The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-11-14
A REBEL SPY.
Desperate and Successful Rush for
Life.

Now let me tell you that in time of
hurry and excitement, like THAI which
precedes battle, the life of a single
man seems of no more value than the
snap of finger. There is no time to
waste in storytelling, and no DISPOSE
ton to sympathize with victims. 1 say
this in cold blood now, but once upon
a time 1 felt that drum-head court
martial was murder in the first degree.
You will remember that when Bragg
evacuated Chattanooga he set a trap
for Rosecrans. Rosecrans took the
bait, and the battle of Chickamauga
was the result. At the time 1 was a
scout at Bragg's headquarters, and
while Rosecrans was strung out over a
line of country forty miles long, each
corps isolated and inviting destruction,
all our scouts were kept busy bringing
in news.S
had been sending in reports from
McCook troops. Dressed as Federal
Second Lieutenant had mingled with
various regiments without being sus-
pected. The Federal army was strain
ing every nerve to concentrate, and
in the great excitement and anxiety
one would scarcely have noticed what
sort of uniform his right-hand COM
rade wore. / gave Bragg fair idea
of the strength of several divisions,
number of batteries, esprit du corps OF
the rank and file, ETC., and twelve hours
before the fight opened at Chicamauga
was ready to leave the blue coats and
return to the gray.
1 always found it easier to get into
the enemy's camp than to get out. 1t
was certainly so in this case. had
marched all day with Sheridan's in
fantry. Several times during the day
/ had been asked the name of my regi-
ment and company, but had ready an.
swers. l could name half dozen diff
ferent regiments, and had a very reason.
able excuse for being ahead or behind
my own.
The men halted at noon to prepare
coffee, and as 1 passed group of Of
fcers by the roadside they called out fol
me to join them for the hasty meal.
pretended not to have heard, and the
invitation was renewed. l had ne
alternative but to accept and make the
best of it. They were jolly set, being
Captains and Lieutenants in the same
regiment, and it was evident they tool
me for an officer in one of the othel
regiments in the brigade. The CONVEX
sation related wholly to the coming
battle, and l was acting my part a
well as could be expected, when l sud
denly caught sight of face which un
settled me in moment.
Opposite me was a Federal Captain
who had not spoken word since
Joined the group. He not only had
peculiar face, but there was a film owe
his left eye which rendered it sightless
while the other had strange way Q
glazing at me. When looked up
felt that he had been scrutinizing m
from the first moment. There wa
something about which whispered Q
evil to me, and I suddenly lost my az
petite 1 made a pretense of eat
ing, however, and was hoping to ge
away from the group without bein
questioned, when the Captain leane
forward and, in voice which raspe
and grated on the ear, inquired:
What regiment do you belong TOP
1.-THE Fifth, replied.
''What Fifth"
''Illinois."
''Humph!''
answered him by chance, not know
ing whether such a regiment was
the corps or not. Did he knowp WIS
did he mean by "humphPh
None of the other officers seemed !
have any interest in the case, but
was not yet ready to go when the Cal
tain left the circle. Was he going
consult some superior officer regardin
my arrestP The fear that he. W;
caused me to act at once. He was l
sooner out of sight than hastily e
cused myself and hurried down Il
road. The troops were on the marc
again. and l pushed along at bri'
pace and was soon mixed up with a
other brigade.
When night came must be with Il
advance. 1t would be quite easy the
to evade the pickets and reach COME
crate territory. By mid-afternoon
was with the advance brigade, and /;
almost forgotten the circumstance
the Captain with the wicked loo