Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-01
Kspr HIS WORD LIKE A SOLDIER.
A Confederate Onlcer Risks His Life Il
Furnish a Chew of Tobacco.
ATLANTA Constitution


lieutenant c. A. Coryell, formerly OF
the One-Hundred-and-Fo rty-hrst New
York volunteers, Twentieth army corps,
was With Sherman on the famous march TO
the sNa. One bright Sunday In Deem
Der. 1fG4, the Lieutenant was detailed TO
take charge Of the picket line IN front OF
Savannah, on the edge OF a rice swamp.
There WAS truce between the .pickets,
and Everything wore Sabbath-iike still-
meas.
Coryell had nothing to do and was out
of tobacco. How TO get chew was the
question. Finally handsome young, off,
Ger from the Confederate side strolied out
between the lines. Coryel hailed him at
once:
over there?" .,,
"Come over |" shouted the Federal. >" /
want 20 buy some. Got lots OF Confederate
money but no tobacco"
Cant do it." replied the Confederate,
ATS against orders TO leave my post"
"Wen, then, come half way and I'll meet
Sorry. Yank. but can't do that either"
answered the Confederate.
JOHNNY" yelled the desperate Fede-
raj, If / come over to. you can get the
tobacco and return safely TO my lines"
4
"How do / know that will not be taken
prisonerY"
{" You have the word Of gentleman and
a Confederate officer"
Coryell thought a moment. He wanted
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
l.. C,,pf aHQ "a
side OF the dixie the water IN the rice fields
was five feet deep.
The Lieutenant reached the opposite
shore without any misglylngs. The Con-
federate produced some tobacco and trade
was made in no time. Then the two fell
into a pleasant conversation.
Suddenly Coryell saw signal futter from
house some distance in the rear of the
What does that mean ?" he asked,
sharply.
Just then an orderly dashed up on horse
back and with dignitied salute said to
the Confederate officer:
Lieutenant, the General orders you TO
take the Yankee officer TO headquarters. .
Corvell 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 capture.
He cursed the internal tobacco that had
placed him in such an unlucky position.
Then he looked at the Confederate Lieu
tenant and noted his honest eyes and his
manly face.
Am your prisoner?" asked Coryell.
The Confederate extended his right hand.
u 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. Good-by and God
bless you'll"
The Federal started on his return trip.
He dreaded the enemys fire, and fully ex-
pected chance shot would cripple him
and cause him TO fall in the water. where
death would be a certainty.
He WAS half way across when the first
shot came There was another and an
other, until whole brigade seemed 10 be
firing at him.
The fugitive walked rapidly onward I'M
til he reached the Federal lines and vault
ed over the brcastwOrk. Then he looked
back and saw his protector standing on
the dyke. The Confederate waved his
hand. turned about, and marched back 70
his own side. lie had kept his promise
like true soldier.