Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-04-15


General-was brave division COM
mander, noted for his caution and
prudence as well as for his gallantry.
He was a lady's man, and his sus-
ceptibility to crinoline for once got
away with his caution. His engineer
officer was an old man, and while
making a survey OF the country be-
tween the Federal and Confederate
lines, formed the acquaintance of a
couple of young and accomplished
ladies. daughters of a widow living
just outside our lines.
The young ladies were very intense
ly rebel.
On the strength of their acquaint-
ance with his engineer they called
one day on the General, introducing
themselves as strong Union women
and friends Of his engineer. The Gen.
eral was captivated, and gave them
passes (they lived on his 'front.' in and
through the lines at will until fur
Their orders. The engineer was absent
at the time, but on his return he
informed 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 staff to a euchre party and
supper to be given at their house the fol-
lowing night, the supper to be II P.
NJ. The General accepted the invitation
for himself and staff. He knew them
to be very fascinating, and believed
them to be truly loyal
The engineer was absent on that
day, but on his return he remonstrat.
ed against going in the strongest
terms, knowing it to be trap. The
General and his staff would not be-
lieve it, however, and were determin-
ell to attend the party.
The following day, as the last re-
SORT, the engineer called on Major
General George II. Thomas, who COM
manded the corps, told him the story
and asked him to order the Genera
to report to him in person at 8 P NJ,
the hour the General and staff were
to attend the party, on pretext of
desiring to consult with him on i'm
portant matters. General Thomas
complied with the request, and
promised not TO give away the engi-
neer. About an hour before the time
of starting for the party the General
received the order. OF course the
order had TO he obeyed, much to the
disappointment of the General and
his staff. The staff officers being very
anxious TO attend the General con-
ciuded to let them so, provided his
engineer would 90 with them. The
engineer consented to attend with
them on condition that the staff and
the commanding officer Of the Gener-
ais escort fifty mounted men) with
his men, be ordered to report for
duty to the engineer. This would
give him command. The order was
gwen, and they reported. The Gen
eral reported to General Thomas, and
the staff and escort attended the party.
The Federals lines were in the timber,
short distance from the cleared
fields Of the plantation.
a skirt of the timber passed near
and to the rear Of the house. The
escort were stationed in the timber
skirt. OF course unknown to the occu
pants of the house.
The commanding officer of the es.
cort attended the party, leaving in
command a veteran sergeant, who
after receiving instructions from the
engineer, secreted himself in an arbor
near window on the back side Of
dining room, where he could hear a
signal given by the engineer. The
young ladies gave the staff warm
reception, and after requesting them
TO leave their side.armS in the hall
with their hats, escorted them. into
the parlor, where were a half-score
of pretty feminine rebels, glad. OF
course, to see them.
Cards and small talk pleasantly
killed the time until supper. At
eleven sharp supper was announced.
The engineer selected seat near a
back window, so as 10 be in close prox-
unity TO the sergeant of the escort.
When all were seated there were two
vacant plates on the table. In n
few moments the hall door opened
and in came two rebel officers, q cap
tain and lieutenant. followed by a
file of armed men. The captain po-
htely informed the staff that they
could consider themselves prisoners
OF war. This, OF course, was conced-
ed, the engineer asking permission