Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-06-03
WHAT AN OVERSIGHT"
How a Clever Spy Was Captured
In the Enemy's Camp.

How a Clever Spy Was Captured
in the Enemy's Camp.
army in this condition The battle of
Stone River, successfully fought by Cen
eral RosecrAns, had driven the Confed-
and had revealed Q weakness OF tho COM
missary and transportation arm OF the
Union army which must be remedied.
The Union cavalry was comparatively
inexperienced and had been unable to
cope with Forrest and Morgan, and, con-
seQuently, the long lines Of army wag-
been very often the prey Of the fitting
weil-mounted Southern centaurs. An
interval must now be used in strength
ening our cavalry and in rehabilitating
our crushed wagon trains
Radiatang like tho spokes of q wheel,
there ran from the capital, Nashville,
an admirable system of turnpike roads.
In tho vernacular, they were known IS
the ''pikes." Over them rolled heavy
cotton wagons in times of peace, but
while the war lasted they were tho COM
modious and direct thoroughfares for the
moving OF army wagons. artillery and
marching troops. They were duly
guarded and kept open BY Union forces.
These fortified camps were connected
with each other by telegraphic wires,
and - closely connected also by daily
natrol Of oavalrv. It WA ON a dull.
driszly morning in the last days OF April,
1861, that q sergeant Of tho picket guard
came up tho rise OF ground toward tho
headquarters Of the Franklin Division
Of the army, followed by . youthful
Officer in infantry uniform mounted on
. big bay horse. Evidently the officer
had been met on tho picket line. and the
ser .eant. doubling the VALIDITY Of HIS
pass, was taking him to the command.
ing odaoerS tent for further orders.
Hating there the sergeant said to the
orderly pacing before 1t, TELL the Gem
eral would like to speak to him."
The orderly stepped to tho flap Of the
tent and said in sing-song tone,
General, the sergeant of the gua-a-rd
Is to the FORE and wishes to spake wild
yez"
A hearty laugh was heard inside. and
then the red, full face OF the command
ant came into view at the tent door.
The orderly stepped back aud shoul-
dered his musket touched 1t in salute
and resumed his beat. The sergeant
saluted. came to attention and said;
Inis omcer came up the PIKE and
was halted ut an outpost near the rail-
ROAD he has pass and brought him
to headquarters"
~Perfeotly right sergeant. Return
to your post; Will attend to this" said
the General.
" "A hoA
ahghted. stood at attention. saluted and
then offered his pass to the General,
saying at tho Same time with . smile:
II am glad. General, to ind your men
On the alert General Rosecrans has
sent me ous on An inspection tour, and
be desired me in particular to note the
discipline and condition Of the guards.
must certainly report you Is wide-
awake 1t Franklin"
The General glanced at the pass and
then said:
"Ah, see, you are Major White.
am glad TO know you. Mike, call up
Whtpple to take Major Whites horse.
Como in, come In. Ma}orr'
"Thets splendid horse, too, for q
dourh-bov ofncer to ride" said Mike. "A
he seized the bride. Mike was a queer
character, selected by the General for
his r1ch brogue and his odd oonoeits, to
act % orderly At his tent-door. The
General ouly smiled a he preceded
Major White into the tenA Soon sounds
Of merriment arose in proot that the
oomm.ndsnt and his stah were ualtno
Major White,s aoouaintenoa .nA were
nndinr him an aoreeahle oornnanion.
In An hour or two the marty emenoed
eoniny,od vrifh ovorcoaA. ana r<nohos ~
make the rounds Of the forthed oamn
"A Frank,ir
.sWh.A do Won wisb to .aa a-.+p.
asked the Generai.
;s H. s., ~' asa. hi: 'sss