The National tribune., 1892-07-21
FTs DOWN AT THE FORD.

not show above the fence, they would escape
being seen by the
PIcKETs DOWN AT THE FORD,
while the fence would at the same time so
blend with the forms of men in dark clothes
that they would not be seen by the three men
on the bluff. As soon as the bluff was reached,
BY walking close to it they would be out of
view from the pickets, who stood at some dis
tance back from the edge OF The bluff, until
they came near the pine thicket. shown at the
left. There was the critical point, but the
distance was short. and flock of sheep in the
field suggested going on hands and knees until
the cover Of the pines was reached. Ii turned
out afterward that one had 10 keep on his
hands and knees until the pine thicket was
passed; for the branches came so near the
ground there was no other means of locomotion
through them.
After the selection of the crossing place, and
stopping long enough after dark to see them
make the change for their Birft-watch. which
was easily Zone by Keeping watch of them
through feidglass from before until after
dark; Ebr keeping ones eyes constantly TO the
glass, one coald see them when it became so
dark that it is doubtful if they could have
been found By casual obserrer;) we then
went back IL miles TO Headquarters, starting
the next day in time to reach the crossing
before dark, as to give the ones who were to
cross q chance to see the arrangements for the
night
Two young fellows from Battery B, 1st Ohio
i. A.. named Wood Dodd and Frank McCord,
had been detailed from their battery by order OF
EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
then Secretary Of War. McCord and Dodd had
written 70 the Secretary asking for the detail,
rs they thought they could render their ceun-
try better service in that capacity than they
could simply as members Of Battery Z. They
had been selected as the first ones to accompany
Bob 10 bis fathers. think it was the 5th
Mich. Cav. who were on picket on our side of
the rI,er that night. When we told them that
three-oftlEe party were going over to Lees Head
QpHrters they were iDcredulous and il d id look
& be an impossible thing to do as the moon
was shining brightly and the ground was white
WITH SNOW a few of them accom- panied ps
down 10 The river bank. carrying their carbnes
along to protect the men il they should be dis
covered and have to fall back to the rubber
float, shaped like the mattress of a bed and
filled with air This rubber float would carry
six people, ana the three Of us who were not
going or the trip to Lees Headquarters, pad
died them over and stayed by the bank to
bring them back If they should be discovered,
They landed, aud Bob took the lead, with Nc.
Cord and Dodl following in the order named,
stepping in each others tracks SO as not to
make too broad a trail, that might attract
notice next morning.
We anxionsiy watched them until they dis
appeared Ia the pines, and no alarm had been
raised.
IT WAS AS COOL AN EXHIBITION OF COURAGE
rs ! ever saw. What other dangers they might
meet IN their tramp Of nearly 20 miles Of course
no one could tell anything about; but the first
stage had been successfully accomplished and
we retired 10 our side of the river very much
relieved Of the tension on minds to which
we had been subjected. The arrangements
for fo sfa ell ;.I,&
taking care Of oGr own and the absent scouts
horses, and 10 20 after them upon their showing
three lights. Sometimes the three lights were
omitted, and three stones would be thrown into
the water near the shore ON which the watchers
were, for TIC signal.
OF course il was not possible to predict with
certainty al what hour on the following night
they would return and We went as early as
they could possibly be expected, and had a
long and cold time waiting. At last the CLEAN
OF a burning match rewarded us. We did not
wait noDent after the third light was shown
before we had our rubber foat in the water,
and soon lad them safely on it. The squeeze
their hands received as VIC met them must
have satisfied them Of
oUR DELIGHT IN SEEING THEM sAFE
in Cur lines again. OF course there have been
msUy exhibitions of bravery among the soldiers
who served during the war of the rebellion on
both sides. know of instances of Confederate
scouts who came into our lines and did some
daring deeds. aud have known some OF our own
scouts Who did things that wocld seen, 10 the
uniniliated, as very bold and daring. For
instance, Martin L. Hogan, with few of the
HeaaqusrteF scouts, three months later. lower
down the same stream, with some volunteers
from the cavalry comprising the rsiding party
Of Fitzpatrick and Dahlgren, volunteered 10
wade the river at Ely's Ford carrying their
arms over their heads TO keep them dry.
Hogan was in the advance, and he crept np
TO the first rebel picket surprised, disarmed
and made him show the way to the next post,
telling him 20 answer properly when challenged,
or be was dead man; and from him TO the
third aud last post, whom he also captured
without firing shot; after which exploit the
house where the reserve picket was cua,tcred
was surrounded and Hogan told the boys " hen
they heard shot inside the house to smash
the windows and cover the party inside with
their carbines. Then boldly marching to the