The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-03-31
A Strange Case,

Ing us AL along Ihe lIOhI' AI lIlS oPO'
where l relieved the old picket the FEEDER
ais occupied a post not over len rods away,
and during the daytime the conversation
would run about as follows;
"Hellol Johnnyp'
"Hellel YankW
Glow long are you going to be thers''
"All winter"
"Bet you ten to onew
"Why?"
"'Cause we are going 10 drive you out
in few days. Better get your knapsacks
packed"
"You be hanged"
See if we don't do it,"
went on at 10 o'clock at night, and my
orders were very strict 1t was a starlight
night, and between me and the Yankee
picket was open ground-a portion of an
eld field. a dog couldn't cross it without
being discovered. was not to give an
alarm unless convinced that the enemy
was preparing for some move, and | was
net to fire my musket except more than
one person was seen advancing across the
Geld. So sure as one single musket was
discharged the fire would run up and dowr
hc.h lines for a mile or so, and the relief,
would be turned out and hubbub be
ra ised which could not be quieted for ar
hour.
1t was a very still night. The whippoor
wills were singing along the Opequan, ant
from every bunch of grass came the notes
Of katydids and crickets. At about II o.
clock, while sat for moment on faller
log looking straight across the field, mar
suddenly stepped out of the cover of The
woods on the far side and began advancing
towards me. l caught the shine of tn,
starlight on his musket at once, and i'm
mediately made up my mind that he was {
Federal picket. Indeed, who else could h,
be? He was exactly opposite me, and h,
advanced at slow and measured pace rWitl
bis musket at carry"
| As soon as the man stepped out spran!
up. l had been ordered not to fire on
single person advancing, but what coul(
he mean by exposing himself in this reck
less manner? Our pickets were so close to
gether that be must be under the eyes of a
least three of US. If it was a bravado
bad never Seen case like it. If he mean
to desert his colors his GOODNESS was some
thing unparalleled.
On he came, straight at me, never turn
ing his head nor hesitating for am oment
and in five minutes he came to halt S
near that could have prsdded him wit
the bayonet | was just about to addres
him, demanding his surrender, when h
placed his musket against tree, folde
his arms across his breast. leaned up again:
a beech and stared into the darkness owe
my head. Five long minutes he stoo
there without making movement, but
heard him sigh as though there was gref
trouble on his mind.
was standing in-my tracks, too dun
founded for action, when the picket to Il
left of me came creapng up on his han,
and knees, and as he rose up beside the lc
! sat down so that we could consult.
What on earth can all that man?"
asked He is neither a scout nor a d
, serler."
"H'ait and watch him." whispered n
companion
, In 4 few minutes the Federal took
letter from his bfeas! pocket, removed
I from the envelope, and opened the she
, as if reading it. 1t was so dark that
q could not haYe made out the letters on
fl, circus bill, but he seemed 10 read eve
q word in that letter. When he had finish
. it he placed the envelope in his pecket, b
q the letter futtered 10 the ground. ]
Il sighed heavily, made a sound as If sobbln
and by and by, with groan of angui
which went straight to our hearts, he pick
h up his musket and walked slowly ba
= across the open ground
n "What do you thinkp" l asked wren
i had finally lost sight of him.
He is a sleep-walker," answered !
1t friend.
1 made up my mind that this was
y case. The letter was secured, TO be p
le used by us when daylight came, and
10 saw nothing more of the man on o
Il watch.
IN The epistle was from far-away will;
lY in Northern Ohio, and /, read:
"% God pity us! Both childl
~ died yesterday! The last words they
tered were to ask for papa. It seems al
he l could never stand up under this, aad WI
k must your feelings be9"
IN There was more, but we could not r,
It, That letter, belonging to an ener
lis was sacred in our eyes.
was there again at the same hour
be next night, and half ar hour before II
he night the man started to come TO the sa
b. spot. BE had no musket with him
time. and his movements showed that
of was wide awake, He came crouching
hiding, as II to escape observation, and
led half way across the open a field W
he stream Of fire dsrted out from his
side, and the fellow spraug into the
With q scream and fell dsSd. He was C
of ing for h;s letter, being guided BY some
deIuei Instinct toward the exact spot,
.sd had probably been mistaken by an exc
picket Tor q Confederate eIeepiug the o.
gn way All next dsT the body lay Their
in plain view, bat at night his friends
ing moved II, and We heard afterward fro
TO prisoner that thsy discovered and lsueI
1la their errsr.
md have ths letter vet, aud l ssYsr
9Th or gallaEt charges and the glory Of
Mt without taking II tsudsrly in ny hand