The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-04-28
rhe rr,p orKebeI Reau,,e-.


! The Army Of The Cumberland was
in camp at Murfreesboro Major
/ General - was brave division
commander, noted for his caution
and prudence as well as Tor his gal
lantry. His engineer officer was an
/ old man, and while making a survey
of the country between the Federal
and Confederate lines formed the
acquaintance OF ssyersl young and
accomplished ladies, daughters of q
widow living Just outside our lines.
The young ladies were intensely
rebel.
On the strength of their acquaint-
anee with the engineer they called
on the General, introducing them
selves as strong Union women and
friends of the engineer. The Gen
eral was captivated, and gave them
passes (they lived on his 'front.' in
and through the lines at will till
further orders. The engineer was
absent at the time, but on bis return
he told the General that he was
sold, as they were ''Secesh" and no
mistake. They frequently called on
the General as they passed to and
from town, and finally they invited
him and his party to euchre party
and supper to be given at their
house the following night, supper to
be at IL P. n. The General accepted
1.-The invitation for himself and staff.
He knew them to be very fascinat-
ing, and believed them 10 be truly
loyal.
The engineer was absent on that
day, but on his return he remonsIa-
ted against going in the strongest
terms, knowing it to be a trap. The
General and his staff would not be-
lieve it, however, and were deter
mined to attend the party.
The following day, as the last re-
sort, the engineer called on Major
General George Fl. Thomas, who
commanded the corps, told him the
story, and asked him to order the
General to report to him IN person
at 8 P. NJ, the hour the General and
his staff were to attend the party, on
a preiexI of desiring TO consult with
him on very important matters.
General Thomas complied with the
request, and promised not TO give
away the engineer. About an hour
before the time Of starting for the
party the General received the order.
| OF course, the order had TO be obey
ed, much to the disappointment of
the General and his staff. The staff
officers being very anxious 10 attend,
the General concluded 10 let them
60, provided his engineer would go
with them. The engineer consented
to go with them on condition that
the staff and the commanding oifi-
Ger of the Generals escort (fiity
mounted mem be ordered to report
for duty to the engineer. This would
give him command. The order was
given and they reported. The Gen
eral reported to General Thomas,
aud the staff and escort attended the
party. The Federal lines were IN
the timber, a short distance from
the cleared fields of the plantation.
The commanding officer of the
escort attended the party, leaving in
command G veteran sergeant, who
after receiving instructions from the
engineer, secreted himself in an ar
Dor near the window on the back
side of the dining room, wnere he
could hear q signal given by the en-
gineer. The young ladies gave the
staff a warm reception, and after re-
questing them to leave their side
arms in the hall with their hats, es-
corted them to the parlOr, where
there were half a score Of pretty
feminine rebels, glad, of course, to
see them.
Cards and small talk pleasantly
killed the time until supper. At II
sharp supper was announced. The
engineer selected a seat near the
back window, 50 as 10 be IN close
proximity to the sergeant OF the es-
eort. When all were seated there
were two vacant places at the table.
In few minutes the hall door open
ed and In came two rebel officers, =
captain and lieutenant. followed
by a fleof armed men. The cap
tain politely Informed the staff tnat
they could consider themselves pTis-
Oners of war. This was, of course,
conceded. the engineer asking per
mission fer the party to finish their
supper, and inviting the officers to
occupy the two vacant seats. This
was assented to. In few moments
the engineer gave the signal, the
house was Immediately surrounded,
and the sergeant with q file of men
entered the dining room.
Supper was finished, cards TesUm-
ed. and all except the rebs and their
lady friends had pleasant time
until about 5 o'clock in the morning,
when the staff returned TO head
quarters, taking with them the two
officers and their soldiers, as well az
the two lady friends All of the
prisoners were turned over to the
Provost Marshal General of the ar
my, and at the suggestion Of the en-
gineer the two youEg ladies were
searched and upon their persons
we're found plans Of the town and
the surrounding country, location
of troops, batteries, &c, Tor the use
OF General Bragg.
The young ladies then admitted
that the Job was put up for the two
officers, 70 whom they were engaged;
that in case Of success the officers
would have been promoted and they
were to be married the next night
at General Bragg's headquarters
Chicago Ledger.