The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-06-11
WHAT AN OVERSIGHT"
HOW a. Clever Spy Was Captured
in the Enemy's Camp.

Tho spring of 1868 found the Western
army in this condition. The battle OF
Stone River, successfully fought by Cen
oral Rosecrans had driven tho Confed-
crate forces out OF Middle Tennessee
and had revealed weakness of the COM
missary and transportation arm Of the
Union army which must be romedied.
The Union cavalry was comparatively
inexperienced and had been unable to
cone with Forrest and Morgan, and, con-
seouently, the long lines OF army wag-
ons and slender lines Of railway had
been very often tho prey of the fitting
well-mountcd Southern centaurs. An
interval must now be used in strength
ening our cavalry and in rehabilitating
our crushed wagon trains.
Radiating like the spokes of wheel,
there ran from the capital, Nashville,
an admirable system of turnpike roads.
In tho yernacular, they were known as
the pixies" Over them rolled heavy
cotton wagons in times of peace, but
while the war lasted they were the COM
mcdious 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 Geographic wires,
and as closely connected also by a daily
patrol of cavalry. 1t was on dull,
drizzly morning in the last days OF April
1865, that n sergeant of the picket guard
came up the rise of ground toward the
headquarters of the Franklin Division
of tho army, followed by youthful
officer in infantry uniform mounted on
big bay horse. Evidently the officer
had been met on the picket line, and the
sergeant, doubling the validity Of his
pass, was taking him to the command
ing officers tent for further orders.
Hating there the sergeant said to the
orderly pacing before it: Tell the Gen
eral / would like'o speak to him."
The orderly stepped to the flap Of the
tent and said in sing-song tone:
"Gineral 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 rcd, full face of the command.
ant came into view at the tent door.
Tho orderly stepped back and shout
dercd his musket, touched it in salute
and resumed his beat. The sergeant
salutcd, camo to attention and said:
This officer came up the pike and
was halted at an outpost near the rail
road. He has pass and I brought hin
to headquarters.
Perfectly right, sergeant. Return
toyour post; will attend to this" said
the General.
By this time the young officer had
alighted, stood at attention, saluted and
then offered his pass to the General
saying at tho same time with smile
II am glad, General, to find your mel
On the alert General Rosecrans ha:
sent me out on an inspection tour, ant
he desired me in particular to note the
discipline and condition of the guards
must certainly report you as wide
awake at franklin"
The General glanced at the pass ant
then said:
"Ah, | see, you are Major White.
am glad to know you. Mike, call VI
Nhipplc to take Major Whites horse
Come in, como in, MAORI"
That's splendid horse, too, for
dough-boy officer to ride" said Mike, o
ne seized the bride. Mike was quee
character, selected by the General TO
his rich broguo and his odd conceits, t.
act as orderly at his tent-door. TIL
General only smiled as he preceded
Major White into the tent. Soon sound
oil merriment arose in proof that thu
eommandant and his staff were making
MaJor Whites acquaintance, and wer
nndlng him an agreeable companion
IN an hour or two the party emerge'
equipped with overcoats and pouches tt
make the rounds Of the fortified cam
at Franklin.
What do you wish to ace first?
asked the General.
wen" said the Major, easily, 'let u
LOOK at the works. | perceive alread
mat you have made this quite stron
point
:, fes," said the General, II have
west Pointongineer with the Sixteent
regular Infantry and he has laid out
series of defonses which would pleas
ifistfam shandy's Uncle Toby"
i see," said the Major, land most {
the escarpments are open and smoot
enough to be charged by cavalry, /,
alone infantry. What is your meanin
in that?"
Inc General laughed in a self-satisfie
manner, and said: 81 would like to Sc
roFrcst and all his ragamufflns chars
enem once. Do you sec those return
ion the right and left there? Well, v
nave six twelye-pounders in embrasur,
"taae this whole escarpment"
So so!' said the Major, taking h
notebook, making diagram of IL
SITUATION; that is excellent TT
oeneral will much admire it, I a
sure.n
Inc commandant was pleased, oil
oala, You see the crest Of the rid,
yoader?n '"'
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