Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-06-21


arms a large number. possibly 500 cop
les, of some northern paper, which
contained President Lincoln's procla-
nation offering absolute pardon and
security to any soldier who would vol
UNFAIRLY surrender to the nearest
United States military post, etc.
arose as the captain entered he at once
said:
Lieutenant, l have here some cop
les of Mr.. Lincoln's proclamation,
with orders to get them conveyed to
the enemy, in some way as speedily
as possible Can you aid me in do
ing it2"
With the exuberance of youth, for
| was then butt STRIPPING, in my teens.
jumped at the idea. saying:
Certainly, captain, nothing's cas-.
ier-here, one of you men," said l, adj
dressing the reserve of the guard, who
were budding about very poor fire,
find Dixie for me chat was the ami
mails nance. Hurry up now" Upon
which there was such yell of Dixie, :"
and such whistling, as would have
almost reached the animal had he
been in jeff Davis back yard. in
stead of munching a ham bone not a
stones throw away.
The dog caught, it took but a few
moments to tie the bundle of half
sheets securely on his broad, black,
curly back, and leading him myself
down to where he could see the long,
gray line of grim warriors opposite, !
started him with a go it, Dixie !"
go, good fellow" and off he sprang,
soon covering the few hundred feet
separating us from the enemy.
looked over and saw that all our
preparations had aroused the sentries
on both sides, and the dog was being
watched by hundreds of eyes-by
none more sharply than those of the
officer commanding the southern pick
cts. Dixie reached the line some dis
lance from this official, and in less
than ten minutes every Confederate
soldier, as far as we could see them,
was reading a copy of Mr. Lincoln's
incendiary proclamation, for, from a
southern point of view, it could be
considered nothing else. saw the
Confederate commander reading a
copy, then he turned and seemed to
speak sharply to some subordinate. If
he directed the seizure or suppression
of the paper, he probably saw it was
too late, for the most of his command
read the proclamation at the same
time he did
Turning to Capt. Goss, l said
That's good dog, captain; if he
comes back he shall have extra ra-
tons for this days work"
And he has earned them" said the
captain, 'for was really at loss to
know just how to place those papers
where they would do the most good "
After a smoke together and chat
on camp topics, Capt. Goss left me to
return to his own quarters. The rain
came on heavier as the day waned
putting on my almost brand new
overcoat, quite an elegant affair which
had got recently from New York,
strolled down near the place where
l had sent Dixie" off on his mis-
chievous errand, looking for the dog,
who had not returned. l whistled
and called for him without effect
just then thought l saw him or
something stir in bush in front of
me. | stepped across a small dry ditch
to examine 1t, when my heart seemed
to stop beating, for the instant had
crossed the ditch | heard the ominous
click of a half dozen rifles, and these
words:
Halt or you are a dead mani Ad-
vance without making sign, or
you re a goner ~
had stepped across the fatal line,
and was "a prisoner of war;" My first
instinct was flight, but glance at the
determined faces, the bright eye be-
hind each rifle aimed straight at me,
checked that idea For second even
| thought of resistance, of calling for
aid, but common sense guided me- and
| walked deliberately over to the other
side. could hear behind me the bus
tie and confusion among my own
stalwart black fellows, some of whom,
| was afterward told, actually cried at
their helpless position, SO far as aiding
me went
The officer in command of the Con-
federate pickets stood directly behind
the guard on whose post | entered the
Confederacy, and, extending his hand,
gave me a hearty shake, assured me
that this was IAN unexpected but well
| SOiiO PiCdoNiO, uid tuCil otlli, LIEU
tenant, step this way, please"
| followed him to wretched little
caboose made of rough boards and some
pieces of rough canvas. Into this shan
ty | preceded him.
Dismissing the guard who had ac-
companied us, he then began:
My name is Randolph-Capt. Ran
dolph, - N. G. infantry; and yours
ISL"
North, Lieut.. North, - United
States colored infantry, and should
like, said l, ITO ask you seriously if
you intend to hold me as a prisoner of
war, who by such a mere chance have
fallen into your hands2"
To this Capt. Randolph replied;
II regret to say, lieutenant, not
only that must hold you as a prison
er of war, but that owing to the fact
that | myself saw you sending that
incendiary document of Lincoln's over
the line, l am puzzled to know just
what to do with you. However, ]
will send word TO Gen. Gusts Lee,
| and act uDon his orders "