The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-10-31
A TIGHT SQUEEZE.
An Z2;-Rebers Adventure Within
the Union Lines.

Une Union Lines
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 informa-
ton.
It was understood that lie was send
ing troops off West, and was partlcu-
larry charged to discover if there was
any foundation in the report
left the rebel cavalry outpost at ten
o'clock one night, being on foot and
wearing blue uniform throughout.
There was about mile of neutral
ground between outposts, and when
had crept down the highway almost to
the Union videttes | took to the fields
and hanked 'em. knew every rod of
the country, and passing the vidette
was q matter of no trouble.
1t was when | reached the first line
of seutiuels that 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
u strong picket was out, the sentinels
were not over watchful. | crept up I'M
til l located two, and both were muffied
up against the cold and thinking more
of keeping warm than OF looking for
spies. While was waiting for chance
to skulk in, the two came together and
stood talking, and this Gin me the show
WANTED Iriz up from the cold ground,
bore of little to the right, and entered
the gap without being seen. In ten
minutes more was among the tents and
shanties.
must find place to pass the night.
1t was too cold to go prowling round,
sayiog nothing of the danger to be in
Cured. l walked up one street and
down another, looking for q place to
stow myself away; and bye and bye l
saw y soldier come out of a tent and go
off. IrCasoned that he was on guard, and
had come to his tent en- an errand, and
Twas probably right.
twas half.tent, half-shanty, with a
fireplace in it. crept in at the door
and found a fire going ana three men
asleep under the blankets. There was
a heap of wood at hand, and the best l
could do was to stir up the fire and
hover over it. didn't mean to fall
asleep; that is, was bound and deter
mined 20 keep awake, but had no
sooner got fairly warmed through than
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 a man In tent
across the street He had come out
after wood, and was standing there as
appeared. As both tents belonged tc
the same company, and as all the mer
in each company knew each other, il
was only natural that /. perfect
stranger, should attract his attention.
Further, it was jist us natural that he
should suspect me of being thief. HI
was sour-faced, beetle-browed chap
and the mint l looked into his eyes
knew we would have row.
"Ah!I caught youH' he growled as
faced him.
"At whatp" I coolly asked.
Stealing, of course"
"You are wrong, Invent in there t.
git warm"
"Who be you?"
George Smith"
"What regiment?"
Sixth Maine"
l was answering at random. knew
that the Sixth Maine was in the fight a
Rappahannock Station about a mont
before, because l had talked with som
prisoners.
Where's your regiment" he asked
That's what I'm looking for" | re
piled. 81 was took by the rebels fiftee
days ago. and have just escaped an
come in"
| answered him so promptly, and toll
such straight story, that he coul
have no suspicious, aud | might hav
GOT away but for an accident. He ha
brought out his coaee-pot, and in mo,
inc away I fell ever it. He was achin
for fuss with somebody, and that ws
.. good excuse. Ho jumped for m
without word. returned his blow
and then we clinched and fought up en-