Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-08

orders to keep an extra sharp look out, was creeping across the field in which the county fair grounds are situated, trying to locate tho rebel vidette, when man came running out of the darkness plump at me. He came upon me so suddenly and stealthily that could not dodge him, and as he bumped against me we tumbled in heap. I had no doubt that he was rebel who was seeking my capture, and in a half a minute was on top and had him by the throat. He lost his courage at once and made little resistance My first thought was to strangle him, but it suddenly occurred tonne that he had neithermusket nor saber, and I loosened my grip little and whispered:
 Make the least outcry and I'll be the death of youI What are you following me fora"
 "I-I wasn't"
 Weren't you after mel"
 "Not I didn't see you until fell over you"
 "Do you know who amg'
 "No."
 "Where were you goingT' "Who are youa" he asked in cautious way, after taking half minute for reAeo- tion.
 "I'm a Yank."
 'Noal Say, be you honest7n
 "Yes."
 "And you didn't mean to stop mea' e | "No.n
 ''Say, Yank, let me up. I'm reb-ore of Rhodes men-and was deserting to you" "I don't believe il"
 'tIt's Gospel truthl I'll go right into the Yankee camp with you, for I'm sick and tired of this secesh business. You needn't fear. hain't got as much as 8 jackknife about me-"
 l Ia 6ronr ,hof 1nfk feNy, 8 little while agor'
 "I do, every single regiment of lem, and know they are going to Martinsburg to fight your Gineral Averill."
 "And do you know where the rebel cavalry pickets area"
 "I do, and I'll take yousttrough as slick as shooting. MushI butl,ainstI I glad you hain't Q rebl Pm as weak as acat over thinking had been nabbed while trying to desert"
 felt satisfied that he was all right, but as Q matter of precaution carried revolver in my hand and made him go ahead He had been down to the cavalry picket on Earlys left with a teamster the day before, and had no trouble in locating it now. We f1anked it to the left, crept through the woods on hands and knees for a quarter of a mile and pres ently as my foot broke stick voice chal- lenged us. It was Union picket, and an hour later we were ushered into Sheridan's tent. My man proved to be a bonanza. He was an intelligent, observing fellow, a native of the locality, and he knew the topography of tho country to perfection. He had 0 pretty accurate knowledge of the strength of each arm of service in Early's army, and could enumerate at least fifteen regiments. He described all defenses, advised as to how the approach should be made and proved great prize to my commander.
 | On the avaninp of fhe next 6av Sheridan
 put his army in. motion, and I afterward saw
 that the man who had stumbled over me i1
 the dark had furnished the plan of battle
 Nearly ell his suggestions were acted upon and with the greatest success. Early wa! caught mapping, sure enough. His right wen , with a rush as Sheridan struck it, and whe1 he called in everything to make his fina stand in front of the town, the absence of tn force sent to Martinsburg was severely felt
 He made a stout fight-a better one thal would have been thought possible under tn circumstances-bu foot by foot he wa pressed back on the pike, through the grave , yard, into and beyond the town, and the1 hisatroops broke, and 1t was every man fo himself. Three or four days later, whel
 Sheridan came up with him again at Fisher Hill, went into the fight with Q cavalr ,, regiment. As we charged Earlys left car tured a captain and got him and his hors |, safe to the rear. The first words he uttere } were:
 Sheridan was the fighter folks said he was! Fl He was the man whose voice had heard Q f. the camp fire on the night of the f7th.-Ne, 1 York Sun.