The National tribune., 1891-02-26
SCOUTS ADVENTURES.
Experience Of Two Who Tried to Find Out
Where the Enemy Was.

blue and Gray"
Immediately upon reporting to the Federal
General above named, Mr. Lee was assigned to
scouting duty. One Of his adventures Is wOr-
thy of record, though not strictly part Of the
story of his work as q spy for the Union. His
companion or partner was Judson Knight;
each knew the other we'll and each would have
trusted the other with his life, his fortunes
and his sacred honor.
IL was the 20th Of November, 1863. and the
Federal force. under the command Of Gen.
Meade, was encamped at Mine Run. How large
a body Of the enemy was near them, and IN
what direction il was 10 be feared, were ques-
tions yet to be determined. In obedience to
the higher authorities. n number Of scouts were
sent out, in small squads and in pairs. Among
the latter, who were OF course expected 70 PEN
citrate deeper into the unknown than the larger
parties, were Lee and his friend Knight In
order 20 accomplish their purpose the better,
they had dOnned Confederate uniforms. This,
Of course. would materially increase their dan
ger in case ofcapture.
It vas late in the afternoon when they rode
away from camp, and for several miles no ad-
venture befel them. They bad decided to
make Orange Courthouse their goal, "a the Con-
federate Outposts were believed 10 be just be-
you'd that point. By skillful management, aid
ed by their gray uniforms, they hoped to get
in the town such points as would enable them
to judge Of the snemy'5 force and exact loea-
tion. But when they were three miles away,
or some half-doZen miles from their starting
point knight turned to Lee:
what Is that OH that hill yonder7"
"Pye Just been looking at it, returned the
other. and it looks to me nightly like bat
terry"
There's more than battery there" said
K night, shaking his head doubJfully; il looks
more like u brigade"
~ don't believe there's brigade of rsbs
within 10 miles" answered Lee testify, but
let's ride nearer"
Acting on this suggestion, they approached
the point where the doubtful body of men WAS
located. They were challenged by picket.
Lee recognized the voice as belonging TO an old
Richmond acquaintance.
why. Burton, don't you know me2" he
asked with great heartiness Of manner.
Burton looked hard at him through the gath
eTing dusk of the November afternoon
"D-d if do. unless its Lee" replied the
picket; who, il is hardly necessary 20 say, was
not aware Of the 4th Georgia's loss of Sutler.
"Les it is" returned the scout; this is my
friend, Mr. knight. Mr.. Burton, one Of the hon
orable class Of high privates."
"Same as myself" answered Burton. with
short laugh; "happy to meet you, Mr.. Knight"
The Federal muttered something which
might have meant an acknowledgment of the
introduction, and accepted the Confederates
proffered hand.
MANY Of the boys about here, Burtonf"
inquired Lee in an off hand manner.
well, the regular picket guard (; the relief
will be here in few minutes. Iii, Jim did
you know Lee was here2"
Thus summoned, the comrades of Burton
gathered about the two Federals.
Fourth Georgia, i s'pOse, Mr.. Knight2"
! asked Burton, by way of doing the polite;
didn't know you were in the neighborhood."
"Yes, we've been here-that is, hanging
around Meade-for some little time; We 20
heard Of your being here, and Lee insisted on
riding over to see some Of his old friends"
did, Ell? Well, Pm mighty glad to hear he
| remembered us so kindly. Sort O. makes
man feel good. these war times. Say, Lee, if
you're so anxious to renew old acquaintances,
there's plenty more on the road"
"Are there?" asked Lee, with genial inter
est "and where may they be now1"
"Weli, reckon they're pretty near all of
| them at Orange Courthouse by this time. Just
! about, should say, for there comes the re-
lief"
"But not all of my aequaintanees, I sup
poseP" ask Lee; "AnOther regimentY"
While Burton and knight had been talking,
he had ascertained that this was the outpost of
a regiment Of artillery, and supposed that some
infantry was coming TO support it in case of an
attack.
Another regiment! h! It's old Pap Long
streets whole corps"
"YOu are joking"
"No, I'm not; it's so-ain't it, Brown"
| turning to comrade; they We been getting in
| all the afternoon, and they're Just about set
| Ting themselves to salt mule and chicOry now.
| Have a chaw2"
A glance Of quick intelligence passed between
| the two scouts, then, with the rapidity of
thought. each had sprang upon the back of the
/ horse nearest to him. and spared away. The
astOnished rebs grasPed the situation in mo-
| ment.
"spies! Spies Yankee spies!" they yelled,
and fired hastily after the fast flying figures
| "And then and there was hurryng to and fro"
| as the alarm was given, and the chi 80 began.
The fugitives bent their heads down to their
horses neeks. and gave the feet animals the
| rein. The bullets whistled about their ears,
| but still they rode on unhaTmed; the leaden
| messengers Of death tore up the earth under
their horses very feet; but fainter and fainter
| grew the yells behind them. Onward, still on
| ward and now they are out of range; now
| they approach the Federal lines, and at last
| arc safe within them. astonishing Gen. Meade
with the news of SO large force scarcely nine
j miles away.