Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-06-03
FRIENDS lM NEED.


A few days before the battle Of
Stone River, / was ordered by Gene
raj Bragg, then at Murfreesboro, to
proceed to Nashville and secure in
formation in regard to Rosecrans' in.
tentions. This information was sup.
posed to be in possession Of certain
people in the city friendly to the Con-
federate cause, and / had but to call
on them and receive it.
About half mile from the Union
pickets lived a farmer who supplied a
milk route in the city. He was thor
oughly rebel, and after an hour con.
yersation ! fixed it with him tha. I
was to drive his rig into the city. u.s.
ing his pass, deliver milk to regular
customers, and then send the outfit
back by a person he named. paid
him $40 in gold for this exchange,
and left his home an hour before day
light. He lent me the coat and hat
he usually wore, and l had no fear Of
being halted by the pickets. When l
reached the outpost l was challenged
for my pass. l handed it over, but it
was hardly looked at, the officer say.
ing:
"Oh, it's you, eh i! Well. shan t
! object if you fill my cantesn."
He handed it up and l filled it. l
saw him looking me over with sharp
eyes, and noted especially that he fas-
tened his eyes on finger ring of pc.
culiar make which had stupidity for
gotten to remove. However, nothing
further was said aud drove on. l
was stopped twice before entering the
city, but the pass took me through,
and l entered upon the work OF de.
| livering milk soon after daylight.
l was not only perfectly at home
in the city, but the milkman had care
fully located each customer for me-
Some of the servants looked curiously
at me as they came out, but others
gave no heed, and l got through with
the work in couple of hours without
any feelings Of uneasiness. l left the
horse at the place agreed upon, mott.
fed the party who was to return it,
ana -.i-~ aAi of satchel in hand. ia
hunt up a certain persUu n..a l>~-
recommended to stop with.
The people whom l came to see
could not be approached until after
dark, and although the city was a
beehive of hustle and excitement |
did not want to take any chances BY
exposing myself. While making for
the haven mentioned ! stopped for a
moment to make small purchase at
store. was waiting for my change
when heard soldier say TO a citi-
sen at the door
Have you seen a man wearing a
black slouch hat, brown coat, and
having a satchel in his hand, pass
here ?"
Seems as did. Who wants HIM!
II do"
"Oh ! you belong to the provost
guard"
"Yes, We suspect the fellow is q
spy"
well, l think he passed here moi
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
Presently he said. speaking in low
tones
"My friend, you had better 60 ou
by the back door You'll surely b
shot if they catch You
I bowed my thanks and bolted 70
the alley. l got safely out on tn
street, and had travelled three block
when l heard a yell behind me an
saw three cavalry men coming. Righ
at hand was house with basemen
and the basement door was open.
dashed into the place, shut and locke
the door and boldly struck out for u
stairs. There was no one in sight o
the first Hoor, and l ascended to th
second. There was now a great nois
in the street. and men were poundin
on the doors. AS / reached the NJ
per hall a woman came ont ofthe bee
room.
"Who are you >" she demanded. NJ
seeming to be in the least alarmed.
"a rebel spy l am just from Ger
| eral Bragg.
4. "And the men below are after you
Yes"
"Go, in there. You will find clotl
inc. Change as speedily as possibl
You are n7y brother George, from !