Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-19

was ON the night OF Sept IT, large torce
from this wing was detached that night and
next morning to make O heavy reconnois-
sance in the direction of Martinsoug. l
could not tell where they were going. but l
got close enough to the camp pickets to
learn from their conversation that it was q
move independent OF Sheridan. Earlyb
right was very weak, and the ground most
favorable for rapid offensive movement by
Sheridan His right. resting on the eleva-
ton known as Bunker Hill, fronted by woods
and backed by the town, had been looked
upon as impregnable He was now weaken
ing it by sending of troops. and "a Emoved
here and there along the front OF the camp
got very close estimate OF the number OF
troops being sent off l lay for twenty min
utes within Fifteen steps Of a camp lire.
around which several officers were waiting.
and plainly beard one of them say:
1.-The old man Early, probably knows his
gait, but If Sheridan is the man we've been
told he was, theren be fun here in day or
two"
He referred to witbdra wing the troops In
the face of an impending battle. and bus
prophecy WIS to be fulfilled to the letter 1
had TO go out at Earlys left. guarded by
cavalry. and these troops must have received
"
creeping across the field IN which the county
fair grounds are situated trying TO locate the
rebel vidette. when a man came running out
of the darkness plump at ma He came upon
ma so suddenly and sDeaithily that could
not dodge him. and IS ne pumped against me
we tumbled IN heap | had no doub, that
he was rebel who was seeking my capture.
and in half minute 1 was on top and mad
him by the throat he lost his courage at
once and made little resistance ny first
thought was to strange him. out it suddenly
occurred tome that he had neithermusket nor
saber and 1 Ioosened my grip a little and
whispered:
''Make the least outcry and I'll be the
death Of you! What are you following mo
forf"
IL wasn't"
weren't you after neF'
"Nol 1 didn't see you until fell over
you"
DO you know who amr'
'No"
"Where were you goingr'
"Who are YOUR he asked In a cautious
way, after taking half a minute for retiec-
ton.
'Tm Yank."
''Noal Say, be you, honestT'
eyes"
"And you didn't mean to stop u,er'
"No."
'Say, Yank, let me up. I'm reb-one Of
Rhodes men-and l was deserving to you"
IL don't believe it,"
''It's Gospel TRUTH I'll go right into the
| Yankee camp with you. for I'm sick and
| tired of this secesh business. You needn't
/ fear haint got as much as a jackknife
about me-"
do you know what troops left the front
q little while agoF'
81 do, every single regiment of 'en, and
know they are going to Martlnsburg to fight
your Gineral Averill."
And do you know where the rebel cavalry
pickets are" .-,
81 do. and I'll take you through as slick as
shooting. MushI but hahn glad you halnt
q rebI I'm as weak as cat over thinking |
had been nabbed while trying to desert"
l felt satisfied that he was all right but as
a matter of precaution carried a revolver in
my hand and made him go ahead He had
been down to the cavalry picket on Early's
! left with teamster the day before, and mad
no trouble in locating it now. We flanked it
/ to the left, crept through the woods on hands
and knees for quarter of a mile and pres
! emily as my foot broke stick a voice chai-
lenged us 1t was Union picket. and an
/ hour later we were ushered into Sherldan's
tent. My man proved to be bonanza. He
was an Intelligent. observing fellow, native
of the locality, and he knew the topography
OF the country to perfection. He had pretty
| accurate knowledge of the strength of each
arm Of service IN Early's army and could
enumerate at least fifteen regiments He
: Iol al oAu ~
approach should be made and proved a great
! prize to my commander.
On the evening of the next day Sheridan
put his army in motion, and | afterward saw
that the man who had stumbled over me in
the dark had furnished the plan Of battle.
| Nearly all his suggestions were acted upon.
and with the greatest success Early was
caught mapping sure enough. His right went
! with rush as Sheridan struck it, and when
he called in everything to make his final
stand in front of the town, the absence of the
force sent to Martinsburg was severely felt.
/ He made a stout fght-a better one than
would have been thought possible under the
circumstances-but foot by foot he was
pressed back on the pike, through the grave
yard, into and beyond the town, and then
his troops broke, and it was every man for
! himself Three or four days later when
Sheridan came up with him again at Fishers
Hill, went into the fight with cavalry
regiment. As we charged Early's left cap
tured captain and got him and his horse
safe to the rear. The first words he uttered
/ were:
Didn't say thered be fun II your man
Sheridan was the fighter folks said be vast"
He was the man whose voice | had heard at
the camp fire on the night Of the l7th.-New
| York Sum