The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-03-25
FRIENDS IN NEED.
..:#
By AN EN- REBEL.
Detroit E.cc;Prcss.

A few days before the battle of Ston,
River I was ordered by General Bragg
then at Murfrecsboro, to proceed tt
Nashville and secure information in re
gard to Rosecrans' intentions. Thil
information was supposed to be in pos
session Of certain people in the city
friendly to the Confederate cause, anc
I had but to call upon them and receive
it.
About half a mile from the Union
pickets lived a farmer who supplied 9
milk route in the city. He ~as thor.
oughly rebel, and after an hours con-
versation I fixed it with him that I was
to drive bis rig into the city, using his
pass, deliver milk to regular customers
and then send the outfit back by per.
son he named. 1 paid him $50 in gold
for this exchange, and left his home an
hour before daylight. He lent me the
coat and hat he usually wore, and had
no fear of being halted by the pickets
When l reached the outpost ] was
challenged and asked for my pass. !
handed it over, but it was hardly look
ed at, the officer saying:
ooh, it's you, eh? Well, 1 shan't OBJ
ject if you fill my canteen."
He handed it up and I filled it. saw
him looking me over with sharp eyes,
and noted especially that he fastened his
eyes on finger ring of peculiar make
which I had stupidity forgotten to remove.
However, nothing further was said, and
1 drove on. 1 was stopped twice more
before entering the city, but the pass
took me through, and Ientered upon the
work of delivering milk soon after day
light.
I 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 the work in a
couple of hours without any feelings Of
llneasiness. I left the horse at the place
agreed upon, notified the party who was
10 return it, and then set off, satchel in
hand, to hunt up certain person had
been recommended to stop with.
The people whom l came to see could
not be approached until after dark, and
although the city was beehive of hustle
and excitement, did not want 10 take
any chances by exposing myself. While
making for the haven mentioned stop
ped for moment TO make small pur.
chase at store. was waiting for my
change when heard a soldier say to a
citizen at the door:
"Have you seen man wearing black
slouch hat, brown coat, and having q
satchel in his hand pass here?"
"Seems as if I did. Who wants
him?"
"I do"
"Oh! you belong to the provost
guard"
eyes, we suspect the fellow is spy"
"Well, 1 think he passed here not FIVE
minutes ago, going towards the market
house."
The young man behind the counter
was looking me square in the eyes. He
knew l was the man wanted. Present
ly be said, speaking in low tones
"My friend, you had better go out by
the back door! You'll surely be shot if
they catch you"
bowed my thanks and bolted for the
alley. 1 got safely out on the street, and
had travelled three blocks, when l heard
yell behind me and saw three cavalry
men coming. Right at hand was house
with basement, and the basement door
ws.s open. l dashed into the place, shut
and locked the door and boldly struck
out for upstairs. There was no one in
sight on the first floor, and I ascended 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 q bedroom.
"Who are you, sir?" she demanded.
not seeming to be in the least alarmed
"a rebel spy I am just from Gen.
Bragg"
And the men below are after you ~
Eyes"
Go in there. You will find clothing.
Change as speedily as possible. You are
my brother George, from Illinois"
While she went down stairs I pushed
into the bedroom. There was closet
full of male attire, and l wasn't over
three minutes making an exchange.
In place of a coat put on morning
gown, clapped smoking-cap on my
head, and when / had thrust my feet into
a pair of slippers I disposed of my old
clothes by thrusting them up the fire.
place chimney. There was loaded pipe
on the mantel l lighted it and marched
out into the hall just as the woman came
up slairs at the head of half dozen
Federals.
"lVhat is it, Lucyn asked in voice
rot 100 anxious.
"1,hese men arc after some one, and
they say he came in here"
"lVe were at his heels when he entered
the basement ard locked the door on II" "
said The sergeant in command.
"yYhat bold fellow Aud you think
he is in the louse?"
II know it
"Well, let us make thorough search.
Sister Lucy, where is the cook p
"Gone to market"
"Ah! The man may have secreted
himself in the lower part of the house.
Come on"