The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-29
" SCOUT LIFE. I"
An Interesting Lecture by Rev. Mr..
Stringfellow.

An Interesting Lecture by Rev. Mr.
Stringfellow.
A well equipped camp with cleaning
white tents. national and state flags, rows
OF stacked muskets and armed sentinels IN
full gray uniforms marching slowly 10
and fro, formed an appropriate background
| for the grim old veterans who, in their rusty
and time-honOred clothes, sat on campstoois
ON the stage Of the Academy Of Music last
evening while Rev. Frank ,uingfelloW,
standing in front Of them near the foot
LIGHTS. delivered his delightful lecture on
'ScOut Lite.'
The speaker knew what he was talking
about. because he had been scout IN the
service Of the COnfederacY land fine one
at that all during the war. Most OF the
time he Was connected with General Robert
r. lees HEADQUARTERS, and his exploits
were invaluable to the Southern cause.
After the war Mr.. stringfellow studied for
the ministry, and has always since been
known as the scout preacher.
The First Regiment Band had played
large proportion Of the old military airs in
ITS repertoire which the large audience
present heartily enjoyed and applauded,
when the curtain rose and the lecturer, ac-
companied by Mayor j. Taylor Ellyson,
walked on the stage. Mr.. Stringfellow
seated himself while Mr.. EllysOn proceeded
10 explain that the lecture was for the ben
eft of Company &, of the First Virginia
Regiment, and the company deserved much
credit for its good selection. In pleasant
terms Mr. EllysOn then introduced the
speaker Of the evening.
After crossing the threshold, so 10 speak,
Of the preface TO his lecture, Mr.. String
fellow said: "Our political enemies have
written our histories. During the war
while we were shut out from communion
.s..I fI...fra r.rfF4 ffpf
marty purposes. first deceived the North ana
then the world. We had no power 10
contradict false statements then and
no inclination 10 do so for quar-
ter Of a century. But the time has
come for truth with steady strides TO over
take error. Applause Military Organiza-
lions are gradually being formed, not only
10 drill the youth Of the land, but also to
form corporations snOng enough TO collect
and keep historical facts for the use Of the
future hist0riographer. To the jew was
committed the oracles Of God. Into your
custody. Oh. fellow soldiers, the
south commits her sacred records.
Your committee have carried ont your
plans by selecting given subjects for dis
cussi0n. and securing speakers who arel
supposed 30 be familiar with the topic TO be
treated. scouts, surgeons, brigadier-gen-
erals, congressman, naval and civil officials
have been engaged % deliver an address
each month. II falls 10 my lot to represent
scout Life in the Army Of Northern Nir-
ginia."
SCOUTS, srIEs, AND PARTISAN.
"a scout is not a spy and he is not par
tisan.n continued Dir. StrngfellOw. ale Oc-
cupies middle ground The object Of a
spy Is 10 gain information. His method Il
either 10 dress i'm the uniform Of the enemy
or as a citizen. He usually goes unarmed. |
The object Of partisan is TO annoy the enc
my. lie operates generally in the rear Of
the lines Of his opponent. He strikes the
line Of communication, slips in when he
can, captures OutpOsts, &c, and II he gets |
information forwards il 10 the General /
commanding. The scout has Information
for his object, and being generally dressed /
in his own uniform, he has a good deal OF
lighting 10 do 10 make his escape If dis
covered.
HOW Is III DONE
Mr.. Strngfelow said he would strive 10
answer some Of the questions which were
usually presented TO HIM when the subject
Of scouting was introduced. One Of them
was: "How do you get into the lines of the
enemy - In answer he would say: "SOme-
times by employing small party Of mento
charge the picket line and sweep back the
enemy. The scout would slip in under
cover Of the woods or the darkness,
and when the line was again es-
tablished it would be far behind
him and he would 60 on his way rejoicing;
but generally II was done by waiting until
night, and then he would crawl in between
the picket pOsts.' The speaker felt sure,
he said, that practical illustrations Of these
points would be listened 10 with more inter
est than the most precise statements that
D.. nj tftan
without illustrations, he thought, were
as dry as Confederate cracker dust.
"Will you 90 with me on scout to-
nightfr he asked. II want 10 show you
how 10 get into the lines Of the enemy, how
10 get into trouble, and how TO get out Of
the lines.
RICHMOND TO WASHINGTON.
each scout undertaken should have
definite object. The one which you are 90
ing to take now is 10 open direct commune
cation between Richmond and Washington
city. Ii is necessary 10 have a reliable mail
line between General Lees camp and the
capital city. Aud 20 make il successful
IL is necessary TO 90 over the line in per-
son, 10 select our own agents, and
10 work the line thoroughly before return
ing TO the army. We are going to AleIan-
lria, eight miles from W ashingtOn. Why, [
ever been in love? Well, your lady love
ives on the nearest road 10 every point"
The speaker at this point alluded to the
Inspiration the women gave 10 the Southern {
,ause.r The girls were our best recruit
ng officers" he said.
lie then told how he accomplished the
rip mapped out for his hearers; how he
ook his life in his hand, finding death star l
ng him in the face at every point; how Bull
Run was crossed az what was supposed TO 1
,e an impossible point; the crossing Of the :
licket line, the meeting with the Yankees, l
Sc.. &c.
The entire lecture was full Of interest q
learly as much 20 the rising generation as /
o the old soldiers who had been there them !
elves, and could see in their minds eye 5
very scene pictured by the speaker, who t
Illuminated his illustrations with the most I
and astounding yarns.
In the audience the members OF Company
:, in full uniform, were scattered, most Of
hem being with ladies.
Struck by Train.
As Mr. Mannihan, a dairyman Of Ches-
n