Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-07-11
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
ADVENTURES OF SCOUTS.
rho Experience of Two who Tried to Dis
cover the Enemy.

1t was the goth of November, 1868,
and the federal force, under the COM
mand of Gen. Meade, was encamped at
Mine Run. How large body of the
Enemy was near them, and in what
direction it was to be feared, were ques-
lions yet to be determined. In obedi-
snce 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-
rate deeper into the unknown than the
arger 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
N case of capture.
1t was late in the afternoon when
hey rode away from camp, and for sew
,ral miles no adventure befell the.
They had decided to make Orange Court
house their goal, as the confederate
outposts were believed to be just be-
rond that point. BY slzillful manage
nent, aided by their gray uniforms,
hey hoped to get in the town such
aoints as would enable them to judge
If the enemy's force and exact loca-
ion. But when they were three miles
away, or some half-dozen miles from
heir starting-poirt, Knight turned to
Gee:
"What is that on that hill yonder?"
"I've Just been looking at it, return
ID the other, "and it looks to me
nightly like battery"
"There's more than a battery there"
said Knight shaking his head doubt
fully; 'it looks more like n brigade"
81 don't believe there's brigade of
.ebs within ten miles," answered Lee,
testify, but let's ride nearer"
Acting on this suggestion, they ap-
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
nond 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.
"Durned if 1 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" 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'
edgrnent of the introduction, and ac
cepted the confederate's protfereC
hand.
MANY of the boys about here, Bur
ton?" inquired Lee, in an off-hand man
ner.
"Well, the regular picket-guard; the
relief will be here in few minutes
Hi, Jim! did you know Lee was here?'
Thus summoned, the comrades o
Burton gathered about the two feder
: ais.
Fourth Georgia, I s'pose, Mr.
, Knight?" asked Burton by way of do
ing the polite; didn't know you wer'
: in the neighborhood."
"Yes, we've been here-that is, hang
ing round Meade-for some little time
we've heard of your being here, ant
Lee insisted on riding over to see som
of his old friends"
, "Did, eh? Well, I'm mighty glad t
hear he remembered us so kindly. Sor
t o. makes man feel good, these wa
: times Say, Lee, if you're anxious t
/ renew old acquaintances, there's plent.
} more on the road"
5 "Are there?" asked Lee, with genia
1 interest; "and where may they b
! now?"
"Well, reckon they're pretty nea
: all of them at Orange Courthouse b
this time Just about, should say, fo
3 there comes the relief"
3 But not all of my acquaintances,
? suppose?" asked Lee; another reg
, ment?"
| While Burton and Knight had bee
= talking, he had ascertained that th'
Y was the outpost of a regiment of arti
l lery, and supposed that some infantr
was coming to support it in case OF
: attack.
( Another regiment, the diclSens 1t
a old Pap Longstreet's whole corps"
: "You are joking"
NO, i III nOJ IL , 30 siii ~ hiO"h
r turning to a comrade; they've bee
S getting in all the afternoon, and they
n just about settling themselves TO sa
y mule and chicory now. Have a chaw'
/. A glance of quick intelligence pass'
t between the two scouts, then, with Il
o rapidity of thought, each had sprar
II upon the back of the horse nearest
# him, and spurred away. The astonish'
|, rebs grasped the situation in amomer
e "Spies! Spies! Yankee spies!' th'
IS yelled, and fired hastily after the fa'
u flying figures. And then and the
,e was hurrying to and fro" as ths alar
1t was given and the chase began.
,e The fugitives bent their heads dov
to their horses neclss, and gave the dc
st animals the rein. The bullets whistl
,e about their ears but still they rode
N unharmed; the leaden messengers
az death tore mp the earth under th'