Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-10-30
A TIGHT SQUEEZE.
BY AN EX-CONFEDERATE.

When General Meade fell back from
Mine Run, in the fall of 1868, he went
into winter quarters between the Rap
idan and the Rappahannock, on his old
grounds. This was about December l.
On the 18th of the month received
orders to cross the river. penetrate his
camp and pick up all possible infor-
nation.
1t was understood that he was send
ing troops off west, and l was particu-
larly charged to discover if there was
any foundation in the report.
l left the rebel cavalry outpost at
10 O'clock one night, being on foot
and wearing blue uniform through
out. There was about a mile of neu-
tral ground between outposts, and
when had crept down the highway
almost to the Union videttes took
to the fields and flanked 'em. | knew
every rod of that country, and passing
the vidette was matter Of no trouble.
1t was when | reached the first
line of.sentinels that had to go keer-
full. 1t 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 | struck
part of French's corps. Knowing
that Lee was going into winter quar-
was ont, the sentinels were not over
watchful l crept up until l located
two, and both were muflled up against
the cold and thinking more of keeping
warm than of looking for spies. While
| was waiting for Il chance to skulk
in, the two cine together and stood
talking, and this gin me the show l
wanted. | riz up from the cold ground,
bore off little to the right, and en-
tered the gap without being seen. In
ten minutes more l was among the
tents and shanties
l must find place to pass the night
1t was too cold to 60 prowling round,
saying nothing Of the danger to be in
cured. walked up one street and
down another, looking for place to
stow myself away; and by and by l
saw soldier come ont of a tent and go
oil. reasoned that he was on guard,
and had come to his tent on some eI-
rand, and l was probably right.
1t was ha!f-tent, half-shanty, with
fire place in it. crept in at the door
and found fire going, and there three
men asleep under the blanket. There
was heap of wood at hand, and the
best could do was to stir up the fire
and hover over it. | didn't mean to
fall asleep; that is was bound and de-
termined to keep awake, but 1 had no
sooner got fairly warmed through
than l went off to the land o Nod,
and the next thing l knew it was day
light.
None O the chaps under the blank
cts were awake, and slipped out
without disturbing 'em. Everything
would have been all right 'cept for a
man in a tent across the street. He
had come out after wood, and was
standing there as l appeared. Asboth
tents belonged to same company, and
as all the men in each company knew
each other, it was only natural that /,
perfect stranger, should attract his
attention. Further it was Jest as nat
ural that he should suspect me of be-
ing thief. He was sour r-faced,
beetle-browed chap, and the mint
looked into his eyes knew we should
have a row.
"Ah ! ! caught you y he growled as
l faced him"
"At what?' l coolly axed.
stealing. of courser
you are wrong. l went in there
to get warm"
"Who be your"
George Smith,"
"What regiment?"
"SiXth Maine
l wasn't answering at random. !
knew that the Sixth Maine was in the
fight at Rappahannock Station, about
a month before, because l had talked
with some prisoners.
"Wher's your regiment?" he asked.
That's what I'm looking for" re-
piled, 81 was took by the rebs fifteen
days ago, and have just escaped and
come in."
answered him so promptly, and
told such straight story, that he
could fave no suspicious, and might
have got away but for an accident.