The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-20
SPYING AT C0RINTH.

GARD Mt Corinth, or, rather, daily ap-
preaching the Confederate lines by sys-
tenn Of defenses, was in the trenches
one afternoon when the captain OF my
company sent for me and ordered me 10
report to the colonel. The colonel ordered
me to report at Gen. Halleck's head
m,arters. and when / made my appear
ance the general said:
"You have done some scouting"
YES, SIR"
"Will you 60 as spy"
srWhere tor
"Into Corinth. 1 want information
which only a spy can secure. If you
come back you shall be well rewarded.
II you are detected you will be hung.
Il will try it,"
"Very good. Return in an hour and
Twill give you instructions. When can
you set out7"
"By midnight. :"
THAT will do"
went away wondering how on earth
Gen. Halleck had ever heard of me- and
It was month later before ascertained
the facts. One afternoon | was ''show-
ing off" to a group of soldiers, and the
general and his chief engineer halted on
their round of inspection and became
spectators unbeknown to me. In my
nalmy 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 was only
"a wears old | could make my face look
like that of man of 20, and as my face
was as beardless as woman's, / could
dress in female attire and defy any one
to detect my by my voice or gait
The main thing was to get into Cor
NTH. 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 were beng
received by every highway. When set
out lust before SHUTDOWN | had $500 in
gold in my pockets and a bundle of
clothing in my hand. At midnight,
when / reached the point aimed at, a
bow backed old man of 20, lame, gray
haired and toothless, might have been
seen sitting in fence corner of a high
way to await the passage of time. Twas
within seven miles Of Corinth, and my
plan was to go in with some vehicle.
Within ten miles of me were two great
armies getting ready for death grapple,
but Just then the frogs croaked. the in
sects buzzed, and peace spread her man
tie as in a graveyard. Indeed, was in
q 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 six jugs of
milk in the vehicle, and was bound for
town.
"Hey, you'll" l called to him. Cant
YOU give an old man lift to town? My
boy has run of and jined the soldiers,
and must see him and try and get him
back"
"Who are youa" he asked.
Judge Lexington, of Guntown.
Started to come by rail, but the engine
broke down, and in trying to get ahead
I've got lost, reckon"
Il bnOutu Day yoo hoN' ASo oAA
anywhere near the railroad"
'.Reckon not. Pretty hard on the old
man, but l feel as if l must get the boy
back"
'well, jump in. suppose you've got
pass2"
''Oh, yes"
He was kind hearted, simple minded
ho1 xuhirh N.
abled him to come and 60 at pleasure.
We had not gone above half mile when
I suddenly discovered" that had lost
the important document which would
admit me into Corinth. He stopped his
horse while searched anew, but the pa
per could not be found.
.And what will they do if don't have
q pass2" I asked.
Take you before some of the gen.
erals, and they may lock you up. They
are mighty careful Of late"
"And I may not get to re my boyg
"Perhaps not"
I..took on for about five minutes il
q pathetic strain, and when saw that
had enlisted his sympathes said:
my young friend, don't want to b
delayed. You must help me. Wher
we come to the picket post | ann to pas.
a. your father who has come to town t.
look around. Even an hours delay may
take my boy away"
.sOh, but wouldn't dare"
"You'd dare great deal for these"
said. as l put couple Of $40 gold pieces
into his hand.
"Why-yes-I-I feel sorry for you
and want you to get in. might say
you was my father, but
''I'll chance the rest"
don't think he expected any trouble
for the matter did not seem to trouble
him any. When we drove up to the
first picket post he halted the horse and
was fumbling for his pass, when one Of
the pickets said:
That's all risht-drive on Oh, bu,
who is that with you?'