The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-02
An Exciting Squirrel Hunt.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: While mem
Der of the Pioneer Corps, Second Brigade,
Third Division, Kilpatrick's Cavalry, a little
incident happened which may not be without
interest to your readers.
We were encamped at Sandtown, Ga, on the
ChattahoOehee River, aud one morning l Dor
rowed Spencer carbine from one of my pio-
neer comrades and started out on squirrel
hunt. | followed a ridge for mile or more,
when it came to an abrupt end near large
open field, on the other side Of which was the
main road leading 10 Lick-Skillet where the
rebel Gen. Loring and his cavalry were en-
camped. On arriving at the end of the ridge
espied large fox-squirrel browsing in the top
most branches of a tall hickory tree. drew a
bead on him-my finger was already on the
trigger, when ] heard four or five shots. Look
ing IN that direction / saw six rebels in the
road, near a farmhouse shooting at Yank,
who come flying toward me across the field at
full speed. Every time their guns would pop
il only seemed to increase his longing desire to
reach the point of the ridge where l stood con-
cealed by the timber. When he reached me
he was out Of breath, but unhurt. He was a
member Of my regiment, and insisted that we
together should return TO headquarters and
raise a company, by the ColonePs permission,
and return to the farmhouse on the road where
the rebels were seen and capture them. /
agreed to his proposition, and after obtaining
]
US set out on the expedition.
! After passing back over the ridge near the
4 edge of the field, we lay concealed IN a thicket
I for some time, hoping TO see some rebels
about the house After waiting some time and
not seeing anyone, We depioyed as skirmishers
and advanced on the house and surrounded it,
capturing an old lady and two young ladies.
/ Well, after We mad placed picket down the
road, some Of the boys lay down in the fence
Z corners some inside the ward and two or III rec
T Of us were being entertained in the paror by
two very amiable young ladies. This perhaps
had progressed about an hour, when our picket
came rushing in, informing US that mounted
man was coming up the road. We seized ouI
guns, rushed out and formed in line across the
road We had not long to wait for we saw an
officer very neatly dressed in gray cavalry coat
blue cap, blue pants, and high cavalry boots
he had no sde-aTms He had a little bush in
bis hand, with which he was busily brushing
the flies of his horses forelegs. Having his
head bowed forward, he did not see US until ht
was within 10 PAGES Of US. On discovering III
hesuddenly checked his horse, only TO find him
self look ing straight into the muZZles of about
dozen guns. He siackened the rein Of his bride
with the remark: Well, boys, it is no use. Die
you see any Of my men here to-day 2" " What
men?" we inquired. "Confederates" 20
course we did. Are you Confederate officer
we inquired. Yes" he replied a. am Gen
LOring's Acknowledgement" He was as fin
looking an officer as it has ever been my fortuna
to see. He quietly surrendered, not even havinl
a revolver He said he was in search of GU
pickets We informed him he had found them
We took him back to camp and presented hin
to Col SandersOn, when our prisoner gave wa,
to his feelings as 10 the foolishness Of allowing
himself 10 be so easily entrapped-JoHS 7
FREDERICK, Co. c, 10th Ohio Cav, Eaton, Ill.