
regiment, and at least the lower portion of their
persons was thoroughly saturated with the Shiny
water of the swamps. 1t was rapidly getting
If the day had already given place to chilly
spring atmosphere, and they did not fancy the
situation in which they found themselves-not a