Connecticut western news., 1885-10-28
A TIGHT SQUEEZE.
BY AN Ex-coNFEDERATE.

BY AN EEK X-CoNFEDERATE
 When General Meade fell back from Mine Run, in the fall of 1863, 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 r.yer. penetrate his camp and pick up all possible infor- mation.
 It was understood that he was send ing troops off west, and was partieu- lariy charged to discover if there was any foundation in the report.
 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 I had crept down the highway almost to the Union videttes took to the fields and fianked 'em. knew every rod of that country. and passing the vidette was matter of no trouble. It was when reached the first line of sentinels that had to go keer- ful. It was now midnight, and win ter had set in. There was no snow, but the wind was cold and the ground frozen. It so happened that struck part of French's corps. Knowing that Lee was going into winter quar- ters, and knowing that strong picket was out. the sentinels were not over watehfuL I crept up until located two, and both were muffled up against the cold and thinking more of keeping warm than of looking for spies. While I was waiting for chance to skulk in, the two came together and stood talking, and this gin me the show wanted. I rig up from the cold ground, bore off little to the right, and en- tered the gap without being seen. In ten minutes more I was among the tents and shanties.
 must find place to pass the night It was too cold to go prowling round, saying nothing of the danger to be in- cured. walked mp one street and down another, looking for place te stow myself away; and by and by saw a soldier come out of tent and gt of. reasoned that he was on guard and had come to his tent on some CT. rand, and was probably right.
 It was half-tent, half-shanty, with ; fire place in it. crept in at the dool and found fire going, and there three men asleep under the blanket. There was heap of wood at hand, and tht best could do was to stir up the firt and hover over it. I didn't mean tt fall asleep; that is I was bound and de termined to keep awake, but had nt sooner got fairly warmed through than I went off to the land O Nod and the next thing knew it was day light.
 None O the chaps under the blank cts were awake, and 1 slipped ou without disturbing 'em. Everythin. would have been all right 'cept for man in tent across the street. H had come out after wood, and wa standing there as I appeared. As botl tents belonged to same company, an as all the men in each company knew each other, it was only natural that a perfect stranger, should attract hi attention. Further it was jest as nat ural that he should suspect me of be ing a thief. He was a sour-faced beetle browed chap, and the mint looked into his eyes I knew we shoul have row.
 "Ah caught you F he growled a I faced him."
 "At what?' coolly axed.
 Stealing. of course!'
 "You are wrong. I went in ther to get warm"
 "Who be you?"
 "George Smith,"
 "What regiment?"
 Sixth Maine
 wasn't answering at random. knew that the Sixth Maine was in tn fight at Rappahannock Station, abou a month before, because I had take with some prisoners.
 "wher's your regiment?" he asked
 That's what I'm looking for" r' piled. "I was took by th0 rebs fftee days ago, and have just escaped an come in."
 I answered him so promptly, an told such a straight story, that h could have no suspicious, and 1 migt have got away but for an accidcn he had brought out his coffee-pot. an