Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-11-12
A Tight Squeeze.
BY AN Ex CONFEDERATE.

I
from Mine Run, in the fall Of 1868.
he went into winter quarters between
the Rapidan and the Rappahsnnock,
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 information.
! left the rebel cavalry outpost at
10 o'clock one night. being on foot and
wearing a blue uniform throughout.
There was about mile of neutral
ground between the outposts, and
when | had crept down the highway
almost to the Union videttes, took TO
the fields and flank 'em. knew ev-
cry rod Of that country. and passing
the vidette was matter OF no trouble.
1t was when | reached the first line
of sentiDels that l had to go keerful.
1t was now midnight, and winter 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 quarters, and
knowing that strong picket was out,
the sentinels were not over watchful.
| crept up until l located two, and
both were muffied up against the cold
and thinking more of keeying warm
than looking for spies Whine l was
watching for chance to skulk in, The
two came together and stood talking.
and this gave the snow I wanted. I
rose up from the cold ground, bore
little to the right, and entered the
gap without being seen. In 10 min
utes more | was among the tents and
shanties | walked up one street and
down another. looking for a place to
stow myself away. and by-and- by
saw. soldier come out of tent and 90
off. reasoned that he was on guard
and had come to his tent on some
errand, and ! was probably right. 1t
was half tent, half shanty, with fire.
place in it. lcrept in at the door and
found fire going and three men
asleep under the blankets. There was
heap of wood at hand, and the best
could do was to stir up the fire and
hover it. didn't mean to fall asleep;
that is, was bound and determined
to keep awake, but | had no sooner got
fairly warmed through than l went off
to the land o'Nod and the next thing
l knew it was daylight. None O. the
chaps under the blankets were awake
and slipped out without disturbing
'em. Everything would have been all
right 'cept for man In tent across
the street. He had come out after
wood and was standing there as / ap.
peared. AS both tents belonged to
the same company, and as all the
men in each company knew each 9TH
er, it was only natural that /, per-
feet stranger, should attract his at
tentlon. Further, it was just as natu-
al that he should suspect me of being
a thief He was a sour-faced, beet
le-orowed chap, and the minute |
looked into his eyes | knew we should
have row.
'Ah, | caught youl' he growled, as
I faced him.
AT what?" I coollv ASKED.
Stealing, of coursep
You are wrong. I went in there
to get warm
Who be you?'
George Smith.
sWhat regiment?
Sixth Maine
Where's your regiment2' he asked.
That's what I'm looking for + re-
piled. i was took by the rebs fifteen
days ago, and have just escaped and
come in.
answered him SO promptly, and
told such a stright story, that he could
have no suspicions, and / might have
got away but for an accident He
had brought out his coffee-pot and
in moving away I fell over it He
jumped for me without word. re-
turned his blow, and then we clinched
and fought up and down the street.
| was getting the best of him,
when we fell upon and wrecked g.
tent and began to draw crowd.
In five minutes there were fifty men
around us, and pretty soon an officer
comes up, separated us and asked:
What is this row about7'
I caught this chap stealing, sings
out my opponent.
He lies!'
Who are you?' asks the oficer.
private George Smith, Of the Sixth
Maine.
Where's your regiment"
Don't know, sir. / was captured
by the rebs, got away, and am looking
for my regiment
When did you come IMP
Last night
sHow did you pass all the outposts
and sentinels?'
He had me there. I had as good
as betrayed myself BY that one an
swer.'
I'll see to your easel! he growled,
and he called the guard and had me
marched off. The guard house was
log stable, and as soon as. he reach It'll
was stripped and searched. The next
49, NJ 7 :. Il