The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-11-03
A TIGHT SQUEEZE.
BY AN UNCOMFORTABLE

A1lue ISun, Ill Ine 1all OF 1000, he went
Into winter quarters between the Rap
tdan and the Rappahannock, on his old
grounds. This was about December l.
On the 18th of the month l received
orders to cross the river, penetrate his
camp and pick up all possible ipfor-
nation.
It was understood that he was send
ing troops off west, and I was particu-
larly charged to discover it there was
any foundation in the report.
left the rebel cavalry outpost at
10 o'clock one night, being on foot
and wearing a blue uniform through
out. There was about {. mile of neu-
trial ground between outposts. and
when I had crept down the highway
almost to the Union videttes Itook
to the. fields and fanked 'em. l knew
every rod of hat country, and passing
the vidette was a matter of no trouble.
1t was when I reached the first
line of sentinels that had to go keer-
full. It was now midnight, and win
ter had set in. There was no snow,
but the wind was cold and the ground
frozen. 1t so happened that 1 struck
a part of French's corps. knowing
that Lee was going into winter quar-
tiers, and knowing that a strong picket
was out. the sentinels were not over
watchful. I crept up until I located
two. end both were muffled up against
the cold and thinking more Of keeping
warm than OF looking for spies. While
I was waiting for a chance to skulk
in, the two came together and stood
talking, aid this gin me the show 1
wante;. I riz up from the cold ground,
bore off a little to the right, and en-
tered the gap without being seen. In
ten minutes more 1 was among the
tents md Shanties.
I must find a place to pass the night.
1t was too cold to go prowling round,
saying nothing of the danger to be in
curreo. I walked up one street and
down another, looking for a place to
SLOW myself away; and by and by L
saw a soldier come out of a tent and go
eff I reasoned that he was on guard,
and had come to his tent on some en-
rand, Az I was probably right.
1t was half-tent, half-shanty, with a
fire place in it. ] crept in at the door
and focnd a fire going, and there three
sne asleep u:der the blanket. There
was a ilesp of wood at hand, and the
best could do was to stir up the fire
and hover over it. I didn't mean to
fall asleep; that is I was bound and de-
termined to keep awake, but 1 had no
sooner got fairly warmed through
than I went off to the land O. Nod,
ana the next thing 1 knew it was day
light.
None O. the chaps under the blank
cts were awake, and 1 slipped out
without disturbing 'em. Everything
would have been all right 'cept for a
man in a tent across the street. He
bad come out after wood, and was
standing there IS I appeared. AS both
tvs:s belonged to same company, and
hr all the men in each company knew
cash, other, 1t was only natural that I,
. perfect stranger, should attract his
attention. Further it was jest as ma.
usa! that he should suspect me of be-
rug a thief. He vas a sour-faced.
beetle-browed chap, and the mint I
looked into his eyes I knew we .aould
have a row. :.
"Ah I caught yon !" he grow,ed as
J facet him"
cat what" I coolly axed.
Stealing, of counsel"
"You are wrong. I went in there
to get warm"
"Who be youP"
"George Smith"
-WhaC regiment?"
Sixth Maine"
WASN'T answering at random. 1
knew that the Sixth Maine was in the
fight at Rappahannock Station, about
q month before, because I hid talked
With some prisoners