Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-08-20
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
ADVENTURES OF SCOUTS.
The Experience of Two who Tried to Dis
cover the Enemy.


Mine Run. How large a body of the
enemy was near them, and in what
direction il was to DO feared, were ques-
tons yet to be determined. In obedi-
ence TO the higher authorities, a num-
Der OF scouts were sent out. in. small
squads and in pairs Among the latter,
who were of course expected to pene-
trate deeper into the unknown than the
larger parties, were Lee and his friend
Knight. In order TO accomplish their
purpose the better, they had donned
confederate uniforms. This, Of course,
would materially increase their danger
in case of capture.
1t was late in the afternoon when
they rode away from camp, and for sew
eral miles no adventure befell them.
They had decided to make Orange Court
house their goal, as the confederate
outposts were believed to be Just be-
yond that point. BY skillful manage
ment, aided by their gray uniforms,
they hoped to get in the town such
points as would enable them to judge
of the enemys force and exact loca-
ton. But when they were three miles
away, or some half-dozen miles from
their starting-point, Knight turned to
Lee:
What is that on that hill yonder?"
I've just been looking at it, . return
ed the other land it looks to me
nightly like battery"
There's more than battery there, "
said Knight, shaking his head doubt
fully; lit looks more like brigade"
Il don't believe there's a brigade of
rebs within ten miles" answered Lee,
testify, but let's ride nearer"
Acting on this suggestion they APP
preached the point where the doubtful
, body of men were located. They We're
\ challenged by picket Lee recognized
the voice as belonging to an old Rich
3nond acquaintance.
why, Burton, don't you know me?"
he asked, with great heartiness of man
ner.
Burton looked hard at him through
the gathering dusk of the November
afternoon
burned if l do, unless its Lee" re-
piled the picket, who, it is hardly nee
essary to say, was not aware of the 4th
Georgia's loss of sutler.
lee it is, 7" returned the scout; ''this
is my friend, Mr.. Knight, Mr.. Burton,
one of the honorable class of high pri-
Yates.
''Same as myself answered Burton,
with short laugh; ''happy to meet
you, Mr.. Knight"
The federal muttered something
which might have meant an acknowl
edgment of the introduction, and ac-
cepted the confederate's proffered
hand
MANY of the boys about here, Bur
ton?" inquired Lee, in an off-hand man
ner.
''WeH, the regular piclSet-guard; the
relief will be here in a few minutes.
\ Hi, Jim! did you know Lee was here?"
Thus summoned, the comrades of
Burton gathered about the two feder
AIS,
Fourth Georgia, / s'pose, Mr..
knight" asked Burton, by way of do
ing the polite; didn't know you We're
in the neighborhood
'lsYes, we've been here-that is hang
ing round Meade-for some little time
We've heard of your being here, and
Lee insisted on riding over to see some
of his old friends"
t"Did Ell? Well, I'm mighty glad to
hear he remembered us SO kindly. Sort
81 makes man feel good, these war
times Say, Lee, if you're anxious to
renew old acquaintance, there's plenty
more on the road. "
s'Are there?" asked Lee, with genial
Interest: and where may they be
now"
swell, l reckon they're pretty near
all of them at Orange Courthouse by
this time. Just about, | should say, for
there comes the relief. ;"
Shut not ali of my acquaintance,
suppose" asked Lee: another regi-
Enent?"
4 While Burton and Knight had been
s talk g, he had ascertained that this
Z was the outpost of a regiment of artil-
IIery, and supposed that some infantry
Twas coming to support it in case of an
lattacll.
Ell %Another regiment the dickens It's
/ old Pap Longstreets whole corps"
'fYou are joking
'iNo I'm not; it so-ain't it, BROWNE"
if QIIllnS 10 cOmEdues IHey We DeeD
|zgepting in all the afternoon, and they're
Mus about settling themselves to salt
8knule and chicory now. Have chaw?'
Il Al glance of quick Intelligence passed
between the two scouts, then. with the
lFaRidity of thought, each had sprang
hp9n the back of the horse nearest to
shinh. and spurred away. The astonished
IfebA grasped the situation in moment
"sSpies. Spies! Yankee spiesr' they
IFelaed, and fred hastily after the fast
zliyihg figures. ''And then and there
lFa$ hurrying to and fro, as the alarm
Was given and the chase began.
1 Tie fugitives bent their heads down
htheir horses necks, and gave the fleet
Hni1nals the rein. The bullets whistled
k#put their ears, but still they rode on
Aharmed: the leaden messengers Of
ath tore up the earth under their
fses' very feet; but fainter and faint
s grew the yells behind them. On
#sard still onward: and now they are