Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-08-07
HE KEPT HIS WORD.
A Confederate officer Risks His Life to
Furnish a Chew of Tobacco.
From the Atlanta Constitution.

From the Atlanta Constitution.
Lieut.. c. A. Coryeli, formerly of the
14lst New York Volunteers, Twentieth
Army Corps, was with Sherman on the
famous march to the sea. One bright
Sunday in December, 1864, the lieuten
ant was detailed to take charge OF the
picket line in front of Savannah, on the
edge of rice swamp. There was
truce between the pickets, end every
thing wore a Sabbath-like stiffness.
Corvell had nothing to do and was out
of tobacco. How to get chew was the
question. Finally a handsome young
officer from the Confederate side
strolled out between the lines. Coryell
hailed him at once:
II say, Johnny, got any chewing to-
bacco over there 2"
eyes, plenty Of it-something good"
"Come over ~ shouted the Federal.
II want to buy some. Got lots of Con-
federate money, but no tobacco"
''Can't do it." replied the Confeder-
ate, lit is against orders to leave my
post"
"Well, then, come half way, and I'll
meet you"
Sorry, Yank, but I can't do that
either" answered the Confederate.
Johnny ' yelled the desperate Fed
eral, ''if | come over to you can | get
lines? ?"
"Come along, I'll treat YOU right"
GLOW do / know chat I'll not be taken
prisoner"
You have the word of gentleman
and Confederate officer"
Corvell thought moment. He want
ed the tobacco, and the young officer
had spoken in a manly way.
The Federal decided to make the ven
ture, he laid aside his sword and belt
and started across the high and narrow
dixie leading to the Confederate line.
On either side of the dixie the water IN
the rice fields was five feet deep.
The lieutenant reached the opposite
shore without any misgivings. The
Confederate produced some tobacco,
and a trade was made in no time. Then
the two fell into pleasant converse
ton.
Suddenly Coryell saw signal futter
from house some distance ID the rear
OF the Confederate line.
what does this mean?" he asked
sharply.
81 don't know" replied the Confed-
crate.
Just then an orderly dashed up on
horseback, and with dignifed salute
said to the Confederate officer:
Lieutenant, the general orders you
to take the Yankee officer to headquar-
ters."
Coryell was dumbfounded. Visions
of Andersonville, Castle Thunder, and
Libby Prison danced before his eyes.
He thought of his loved ones at home
and the disgrace attached to such cap
ture.
He cursed the internal tobacco that
had placed him in such an unlucky
position. Then he looked at the Con-
lederate lieutenant, and noted his hon
est eyes and his manly face.
Am [ your prisoner? asked Coryell.
The Confederate extended his right
hand.
II offered you my protection" he
said. go to your lines. | will follow
you over'the dixie, and if my body can
shield you from Confederate lead, you
shall reach your command in safety.
Goodbye, and God bless you %
The Federal started on his return trip
He dreaded the enemy's fire, and fully
expected a chance shot would cripple
him and cause him to fall into the wa
ter, where death would be certainty.
He was half way across when the first
shot came. There was another, and an
other. until whole brigade seemed to
be firing at him.
The fugitive walked rapidly onward,
until he reached the Federal lines and
vaulted over the breastwork. Then he
looked back and saw his protector stand
ing on the dixie. The Confederate
waved his hand, turned about, and
marched back to his own side. He had
kept his promise like true soldier.