Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
GEN. SCOTT'S NARROW ESCAPE,
An Interesting Hrmtntsesnes from ths
Autobiography OF ThurIoS weed-IIovv
the GENERALS Legs Saved Him.

Chippewa, in 1914, is taken:
One evening after our rubber, ] said
70 the general, "Thcrc is one question !
aayc often wished to ASK you, but have
bccn restrained by the fear that it
might be improper" The general
lrcw himself up and said in his en-
phatic manner: "Sr, you are incapa-
ble of asking an improper question" ]
said: you are very kind; but If my
inquiry is indiscrcet am sure you will
Allow 1t to pass unanswered"
81 hear you, sir" he replied.
"Wcll, then, general, did anything
remarkable happen to you on the morn
ing Of the battle Of the Chippcwas;"
After brief but impressive silence,
ne said: "Yes sir; something did
nappen TO something very re-
markablc, and will now, for the third
time in my life, repeat the story: The
ith day Of July, 1914. WAS one Of cX-
IRENE heat. On that day my brigade
skirmishcd with a British force com
manded by General Rial. from an carly
nour in the morning till late in the ai.
Iernoon. We had driven the enemy
iown the river some twelve miles 10
Streets creek, near Chippewa, where
we encamped for the night, our army
occupying the west, while that Of III"
enemy was encampcd on the east side
been pitched | observed a flag borne
10y a man in peasants dress approach
ing my marquee. lie brought letter
from a lady who occupied a large
mansion on the opposite side Of tn"
creek, informing me that she was thc
wife of a member Of Parliament. who
was then at Quebec; that her children,
servants and young lady friend were
alone with her IN the house; that Gen
eral Rial had placed sentinel before
her door. and that she ycnturcd, with
great doubts Of the propricty Of the
request, 20 ask that | would place a
sentinel upon the bridge 10 protect her
against stragglcrs from our camp. !
assured Tho messenger that the lady's
request should Doc complied with. Early
the next morning the same messenger,
bearing white flag, rtappearcd with a
note from the same lady, thanking me
for the protection she had enjoyed,
adding that. In acknowledgment Of my
civilitics, she begged that ! would, with
such members Of my staH as chose to
bring with me accept the hospitalitics
OF her house at a breakfast which had
been prepared with considerable attcn-
ton, and was quite ready. Acting
upon an impulse which l have never
been able 10 analyze or comprehend, |
called two Of my aids. Lieutcnants
Worth and Watts and returned - the
mansion already indicated. We met
our hostess at the door, who ushcred
us into the dining-room, where break
fast awaited Us, and where the young
lady previously referred 70 was already
seated by the coffee urn. Our hostess
asking to be excused for a few min
utcs, the young lady Immediately
served our coffee. Before we had bro
ken our fast, Lieutenant Watts rose
from the table 10 get his bandana (that
being before the days OF napkins) }.
which he had left in his cap on a side
table by the window, glancing through
which he saw Indians approaching the
house on one side and rcd-coats ap-
preaching it on the other, with an evil
dent purpose Of surrounding il and us,
md instantly exclaimed: General. we
are BETRAYED" Npriuging from the Ia
bic and clearing the house | saw our
danger. and. remembering Lord Ches-
lerfcld had said whatever il is
proper TO do it is proper t. do well.
and ~ we had 10 run. and my legs
were longer than my companions, I
.oon out-trippcl them. As we made
our escape we were fred at, hut got
across the bridge in safety
81 felt So much shame and mortifca-
ton at having So nearly fallen into q
trap that | could scarcely hN my mind
upon the duties which now demanded
my undivided attention. knew that
| had committed a great indiscrction in
accepting the singular invitation. and
that il any disaster resulted from it !
richly deserved 10 lose both my coms
mission and character. ! constantly
found myself wondering whether the
Lady really intended to betray us. or bad
been accidentally observed. The ques-
ton would recur, even amidst the ex.
eitement Of battle. Fortunately, how