Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-08-30

H~St IA
Move On. boysr whispered Vandi
yer. and the little line of silent hors,
men crept stealthily forward.
Halt Who comes there p call
ed the sentinel.
Friend with countersign. answer
ed Vandiver.
'Dismount one, advance and civ,
countersignr
/ Vandiver's ankle had been lately
crushed, and being in no humor tc
dismount, he dashed forward with
his men. and quickly heard from the
astonished commander of the infan.
try, Don't shoot I surrendsrr
Then dismounting, they broke the
guns of the Union soldiers, and Van.
diver, turning to the commander,
said
Your city is surrounded. Before
nine o'clock tomorrow morning your
generals will be captured. The snow
is deep and We can't carry you on our
horses. | will give you verbal "a
role If you promise me on your honor
that We may End you here to-mor.
row morning at nine o'clock.
Upon receiving an affirmative res
ponse from the helpless comma nder,
they rode on, and entering the town
on the west side, and crossing Wills
creek, which flows through the town,
at Iron Bridge, coolly and deliberate
ly rode up Baltimore street, whistling
laughing, singing as if they were
Union troops, at home and among
friends.
To and fro. on the streets by the
gaslights, are seen Union guards,
walking along leisurely, and dream.
ing not of anything wrong.
'Helloa, boys, whose command is
that?' shouted one of the guards.
Scouts from New Creek" came the
response.
1t was now $50 a. IN. They have
reached the "St. Nicholas" Gen. Kel.
ley's apartments. Down spring, qui.
city and coolly, six stalwart men
they enter the hall, the others re-
naming outside; procuring light,
the six men enter the Generals room.
You know me, General, suppose,
said one of the men.
4 10. You are Kuykendall, an
swered the General.
You had me once, General, con.
tinued Kuykendall; it is now my
honor to have you. You are my pris-
oner.
But, said the General. who am |
surrendering to !?
To me sir was the emphatic res
ponse. No time or place for cere.
mony, so you will quickly dress.
The order was promptly obeyed.
But what was Vandiver doing while
thls was Transporting? Leaving Kuy.
kendall and his party at the st. Mich.
oias, they passed slowly up the street
to the Revere House. Dismounting,
they heard the sentinel at the door
call, Halt Who comes there?
Friend, with countersign, bearing
important dispatches for General
( Crook, vas Vandiver's answer.
Advance, one, and give the coun-
tersignr
Vandiver advanced, and the senti-
mel leaned forward TO catch the whis,
pered countersign. Laying his hand
on the fellows gun, Vandiver whis'
.,ered-not the hurried countersign
but the words:
Speak above your breath and you
are dead man !!
Withdrawing his ear as though
bee had stung him, the astounded sen
;inel recognized, if not iu the ring o
the old mans voice, surely IN tn
more apt persusder-the cooked re
volver Mt his breast-a determlnato
e back of the words, and surrenderine
e was placed under guard, and stoo
; between the horses in front Of tn
I door.
: Passing into the hotel they 500
: found Gen. Crooks door and rapPe'
4; Who is you? l don't know you
h replied voice within.
At Open the door, said Vsndiver
II must see Gen. Crook.
u The door was opened aud the
s. stood a small darkey.
e, Is Genl Crook in ?
Yes, sir.
ph Show r,e his room, said Van
~ YER.
Of I'm afreed to, but l will, sab,
Won don't tell OF me.
Yes, sir, the niger 'smelt ni'
,on the irst one among all them sm