The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-10
A SCOUTING EXPERIENCE.
Virginia Revisited After % Years.
PART I.-196i.

PART I.--196i.
EDITOR NATIONAL. TRIBUNE: About the
middle of May, 1864, immediately after the
battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse, Gen. Grant,
wishing TO ascertain whether Gen. Lee was
being reinforced by troops from the South
dispatched party of - scouts, including my
self, in search of the desired information.
Making wide detour to the left, to get
around Lees right flank, we stopped on our
way at the house of Daniel DeJarnett, where
Mrs. DeJarnott and young lady from Spottsyl-
vana met us rs we rode up. Mrs. DcJarnett,
in reply to our inquiry for provisions for our
selves and our horses, said, "When soldiers
want nything they want it and must have it,"
and directed "Uncle John TO supply our
wants. During his absence on this foraging
expedition, the ladies' evidently began to enter,
tain some doubt as to which side we belonged
to, and Mrs. DeJarnott inquired: Are you
YankcGs2"
We'll. you are tho first Yankees we have
seen, and If they are all like you | shall never
be afraid of them again"
She then wanted to know whether all the
Yankees had horses as good as ours, and as
sured her that ours were fair specimens of q
Yankees mount
We took our provisions uncoolsed and offered
were riding out of the yard she called me back
saying IF you and your mon will each accept
bottle of wine, wo have some old port that
has been in tho cellar 20 years, and you are
welcome to it," Tho invitation was, OF course,
accepted and when Uncle John had brought
tho wine, we knocked off tho necks of tho
bottles, aud drank the good health of tile ladies
without dismountng.
A few miles further on we met cOntraband,
from whom we learned of blind ford, +" SO
called to distinguish it from public one, as
there was no public road leading TO il. After
crossing this ford two of us, j. w. Landegon
and myself, proceeded OF our way as far as
Penola, tthon known by the odoriferous name
of Pole Cat,) leaving the rest of the men under
cover of tho trees that lined tho bank of the
Mattapony River.
Landegon was attired in full Confederate
uniform that no had obtained on tho preceding
day nj Milford Station, while wore wheat
straw hat and coat that had once been blue,
but had now turned almost purple.
On the top of Il hill about half a mile distant,
we deserted mounted man whom we took for
a videt, and started forward TO interview him.
Before we reached him, however, he raised an
umbrella, which action satisfied US that he was
no soldier, but planter watching his servants
at work in the corntield. Turning to the left,
we saw "A man and woman coming from a
house situated IN grove of fine trees into the
field through which we were riding. Greeting
them with the customary salutations, / asked
Have you seen any soldiers iately2" The
woman-who by tho way was only about Is
years old-answered, 81 never saw so many
men in my life rs were here yesterday.
"WhO were they2"
Col. IS command"
"Where were they from ?"
"Charleston."
"HOw many do you think there weref"
ooh : l cant tell; never saw so many men
at one time in my life; they reached from
those bars clear up to that gate, in four ranks
Tho space indicated by her reply would con
tain . brigade OF four regiments This being
| the information for which wo had como around
to tho rear Of Ices army, we felt that we had
| obtained 10 very easily. | could readily see
| from the appearances Of tho place that these
! people could furnish us with food for ourselves
aud our horses. and as tho lady made some re-
mark about Yankees. which sho would mol
have made if she had known that we belonged
| to that hated race. doomed il best to- spare hei
| feelings by telling her the truth. before the
rest OF tho party came PIP, when she wOulC
| have known it anyway. ! could also SEQ tina
she was lady. aud therefore said:
We are Yankees"
She evidently did not believe this, and 70
| piled:
"You are about az much Yankees as we are.
| Feeling it necessary 10 undeceive her,
| looked her sternly ia tho eye and said:
| 1--WE are!"
| never realized until that moment, wher
| she turned deathly pale, stepped back pace o
| two, throwing both hands above her head, ex
| claimed Ia such bcsocchiug voice. ooh don
| hurt us!" how much we were feared / au
| swercd reassuTingly;
"Why do you think we want 10 hurt you
| We are not making war on women"
This rcmark only partially calmod her fears
| for they did not include her husband aud sh
| pleaded;
"Ohl don't take tho Doctor!"
replied:
1--WE don't want TO harm either you or tn
| Doctor. lie Is ut home, minding his own bust
| ness he is not In the army. aud we hav
no intention of interfering with him."
Turning TO the doctor. continued:
Doctor, wo have some mon down there Il
the woods, aud we want food for them and 70
our horses. Can you supply itY Understand
| we do not want IL gratis; wo will pay 70
everything We get"
Upon his replying In the Affirmative Ian
dcgon waved his handkerchief and the me
dashed out from cover and came tearing aero
the level land on gallop. The sight of th
blue.coats was evidently too much for til
nerves of our hosts for, after one frightcne
glance they took To their heels aud scuttle
off To- the house. However, they soon regal ne
their confidence, and provided an e2celen
meal. When il came 10 the point of settl n
accounts We learned that the Doctor who, b
the way, was "A very boyish looking doctor on
pected to be paid in Confederate money. w
told him. we had nothing but greonbacks, bu
he objected 10 them, saying ho could not US
them aud that 10 was against the law To des
ia them in any shape or form. i knew this I
be true, aud said to him.
" IL will only be two or three days when yo
can use all tho greenbacks you can get hold of.
GLOW so2"
"Our army will DO all around you in LEI
than three days"
81 How is that; amt we whipping you a
all the timer"
"That is what your papers say. but we al
coming right along, just the same"
After telling him the relative value of greer
backs aud gold, We paid him and prepared
start. He then asked mo To give him "a pre-
lection paper" / told him that such n doc,
Inent would be OF no service TO him unless
was sigued by tho Provost Marshal. General
the Army. lie still urged his request howeve
} aud gave him u paper asking all Union of
GERS and soldiers TO treat Dr. Dew and h
property with respect and consideration, as /
| had given me very valuable information, and
, signed il as IA scout ut Gen. Meade's headaua
tcrS.
We had not gone over milo when v
, ran into party of the 9th Va. Cav, (althoug
/ 4 Al. l. Al