The National tribune., 1888-03-15

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that have no recollections of having gotten
down on my knees TO effer thanks for this, an
other deliverance from so great danger. With
me- in those days, it seemed a matter of course
that l should get through these little affairs
safely; indeed, | have been dTeadfui!y an
noyed by friends who knew of my escapades by
their always greeting me with laugh and
question, such as: Where have you come
from this time ?"
was glad to find ! still held on to the pack
age Of letters, because knew very we'll that out
in the country among the farmers and country
soldiers, their possession could be made OF sery-
ice in allaying suspicion or identifying me
with the Southern cause.
HAD But ONE OBJECT IN LIFE
that night, and that was simply to get back
over the 30 or so miles of Virginia roads safely,
that would take me into the Union lines at or
near Fredericksburg. ! determined once more
that l would forever swear off on these scout
ing expeditions if allowed to get out of this.
/ had no interest Just then in looking up or
in delivering the rebel ladies' letters to Col J.
B. Jones, at his Mechanics Hall office, in
the Square in Richmond.
If L were writing q romance / should get
back to Fredericksburg IN good shape, on
black charger in one nights ride and throw
myself IN an exhausted condition before the
Union General and present him in dramatic
style with full and reliable information to the
effect that there were no rebel troops In front
of him, and that if he would send a squadron
Of cavalry, etc, I could guide them right into
Richmond just as easily and far more rapidly
than / had gone there myself.
1t Is fact that admits Of no argument now
that Mcdowell could have advanced without
material opposition down TO the very gate OF
Richmond at the time / went there, and have
reinforced Gen. Mcclellan.
l did not understand at the time, nor did
-f,g,2. -o1-o
country. why he failed to do this. But found
out soon after that it was not because he ex-
peeted to meet with opposition in his front
1t didn't occur tc me then, as it would now,
that Gems. Lee or Johnston might have easily
inteTposed an army in the "A hours, but IN this
case Mcclellan would have had walk over
So altogether felt very well convinced, IN my
own mind, that l had discovered
THE KEY TO RICHMOND;
indeed so fully satisfied Of this was ], that the
more / thought il over the faster / walked on
that dark night over the ties toward FTeder-
icksburr, that l might convey the information
to cur officers before It would be too late.
! had Jared badly IN the way of supper, and,
as viii be seen, had not slept 8 wink the night
before. but Notwithstanding this ! became so
impressed with the idea that / held the key to
Richmond in nay pantaloons pCcket, that for
got to set tired at ali ana forged ahead as fast
as I dared, keeping n lookout ahead for pick
cts ] might as well admit too, that there was
considerable proPeling power from the rear.
The recollection Of that detective standing
there, with the officers and soldiers IN the
crowd that might be awaiting my return from
the search for the lost bundle, was Of itself
enough to fire me with renewed energy in the
direction of the north. But aside from this,
and over all, was the happy thought that
should again meet Geno at Fredericksburg;
she Wouid, knew, be so glad to see me. had
only been absent one evening, but it seemed
like long time.
With such thoughts as these chasing one an
other through the brain, q person endowed
with good pair Of legs can get over an i'm
mensc amount Of ground in one night even If
you are tired and hungry.
/ heard noises and saw lights at several
houses early IN the night these always avoid
ed by as wide a detour as possible, being care
fui not to get-too far from the railroad, which
I knew would be the shortest cut. l never
knew when ! passed the outside or inside rebel
pickets, but it must have been in one Of these
cuts around the houses. Itramped right along
all that blessed night with no companion but
my Own exciting thoughts of the valuable in
formation / bad TO impart 70 our Generals the
desire TO see Geno and the fear Of pursuit from
the rear.
I discovered that daylight was breaking in
the east long before l expected to see It; / was
Sil4F pIEl4cllS4sG Listb SIDLlO l1vt pC et1aS "
travel when the broad day should open its full
light o. me, and %lked n tRe harder tsat I
/ might cyer all the-distance / could.
II must be remembered that at this paTticu-
lar TINE nearly all the rebel army was on the
! Peninsula, and excepting Immediately around
Richmond, which l had passed SO hurriedly
early in the dark night, there was no impor
taat rebel forces.
And then, too, the incentives that I have
mentioned will make one seemingly work mir
I acles What / en- writing now u&ey seem to
some Ike a dreadful story, hence these fre-
4 guent explanations.
Il was along after daylight, some time after I
4 had gotten OF the railroad that / might more
safely dodge q bridge guard in the distance,
4 and was tramping along the road, that heard
! again the familiar sound Of horses hOois eyi-
/ IDENTITY some distance away. As the sound did
/ not seem 10 come any nearer, ! struck boldly
I out INTO the road again and walked ahead until
I tarn in the road showed house some dis
I tales ahead Of me, 10 front OF which was stand
( ing what / imagined to be a rebel cavalry
/ picket bGt closer inspection proved TO be only
a c0iored boy on a horse, who had been driving
some COWS home from pasture TO be MIXED.
Anxious TO learn my whereabouts, or the
distance from Fredericksburg, / walked boldly
up 10 him. knowing that he was at that hour
probably the only person stirring. With an
expression Of WEite-eyed wonder, LIE saw me
3 bDbAA-AS up tic 4DaA tJNdIA lllls I1dIuI y
knowing whether TO run or yell, he stood like
a stupid cow until got close enough to ask the
one important question uppermost n my mind
HOW FAR TO RIcHM0NDg"
Richmond is back dat way"
Mo- / said; you are mistaken I am go.
ing TO Richmond, and ! came from Frcdericks
burg
Den you done got lost suah. Fredericks
burg is right up dis road"
was anxious TO get the distance without
questioning him if l could, but it was impos
gible 10 get anything satisfactory from the old
mule until l put the direct question,
How far from fredericksburg"
Right smart piece from here, sab.
after a long waste Of words and temper
which IN my nervous condition then was ex
cus2ble, at last demanded an answer. but al
, | could get was that right smart ways, sab"
Meanwhile the horse, right good looking
Old piow animal. was being held by the balte
by this slave. The round, barrel back Of tht
, old nag looked temptingly inviting to me; s.
, much 50 that j ycntured TO suggest to the DO.
! that he ride me up the road 10 the next h0us
FOR a silver quarter, which / showed him. Iii
1 eyes glistened at the sight OF it. Lookin
: about him neryousiy and keeping one eye riy
eted 10 the coin, he said "I III take YOU righ
: smart piece for dat, If you jis wait till put
: COWS in"
! About the liveliest work that fellow had don
er 4 4.