The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-05-14

coon Ford and Jackson higher up. The two
commands came together at the confluence of
the two roads they were travelling, on the top
OF the hill just beyond the Raccoon Ford. There
the road diverged little north of parallel to
the Rapidan and ran towards the Rappahan-
mock River. Jackson and Longstrests men
marched along this route in PARALLEL columns.
When the Macbeth reached the junction Of the
roads on top of the hill, the scene was grand and
imposing beyond de oription. The country was
open and comparatively level for somo distance,
and rs far as tho eyes could roach was a
mighty river Of moving men. Longstreet in
tho road and jackson in the field to the left; the
TWO commands hurrying on in the spirit of ri
Valry to overtake Gen. Pope before he could
escape to the north side Of the Rappahannock
| At the forks Of the road some miles south of
| the river, Jackson Med up tho left road lead
| ing to Beverly Ford and Longstrcet down the
right to Kelly's Ford. The impression that we
were nearing the enemy was now quito general
among the soldiers, and stimulated with the
prospect of battle, they moved forward with
quickening steps. 1t was, therefore, q matter
of some surprise when we were suddenly halt
cd long before dark and ordered into camp
for the night.
The next morning, as we were marching out
Of camp, man in a full suit of Confederat gray
was arrested just across the road from US, in
COL dadberry's regiment, as a spy. Not know
ing the particulars that led to his arrest it
was easy enough to imagined that he might
nave Jared better had he come into Longstreets
camp strictly in the uniform of Longstrects
men. At that time soldier in rags might
have passed through Lees army easy enough
while one in good apparel would be the "ob-
served of all observers and target for witt
oism, criticism and suspicion. Aught 1 know
his good clothes may have led to his arrest.
He was marched up to headquarters at . house
in the bend Of the road, tried by q drum head
oourt-marsha, condemned, and sentenced to be
hung. The executioner, a Confederate soldier.
was not long in adjusting ono end of rope
around his neck and the other over the limb of
q tree in front Of the house. Just as he was
about to be executed the lady of the house beg
ged not to hang him at her gate and her re-
monstrance added five or ten minutes moro
Of time to his life. looked him we'll in the
face, as lie was carried back just in rear of
our battery and executed. He seemed to re.
alize that his mission was at an end and l no.
tced him shut his eyes and shudder. lie was
q splendid looking specimen of humanity and
he exhibited atsleast one noble trait of charac.
tor, and y was pm index Of some refnement:
Rather than his family should suffer becau sc Of
his ignominious death, he refused TO give his
name. He had gone out like Andre the British
spy Of evolutionary fame, on perrilous mis-
sion for his country, and like Andre when the
inevitable overlook him met his fate heroically,
won't down with his colors flying, but unlike An
DIRE in that hisname will never appear in history
The executioner proposed an exchange of raj
ment, and taking the silence Of the spy for oon-
sent left the place wearing the dead mans
boots before he was cold in his grave, rejoicing
in the luck that made him the recipient of a
needed article Of personal comfort.
man quickly arrested, tried, condemned and
executed is an episode in war that excites
more interest and impresses more soldiers than
the dead and wounded on q thousand battle
fields. 1t was common talk that morning that
bogus dispatch, brought by him from Jack
son to Longstreet, occasioued the sudden halt of
the previous evening We had now reached
the river and found Pope in strong position on
the north side. The original plan of forcing q
crossing at Kelleys Ford was abandoned as
impracticable, and we marched towards BRANDY
Station, along q road running almost parallel
with the Rappahanock. We passed through
Stevensburg after night and crossed a stream
on what seem to be o bridge under water. It
was very dark and impossible to take in our
surroundings. was impressed with the idea
that the slightest detection to the right or
left would carry me into water Of q great deptb.
felt more comfortable when we moved out of
that stream and wen. into camp on top Of the
hill just beyond. The enemy fired an OCCASION
al she'll at us during the day, but they ex-
ploded short of their mark and did us no more
harm than excite our nerves a little.
The next morning we continued our march
up the river. We passed through Brandy Sta
tion and marched down near to Beverly Ford,
where an artillery combat was already in pro :
gress. Leaving the road to our left, we passed
up through yard and halted to the right of a
| residence, some three hundred yards in rear of
battery Of the Washington Light Artillery,
then engaged in n spirited artillery duel
with Federal battery across the
| river. Many Of the shot fred by the enc.
my passed over the battery they were fighting
and went richocheting by u.s. We had been
watching this interesting duel but few
minutes. when We were ordered to take q posi-
tion on the crest Of o commanding hill, some
quarter Of mile or more to our right, and
engage Federal battery that was annoyip
| our infantry stretched along the hillside in
exposed position. The charge of the Ma
through that open field and up to our p j
| on top of the hill, no doubt excited osi
miration of some and the pity Of oths, the
J,s, hoforo .o..L;.. A. .,. IS.