Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-09-14
Death Of q Soy.

War glares with moral inconsistencies.
A General must know the enemy's
plans in order to thwart them. He
sends an Intelligent man as spy to dis
cover them. The man goes on his mis-
sion, knowing that, necessary as it is, he
will be hanged if discovered. The
enemy catches him, and in few hours
his dead body bangles from a. tree.
Across his breast is pinned label: "a
warning to spies!"
Yet that same enemy, perhaps, will.
twenty-four hours later, send man to
spy out the opposing Generals position
and plans, and the man will be hung if
he is c1ught. Both Generals need infor-
nation, and both unite in making death
its price.
These thoughts suggested themselves
as we read. in Outlet and She'll" the
following description of the death of
q spy, who had been caught by one of
Clusters officers in village near Cedar
Creek, Virginia.:
whats the natter" said I to Gen.
Custer, who was sitting with his staff
round the campfire. "You seem sad"
II have reason to be. I fear we have
a disagreeable duty to perform. You
know We CAPTURED man in the village. )"
eyes. What of hirn?"
"Only that my Acknowledgement has
just recognized him as one of the con-
fcderate guards who escorted hlm and
other tedera|s when they were taken
prisoners. He has gone with two other
officers, who we're captured at the same
time, to see the prisoner"
You think, then, the fellow is a spv?'
'"rhat's just it; and a. dangerous one,
too, Judging from his looks"
At that moment the three officers
came up to make their report.
"We1l, gentlemen" said Custer, "what
Go you think of the prisoner"
1--WE all recognized him as one Of our
old guards said the adjutant:
Very well, gentlemen" said Custer,
slowly. 1.-The evidence seems to be
clear: Adjutant, order the prisoner to
be brought before me-"
The prisoner was brought up between
two sentries. "My man, we think YOU
are a spy" said Gen. Custer, in Quiet
voice. what have you to say to the
charger
There's o woman here from the viii
lage," replied the:man. land she'll tell
YOU am her son. I live in the village.
Does that make me spy?" ..>
An elderly woman evidently in some
terror came forward.
rs this man your SOM"
eyes, he is" =
How long has he been in the village!"
Ever since last spring" -.
does he belong to the southern
ar,ny?" $50.
II dunno" ...s e~1.. >-.,>s..
At this moment an orderly handed
the adjutant general bundle and wl1is-
pered word in his ear. Quietly unroll-
ing it, the adjutant general brought out
a confederate uniform. ~ @|4< s':@.fEs
General" said be, 'sthis uniform was
found IN the woman's house where we
Captured the prisoner" >.z..~..% :=I. !,
A sudden flush in the mans face. a
swift look ofaanger, and q glance be-
tween him and the woman was the only
answer either made to the announces
ment. r. sS#% s} II. u e "a. q. El5 "a.
THAT will do; remove the woman, !"
said Custer gravely. .5$., BE-. Il
The woman gazed for moment into
the face Of the prisoner, but it was ev-
ldent that she was not his mother. She
made no effort to bid him farewell.
MY man, its q clear case, You are 8
soldier OF the Confed erate army, and In
side our lines in disguise. You are
|. therefore q spy. It is my duty to in
form you that you must de- '
Die? ~ hiatt without trial?o ex-
claimed the startled prisoner, B
You have just been tried. i, q Uni
SE.y