The Portland daily press., 1885-09-16
ON THE DRUM-HEAp.
An Ex-RebePs Story of Personal Ad-
venture.

Detroit tfce IIeSS.J
Now, let me tell you, that in time of hurry
and excitement, like that 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
disposition to sympathizing with victims.
say this in cold blood now, but once upon
time felt that a drum-head cOurt-martial
was murder in the first degree
You will remember that when Bragg eyae-
uated Chattanooga he set trap for Rose
Grams. Rosecrans took the bait and the bat
tie of Chickamauga was the result At that
time was scout at Bragg's headquarters,
and while Rosecrans was strung out over
line of country forty miles long, each corps
isolated and inviting destruction, all our
scouts were kept busy bringing in news.
had been sending in reports from Nc
Cooks troops. Dressed as a Federal second
lieutenant had mingled with various regi-
ments without being suspected. The feder-
al army was Gtraining every nerve to con-
centrate, and in the great excitement and
anxiety one would scarcely have noticed
what sort of a uniform his right hand COM
rade wore. i gave Bragg fair idea of the
strength of several divisions number of bat
and hours before the fight opened at Chick
amauga | was ready to leave the blue coats
and return to the gray.
always found it easier to get into the en-
emy's camp than to get out 1t was certain
ly so in this case. / had marched all day
with Sheridan infantry. Several times dur
ing the day had been asked the name of my
regiment and company, but had ready an
twers. | could name half a dozen different
regiments, and had very reasonable excuse
for being ahead or behind my own.
The men halted at noon to prepare coffee,
and as passed group OF officers seated by
the roadside, they called out for me to join
them for the haSty meal, l pretended not
to have heard, and the invitation was re-
neWed | had no 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 that they
took me for an officer in one of the other
regiments in the brigade. The conversation
related wholly to the coming battle, and
was acting my part as well as could be ex-
pected when l suddenly caught sight of
face which unsettled me in moment.
Opposite me was federal captain who had
not spoken word since joined the group.
He not only had peculiar face, but there
was film over his left eye which rendered
it sightless, while the other had strange
way of glaring at me. When | looked up L
felt that he had been scrutiniZing me from
abe first moment There was something
about him which whispered of evil to me,
and suddenly. lost my appetite. | made
pretence of eating however, and was hoping
to get away from the group without being
questioned, when the captain leaned forward
and in voice which rasped and grated on
the ear, inquired:
What regiment do you belong TOP"
1.-THE Fifth, | replied,
What Fifth?'
illinois"
Hump"
| answered him by chance. not knowing
whether such a regiment was in the corps or
not. Did he know? What did he mean by
"hump!"
None of the other officers seemed to have
any interest in the case, but j was not yet
ready to go when the captain left the circle.
Was he going to consult some superior Off
Ger regarding my arrest? The fear that he
was caused me to act at once He was no
sooner out of sight than l hastily excused
myself and hurried down the road. The
troops were on the march again, and l
pushed along at brisk pace and was soon
mixed up with another brigade.
When night came l must be with the ad-
vance. 1t would be quite easy then, to evade
the pickets and reach confederate territory.
BY mid-attemoon was with the advance
brigade, and had almost forgotten the cir
cumstances of the captain with the wicked
look, when | suddenly found him at my ell
bow. He way trudging along the same as
myself, and as much unnotieed.
You may believe that my heart gave wild
jump. Was | mistaken? | hoped and be-
lieved so, but as | took the second look there
was no room to doubt that my first glance
had identified the man. 1t was that captain
sure enough. He did not seem to see Inc, but
he moderated or increased his pace by mine.
He did not look at me, nor did he open his
mouth to utter a single word. He simply
hung on like bloodhound, satisfied that L
was his victim.
The helpless feeling that first overcome me
soon gave way to one of annoyance and anger.
Did he remember me? was satisfied that
he did. Did he suspect me of being in dis
guise? If not, why did he follow me2 Why
didn't he denounce me at once? Why didn't
he interrogate or accuse? What was he
waiting for?
Hour after hour that silent, speechless re-
lentless human bloodhound trailed me. L
tried in dozen ways to shake him off, but
he was my shadow. Once Iidetermined to
off, but quarrel would have drawn attention
and perhaps strengthened his case.
Soon after sunset the brigade swung into
position along the line selected by the engi-
neer as the battle line of the morrow As we
were filing past group of officers consulting
maps spread ont under the trees, while the
ground around was Strewn with headquarter
| baggage, the wicked captain suddenly seized
me by the right arm while SERGEANT grasl ed
| my left, and was conducted into the pres
| ence of Gen. Sheridan My captors said not
word in defence of their action; was too
| upset to protest.
AS we walked INTO the little circle OF officers
Sheridan looked mp and seemed to size me
up at glance.
"What is it, captain ?" he asked.
"Rebel spy!' was the brief answer.
'Search himw
In five minutes they had thoroughly
| searched my clothing, but they found no
| compromising documents
"Who are you?" asked the general.
Lieut.. Charles Stevens, Company b, Fifth
| Illinois,
The wicked captain handed the general a
paper 1t was the roster of the regiment. 1t
| convicted me in a moment.
"Have him shot within ten minutesp' said
Sheridan as he turned to his maps.
l expected just such an order, and had been
nerving myself. My captors hadlet 90 of my
| arms and l was free for a rush. The general
| had hardly ceased speaking when made a
break. In the twilight with everything con-
| fusion, it was a scheme offering many
chances of success. There was wild rush
| after me, and the alarm spread through a
L I>oI1 h.f-