The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-06-02
AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR
A GOOD OLD MAN AND A PICKET.
A Federal Spy Hunting ga Lost Dun Ok"
Captured by the Unsuspecting
ing Sentry and His Soul
Sent Marching On.

/, being one of that class, on small
scale, having nothing 70 do but brood
the past, will spend a few hours
In copying one OF my war incidents.
When all who wore the gray, or the
blue, have answered to the final roll
call, no more war stories will be re.
lated. This is one mixed with sadness,
but to those whose hearts were too
young to bleed may be most interest.
/ ng. / know it is wrong TO open old
wounds. Many have never healed.
With me, the war and all its issues are
buried. A fortune was lost, but my life
was spared, no doubt for the purpose
il has been employed for % years
the care of large family, on farm.
This entire nation has been made TO
tremble. Shiloh had been won and lost
by the Confederatos, who had reiterated
from Corinth to Tupelo, Miss, the great
est fall.back Of the war without an adj
vancing foe. Il digress a litte.)
About two years after the war closed ]
had occasion to board n south bound
train at Corinth, just at night. The
road had been made anew. We made
rapid speed for several hours. Among
the passengers who had begun to get
sleepy was, an old .ex-Confederate, en-
J Dying good sleep. The whistle blew
sSualled out, "Tupelop lust 'S az
the train slowed up, all being
unusually still. The old soldier raised up,
rubbed his eyes, and remarked "Tupelo.
Yes, this is the first station after ieav-
ing Corinth." A smart, knowing kind OF
fellow Just behind him, corrected him
instantly, and commenced to name the
different stations, Rienzi, Boonville,
Baldwin, Saltillo and
Aw, hush, said the reb, / mean
1t was Gen. Bragg's first depot, al
ter leaving Corinth. Quite, laugh by
many of us. Now TO nay story. All
that vast region south OF the Memphis
d Charleston railroad for 40 miles, soon
was devastated, by the raids OF both
armies, citiz0ns moved out, and where
chimney and blackened wall marked the
spot. 1t was tho home of bushwhacker
and jayhawker, and many were the
tragic scenes enacted. My command
was on duty in this region. IL was our
business TO watch the movements Of
the Federas, learn, see and re.
port. On the morning write a citizen
by the name Of Furgerson, who lived
near huntsville Joined our command.
He was well mounted and equipped,
marched beside the captain. 1t was
soon whispered down tho line that
something unusual was on hand. About
midday we came to cross road. Halt,
front into line, was the order. Men,
said the captain, you see, a Federal scout
has just gone down this road, aud, on
their return, we must capture the
last one. So shall expect each of you 70
obey orders and do your duty. We were
dismounted and the horses carried oil
the road some distance. The COM
mand was placed in position; a picket
was ordered down the road. | was led
by the captain and placed as picket on
the old East Port road, some 300 yards
from the company, with orders to keep
a constant loOk-not to fire on the an.
proach of the enemy but hasten quietly
by near path and report and let no one
pass. 1t was hot day in August; had
been on duty several hours. was
worried, thirsty and hungry. The sun
shone with apale, sickly hue. The dust
from the road had covered the leaves
high up on the scrubby black lack
trees. No Texas breeze TO give me a
good breath; no cheerful note from the
knocking bird; all was still. | was
brooding, thinking how long this cruel
struggle would last; what would be the
result. / had served one year In the
army OF Virginia; had been disabled
for Infantry service; had ioinod u parti.
san company for the war, and what
would be my fate in the event of cap.
ture, as we were not recognized by the
enemy as enlisted men. A slight noise
TO my left in the open woods. / saw
tall, lean old man, but with quick erect,
cautious step approaching mo. / had
full time to study him: In citizens
dress, but had a canteen and we'll
allied hayersack, and seemed to be
on the lookout, too, for Someone's
strange character in these louely woods.
When near the road he looked both
ways anNiously, seemed content and
seated himself upon grassy spot within
40 feet Of me, raised his cautOen and took
ahearty drink, then common ced smoking
a shortstem pipe. / wanted to study
him closely, though TO share his canteen
and haversack was then my greatest
thought. Little did I think the native
Mississippi southern-bOrn Federal Spy
was In my grasp. Noted tor his zeal TO
the Union cause; noted foi self-sacrahc-
ing spirit, had left home with all its
comforts and was engaged In the most
dangerous duty. Yes, he was more
than spyi not only did he give iniOr-
oontrabands TO the Federal lines on
every visit from one army 70 the other.
Truly he was second John Brown.
could bear my thirst no longer with
a refreshing Canteon so near me. /
cleared my throat 10 speak. Quick the
old man was on his feet, turned his ewes
only TO see that he was my prisoner. IN
stantly he seemed a changed being.
Half bent and with tottering step ap.
preached me, and with trembling voice,
sald' young man, have you seen any
thing OF large dun OK this morning.
mo-" said l, "but how fresh is the wa
ter in your canteenH" "Not very good,
but help YOURSELF" and with much
seeming relief handed me his
canteen. After good hearty drink
spoke kindly TO the old man; told him
TO take seat and keep still; that ex-
pected Federal scout every minute,
and was ordered 20 retain every one
passing. Certainly said he, "stich IL
common these days, but would like to
be going. My oxen give me much
trouble. l think the Feds must have
driven them into camp. Been two DAYS
looking and can't even hear their be -
/ thought the good old man was telling
the truth, and felt sorry for him. Was
taught lrom childhood 10 honor and re-
specI ola age. we quietly conVersed
for some time, whom suddenly the
bugle from my command sounded to
mount. Information had been received
that the expected scout had returned on
another road. The old man started to
go. | told him no, that the captain
must see him; at the same time he
made a familiar dive for his haver-
sack-a practice common among SOL
diers, Hardtack and cheese satisfied
me something was wong. Down the
road, l saw my company had mounted,
and hled In my direction. Knowing
my horse would be led to me,we waited.
Then. was the first uneasiness mani
tested by the cid man. He begged me
piteously 70 let him 20. Duty and or
ders said no. "Hello,n said the CAPTAIN,
"wbo have you thereS" The citizen, MIR.
furgerson, was the FIRST to speak, nj
the same time dismounted and leyeled
a bright Colts pistol at the Old man.
ut is old Tidwell, and, damn
him, he knows whore nv
negroes are. grasped the pistol and
said; "Hold, sir, this old man belongs TO
me, as yet. He Is a prisoner
The captain spoke aud said .uOld man