The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-08-02
A SPY,S STORY.

When Halleck was besieging Beaure-
gard at Corinth, or, rather, daily ap-
preaching the Confederate lines by sys
tenn of defences, l was IN the trenches
one afternoon when the captain of my
company sent for mo and ordered me Ia
report to the colonel. The colonel or
dered me to report at General Halleck g
headquarters, and when | made my ap-
pearance the general said:
You have done some scoutingf
Yes. sir.
VIII you go as a spy
Where to?
Into Corinth. | want information
which only a spy can secure. If you
come back you shall be well rewarded.
If you are detected you will be hung,
will try it.
Very good. Return IN an hour and l
will give you instructions. When can
you set out?
By midnight.
That will do.
went away wondering how on earth
General Halleck had ever heard of me,
and it was month later before | ascer.
tanned the facts. One afternoon l was
showing off" to group of soldiers,
and the general and his chief engineer
halted on their round of inspection and
became spectators unbeknown to me. In
my palmy days could initiate any voice
heard could put my face into almost
any shape; | could work my ears like a
horse, and could throw hat off my head
by working my scalp; when l was only
"a years old | could make my face look
like that Of man of 70, aud, as my face
was as beardless as a womsn's, could
dress in female attire and defy any one
to detect me by voice or gait.
The main thing was to get into Cor
inth. The general had no suggestions to
make on that point, and the work to be
done, when once inside, seemed easy
enough. The way into Corinth by the
south and west was still open, and milk,
vegetables, hay and other stuff was beng
received by every highway. When set
out just before sundown l had $500 in
gold in my pocket and bundle of cloth.
ing in my hand, At midnight, when /
had reached the point aimed at, low
backed old man of 20, lame, gray-haired
and toothless, might have been seen sit
ting in fence corner Of a highway to
await the passage of time. | was within
seven miles of Corinth, and my plan W as
to go in with some vehicle. Within two
miles of me were two great armies get
ting ready for death grapple. but just
then the frogs croaked, the insects buzz
ed and peace spread her mantle as in a
graveyard. Indeed, was in a browse
when / heard the rattle of wheels, and
was only on my feet when a young man
driving horse to an open buggy came
along. He had ak jugs in the vehicle,
and was bound for town.
Hey you called to him. Can't you
give an old man lift to town. My boy
has run off and Jined the soldiers, and
must see him and try and get him back
Who are your he asked.
Judge Lexington, Of Guntown. Start
ed to come by rail, but the engine brokG
down, and in tryin' to get ahead I've go
lost / reckon.
l should say you had You amt any
where near the railroad.
Reckon not. Pretty hard on the ole
man, but feel as il l must get the boy
back.
Well, jump in. 1 suppose you've go
| o passI
Oh, yes,
He was a kind-hearted, simple mind
ed young man, and had pass which en-
abled him to come and go at pleasure
| We had not gone above half mile wheI
l " suddenly discovered that had los
the important document which woulC
| admit me into Corinth. He stopped hi
horse while | searched anew, but the pa
per could not be found.
And what will they do II l don't hav'
the pass asked.
Take you before some of the generals
and they may lock you up. They ar
mighty careful Of late.
And l may not get to see my boyf
Perhaps not.
I"took Oh for about five minutes II
a pathetic strain, and when l saw / haC
enlisted his sympathies | SAID
My young friend, / don't want to b.
delayed. You must help me. When W,
come to the picket post ! am to pass a
your father who has come to town t.
look around. Even an hours delay ina,
take my boy away.
Oh, but | wouldn't dare.
You'd dare a good deal for these,
said. as put couple OF $40 gold piece
into his hand.
Why-yes-I-feel sorry for you, ant
| want you to get in. might say yol
was my father, but
I'll chance the rest.
don't think he expected any trouble
for the matter did not seem to troubl
him any. When we drove up to the frs
picket-post he halted his horse and wa
iumbIing for his pass when one of tn
picket said;
That's all right-drive on. Oh, bu
who is that with your
The old man. He fit In the Mexica