The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-05-24
1T WAS A TIGHT SQUEEZE.
BY AN EX-REBRI.

Mine Run, in the fall of 1863. he wen,
into winter quarters between the Rapidar
and the Rappahannock on his old
grounds. This was about December lst
On the 18th of the month / received or
ders to cross the river, penetrate his camp
and pick up all possible information.
1t was understood that he was sendino
troops off West, and 1 was particulars
charged to discover if there was any foun
datlon in the report.
left the cavalry outpost at ten O'CLOCK
one night, being on foot and wearing .
blue uniform throughout. There wa.
about mile of neutral ground between
the outPosts, and when | had crept down
the highway almost to the Union videttes
| took to the fields and f1anked 'em.
knew every rod of that country, and
passing the videttes was matter of nc
trouble.
1t was when | reached the first line Of
sentlnels that | had to go keerful. 1t was
now midnight, and winter had set in
There was no snow, but the wind was
cold and the ground frozen. 1t so hap
pened that l struck a part of French's
corps. knowing that Lee was going into
winter quarters, aud knowing that a
strong picket was out, the sentinels were
not over watchful. l crept up until l To-
Gated two, and both were muf1ed up
against the cold and thinking more OF
keeping warm than of looking for spies
While was waiting for chance to skulk
In, the two came together and stood talk.
ing and this gin me the show | wanted
l riz up from the cold ground, bore off a
little to the right, and entered the gap
without being seen. In ten minutes more
l was among the tents and shanties.
l must find place to pass the night
1t was too cold to go prowling round
saying nothing about the danger to be in.
Cured. | walked up one street and down
another, looking for place to stow my.
self away, and by and by saw soldier
come out of tent and 60 off. Ireasoned
that he was on guard and had come to
his tent for some errand and was proba-
bly, right.
1t was half tent, half shanty, with a
fireplace in it. / crept in at the door and
found fire going and three men asleep
under the blcrIets. There was heap OF
wood at hand and the best l could do
was to stir up the fire and hover over it.
l didn't mean to fall asleep; that is, was
bound and determined to keep awake,
but | had no sooner got fairly warmed
through than l went off to the Land of
Nod, and the next thing l knew it was
daylight.
None o the chaps under the blankets
were awake, and | slipped out without
disturbing 'em. Everything would have
been right 'cept for man in tent across
the street. He had come out after wood
and was standing there as l appeared.
AS both tents belonged to the same COM
pany, and as all the men in each company
knew each other, it was only natural that
l, perfect stranger, should attract his
attention. Further, it was just as natural
that he shoold suspect me of being a
thief He was a sour-faced, battle-brown
chap, and the mint / looked in his eyes
knew we should have a row.
"Ah, l caught you!" he growled, as
faced him.
cat what ?" coolly axed.
"Stealing, of course''
"You are wrong. l went there to get
warm"
"Who be you? ?"
"George Smith"
"What regiment %
| "Sixth Maine"
| l wasn't answering at random. l knew
that the Sixth Maine was in the fight at
| Rappahannock Station about a month
before. because | had talked with some
prisoners.
where's your regiment?"
"That's what Pm looking for" | re-
| piled. 81 was took by the rebs fifteen
days ago, and have just escaped and
come in"
answered him so promptly, and told
such straight story, that he could have
no suspicious, and l might have got away
but for an accident. He had brought out
his coffee pot, and in moving away l fell
over it. He was aching for fuss with
somebody, and that was a good excuse.
He jumped for me without word.
returned his blow, and then we clinched
and fought up and down the street.
| Twas getting the best Of him, when we
fell upon and wrecked tent and began
| to draw a crowd. In five minutes there
were fifty men around us, and pretty soon
an officer comes up, separates US, and
asked:
"What is this row about ?"
"I caught this fellow stealing" sings
out my opponent.
"He lies -
"Who are you ?" asks the officer.
"Private George Smith, of the Sixth
Maine"
"Where's your regiment p
"Don't know sir. was captured by
the rebs, got away, and am looking for
my regiment.
"When did you come in ?"
"Lsst night"
"How did you pass all the outposts and
sentinels.
He had me there. Ihad as good a.
betrayed myself by that one answer.
"Nl see to your case ?" he growied
and he called the guard and had me
marched off The guard house was log
stable, and - soon - he reached it wal
stripped and searched. The next move
Was to hunt up the Sixth Maine and dis
cover that Ibid not belong TO that regi
ment. WAS then takea TO corps head
quarters and questioned.
/ changed my line Of defense. claiming
70 be deserter from tho l24th New York
Who was voluntarily coming back 70 nj