Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-09-25
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
THE SILENT vDETTE.
How His Murder Was Avenged by His
Faithful Comrades


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 Confederate ties,
entrenched. lined the Blackwater river,
q few miles from our front. and the
pickets of both sides. but short d is
lance apart were often hOtly engaged.
But we suffered sadly and frequently
from guerrihas or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
out Of uniform, who snealled 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 '65, was about four miles out
from the post, and consisted of one com
pany OF cavalry and one of infantry.
One bright moonlight night | posted
guards and yidettes, the latter being
mouted men placed outside all the lines
70 give the alarm il the enemy advanced
on US Cox surprise.
out on the road beyond the Deserted
House, nearly mile from the reserve,
left a young cavalryman belonging %
Company NJ. n. Y. Mounted Rifles, with
orders to fire and ride into the reserve
on the approach of an enemy. 1t was
lonesome place, Swallowed by grove of
pines and | told young Stoddard TO
keep a bright lookout, for | felt as il
there was danger in the air He was
favorite Of mine, for had known him at
home in Warren County, n ", whore
he had married lovely girl but year
before the war broke out.
After posting all the sentinels and vi
dettes, rode back to the post, dis
mounted, picketed my horse and went
for cup of coffee to take of the chill of
the night air.
had just drained tin cup Of the hot
beverage, when far off from the south
west, we heard tho dull report of gun.
1t was but single shot, and the instant
heard it cried out:
THAT is from Stoddard's post, but it
was no carbine shot hope the poor
boy hasn't come TO HARM
Five to ten minutes went by, and then
all hands were put on the alert as a
. horse came furiously down the road. In
a few seconds, running right up to the
picket fires, he was caught aud 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 a 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 had no chance!''
gasped the dying man. Tell Emma /
was bushwhaclSed at last
1t was all he could -gasping this,
he died.
You shall be avenged, my poor boyt"
! 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 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 recent discharge.
"Can you rum" asked tho fellow
who stood before us, dark and sullen.
Net me try" ho growlod,
"Go. said l.
The next instant, to my men-ten in
numb berthe order low and stern;
Ready
Away boanded the guerrilla, running
for life, But ten seconds after his star.
followed the order:
Fire low and let him have 1t. I"
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. Poo.
Stoddard was avenged. Cor. Toledo
H