The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-06-11
FRIENDS IN NEED.
by an Ex-COnfederate Soldier.

by AN Ex-COnfederateS Soldier.
Detroit Free Press.
A few days before the battle of Stone River
| was ordered by Gen. Bragg then at Muir
freeshboro, to proceed to Nashville and secure
information in regard to Roscrans' intentions.
This information was supposed to he in the
hands ofcertain people in the city friendly TO
the Confederate cause and had but to call
on them and receive it.
About half mile from the Union pickets
lived farmer who supplied milk route in
the city. He was thoroughly rebel, and after
an hours conversation fixed it with him that
| was to drive his rig into the city, using his
pass, deliver milk to regular customers, and
then send the outfit back by u person he
named. paid him $50 in gold for this cA-
change, and left an hour before daylight
Heloaned me the coat and hat he usually wore,
and l had no fear of being halted by the
pickets. When reached the outpost was
challenged for my pass. | handed it over,
but it was hardly looked at, the officer say
| ing
ooh, it's you, Ell Well, l shan't object if
you fill my canteen."
He handed it up and | filled it, saw him
looking over me with sharp eyes, and noted
especially that he fastened his eyes on finger
ring of peculiar make which had stupidity
forgotten to remove However, nothing fur
ther was said and drove on. Twas stopped
twice before entering the city, but the pass
took me through, and l entered upon the
work ofdelivering milk soon after daylight.
| was not only perfectly at home in the
city, but the milkman had carefully located
each customer for me. Some of the servants
looked curiously at me as they came out. but
others gave no heed, and | got through with
| tla NpL ina Nf ..,ith hon
feelings of uneasiness. left the horse at the
place agreed upon, notified the party who
was to return it, and then set of, satchel in
hand, TO hunt up a certain person had been
recommended to stop with.
The people whom came to see could not
be approached until after dark, and although
the city was a beehive of hustle and excite
ment did not want to take any chances by
exposing myself While making for the
haven mentioned l stopped for moment to
make small purchase at store. l was
waiting for my change when / heard a SOL
dier say to a citizen at the door:
Have you seen a man wearing black
SLOUGH hat, brown coat, and having a satchel
in his hand, pass herey"
Seems as did. Who wants him"
II do"
"Oh you belong TO the provost guard"
Eyes; we suspect the fellow is spy"
well, | think he passed here not five min
utes ago, going towards the market house"
| The young man behind the counter was
looking me square in the eyes. He knew
was the man wanted. Presently he said,
speaking in low tones:
|, "NIy friend, you had better go out by the
back door You will surely be shot if they
catch you !"
bowed my thanks and boled for the alley
| I G., 81, 4 1. I
ed three blocks when | heard yell behind
me and saw three cavalrymen coming. Right
at hand was house with a basement and the
basement door was open. l dashed into the
place, shut and locked the door, and boldly
struck out for up stairs. There was no one
in sight on the first floor and | assembled to
the second. There was now great noise in
the street, and men were pounding on the
doors. As / reached the'upper hall woman
came out of a bedroom.
"Who are you ?" sic demanded, not SEEM
ing to be the least alarmed.
"A rebel spy! am just from Gen. Bragg"
And the men below are after you ?"
Eyes.
"Go in there, You will find clothing
Change as speedily as possibly. You are my
brother George from Illinois.
While she went down stairs l pushed into
the bedroom. There was q closet full of male
attire, and wasn't over three minutes MAX
ing an exchange. lnplace of a coat Iput on
morning gown, clapped Il smoking cap on
my head, and when | had thrust my feet into
pair of slippers disposed ofmy old clothes
by thrustng them up the fireplace chimney
There was loaded pipe on the mantel. |
lighted and marched down into the hail, Just
rs the woman came up stairs at the head OF
hali-dozen Federals.
What is it, Lucy?" l asked in voice not
too anxious
"TbeSe men are after some one and they
say he came in here"
1--WE were at his heels when lie entered the
basement and locked the door on u.s." said the
sergeant in command
"What a bold fellow; and you think he is
in the house"
II know it,"
"Well, let us make thorough search. Sis.
ter Lucy, where is the cook ?"
"Gone to market"
"Ahl The man may have secreted himself
in the lower part of the house. Come on"
| headed the soldiers in their search and, as
may be imagined, it was useless one. We
looked into every place where man might
have concealed himself, and the sergeant f.
nally became discouraged and observed
ut is possible he went out by the back
door"
II thought so from the first" I replied,
'but wanted to be satisfied"
Opening the back basement door, and
showing him yard with the alley-gate open,
| continued:
1.-THE man doubtless passed out that way,
and is now two miles away"
II ought to be kicked for fool" he growl-
ed. well, l am very much obliged 10 you,
and hope you will excuse this interruption"
"Who is the man you are after ?"
"a spy from Bragg's headquarters, or we
30 suspect. He came in with milk wagon"
The soldiers presently departed and the wo-
man said to me:
"You can select suit from the closet and
make yourself at home for the day. When
night comes you will know where to GO"
That night got the information that had
been sent for. 1t came from people who ex-
pressed the confidence in their knowledge
derived unconsciously from members of
Rosecrans' staff, and settled the date of his
movement towards Stone River. Three days
later was back at Murfreesboro; and the
news l brought made almost a complete
change in the position of Bragg's line.