Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-09-29
SPYING AT CORINTH.

gard at Corinth, or, rather, daily APP
preaching the Confederate lines by sys-
tenn of defenses, was in the trenches
one afternoon when the captain Of my
company sent for me and ordered me to
report to the colonel The colonel ordered
me to report at Gen. Halleck's head
quarters, and when / made my appear
ance the general said:
'eYou have done some acouting?"
Yes, sir"
"Will you go as spya"
''Where tor
'Into Corinth. I want information
which only spy can secure. II you
come back you shall be well rewarded
If you are detected you will be hung"
II will try it,
Every good. Return in an hour and
I will give you instructions. When can
you set out2"
"By midnight" fss 81
THAT will do"
went away wondering how on earth
Gen. Halleck had ever heard of me. and
it was month later before ascertained
the facts. One afternoon was ''show-
ing off" to group of soldiers, and the
general and his chief engineer halted on
their round of inspection and became
spectators unbeknown to me. In my
pallny days could initiate any voice 1
heard; could put my face into almost
any shape; could work my ears like a
horse, and could throw hat off my head
by working my scalp. When was only
"a years old could make my face look
like that of man of 70, and, as my face
was as beardless as woman 8, could
dress In female attire and defy any one
to detect my by my voice or gait.
The main thing was to get into Cor
NTH. The general had no suggestions to
make on that point, and the work to be
done, when once inside, seemed easy
enough. The way into Corinth by the
south and west was still open, and milk,
vegetables, hay and other stuff were beng
received by every highway. When I set
out just before shutdown had $500 in
gold in my pockets and a bundle of
clothing in my hand. At midnight,
when | reached the point aimed at. a
bow backed old man of 10, lame, gray
haired and toothless, might have been
seen sitting in a fence corner of high
way to await the passage of time. Twas
within seven miles of Corinth, and my
plan was to go in with some vehicle
Within ten miles of me were two great
armies getting ready for death grapple,
but just then the frogs croaked. the in
sects buzzed. and peace spread her man
tie az III graveyard. Indeed. Twas in
wheels. and was only on my feet when a
young man. driving horse to an open
buggy, came along. He had six jugs OF
milk in the vehicle, and was bound for
town. sEas4. a.s
Hey, youl' called to him. Cant
you give an old man q lift to town. My
boy has run off and jined the soldiers.
and must see him and try and get him
back.
"Who are your he asked.
Judge Lexington, Of Guntown.
Started to come by rail, but the engine
broke down, and in trying to get ahead
Eve got lost, reckon.
II should say you hadl You amt
anywhere near the railroad. HQt
"Reckon not. Pretty hard on the old
man, but feel as If must get the boy
back -
well. jump in. suppose you've got
a pass2" eF
"Oh. yes"
He was a kind hearted, simple minded
young man, and had pass, which en-
abled him to come and go at pleasure.
We had not gone above half mile when
suddenly discovered" that had lost
the important document which would
admit me into Corinth. He stopped his
horse while searched anew, but the pa
per could not be found.
ll And what will they do If don't have
a pass?" asked.
Take you before some Of the gen
erals, and they may lock you up. They
are mighty careful of late"
"And may not get to see my boy?"
"Perhaps not" .a
took on" for about five minutes in
a pathetic strain, and when saw that
had enlisted his sympathies said:
"My young friend, don't want to be
delayed. You must help me. When
we come to the picket post am to pass
as your father who has come to town to
look around. Even an hours delay may
take my boy AWAY"
''Oh, but wouldn't dare"
You'd dare great deal for these, !" /
said. as put couple of $40 gold pieces
into his hand.
"Why-yes-I-I feel sorry for you.
and l want you to get in. ! might say
you was my father. but
I'm chance the rest" .e..f -s
don't think he expected any trouble.
for the matter did not seem to trouble
him any. When we drove up to the
first picket post he halted the horse and
was fumbling for his pass, when one of
the pickets said:
That's all right-drive on. Oh. but
who il that with you?''
THE old man. He fit In the Mexican
war, and wants to see how things look
in Corinth."
.'And If I was ten years younger I'd
shoulder musket." added.
.'Bully for you'll" shouted the three or
four men ON the post, and they were
laughing as we drove on.
The inner picket did not stop US at all.
and we drove into the town In the gray
of morning. Although the hour was
early, every body was astir and the streets
- Ia IL. u.