Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-11-06
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
THE SILENT VIDETTE.
How His Murder Was Avenged by Hi
Faithful

HOW HIS MURDER was AYenSeu ny f1As
Faithful Comrades.
In 1868, Suffolk, Va, was the extreme
advance post of the United States army
in Southeastern Virginia. 1t covered
| Norfolk. the mouth of the James and
| Fortress Monroe. The Confederates,
entrenched, lined the Blackwater river,
| a few miles from our front, and the
| pickets of both sides, but short dis
lance apart were often holly engaged.
But we suffered sadly and frequently
from guerrillas or Observation-Disclosures
out of uniform, who sneaked in on our
lines and cruelty shot down our senti-
nels on post, or fired from ambuscade on
some passing scout.
Our picket station on what was
known as the Franklin road, in the
winter of '63, was about four miles out
from the post, and consisted of one COM
pany of cavalry and one of infantry.
One bright moonlight night 1 posted
guards and videttes, the latter being
mouted. men placed outside all the lines
to give the alarm if the enemy advanced
on us for surprise.
Out on the road beyond the Deserted
House, nearly mile from the reserve,
left a young cavalryman belonging to
Company NJ, n. Y. Mounted Rifles, with
orders to fire and ride into the reserve
on the approach of an enemy. 1t was a
lonesome place, Swallowed by grove of
pines, and 1 told young Stoddard to
keep bright lookout, for I felt as if
there was danger in the air. He was a
favorite of mine, for had known him at
home in Warren County, n. Y, where
he had married a lovely girl but year
before the war broke out.
After posting all the sentinels and vi
dettes, 1 rode back to the post, dis
mounted, picketed my horse and went
for cup of coffee to take off the chill Of
the night air.
had just drained tin cup of the hot
beverage, when far off from the south
west, we heard the dull report of gun.
1t was but a single shot and the instant
heard it cried out:
THAT is from Stoddard's post, but it
was no carbine shot. 1 hope the poor
boy hasn't come to harmp'
Five to ten minutes went by, and then
all hands were put on the alert as
horse came furiously down the road. In
a few seconds running right up to the
picket fires, he was caught and l saw at
the first glance that it was Stoddard's
horse.
The saddle was empty, but the front
of the saddle and the shoulders of the
horse, covered with blood, told that the
rider was either dead or badly hurt.
Into the saddle, and with twenty men
at my back, rushed to his post as fast
as our horses could carry us.
There he lay in the clear moonlight,
on his back near clump of bushes, yet
alive, but dying-his breast fairly rid
died with buckshot
raised him up and gave him sip of
liquor from my canteen, but it was of no
use.
''He crept upon me in the bushes-he
was right under the head of my horse
when he fired, and 1 had no chance"
gasped the dying man. Tell Emma l
was bushwhacked at lastr'
1t was all he could say-gasping this,
he died.
- GU snail De avenged, my poor Doy!
1 cried. There is frost on the ground
and we'll track your murderer
We followed the track on the thick
frosted ground for nearly two miles to
an old horse-shed near a house. Under
a pile of old straw we found
man in butternut clothes, with double
barrelled gun by his side. The barrels
were yet moist from a recent discharge.
''Can you run?" 1 asked the fellow
who stood before us, dark and sullen.
LET me try" he growled.
60" said l.
The next instant, to my men-ten in
mum berthe order low and stern:
Ready
Away bounded the guerrilla, running
for life. But ten seconds after his start
followed the order:
Fire low and let him have it"
Ten sharp carbi mes rang loud on the
night air as one report and the MUIR
derer, with one fearful leap ended
race and life in the same breath. Poor
Stoddard was avenged.-Cor. Toledo
Blade.