Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-03-20

the blue voluntarily penetrated the
enemy's lines, risking their lives in
quest of information essential to the
success of the Unionists.
I can recall two instances where
Confederate spies displayed remark
able courage, and one instance where
fortune favored another in manner
so remarkable that the circumstances
attending his disappearance are as
vivid in my memory now as the events
of yesterday.
After the Confederates withdrew
from Bowling Green, KY. and Buell's
legions were fairly on the road
to the Tennessee River, where, in
conjunction with the army under Cen
eral Grant, o movement against the
enemy at Corinth, Miss, was contem-
| plated, sharper outlook was kept up
for suspicious persons. I think it was
before the advance reached Duck
River that prisoner was brought to
the headquarters Of the Second Di-
vision, commanded by General Alex.
Mcdowell McCook. All the circum-
stances attending his capture war
ranted the suspicion that he was spy.
| Worse than everything else was the
mans manner. He was reticent to o
degree, and sullen. He did not feign
goodwill to his captors he had no
love for us, and he made us understand
his true sentiments by scornful looks
when his countenance did not express
deadly hatred. There never was o
man less inclined to bend the knee or
| fawn. His manner was the subject Of
4 much comment. Captain Boyd, I
think, had charge Of the provost guard.
He gave special orders to the guard
concerning this prisoner, who had inti-
mated that he would find way to es-
cape He was a well-built man Of
about thirty, with resolute bearing.
Doubtless, from his standpoint, he had
good reason to feel and look tigerish at
| his captors.
/ Many pens have recorded the rapid
march of Buell's divisions to Savannah.
How General Nelson crossed Duck
i River, and by forced march reached
the battlefield at Pittsburgh Landing
many hours in advance Of the other
divisions Of Buell's army has been re-
cited time and again. I will only rel
fer to that swift march Of the divisions
for the purpose Of giving the reader
an idea Of the scenes on the route, and
at Savannah.
The booming Of the cannon was
borne to us o distance Of sixteen OF
eighteen miles that Sunday morning.
Some officer, whose name cannot now
recall, who was riding beside General
McCook, cast his eyes upward, and
wondered if we were going to have
. rain. General McCook did not re-
spond Immediately. When he replied
it was with his infectious smile
, Thunder? That's cannon. They're
at it down there already. + remem
ber how this fred Captain Boyd, wht
spurred his horse ahead; pretty soor
he was away in advance in his eager
, ness to reach Savannah. 81
AS every man there knew we wer,
going down to the Tennessee ITO fight,
? the regular booming Of the guns mad,
the troops step out lively. Every on
was eager to participate in the battle
The men. wanted to try their mettle--
they had never smelt powder when th
odor meant death and destruction.
In the excitement attending the ar
3 rival Of the troops at Savannah, th
! spy in charge Of the provost guard We
i almost forgotten. The provost guar
/ put up d tent on the roadside. III
headquarters Of the Second Diyisio
1 on the evening and night Of the 6th /
|. April, 1852, was in the saddle, on foot
4 or vibrating between the steamers the
bore the fast arriving forces ID the bai
tleground and the brick house tia