The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-03-27
A CLOSE SHAVE,
The Narrow Escape Made by Confeder-
ate Agent In Chicago,

ate Agent in Chicago.
A few years ago, says writer in the
the Minneapolis Journal, I vas taking an
after.dinner smoke in hotel in Chicago
With gentleman who had been colonel
in the confederate army, and had held
confidential relations with the JEFF Davis
government. We were talking about the
changes in Chicago since the war, and
he said I:
ri was in Chicago during the war, in
1862 or '63. It looked like rural re-
treat compared with the present splendid
city. Then even the Crosby opera house
wasn't built, and the town vas largely
built of wood"
"Were you a prisoner in Camp Doug
las p" asked.
"Not much,n he replied, although I
came very near, not only getting in Camp
Douglas, but losing my head. I had a
decidedly narrow escape. Doyou want to
hear thrilling episode, the newspapers
call it7"
"Certainly."
swell, I came through the lines-no
matter how-on special business, the
exact nature of which / don't care to
divulge even at this late hour. I was
quite a youngster then, comparatively
speaking, you know, and had good deal
of the daredevil about me. I went
into the war from the start. was one
of the frat fellows in New Orleans to
mount blue cockade on my hat Those
.were stirring times, my dear fellow!
Well, as was saying, catae boldly up
to Chicago. Got through the union
lines in Kentucky, where there we're many
facilities for that The hedge was full of
gaps and letters went regularly through.
But I had to be cautious in my move
ments. The federal authorities were on
| tho lookout for secret emissaries. I came
to meet some parties from Canada, and 1
met them, transacted my business, and
went around town for several days enjoy.
ing myself.
"One morning received note from
a lady Of my acquaintance, who had a
kindly feeling for the South and who was
we'll posted On current movements. She
wrote: IT learn on .undouhted authori.
ty that you are known to be in Chicago
and that they are on the lookout for
you. When you get this stay where you
are until night and then 60 to Mrs. KS,
- street, and show her this hote and
I think you will be all right"
"Here's pretty mess" said to my
self. However, 7 determined to weather
the gale. had been through many a
big battle, but to get in tight place like
this was calculated to make a man ner.
vous, as I might be arrested as spy and
shot. 1 wasn't spy, howeveri but
couldn't prove that I wasn't.
81 wasn't molested during the day.
I stuck close to my quarters, and chang.
ing my clothes and putting on slouch
hat and pulling it down over my eyes, I
launched out on the street and pursued
my way to the address indicated in the
lady's note. The streets were pretty
lively with people, and a regiment of
soldiers we're marching down. Lake street
to the Illinois Central depot to take a
train for the front. Fine, strong young
fellows they were in that regiment, too,
with a band of music playing one of the
popular war songs Of tbs day. Igot to
the house all right and found the lady to
be an old Southern friend. An old
friend, but very young and handsome
lady, the wife Of very agreeable Chicago
gentleman. you'll be all right here"
she said, and t thought SO, too. She,
her husband, and I had very pleasant
evening together, and parted for the
night in high spirits. l was tired and
went to sleep very quickly. Don't know
how long 1 slept, butt was awakened by
q laundering knock at ny door. /
spraug up and found my friend, the
master of the household, pale as ghost
standing in the hal. An officer and a
guard are at the door and you must hide
Il don't know WHEREOF we shall all be
ruined.
"'Go ahead, I said, Sand let them in.
I'll take care ofmyself and you shan't be
compromised
"It was desperately rough situation.
just then my friends wife came quickly
to me and said: Come in here; ne
must do the best we can and adopt heroic
means. Get in there aud don't breathe
OF you're lost
"She pointed to her bed.
a'Get under the mattress aud be still
as death, and get air when you can.'
"In an instant saw her plan. The
bed was large one. The springs were
large. I pulled up the mattress, jumped
in on the springs, and pulled the mat.
tress over me. The lady then returned
to her bed and quickly laid down as
naturally as you please over, me. She
wasn't very heavy, but the mattress was,
and the springs seemed to have edges
cutting into my legs and side.
"Hardly had We disposed ourselves in
this unique manner when the lieutenant
and his men were admitted to the house.
We could hear loud talking and deal
Of profanity as they explored The house
from cellar to garrett and looked in every
closet and ran their bayonets into piles of
clothes. At last the door of the room
opened. The officer touched his hat and
remarked that he couldn't use much
ceremony, as the case was urgent. He
had been informed and was convinced
that Colonel 10y was in this house, and
he meant to have him.