The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-11-14

| lnVeStlgatlOn proved that they were be-
ing marched to the rear. This was on
the night of September II. A large
force from this wing was attacked that
night and the next morning they were
to make heavy reconnaissance in the
direction of Martinsburg. / could not
tell where they were going, but / got
close enough to the camp pickets to
learn from their conversation that it
was move independent Of Sheridan.
Early's right was very weak, and the
ground most favorable for a rapid of
fensive movement by Sheridan. His
left resting on the elevation known as
Bunker Hill, fronted by woods and
backed by the town, had been looked
upon as impregnable
He was now weakening it by sending
off troops, and as / moved here and
there along the front of the camp | got
a very close estimate of the number of
troops being sent off. lay for twenty
minutes within fifteen steps of camp
fire, around which several officers we're
waiting, and plainly heard one say:
1.-The old man (Early) probably
knows his gait, but if Sheridan is the
man we've been told he is there'll be
fun here in day or two"
lie referred to withdrawing the
troops in the face of an impending bat
tie, and this prophecy was to be full
filled to the letter. / had to 90 out
at Early's left, which was guarded
by cavalry, and these troops must have
received orders to keep an extra sharp
lookout. | was creeping across the
field in which the county fair grounds
are situated, trying to locate the rebel
vldette, when man came running out
OF the darkness plump at me. He came
upon me so stealthily that could not
dodge him, and as he pumped against
me we stumbled in a heap.
l had no doubt that he was rebel
who was seeking my capture, and in
hall minute L was on top and had him
! by the throat. He lost his courage at
once and made little resistance. Ny
first thought was to stranglc him, but it
suddenly occurred to me that he had
neither musket nor sabre, and /
loosened my grip little and whispered:
Make the least cutlery, and l will
be the death of you! What are you
following me for?'
wasn't"
Weren't you after me?'
"No! | didn't see you until 1 fell
over you"
" DO you know who I amp"
"No.n
Where are you going?"
Who are you?" he asked in eau
tious way, after taking half minute of
reflection.
Pm Yank."
mol Say, be you, honest?"
/
"No."
"Say, Yank, let me up I'm reb-
one OF Rhodes men-and | was desert
ing to you"
" don't believe it,"
" It's gospel truth! I'll go right into
the Yankee camp with you, for Pm
sick and tired OF this secesh business.
You needn't fear. | hain't got as much
as jack-knife about me-"
" Do you know what troops left the
front little while ago?"
g do, every single regiment of 'em,
and know they are going to Martins
burg to fight your Gineral Averill."
" And you know where the rebel
cavalry pickets are?"
:" | do, and I'll take you through as
slick as shooting. Mush! but hain't l
glad you hain't reb! I'm as weak as
a cat over thinking had been nabbed
while trying to desert"
l felt satisfied that he was all right,
but as matter of precaution carried
revolver in my hand and made him 90
ahead. He had been down to the cav
airy picket on Early's left with team
ster the day before, and had no trouble
i'll locating it now. We flanked it to
the left, crept through the woods on
hands and knees for quarter of mile,
and presently as my foot broke stick,
voice challenged us. 1t was a Union
picket, and an hour later we were
ushered into Sheridan's tent. Ny man
proved to be bonanza. He was an
intelligent, observing fellow, native
of the locality, and he knew the topog-
raphy of the country to perfection.
He had a 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 defences, advised as to how the APP
proach should be made, and proved
great prize to the commander.
On the evening of the next day Sher-
idan put his army in motion, and l af-
terward saw that the man who had
stumbled over me in the dark had fur
nished 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 a rush as Sheridan struck il,
and when he called in everything to
make his stand in front of the town,
the absence of the force sent to Mar
tinsburg 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
graveyard, 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, l went into
the fight with cavalry regiment. AS
we charged Early's left l captured a
captain and got him and his horse safe
to the rear. The first words he uttered
were:
D;Jn,t I CO.., tLo,o,J 10 r,,,, &c