Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1889-02-28
UNDER the SHADOW OF DEATH.
Scouting for the Cause OF the IN
ion.-A Romance OF the Late
War.
By CAPT. W. II. STROLLER.

On the last day of June, 1868, the
writer of this sketch, bv order, entered
the rebel picket lines and camp for the
purpose of observation and information
as to the movements and intentions of
the enemy, and even obtained pass to
return within the Union lines, from the
rebel chieftain, Maj. Gen. Iubal Early,
commanding the corps of the enemy.
within whose lines he then was, and of
which relic he is still in possession, and
which saved his life on this occasion.
Thirty minutes after the pass was given
his identity was established and re-
ward offered for his apprehension, dead
or alive, but alas! too late for effect. The
desired information was obtained, and
the scout on his return to the Union lines,
then ten miles distant. After passing
through Gen. l. B. GOrdon's brigade OF
Georgians and smoking several cigars
with officers thereof (the scout furnish
ing the cigars). during which period Ear
ly's pass done gallant duty, the inform
alton and himself were carried within the
shelter of safety and liberty-the Union
lines and from under the shadow of
death.
Persons particularly adapted for these
purposes were selected therefor, and in
the undertaking thereof their lives were
placed in their hands; for being appre-
hended meant death. and should appre-
hension have followed in this instance.
before that evenings sun would have set
over the purpling hills of the picturesque
Susquehanna, the scouts body would
have been furnishing food for the ravens
of Penn woods.
Instead thereof, through the informa-
ton obtained thereby, Gordon was with
drawn by Early. The foot of the rebel
was never set east of the Susqueha ma.
and Early and his army were themselves
apprehended on the CORY fields of Gettys-
burgh, where on Cemetery Ridge in tan
gled copse. and wooded glen, and flow
cry vale. side by side in thousands the
blue and gray lay in their last long sleep,
to be awakened only when time makes
its record with eternity, and mortality is
paling beyond the sunset shore"
There. in this beautiful domain amongst
manors of the largest acreage where sleek
and drowsy herds midst tinkling bells
wandered in the twilight homeward down
the we'll beaten paths, profusely sprink-
led over with the snowy blossoms of the
woodland, which the cattle so we'll loved
to roam. and where the Granite hills left
their heads in silent alteration.
| There, where now the verdure grows
the greenest. where now the fiowerets
vie with each other in intensity of hue,
in lieu of their former futile efforts OF
charity to hide the crimson stain. the
modest wood violets mingled their per.
fumes in the morning air of that hot and
memorable July with the horrld odor OF
the battle field: and as the weird shadows
of the night came creeping on like grim
spectres from an unknown land, and the
moon cast its lurid light. as if in pity,
Ger the scene. from fever-parched lips,
through clenched teeth. escaped the
groan of agony. and weary eyes looked
towards the northern horizon. and home.
when our bugles sang truce and the nigh,
| cloud had lowered,
And the sentinel stars kept their watch in
| the sky;
When thousands had saLk to the earth over
pOwered;-
The weary to sleep. and the wounded to die. y