Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-07-30
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
ADVENTURES OF SCOUTS.
The Experience at Two who Tried to Dis
cover the Enemy.

mand OF Gen. Meade, was encamped at
Mine Run. How large a body of the
enemy was near them, and in what
direction it was to be feared, were cues
tions yet to be determined. In obedi-
ence to the higher authorities. a mum
Der OF scouts were sent out, in small
squads and in pairs. Among the latter,
who We're 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 sxillful manage
ment, aided by their gray uniforms,
they hoped to get in the town such
points as would enable them to judge
of the enemy's 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 were
challenged by picket. Lee recognized
the voice as belonging to an old Rich
mond acquaintance.
why. Burton, don't you know meP"
he asked, with great heartiness of man
ner.
Burton looked hard at him through
the gathering dusk of the November
afternoon.
burned If 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 a sutler.
Lee it is, 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 a 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
ton9' inquired Lee, in an off-hand man
ner
"Well, the regular picket-guard; the
relief win be here in 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 were
in the neighborhood."
Eyes, 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"
did, Ell? Well, I'm mighty glad to
hear he remembered us so kindly. Sort
O. makes man feel good, these war
times. Say, Lee, if you're anxious TO
renew old acquaintance. there's plenty
more on the road"
Are there?" asked Lee, with genial
interest; land where may they be
now?"
'Well. | reckon they're pretty near
all of them at Orange Courthouse by
this time. just about. | should say, for
there comes the relief"
But not all of my acquaintance, l
suppose?" asked Lee; another regi-
ment?"
While Burton and knight had been
talking, he had ascertained that this
was the outpost OF "a regiment Of arth-
lerv. and supposed that some infantry
was coming to support it in case of an
attack.
Another regiment. the dickensl It's
old Pan Longstreet's whole corps"
You are joking"
"No. I'm not; it's so-ain'tit, BROWNE"
turning to eomrade; they've been
getting in all the afternoon, and they're
inst about settling themselves to salt
mule and chicory now. Have chaw2"
A glance of quick intelligence passed
between the two scouts, then. with the
rapidity of thought. each had sprang
mon the back of the horse nearest to
him. and spurred away. The astonished
rebs grasped the situation in amoment
..spiesl Spies. Yankee spies" they
yelled. and fred hastily after the fast
living figures And then and there
was hurrving to and fro, as the alarm
was given and the chase began
The fugitives bent their heads down
10 their horses necks, and gave the feet
animals the rein The bullets whistled /
about their ears, but still they rode on
unframed; the leaden messengers OF /
7aatb tore up the earth under their