Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-05-19
THE YANKEE spy.
How He Entered an Atlanta Bomb Proof
and the Subsequent EYants.

a delegate from one of the Northwest
ern states. What attracted me to the
man was his amiability and meekness.
MIR. Dubuque came up to my ideal of "a
preacher, and found his companion
ship very pleasant. One afternoon
my Western friend asked me if 7
thought that any of the bomb proofs
dug by the citizens during the siege of
Atlanta were still in existence. He de-
sired to see one, as he had been re-
quested by his friends at home to
sketch 1t. 81 know of one that we can
reach in 1O-minute walk" l said.
Mr.. Dubuque was delighted, and we
were soon on our way to the place.
| had slight acquaintance with the
old lady upon whose premises the
bomb proof was situated, and when
we reached the place and stated the
object OF our visit permission was
readily granted to examine the queer
looking hole in the ground which had
served as refuge from Sherman's
shells. The bomb proof fortunately
was in fine state of preservation,
and the old lady pointed it out to us
with good deal Of pride. At first we
saw only huge mound of earth COW
cred with grass, but at one end we
found an opening to q crooked under
ground chamer about six feet deep, ten
feet long, and five in width. No falling
shell had sufficient force to penetrate
the mound, composed of red clay, tim
Der and scrap iron.
When we scrambled out of the
gloomy place the old lady remarked
that when she occupied 1T the walls
were lined with old carpets and the
floor was covered with rugs. With g.
few chairs and some blankets her fam
lily had found g. night in the dug out,
as she called it, very endurable.
"Thosa were stirring times" said
Mr.. Dubuque.
"They were indeed" replied our
hostess. II can never forgive Gen.
Sherman for Smelling city full of
women and children"
Zone of the necessities of war;" said
the preacher in an undertone. sBy
the way, did any of your soldiers ever
seek shelter in this snug little hole?"
"Only one," replied the lady, "and he
turned out to be Yankee spy"
"Is it possible" her two listeners ex-
claimed.
eyes, L was never SO surprised in my
life. One day the Smelling was unusual
ly hot. Two spent shells struck the
house. A soldier who was passingran
into our yard and made for the bomb
proof. He requested our permission
to remain q few minutes, and of course
we had no objection. He was a fine
looking young man, and made himself
very agreeable. When he left he ex-
pressed g. wish for something to read,
and Ilet him have "The Aide de Camp"
Confederate novel. He promised to
return it but did not expect to see it
again"
"And did he return it ?" I asked.
eyes, and | wish he hadn't. Why,
what do you think? Two weeks later,
after Sherman had occupied the city, I
we,s out in my front yard one morn
ing, looking after my plants, when
who should ride up to the fence but a
young officer in spick-spank new
uniform. | wouldn't look at him I'M
til he saluted me, and said: Madam,
have called to return your book. |
enjoyed it very much l took the
book. 1t was 'The Aide de Camp
Then I looked the officer full in the
face. so you were spy / said.
That's what they call it, replied the
young rascal, with a laugh He bowed,
waved his hand, and galloped off. I
never saw him again, but would know
him anywhere by the two scars on his
right temple"
ga very interesting incident" said
Mr.. Dubuque. cit is to be hoped that
your spy abandoned the tricks of his
business, and settled down into good
citizen after the war"
II don't believe word of it," re-
sponded the old lady. eff I had
known what he was at first, / would
have had him turned over to Gen.
Hood and shot,"
By this time we had seen all there
was to be seen and were ready to take
our departure. AS he turned to go,
after thanking the mistress of the house
for her courtesy, Mr.. Dubuque, before
replacing his hat, brushed away his
curly locks carelessly from his right
temple, revealing two little scars, and
gazed at the good lady, who was smil-
ing upon him.
"My goodness exclaimed the ex-
C1UCO WOu1GNAs why y W. ctA = OA1O ORJe
the very man himself!'
With sardonic grin the Rev. Mr..
Dubuque bowed, and, putting on his
beaver, turned and walked rapidly
away, gently drawing me with him.
"See here, how about this? Ia
CURED. "Your curiosity is natural"
said the preacher. "The fact is-but
hold on moment. Here is q delegate
who is looking me up to write report
for his committee. You must excuse
me for the present"
And off he went with his brother
minister. returned to my Office, and
that night when tried to look Dubuque
up for am explanation found that he
had been suddenly called home by a
telegram announcing illness in his
family. have never heard from him
since, but he impressed me as a nice
man.
A TIMELY APPEAL.