Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-12
AN ADDRESS ON SCOUT LIFE.
Captain ohm Cussons Ma ses an Interesting
Talk Before Lee Camp.


The weekly meeting of Lee Camp last
night was largely attended. The nall was
crowded almost beyond comfort with la
dies and members of the Crganization, who
assembled 10 hear the address of Captain
John CussOns, of Glen Allen. Colonel
Alexander Archer presided.
After the transaction of routine business
Ouartermaster brown announced that
Captain Kane, commandant of The Louisa
Camp. had made an acceptable donation
il the way of several fine hams 10 the Sol
diers' Home.
Colonel Archer in graceful speech then
introduced Captain Cussons, who was
greeted with enthusiastic applause. The
speaker. who stated that his subject was
Scout Life SAID that he was Mortified
when he learned that he was expected TO
make an address Ho had never made but
one in his life, and this was to lady, and,
from his standpoint. 1t was quite sue
cessful.
The service of q scout. said the Captain,
fills place not occupied by any other de-
partment of the army. Ii is not the same
thing as the service OF spy. The latter
goes as friend but scout always as an
enemy. If spy is captured he Is hung,
but a scout is merely considereda prisoner
of war if caught, though, as matter OF
fact, he generally gets shot.
THE BEST COSTUME.
He works at night. adapting his clothing
10 circumstances. faded brown is the
best color tor the garment he wears, as 1t
will generally harmonic with the sur
rounding landscape. A little scattering
of mud is helpful to this garb. His pur-
pose is to find out what sorts of traps the
enemy are laying for our side. and II
properly clothed and gifted with patience
it Is astonishing how easily he can 90
through a Gordon of the enemy. He
crawls forward on his forearms and toes.
Sometime scouts go alone and sometimes
| in company with others. The best way
| for them TO travel together Is to move III
| Indian file.
The speaker then recited several inte-
resting adventures he had while in the SER
vice OF the Confederacy, and held the rapt
attention Of his auditors as he related the
thrilling experiences incident TO his life as
| q scout.
BY getting the situation OF the enemy's
| lines said Captain Cussons, things could
| frequently be accomplished by scouts
| which would otherwise DO attended by
| fearful loss Napoleon might have won at
| Waterloo had he carefully reconnoitred
| the ground.
The speaker told in the most graphic
| language of the death OF one OF his COM
panlOnS, VINO lmpruuently cllchcu Tue
| lock of his rifle while crawling along the
ground. The narration of this incident
was exceedingly interesting, and during
| its recitation the room was so still one
could almost have heard PIN fall. AT
| times the story, as told by the Captain,
| was so pathetic that II almost brought
| tears to the eyes of his auditors.
THANKED by TIE CAMP.
When the speaker took his seat vigorous
| applause showed how highly his remarks
| had been appreciated.
Lieutenant Colonel q. G. Crump offered
| a resolution of thanks to Captain Cussons
! for his eloquent address. IL was unani-
| mousiy adopted, after which Colonel
| Archer briefly expressed the gratitude OF
! the camp for the interesting Grafton.
Mavor Ellyson, who was present, was
| called upon for speech. but he said be
| thought he could make himself more
| agreeable by not trespassing upon the
| time of his auditors. He expressed his
pleasure at beng present. aud said that he
| had no greater honor than that conferred
on him when he was thought worthy to be
a soldier in the army OF which Robert L:
| Lee was commander. He assured Colonel
| Archer that whenever he could be of SER
! vice to the camp he would only have to
| call him.