Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-08
ADVENTURES OF A SPY.

Western Piown1an-
 ADVENTURES OF A SPY. in war times is little more than technical. A spy is in citizens dress, the enemy's uniform, female apparel, in any disguise he may se- lect, and he penetrates the enemys lines. A scout is supposed to wear the uniform of his army, and to work between the lines How ever, both spy and scout are sent out after information, and are expected to obtain it at any personal risk. If the scout can't get it with his uniform on, or on neutral ground, he must assume some disguise and get within the enemy's lines 1t is certain death to the spy when caught. A scout may have one chance in fifty of pulling through. If caught on the eve of a battle a drumhead court mar tial will make short work of him.
 During the last three years of the late war was constantly engaged in spying and scouting; being attached to several well known commanders, and some of the adven- lures had may be considered worth reading. Thousands of scout and spy stories have been printed since the war, and of the hundreds which have fallen under my eye not one of them appeared to have been written or dic- tated by genuine scout. The common idea Is that a scout leaves the lines at dark, ap- pears before the enemy's defenses an hour later, counts the cannon, estimates the troops, glances at the strength of the posi- tion and Is back before midnight to report to his general that all is lovely and it requires only prompt advance to wipe out the op- posing force After the conference of Grant and Sheridan in the latters camp before Winchester, which resulted in the famous order to ''Go imp was called to Sheridan's headquarters. Maps of the front of both armies were shown me. It was a strange country to me, and the map of the rebel front could not be depended on as accurate
 1T want you," said the general, ''to scout from one wing of Early's army to the other between his pickets and his camps. I want the length of his lines and the lay of the ground. Take particular notice of streams, highways, hills and natural defenses shall expect you back in three days"
 M1 had @ nearly new blue uniform, $50 in gold, and couple of revolvers. Also Sheri- dams pass to come and go at pleasure. It was about o'clock in the morning when received my instructions, and twenty min- utes later was riding to the left of our tines. Our left was at Berryville, confront ing Early's right; our right at Bunker Hill in front of Winchester, confronting his left. l was going in on Early's right flank and to move down his lines. The Opequan creek, a respectfully sized stream, lay between the two armies, and the lines ran through forests and thickets and over hills and cleared farms. As nearly as could be known, Early had the larger force, and it was thought that l Sheridan would do well to hold his own l against him, saying nothing of assuming the l0PPo v<In +~, %1,o 1oe% oSolro our left before dismounting. The lines here were half mile apart, running through thicket and wood, and the rebel picket was about pistol shot away. There was no picket | firing, and in the course of half an hour was beyond the picket and ready to turn te the right. There was real danger now. could hear the hum and hustle of the camp. on my left, not much over quarter of mile l away, and felt that must make my way down this strip, not over half mile wide 1 for five or six miles, exposed every moment l to discovery.
 l The first mile was under cover but ad vanced from tree to tree as cautiously as a1 Indian fighter creeping upon his victim. was we'll that I took these precautions. had reached the end of the woods and had field about forty rods wide to cross, when suddenly heard the report of light riff 
 on my hands and knees, and as the repor came man in Confederate uniform stepped out from behind a large tree and picked up squirrel which he had shot. He had evi dently been In ambush for some time, an, had been advancing carelessly he woul, , certainly have discovered me. He had sev eral other squirrels, and after two or thre minutes he flung them over his shoulder an started for camp. waited for him to ge we'll away, and then crossed the open spac by creeping along @ fence which was nearl covered by bushes. Then there was anoS,e stretch of woods, broken by several ravines and had reached the middle of it before saw any one When not creeping on m hands and knees was advancing in a stool ing position, keeping the lay of the ground my mind, and directly came to a spring aravine At which a Confederate was filling string of >canteens. l was on @ ridge, an was almost over the man before discovere him. Hewas so occupied with his work ths my movements had not attracted his attel tion, and l. ,fanked him and passed on. Bort rodesRayI 1 had to hide in @ fallen. treetc toletahepieAee relief pass me, and in n1a] ing the. next half mile encountered mol others going to springs, and two sat on a le playingat cards, with considerable heap
 
 money between them.
 had dgonedown the frontfor'two miles | mid afternoon, and could remember the la of every acre of ground. Then, as skirtt the creek, had to climb over fallen tre and as dropped lightly on the other side hand seized my ankle and thick vol growled.out:
 'Sho you've come fir me, eha Wan , take me back, do you9 We'll, you car do it"
 A strsppfng big fellow lay beside the b
 He had been drinking too much, but that
 was not helplessly drunk soon had reas
 to know. As near as I could gather from
 disjointed sentences he had had troublewi
 . sergeant in his compauyand came out
 hide himself. In spite Of my blue unifor
 he took me for the sergeant, and, thinking
 had followed him from camp, he was ug
 minded. He not only refused to let go I
 ankle, but meant fight, and in anoth
 minute we were hard at it. In those day
 was something of an athlete and fighter, |
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